Avoiding long travel layovers and international stopovers when travelling long distances by air used to be the goal when it came to booking tickets. But, thanks to some outstanding recent campaigns by airlines like Icelandair (I know that I can't go a day without seeing gorgeous photos of Iceland's blue lagoon popping into my newsfeed), a long layover is not only something not to avoid, but an air travel trend that is now being sought out — it's two vacations in one! And, multiple airlines are getting on board.
Read More13 Travel Quotes That Will Inspire You To Pack Your Bags
"Surely of all the wonders in the world, the horizon is the greatest."
—Freya Stark
"We travel for romance, we travel for architecture, we travel to be lost."
—Ray Bradbury
6 Items I Pack For Every Trip (And You Should Too!)
No matter where you are headed, or how long you are planning on travelling for, these must-pack items will make your next trip a lot more enjoyable!
Read MoreHow To Pack Your Carry-On Bag Like An Expert
Packing a carry-on for a trip involving air travel isn’t rocket science, but you would be surprised how many people forget to throw even the smallest (but often the most important) things into their bag.
The first thing to remember is that your carry-on can't be more than 10kg. Though you can often sneak through with a heavier bag (I do it all the time), there is always the risk of getting caught and having to pay to check your heavier items.
Liquids, gels, lotions, etc. in containers larger than 100ml/100g/3.4oz are NOT permitted, so assume that when I mention these items I am referring to the small version of them.
Though many people consider their carry-on to be what holds their source of entertainment or simply a vessel to throw all of the things that they could not fit in their checked luggage in, I approach it in a slightly different way.
To me, the carry-on is your survival kit in case your luggage gets lost.
It needs to contain everything that you would need to survive a full day and even a few nights at your destination.
Here’s what I suggest:
Any Prescription Drugs you might need
Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, etc. (cures for headaches, back spasms)
Prescription Glasses/Contact Case with solution in it (if you wear glasses/contacts)
Sunglasses
Deodorant
Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
Makeup (for the ladies, it's nice to have just a few items — powder, blush, lip gloss — to freshen up with when you get off the plane)
Bathing Suit (if headed on a beach vacation)
Change of Clothing (usually underpants and a fresh shirt will suffice)
Socks (even if you are wearing sandals, these will keep your feet warm on the plane)
Scarf/Sarong (use as a blanket on the plane and a shawl/scarf if your destination in cooler than you are dressed for)
Blue or Black Pen (for filling out landing documents, jotting down directions, etc.)
Paper Map (wireless may not be available or your smart phone might die)
Passport
Money, credit cards, debit card
Accommodation information (you will need to fill out the address of where you are staying on your landing documents, and you want to be able to access it quickly when you arrive at your destination)
Book or magazine (just in case the inflight entertainment doesn't work)
Headphones (having to buy headphones on your flight sucks)
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Nervous Flyer? These Tips Are For You!
For many travellers it is not the strange food, language barrier, or cultural differences that are the most daunting when embarking on a new adventure, it is the flight that it takes to get there.
Having traveled with a few extremely nervous flyers (a friend of mine spent our 10 hour flight grabbing my arm every time the plane hit turbulence), I understand that this is a legitimate fear that sadly, prevents many from taking the trips that they long too.
If you have a fear of flying (or know someone who does), there should be something on this list that can help you out!
1. Get Comfortable
The more comfortable you are, the more relaxed you will be. Most airlines don’t supply blankets and pillows anymore, so bring your own — inflatable neck pillows are the easiest to pack — and make sure to bring some socks to keep your toes warm and cosy as well.
2. Stay Distracted
Bring entertaining books and magazines on board (trashy ones are the best for easy distraction). Music is also a great distraction so make sure you have all your fave songs downloaded and ready (also helpful if the in-flight entertainment system stops working).
Just remember that if you have ear-bud headphones you will be able to keep them on during take-off and landing, headphones that cover your ears will have to be removed.
3. Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol
These beverages run the risk of making you feel jumpy and irrational and will also force you to use the ‘facilities’ more often which will make your flight (and the flight for the person sitting next to you) very uncomfortable. I know it's tempting just to get drunk to hide your fear, but this could backfire — trust me.
