You’ve booked your trip, know how you’re getting to the airport, have your visa organised and know who’ll be meeting you at the other end. All that’s left to do is pack. For some, this is a really exciting part of the trip; it means you’re finally going! But for many thinking about what to take can be stressful. You know to pack your passport, wallet, clothes and toiletries, but what else should you take on the road with you? What else will make travelling in another country that little bit easier? And most importantly, what could possibly be worth carrying extra weight and taking up more room in your suitcase. We asked our Two’s a Crowd tour hosts and travel consultants what three things they always take away with them. Some may just surprise you!
So here it is, our comprehensive guide to useful things to take on your next holiday.
Ken – Director
I always take a powerboard and one or two international adaptors. This saves taking multiple adaptors and means you can charge several items at once such as your phone, camera batteries, laptop or tablets.
Gillian – Tour Host
I always take a travel umbrella, which is light and small – it’s handy for really hot sun to protect the whole body, plus I don’t like hats. It’s great for light showers and fits snugly in my bag. My mobile to stay in communication with those back home, I also purchase local SIM cards which allow data away from the hotels to access maps and information when out and about. If I don’t feel like taking my camera I always have the phone camera as a backup. And last comfy shoes – summer sandals and runners. Your feet do a lot of walking when sight-seeing and there is nothing more uncomfortable when travelling than when they start to ache!
Thao – Tour Consultant
I always try to memorise, or at least have written down and/or saved into my phone the emergency numbers for police/ambulance/fire brigade in the country I’m visiting, ie the equivalent of 000 in Australia – you just never know when you might need them. I also always take a small First Aid medical kit and a Swiss Army knife which is helpful is so many situations.
Adrian – Tour Host
Number one is always my camera and associated paraphernalia so that I can capture all the amazing sites and activity on the road. Number two is my universal travel adaptor, which helps me charge my phone and camera paraphernalia wherever I am. I also always take my headphones, and an aeroplane adaptor, for use on planes, buses and anywhere I have some downtime or need to block out noise! I have gone through several versions of headsets but now I just travel with a cheap set, as I keep leaving them in airport security or hotels or tour vehicles…
Bernie – Tour Consultant
Panadol, in case I get sick. I never trust medication in another country – if I can, I prefer to take my own. I also always take a Lonely Planet guide if it’s somewhere I haven’t been. I find they are pretty accurate. Coloured plastic bags to keep my suitcase semi-organised and my Ipad to watch Netflix on the plane or when I just have some downtime.
Elise – Tour Host
No matter where I go, I always take Gastro Stop tablets with me and I always take a probiotic each day after dinner to help guard against the different types of food and water I’m taking. I swear by this to help prevent funny tummy! I also take a ribbon for my suitcase so that I can easily pick it out in a crowd of suitcases and, when I’m hosting, I always take one for each of the group!
Sandra – Tour Consultant
I always take a warm scarf/shawl in a neutral colour on the plane in case it’s cold. It’s also really handy for use anywhere you go, even in hot countries that sometimes have fierce air conditioning!
Diane – Tour Host
The first thing I pack when I go anywhere – at home or abroad – is my notebook. I like to take notes on places I like, snippets of conversation or useful advice and interesting facts. I also always pack my metallic drink bottle so that I can fill it up in airports once I’m passed security. The water tends to stay colder in the metal drink bottle than in plastic, so I’ll often tip water from plastic bottles into it as well to keep with me for the day. Or if I’m in a country where the water is drinkable I can fill up from taps and water fountains. And finally I always take a little torch, generally my headtorch, which is useful for all kinds of situations. I’ve used it putting up tents, eating when the place I stayed didn’t have power, going through dark tunnels. And it’s very small so packs easily.
What items do you find useful to travel with?
