My Top Eight Travel Must Haves

When I got back from country number 50 – Iceland – I immediately started planning my next adventure!   I now have countries 51 through 55 planned and when some people say getting tattoos is addicting, I think travel is!  

With this many trips under my belt and another international adventure coming up next week I have two lists of the top 10 things you must have – a mix of physical products and pre-planned research! 

1. Passport + Cute Case | While the cute case is optional, the passport is a must and regardless of where you are traveling it is always a good rule to make sure it is not expiring within the next six months – I like to play it safe an have at least a year.  And then a cute passport case is just a must – I am crushing on this rose “Adventure Awaits” one, so adorable! 
2. Copies of Documents – This one may be a bit above and beyond but I like to bring printed copies of the most important things – my passport, front and back of credit cards, and reservation confirmations of places where I am likely to loose cell service (think zip lining in the jungle).  I also take these printed copies and make an electronic version but I keep stored in my Dropbox account. While this may seem a bit nuts for the one time you need it, you will be very, very grateful! 
3. Eye Shade & Ear Plugs – I do not care if your trip is domestic or international, if it is a night away from home the chances it is not going to be a dark or as quiet as you are used to so I have found a silk eye mask like this one and ear pugs that block out up to 35 decibels like these are the way to go! Plus, please tell me I am not the only one who has had the experience of being in unknown place and having that sliver of streetlight come through blinds that just don’t close plus this is a must for any overnight flight. 
4. Starter Currency – I usually like to get at least $100 out of the bank translated into the currency of whatever country I am visiting – so for France next week that will net out to 85 Euros but if I was going to Russia that would net out to 5,763 Rubles.  If I am going for more than four days I may start with more but I always find it helpful to have money before I go. 
5. Researched Transportation – I rarely complain about the US but Europeans have really figured out the airport the the center of the city via train thing much better than we have and before I got on any trip I figure out the best way to get from the airport to the where I need to go – usually my hotel – given the time of day and day of week that I arrive. 
6. Suitcase with Four Wheels – I joked with Kier when I was staying at her place for New Year’s that I have only checked a bag three times in the past year when traveling but it is true – even for 10 days in Scandinavia or more than a week in Ecuador both my with my Away Bigger Carry-on which just barely fits the overhead dimensions on the airplane but it does fit! I have the bag in navy and really do love it, even though it is a bit dirty dirty at this point! 
7. Universal Travel Adapter with Surge Protector – Less than two years ago in Spain my Mom plugged her curling iron using an adapted I had brought and it started melting and if I needed any other reminder than surge protection this was important! I love how small and compact this one is but also how powerful! 
8. Inflatable Neck Pillow – Similar to the ear plugs above I have tried my fair share of makes and models and just last year found this inflatable neck pillow with packsack which for planes, trains, and automobiles has been a life saver!

I know everyone’s list is a bit different and that I did not mention a single piece of clothing or, gasp, shoes in this round up but if you want to know the things that will always make it into my suitcase me me know and I am happy to do a part two of what my travel must haves are. 

What are your travel must haves?