Whether you are a well-seasoned traveler or a first-timer, chances are you will find yourself saying “I should have brought that” at least once on your holiday. Luckily, this faux pas are easily avoidable! Here are 5 of the best things to take on holiday to ensure you have a stress-free time.
Electronics
Taking chances with electronics is a no-go on holidays; this is the one time you want to be over-prepared. If you are traveling abroad, make sure you have the right adapter to fit your destination outlets. A global adapter is a safe bet, offering multiple variations in one compact plug.
Next, you need to make sure you are always juiced while out and about. If it was 2003 you would be safe with a Lonely Planet guide in your bag, but these days you need your phone for just about anything. You don’t want to end up at a sub-par restaurant just because you couldn’t check the Google reviews, do you? A lightweight portable charger is a must for any sort of trip.
Double-check every charger, plug, adapter, and cable you need and make sure they are all in good working order. Having to replace cables while on holiday can get expensive as you will end up buying from a vendor in a very touristy area who will happily inflate his prices for a tourist in distress.
Entertainment
If you are going on holiday, there are guaranteed lulls where boredom sets in. Whether it be during a long layover, on an even longer car journey, or when you are stuck in your hotel room when a spot of bad weather breaks out. Pack some entertainment that can keep you occupied for a while.
Travel games are excellent boredom busters and come in convenient travel sizes. Card games like Munchkin and Sushi-Go can be fun for the whole family and come in sturdy containers perfect for traveling. If you are hitting the road with your family, take even along a legacy game that you can unpack each night. These games can be part of your holiday, wrapping up once you head home.
The more old-school traveler would prefer to toss a deck of cards or a book in their bag, both equally agreeable forms of entertainment.
Weatherproofing
Don’t ever assume you know what the weather will be like when on holiday. You might not be able to prepare for a hurricane but pack a few all-weather essentials to see you through a gloomy day.
Invest in a lightweight wind or rain-resistant jacket that can be whipped out when the weather turns. No one wants to spend a day inside just because the weather isn’t playing nice. Even a small plastic poncho or umbrella will do if you are traveling really light. If your backpack doesn’t come with a built-in rain cover, it might also be a good idea to invest in one to keep your belongings safe. Outdoorsy folk can also benefit from a waterproof casing for their phone.
Medicine
Obviously, your essential medication should be the first thing you pack, there is no time for high blood pressure when on holiday! But preparing for all the happy little accidents that might come your way is a whole other ballgame.
Along with a basic first-aid kit, you should always pack headache relief, nausea medicine, allergy medicine, and something to help you after your Thai Curry turns on you. Even add some anti-inflammatory in the mix just in case you overdo it on the walking. Medication like paracetamol is a great all-around addition as it can even help with fever or sunburn.
Shoes
It’s not like you were going to forget to pack shoes, but packing the right shoes is a different story. Even though you might be doing it for the ‘gram, traveling can be made unbearable with the wrong shoes. Find a good pair of walking shoes that look good but will carry you from the city to the walking trails with ease.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can wear them for the first time on holiday. All holiday shoes should be worn in, testing all the possible ways they could be uncomfortable.
