Have you ever thought about packing it all up, leaving your life behind and traveling the world for a year? Yup, me too. It sounds like a dream, but what if you could really do it? Where would you go? What would you take with you?
After losing the past 10 years of my life to illness, injuries and all sorts of tragedies (that’s another story for another article), I’ve decided it’s time to make up for lost time and turn the dream into a reality.
So, I’m planning my bucket list adventure to “infinity and beyond” (she says in her best Buzz Lightyear voice).?Okay, well, maybe not “infinity,” but certainly to Europe, the US, Japan and beyond.
With that much variety in cultures, climate and currency, I’ll need to be as prepared as a Girl Scout. Luckily, I’ve become a bit of a pro when it comes to traveling efficiently. To ensure that I don’t miss a thing, I’ve created a list of what I’m packing and where you can buy some of the same items, if you’re thinking of making a big trip, too. I think you’ll be surprised to learn that you don’t need half as much as you think!
Just because I’m bringing a large checked bag along doesn’t mean that I want to fill it to the brim. In fact, I want to do the opposite, as I plan to pick up some priceless treasures on my journey and will need some wiggle room to bring them home.
After all, I don’t want to pay exorbitant amounts of money to check extra baggage or to mail items home. If I do manage to show some self-control and not buy much (yeah, right!) then I’ll have a lighter load and it won’t be so hard to schlep around — it’s a win-win either way.
If I stick to the basics, I’ll need a capsule wardrobe so I can easily mix and match. This will give me a wide variety of options without weighing down my luggage, so I’m ready for any occasion.
When making a capsule wardrobe, it doesn’t matter if you choose neutrals or bright colors. All that matters is that every piece works with the other. Put that extra thought into your selections, and you’ll find a little goes a long way.
Here’s what I’ll be packing
The shoes below will cover all occasions and climates. But more than the styles, it’s important that ALL of the shoes are comfortable and that I can walk 10K+ steps in them without my feet hurting. That’s the ultimate test. If I think the shoe will hurt or give me blisters, they stay home!
- Makeup
- Toothbrush
- Trish McEvoy Face Cloth
- A set of jewelry (nothing expensive or sentimental that will upset you if it gets lost or stolen)
- First aid kit
- Water wipes
- Delicate detergent
- Sunglasses
- Medications
- Hairbrush products
- Antibacterial wipes
- Masks
- Mini flashlight
- Laundry bag
- Glasses
Everyone has their preferred packing method. Since my bag won’t be full, I’m very much aware things are going to shift around, so there’s no point in trying to be obsessive about where everything sits.
This is where choosing fabrics that don’t crease or wrinkle comes in very handy. If you need things to stay in place, packing cubes can come in handy, but I always find the zipped compartments that come on the roof and sides of the luggage are usually equally just as good.
No matter where I’m going, I have a few basic rules that I always follow.
- Always pack the heaviest items at the bottom of the bag where the wheels are.?When you tilt the bag upright, they won’t crush the other items or throw off the weight distribution of the bag.
- Make sure anything with dirt or liquid is wrapped in a leak-proof container or bag. If you’ve ever had anything spill or explode in your bag, you’ll know what I mean.
- Anything fragile gets packed in the center of the bag and wrapped in clothes or other soft material as well as sealable plastic bags. When in doubt, wrap everything in plastic. At some point, we’ll find something better for the environment, but for now, this is my go-to.
- Never pack anything valuable, sentimental or that you can’t afford to lose in your checked luggage.
- Always pack at least one full outfit (undergarments and all) and all your necessities in your carry-on. I made this fatal mistake once, and never again. My luggage was lost on a trip to Sweden. I was left with no makeup, no dainties, no toothbrush and no clothes to wear!
While I like trying out new travel gear, I always bring my tried and true travel gear along no matter where I go. Here are a few of my favorites, plus some new items I’m bringing along.
The Claremont Camera Bag looks like a luxury designer satchel bag, but it’s actually a camera bag in disguise! My old, ugly traditional camera case looked like a baby diaper bag and weighed a ton. Worse, it screamed “I’m carrying a camera,” making me an obvious target for thieves.
Thanks to the Claremont, I can hide my camera in this very chic, lightweight and discreet bag that fits right in with the crowd. The Claremont comes in several elegant colors and has a quilted padded lining inside that will keep your camera safe without all the bulk. It even has tiny little pockets for storing memory cards. Best of all, this is a beautiful timeless bag that functions as more than a camera bag, allowing it to be the only bag that I need to bring on this trip.
Don’t let the picture of the baby on the packaging fool you. Yes, WaterWipes are primarily used for newborn bottoms, but they are also a necessity in any traveler’s bag.
Unlike other wipes, which include harsh chemicals that can burn or stain, these wipes only use water and a drop of fruit extract. As a result, Water Wipes are not only useful for obvious reasons (your bottom will thank you), but they are also perfect for removing makeup, stains, messes and all sorts of clean-ups.?I take them everywhere I go, even if it’s just out to dinner with friends. Therefore, it’s no surprise that they were one of the first items I added when packing for my year-long adventure.