4. Pack Gum, Water (bottle) and Snacks
I know that I get incredibly irritated when hungry, and many flights no longer serve food or charge astronomical prices for it so, make sure you bring some snacks.
Flights also tend to be very dry, so having water (you can purchase a bottle in the airport once you pass through security) with you will help avoid the dry mouth that can come with nerves.
Gum will help you pop your ears, preventing pressure build up, as the cabin equalizes.
5. Drugs, Drugs, Drugs…
Doctors can prescribe medication to help you sleep if you are a REALLY nervous flyer, but over the counter medication like Gravol and even Motrin can often help you sleep or relax.
6. Keep Your Eye on the Flight Attendants
There are some mechanical noises, chimes, and bouts of turbulence that may sound or feel scary but are completely normal. My trick in moments that make me nervous is to watch and see how the flight attendants are reacting. If they seem calm then I calm down.
7. Tell the Flight Attendants How You Feel
Sometimes the best way to calm your nerves is to admit to someone that you are in fact nervous. Flight Attendants are VERY familiar with nervous flyers and if you tell them how you feel they will usually go out of their way to ensure that you are comfortable.
8. Embrace the Idea That There is Really Nothing You Can Do
The reality is that anything that could happen is out of your control. According to my sister, a frequent traveller, "you are already in the air and if something is going to go wrong, there is absolutely nothing that you can do about it — there is no point worrying, so just sit back and enjoy the ride."
I know that this is easier said than done, but if you can embrace the idea, it could save you a lot of worry.
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Which Pack To Pack? Your guide to picking the perfect bag for your next trip
Unless you want to end up with the wheels of your suitcase broken from rolling over uneven cobblestones, or a sweat stained t-shirt in the fancy lobby of your five-star hotel, you will have to put some thought into one of the most important decisions a traveller can make.
Which pack to pack?
The type of bag you use while travelling is determined largely by the type of vacation or trip you are planning.
There are four main bags to consider:
1. The Large Suitcase
This bag is usually a monster and best used for shorter trips where you will be staying in one place. A large suitcase limits your mobility, so choose this bag if you are stying in a hotel, using cars to get to and from the airport, and not required to roll it over uneven ground.
Cobblestones and unpaved roads will wreak havoc on the wheels of these weighty pieces of luggage, and you will be sweating bullets if you are pulling them on and off of trains or busses.
2. The Carry On Suitcase
These smaller suitcases are perfect for weekends, business trips, quick getaways, or longer trips if you are a light packer. Though they are more mobile than a large suitcase, I don’t recommend them for longer budget-style travel (like backpacking trips through Europe for example) because they are bulky and require the use of your hands to carry them.
3. The Large Backpack
A typical first-time backpacker mistake (and one that I have made) is buying the biggest backpack you can find, thinking that the more space you have the more you can take with you. The problem is that all that stuff has weight, and that weight will be sitting directly on your body. Walking more than five minutes, through crowded streets, to get from your hostel to the train station will have you cursing the extra shoes and clothing on your back that you thought you couldn’t live without.
Larger packs do have their place however. I have used a large backpack to carry my things to a country that I was planning on living in for awhile, and then only filled it half to three quarters full when I did some quicker travelling after.
4. The Carry On Sized or Medium Sized Backpack
This bag is perfect for weekend jaunts to places where you want maximum mobility and your hands free at all times. It is also perfect for travellers who are travelling longer term with a light wardrobe — budget travellers on hostel-style trips, I'm looking at you.
If you choose to use only carry on luggage, make sure to check the size of the liquids that you are allowed to carry on or be prepared to purchase things like contact solution and toothpaste in the country you are visiting.
The key to buying a functional backpack, no matter what the size, is accessibility. Look for a bag that has side zippers or can unzip all the way, so that you can access the entire main pocket. You will inevitably have to pull EVERYTHING out in order to find what you need if you bag can only be accessed from the top.
In summary:
Large Suitcase: All inclusive/resort/hotel/single destination type vacations
Small Suitcase: Weekend getaways/business/shorter jaunts
Large Backpack: Long term stays (teaching abroad for example) with plans to travel after/hiking trips
Small Backpacks: Shorter, hands free travel/Longer travel if you are a light packer
