Travel Smart: 7 Top Picks for Your Next Adventure
Some of my personal recommendations for your next journey!
Once, I was on a 16-day Europe tour that involved four internal flights, a cruise, and multiple visas. I found myself fumbling at every checkpoint, desperately searching for the documents in my big handbag. That’s when I realized how crucial it is to stay organized while traveling. Since then, I’ve visited countless places and learned something new on each trip. Now, I want to share my experiences with you. Here is a list of 7 wonderful travel essentials you should consider before your next adventure to any part of the world. P.S.: This is not some advertising or paid promotion! This is completely my personal experience, which I would like to share :)
- Hard Case Trolley Bag from American Tourister:
I’ve been using this hard case for a while now, and it has been a game-changer. This model is made from polypropylene and is incredibly durable. One of the standout features is the expander, a rare find in hard cases — I’ve only seen Samsonite offer something similar. So you can shop local stuff to your heart’s content, open the expander for the extra space. Magic! everything fits in.
I also liked that the TSA lock is embedded and doesn’t stick out awkwardly like in other models.
Both halves of the case have belts to hold your items securely. (Again this is rare, all the models we saw had belts only on one side, so the clothes tend to get crumpled on the other side).
Try your skills to get a fabric cover complimentary with this bag when you buy from a store, just like we did! (Also, we were told it is better to stick to the fabric cover for hard cases, the plastic ones can heat up, melt, and discolor the bag).
Also, the 8 wheels provide super smooth movement, better than other American Tourister models.
2. A Compact and sleek passport holder from Decathlon:
This pouch by Decathlon offers a superb snug fit for our passports. You can also store your cards. Plus there is a back zip for other valuables. The full zip closure ensures there’s no worry about anything falling out (especially if you are as clumsy as me). What I really love about this one is its compact design, as it takes up minimal space. It even fits in my husband’s cargo pockets!
But if you are looking for some customizable accessories, do check out these: document holder, and luggage tag. This document holder is my current favorite — I use it to keep my boarding pass, ticket printouts, passports, local SIM card, photographs, forex cards, debit cards, and even my collection of souvenir coins (I love collecting coins from all the countries I visit and have a neat stack at home!).
3. Backpack by Quechua:
This Quechua backpack is another one of my husband’s favorites — he absolutely loves its compact size and lightweight feel; it’s just perfect for any kind of traveling. The range of colors is impressive, but we picked the stylish blue option. It’s not just about looks; this backpack is incredibly practical with two handy pockets and a dedicated spot for our water bottle. The material is water-repellent, which means you can keep going even if there’s a light drizzle. Just a heads-up — it’s not waterproof or watertight, so for heavy rain, I suggest grabbing a separate cover (you can easily find them online or in stores).
4. Flexible Tripod:
This is a good one for amateurish photographers like me. The best thing about it is it’s super lightweight, and can fit inside your handbag. The stand is very flexible, so you can attach it to almost any surface. In one of our trips, my husband got really creative and even managed to attach it to tea plants for some unique shots!
5. Dual Specs case by Rosvin Bugs:
Anyone who wears specs can relate to the struggle of managing multiple cases — one for regular specs and another for sunglasses, often opening the wrong one. That’s why I found this dual case so useful; it keeps both pairs together in one compact solution! It comes in a variety of stylish colors, which you can explore in the link above. Like all our favorite items, it’s compact and incredibly practical.
6. Portable Bluetooth speaker by Tribit:
Compact and lightweight; superior sound quality that surpasses many other options we’ve tried, including Sony, Portronics, and Boat. It has a very good battery life and is waterproof (though I haven’t dared to test this near swimming pools yet!). Again for a 16W output, this is surprisingly quite affordable. We saw a couple of other options that were in the same price range for less than 10W output.
7. Sneaker Wipes:
Now you can confidently wear your favorite white shoes for any outing, thanks to these cool and ultra-affordable sneaker wipes that work like magic. Give them a try! Additionally, Zudio offers other handy wipes you might find useful — such as sunscreen wipes, lip makeup remover, and eye makeup remover. All these products are super compact and perfect for carrying in our handbag.
Lastly, if you enjoy documenting your trips — whether it’s planning beforehand or capturing experiences afterward — then you’ll love this super cool Travel Journal. It’s perfect for jotting down memories and organizing your travel adventures.
As I wrap up, one thing is clear: preparation and the right gear can truly enhance your travel experience. As the saying goes, “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”
So, if you are ready to upgrade your travel essentials, click on the links above to explore these items.
Feel free to share your tricks, hacks, and any cool travel-friendly things. You can drop a comment here or mail me at — i.krithika66@gmail.com.
Here’s to more unforgettable journeys ahead!
