7 Essential Travel Items
Packing for an upcoming trip can be quite a stressful experience. While you probably have the basics of packing down (wallet, clothes, toiletries, smartphone, etc.), there may be some essential travel items that you do not know about if you are not an avid traveler. Do not worry — we have got you covered! Read on to see what we believe are the seven most essential travel items to bring with you on your next trip.
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE
Most likely, you have heard that you should be drinking at least eight glasses of water each day. However, staying hydrated when traveling can often be difficult and expensive, especially if you have to buy a bottle of water each time you are thirsty. A more suitable option for your upcoming travels is a reusable water bottle. A reusable water bottle not only helps you save money, but it is better for the environment too!
Check This Out: Jetsetter recommends the Nomadic Collapsible Water Bottle for easy, on-the-go hydration. This reusable bottle can fold up to a fraction of its original size, making it a portable, non-bulky option. It is durable, leak-proof and made from 100 percent food-grade materials. It is also free of BPA, BPS, PVC, phthalates, lead, latex and other harmful leaching chemicals.
PACKING CUBES
It does not take long for a carefully packed suitcase to turn into a jumbled mess when traveling — but it does not have to be that way! A clever way to stay organized before and during your trip is to use packing cubes. Packing cubes are fabric bags of different sizes intended to keep clothing organized and make life easier in the process.
Check This Out: Amazon offers a variety of affordable packing cube options. For example, Bagail has a six-piece set with almost five stars and over 12,000 reviews. These nylon packing cubes come in various sizes, and you can purchase varying colors. They also fit conveniently into most airline carry-on suitcases, tote bags, weekender bags, backpacks and duffle bags.
LIP BALM
Sun damage, cold weather, dehydration and flying in an airplane can all dry out your lips. And there is nothing worse than traveling with chapped lips, especially when you do not have a product close by to relieve the feeling. That is why we suggest packing a lip balm to keep your lips hydrated when you travel — and your lips will thank you for it!
Check This Out: The Mario Badescu Lip Balm, recommended by Jetsetter, can help nourish dry lips. This hydrating lip balm is formulated with ingredients like cocoa butter, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E to replenish your lips. As an added benefit, this lip balm is vegan, oil-free, paraben-free, gluten-free and sulfate-free.
PORTABLE CHARGER
Today, we use our smartphones for a lot more than simply making calls. Many of us rely on them to check email, text, stay connected on social media platforms and even take pictures. But all that added use will drain your smartphone’s battery over time. That is where a portable charger comes in. A portable charger charges your smartphone anytime and anywhere, which makes it a convenient item to have while traveling!
Check This Out: Town & Country recommends the Luxtude 5000mAh Ultra Slim Portable Phone Charger. This charger comes in black or gold and is small, slim and lightweight. Before ordering a portable charger, remember to check if it is compatible with your smartphone make and model.
HAND SANITIZER OR SANITIZING WIPES
To help protect yourself and others from germs when traveling, you should bring a hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes. If you cannot wash your hands, the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) recommends using a hand sanitizer with more than 60 percent ethanol or 70 percent isopropanol. Keep in mind, if you are flying to your destination, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice.
Check This Out: Purell is a classic choice for hand sanitizer. While many hand sanitizers can leave your hands feeling stripped, the Purell Advanced Soothing Sanitizer Gel soothes hands with moisturizers like aloe and vitamin E, and it kills 99.99 percent of common germs.
RAIN PONCHO
Does your trip itinerary involve spending some time in the great outdoors? If so, you should prepare for sudden weather changes, like storms. You will want to bring something along to keep you dry, but a rain jacket can be cumbersome to carry around. That is why you should consider a rain poncho instead. A rain poncho is portable, lightweight and waterproof.
Check This Out: There are many rain poncho options available on Amazon. The Anyoo Waterproof Rain Poncho is a lightweight, rip-resistant option that will help keep you dry during various outdoor activities. It is also multi-use; the hem eyelets allow for use as shelter or groundsheet, and the hook and loop side fasteners enable use as a sleeping bag cover.
FIRST AID KIT
Speaking of being prepared, packing a first aid kit is always a necessity when traveling. The CDC recommends including items like one percent hydrocortisone cream, antibacterial or antifungal ointments, bandages, aloe gel and anti-itch gel or cream. You can check out their entire list for packing for a healthy trip here.
Check This Out: If you do not want to assemble a first aid kit yourself, Town & Country recommends Welly’s Human Repair Kit to clean minor injuries and keep them clean. This portable travel kit includes 30 flex fabric bandages, three triple antibiotic ointments, three one percent anti-itch hydrocortisone ointments and six hand sanitizers. It is also latex-free.
TRAVELING TO GRANTSVILLE, MARYLAND? CONTACT THE CASSELMAN TODAY
We hope that these seven essential travel items will give you some ideas of new things to incorporate when packing for your next trip. And if you are looking to visit Grantsville, Maryland, we would love for you to book a room with us at The Casselman. The Casselman is a historic inn, motel and restaurant that has been around since 1842. To this day, we continue our long, treasured history of serving travelers and the local community of Grantsville. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 301-895-5055, or you can contact us online here. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you!