5 Travel Essentials to Take on Your Next Trip Abroad
While the COVID-19 pandemic has made travel feel like a thing of the past, there’s really no time like the present to start planning ahead. Plus, there may be quirky places to visit during quarantine not far from your hometown. In this post we’ll be taking a look at five travel essentials you’ll want to invest in before your next trip abroad, or around your local region.
1. Face masks and sanitizer
Although COVID-19 is unlikely to completely wipe out the travel industry forever, travelers will probably notice changes for many years to come. In addition to following social-distancing standards, travelers will also want to prepare for their upcoming journeys with the appropriate protective gear.
You can expect a set of reusable face masks, some disposable gloves, sanitizing wipes, and hand sanitizer to be on your list of travel essentials for the foreseeable future whether you’re traveling across international waters or just to the next town over.
2. Melatonin
There are so many things to love about traveling. From exploring new sights and embarking on adventurous activities to indulging in the local cuisine, almost every part of the experience is just about as glamorous as popular travel influencers make it out to be. But one area where travel may be lacking is sleep quality.
Whether you’re just anxious to arrive or can’t get comfortable in your seat, melatonin supplements are just the travel essential you need to feel rested and ready for your trip. Simply take your supplement 20-30 minutes before bedtime and off to dreamland you’ll go!
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling abroad or across time zones, try to plan your sleep around the time zone of your destination. For example, if it’s 1 PM at home but 9 PM at your destination, try your best to fall asleep anyway — this will help you avoid jet lag.
3. CBD
CBD has become incredibly popular in the health and wellness industry over the years, and for good reason. Like THC, this natural compound is found in the cannabis sativa plant, but does not contain the psychoactive effects of THC. Instead, CBD allows users to maintain cognitive clarity while reaping benefits such as:
- Pain relief
- Stress management
- Boosted mood
- Increased energy
If you have any anxiety around traveling or just have trouble kickstarting your morning, keep CBD in mind. CBD tinctures help start the day if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your travels or are in need of a little energy boost to start ticking off things on your itinerary.
4. Portable charger
We don’t have to tell you how essential cell phones are to travel these days. From interactive maps to booking accommodations and researching attractions, you’re probably going to be draining your battery more than normal while you’re on the road. For this reason, we think a portable charger is an absolute must.
And before you go, make sure you download these helpful travel apps:
- Hostelworld: Easily find hostel accommodations on-the-go
- Skyscanner: Find cheap flights from various destinations
- Hotel Tonight: Book last-minute hotel reservations
- TripIt: Plan out and organize your travel itinerary
- Google Maps: Obtain and follow direction on or off wifi
- Detour: Audio-guided walks throughout popular cities
- Couchsurfing: Locate free accommodations around the world and connect with other travelers
5. Packing cubes
If you haven’t used packing cubes yet, make sure you invest before your next trip because they are a total game changer, especially if you’re traveling to multiple destinations. Packing cubes allow you to keep your belongings organized and in turn, easier to access while you’re on-the-go.
When using packing cubes, try to compartmentalize in specific categories as much as possible. For example, shirts and tanks should be separate from bottoms, which should be in a different cube than your intimates.
Wrapping up
While your next trip may feel like a world away, there’s nothing wrong with preparing and getting pumped up for your impending vacation. With these five travel essentials, you’ll feel more prepared, recharged, and ready to start fulfilling your wanderlust once again.
Where’s next on your travel list? Share your top trip picks with us in the comment section below.
