I decided to do something different and write about some of my travel items that I never leave home without that also make great holiday gifts.  And these are ones that friends have remarked on and I have given some as gifts as they are good for daily use as well as travel. I have decided to group them into categories – well somewhat like categories.  And I receive no kick-back from any of these nor are these meant to be an endorsement of a product by my blog

Packing essentials

One of the things I have found that has afforded me the ability to travel efficiently are the use of packing cubes.  They come in all sizes and shapes and made by many companies.  I have tried several and found these suit my needs the best.

eBags packing cubes

These packing cubes from eBags can be bought separately, as a set or in various groupings. I find this set pictured fits nicely in a standard carry-on as long as you roll your items such as tops or socks. These are great as you can take them out and place in your drawer especially for items like socks and underwear.  I use the small ones to keep lots of small items from getting lost, especially my pills and vitamins.  They come in various colors so you can color-coordinate if you wish.

eBags packing cubes

Eagle Creek compression sack

The other ones I like are these from Eagle Creek (they also make packing cubes). These I use for bulkier items as they compress them.  Sweaters and my puffy jacket in the winter wind up in these. I also use them for my scarves, essential here in Italy. They come in 3 sizes and various colors. They are part of their Pack-it Specter line.

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Rick Steves Go Go gadget pouch

We all have various items for our phones and tablets and keeping them all together is important.  I have used several  of types of specialty cases for this type of storage and I discovered that this new Rick Steves gadget pouch work the best.  They come in 2 sizes, this is the smaller one that I prefer as it tucks into small spaces in your suitcase or backpack and compacts nicely.  It opens from the top for easy access and it also has 2 side stretchy pockets I find great for USB devices and my camera memory cards as they stay put.

Rick Steves gadget pouch

Keeping charged

We all travel with our phones and some may also take their tablets as well. But you need to keep all these powered up. When traveling in Europe you are not going to find multiple outlets always available especially in older hotels or B&B’s.  Plus you need to bring a charger for your phone as well as your tablet  if you have both.  I use a USB charger that allows for 2 devices to charge at the same time.   So if you are traveling with another person you can charge both your phones or if not, you can charge your phone and tablet.  I like this one from Anker as the plug is retractable so it packs easier in my gadget pouch. And I do not need a charger for my phone and tablet- just this. I also charge my Fitbit and e-reader with this.

EU adapter and USB charger

The other thing you need is an adapter for devices that have American style plugs. Great Britain has different plugs from the EU.  The one shown in the photo is from Rick Steves again!  I know, but he knows his travel stuff after all and if you read a prior blog of mine you know I am a Rick Steves groupie.  Right now these are $1.00 on his sale that lasts through December 13 so they are a bargain.  I always bring extra because there are those time when you pull out your charger and leave the adapter behind in the wall.  Trust me- I’ve done it.  And these are adapters, not converters but your phone chargers and the USB device shown just need an adapter for charging.

Charging on the go

I had a young friend stay with me last year and due to my back issues I sent her off each day to explore the cities I could not maneuver.  I told her to take my charger for her phone.  She said she didn’t need it but I insisted and she was so glad she took it.  Relying on your GPS to get you around places drains your battery so you really need to carry a separate portable charger.

Anker Portable phone charger

Again after much research I have found Anker Chargers one of the best.  You can find smaller ones but when I am traveling for a few days I like this one as it provides multiple charges of my phone without me having to recharge this power source. It will also charge your tablet.  It comes with a case and I also bought the small lightning cable for my iPhone so I can charge it in my purse as I travel.  And yes this was a birthday present to my young friend as well as a recommendation to my brother when he relied on mine during his visit to me.

Keeping it all organized

We seem to have a plethora of charging  cords or ear buds or other cords that just are unraveling all the time and getting tangled.

Gear Ties

I love these ties from Nite Ize.  They keep your cords and ear buds tangle free. They are rubber coated and grooved so they easily cling to your smooth cords.  They come in different sizes, these are the smallest, as well as multi colors if you like to keep things coordinated.  I buy these from Amazon and they are often an add-on item. These are another item I have gifted and they make great stocking stuffers.

Containing your liquids

I love my Gotoobs.  I have been using them for years for my shampoo, conditioner and body wash and have never had any leaks.  They are wide-mouthed so easy to fill especially for the thick conditioners which also squeeze out nicely. You can label them so you know what is in your tubes.  They fit easily in your TSA 3-1-1 bag as they are flexible and not hard like the little bottles.

They come in various sizes.  For my three months in Italy I use the 2 oz shown here with the suction cups on them.  They last me the whole time and I can stick them to the wall of the shower as most places I have lived in do not have places for soap and containers. They have a new series out now called GoToobs Plus that have little locking rings that can be used to hang them as well. This is another item I gifted to those who have admired them. You can find them online and in stores that have travel items.

Always ready for shopping

I have always been a supporter of bringing your own bags for shopping, especially in the supermarket. In Italy they charge you for bags in the supermarkets and elsewhere.  But sometimes you are out for the day and buy a few things and hate to have several bags or need a bag to put them all in.  This is where my Flip and Tumble comes in handy.

Compact travel shopping bag

I have used this for years.  It fits easily into my purse or a jacket pocket and it easily expands to hold a lot of items.  It is my go to grocery shopping bag as well as for other shopping.  I have other small bags but what I like about this is the felt material on the inside handle that stays put on your shoulder and makes it easy to carry. They advertise that it can hold up to 35 lbs.

Flip and tumble open

This is always with me when traveling and I pulled it out for my friend as she struggled with some items she bought while visiting me. And now she has one as it was the perfect gift for her birthday.   You can find them online as well as on Amazon.

All purpose light jacket or layer

I have been a faithful LL Bean customer since my early days of vacationing in Maine and then living there. One of my favorite items that I own in various colors and styles is their fitness fleece.  I particularly like or should I say find essential is their fitness fleece jacket.  On its own it is a great lightweight jacket In early spring and fall.  It layers wells as it is not bulky and is the perfect plane coverup when they blast the AC.  I have slept in it on cold Italian nights before the heat has turned on. It also is easy to wash and dries quickly, usually overnight. I toss it in a day bag for chilly mornings or when the sun sets. It is slightly fitted which is why it layers so well. I replenish my supply annually. I have other friends who also find this their perfect packing buddy!

LL Bean Fitness Fleece

Lock your backpack!

I usually carry my iPad and other electronics such as my e-reader in my backpack when traveling. Some of the new ergonomic zippers don’t have the holes in them that accommodate a luggage lock.  So why lock my backpack?  I like to travel hands free through the airports and public transportation until I reach my destination.  I do not like carrying my back pack in front of me as I usually have a cross shoulder purse as well.  But backpacks are so tempting to thieves.  I sat on a bench in Barcelona and watched 3 young boys scout people with backpacks and then follow them and try to steal from them (I followed them and warned their targets). And on a recent Rick Steves tour one of the members had his wallet in his backpack that was stolen as he rode the escalator up from the metro.  And after my friend had bought a safety travel purse I recommended she put it in her backpack while waiting in the Paris metro and had her wallet lifted. Hence I always lock mine. I found this great lock from Pacsafe that easily fits through small openings and I can lock my iPad in my backpack and travel with ease. It’s an inexpensive investment.  Several people on the tour remarked on it.

Flexible lock for travel- Pacsafe

That’s a wrap

There are so many items I could have included here but these are my essentials and those that my friends traveling with me have said- gee I wish I had that or that is a great idea.  I would love to learn about your favorites and maybe compile the best of them into another post at some time.  Please share your – I can’t leave home without them- travel favorites in the comments.