Washing clothes while traveling can be a huge challenge, especially if those clothes are delicate items, like bathing suits, silk pajamas or dresses that can be destroyed if you use regular detergent on them. While there are loads of travel-sized regular detergents, there aren’t that many options for delicate detergents. You’re usually forced to purchase full-sized bottles that you don’t want or need, that weigh you down, and ultimately go to waste.
Soak is not only a super-high-quality delicate detergent, but it also comes in amazing scents (or scent-free). Even better, it also comes in three travel sizes to suit your specific needs.
Camera gear and electronics are usually some of the heaviest items in your suitcase. So how can you make sure you have everything you need to capture your memories without giving yourself a hernia? I’m turning to DJI’s Osmo Action 4 Camera and its fun accessories for all my video needs. It’s lightweight and smaller than the palm of my hand, and it records at 4K quality.
Unlike other action cameras, the Action 4 doesn’t have that fishbowl quality that distorts images and makes editing difficult. It’s also super easy to use and you can take it anywhere, from underwater in pools and oceans, to freezing snow-capped mountaintops. I especially love the remote watch accessory that allows you to start recording from far away.
As a journalist, I’m always taking notes, brainstorming ideas and jotting down my thoughts. Unfortunately, laptops aren’t always the most convenient thing to lug around and notepads are subject to spills and being misplaced. Enter the Remarkable 2 Digital Notepad.
This tablet has the look and feel of paper and pen, but it’s actually a computer that can quickly turn your handwriting into structured typed letters, and your scribbles into charts and graphs. There is no harsh backlight to hurt your eyes so you can spend hours journaling your thoughts. If you do prefer to type some of your content, it’s not a problem — it comes with a super-lightweight attachable keyboard. Plus, it syncs up with your other devices, so no matter what happens, you can sleep well knowing that your content is safely stored and protected.
I love all things retro. Since I was a kid, I’ve been wishing that the 1950s hat box would make a comeback so I could fly with the elegance of Jackie O. and Marilyn Monroe. Finally, my wish has come true thanks to California-based company Brixton! This adorable cream and tan vintage hat box not only gives you that Hollywood glamor of yesteryear, but it’s also the best way to protect your hats while traveling.
If a hat box isn’t for you, Brixton also sells adorable packable hats that can be rolled, folded and stored in your suitcase without losing their form. Brixton takes its inspiration from the past and brings it into these gorgeous products that live in the present, and I adore them.
For me, the most important item of clothing to pack is a little black dress. I especially love a wrap dress; it’s versatile, flattering, and timeless. Whether you’re heading to a destination wedding, having drinks at a swanky hotel or just exploring a city in flip-flops, it fits every occasion.
Generally, I prefer packing dresses as they cover both your top and bottom, meaning you can pack half as much. They are light in the summertime and can be winterized with a pair of leggings and a cardigan. And the best part? Most of them are wrinkle-free. Just give them a wash in your hotel sink, hang to dry and you’re good to go!
Once I decided to go on a year-long trip, I knew I would have to upgrade my luggage and invest in a piece that is stylish, durable and long-lasting. It needed to be able to withstand all the changing weather conditions, the abuse luggage handlers will put it through going on and off the baggage claim, and the occasional tumble down an escalator or flight of stairs.
Enter Bric’s Bellagio collection.?This chic Italian brand from Milan makes stunning pieces out of polycarbonate Makrolon, which is ultra-lightweight and super durable. Having that extra weight on your side means you can pack a few more items without going over the limits. And the strength means you can feel confident that your items are safe and protected. It also has this luxurious Tuscan leather trim that elevates the entire look.
When you’re traveling for an extended time, even the nicest hotels can start to feel cold and soulless. That’s why I’m bringing a Diptyque small travel candle with me. This famous Parisian brand uses all-natural ingredients to make these gorgeous candles. They are the perfect way to make any hotel room feel warm, comfy and cozy when you’re missing home.
Whether I’m taking a bath to rest my feet after a long day of walking or just lying in bed watching TV, it always helps me to relax and unwind. Mimosa is my favorite scent, closely followed by Violette.
I take a ton of photos and videos when I travel, and the RAW files take up a lot of hard drive space. My laptop storage quickly fills and cloud storage can be very expensive. That’s why I like to bring an external hard drive with me.
Unlike other external hard drives, the LaCie Rugged Hard Drive is very durable and can handle being tossed around in my backpack or carry-on. I usually take a smaller 1TB-5TB hard drive with me on a trip. Then, when I get back home, I transfer all of the files onto the larger external 8TB hard drive that backs up all of my devices and content.
I find this is the most economical way to manage all of my content and keep it safe. The last thing any traveler wants is to be cut off from taking photos or videos because they’ve run out of storage space. With the LaCie hard drive, I never have to worry and can snap away to my heart’s content.
Everyone knows that traveling is tough on your skin. The dry air on planes will literally suck out all the moisture and leave you with dry, flaky, uncomfortable skin. To add insult to injury, those hotel face clothes are as coarse as sandpaper! It’s critical that you wash and remove makeup from your face every day with the right tools. With the Trish McEvoy Makeup Erasers, my makeup comes off with ease.
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