Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds

When you want great sound right in your ears, Apple AirPods are an excellent choice. On Amazon, they have tens of thousands of reviews with an average near five stars. Compact, lightweight, and truly wireless, they slip easily into a pocket-sized charging case for maximum portability. They’re sweat- and water-resistant (depending on model), connect instantly via Bluetooth, and pair seamlessly across your Apple devices. For an even more immersive experience, choose AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with Active Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio support.  

Twelve South AirFly SE | Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter Adapter 

I love the AirFly SE because I can use my AirPods on a plane and forgo the cheap headsets the carriers offer with terrible sound quality and zero noise cancellation. Plus, there’s no more getting caught up in the wires or have them accidentally yanked out of my ears if I change positions. The device is small, easy to use, and the battery is long lasting. It’s one of those travel essentials I didn’t know how much I needed until I had it.

Bose SoundLink Micro: Small Portable Bluetooth Speaker (Waterproof), Bright Orange

When you want great sound at your fingertips the Bose SoundLink Micro (about the size of a pack and a half of cards) is a great choice. On Amazon, nearly 32K reviews and an average of five stars. It’s rugged, extremely portable, waterproof, and has a wide strap on the back you can use to attach it to a bag or backpack. You connect it to your source via bluetooth. Pair up two Soundlinks for stereo.    

Pure Enrichment Handheld Travel Garment Steamer 

This little PureSteam travel steamer is a staple in my bag. It heats up fast, is light enough to pack without thinking twice, and handles all kinds of fabrics. The long cord is handy in hotel rooms, and the auto shut-off means I don’t have to stress about leaving it plugged in. Note, it only works domestically. internationally voltage will burn it out. 

UPWADE Outlet Travel Power Strip 

I won’t be without a mini power strip. It’s probably the one thing other than my phone I always have with me when I travel. I like this model by Upwade because it has two widely spaced international outlets which provide ample room for those pesky wide plugs that come with cameras and other devices, as well as four USB ports. The cord is a little longer than I need at 5 ft but I’d rather have it longer than too short. At 6 inches in length, it fits in any purse or carry-on bag.

Flat Plug Power Strip 6 Ft, Ultra Thin Flat Extension Cord, 3 Outlets 3 USB Ports(2 USB C) with No Surge Protector for Cruise Ship

If you have devices that require USB-C plugs, this is an alternative to the power strip above. I have both. 

Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapters

A lot of people like universal cubes that contain every adapter known to man deployed by a series of sliders, and while I appreciate the concept, I’ve never found one that doesn’t break almost immediately or size-wise didn’t annoy me. Too clunky. This 5-piece set is great because I can cherry-pick what I need and plop it into my Think Tank case (see below) which I pack into my carry-on. I use the case that comes with it to keep all the adapters together at home; I rarely take the whole shebang with me.

EMDMAK Door Stop Alarm with 120DB Siren

For hotels, motels, or Airbnb that give you pause, use this door stop alarm to provide another layer of protection beyond the locks on your room door.  

LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard 

Speaking of safety, having a a good loud whistle on hand for those time you’re alone on a trail or exploring a new city is always a good idea. 

Apple Tag

My camera equipment is too expensive not to take certain precautions when it comes to traveling and the possibility of having my kit stolen or lost. Tags are just part of my strategy. I hide a tag in my camera bags and I also have a carbines holder for tags for things I take on the fly. 

I’m one of those… an Apple product nut. Always have been. When I learned about Apple Tags, I replaced my Tiles. Not because they didn’t work, but since I do own an iPhone, the syncing is just easier. For those who have other smartphones, Tiles are great, which is the reason I’ve kept them on this list.  

UltraFire Mini Cree Led Flashlight 

I use this tiny flashlight all the time. The beam is powerful and can be adjusted and it’s maybe 3″ long. I keep it in my carry-on bag in case I need to find something in my bag on a dark plane and I use a lanyard to wear it around my neck when I’m on Safari.

Dingbats Notebook – Red Kangaroo

Even when I wasn’t writing about my travels, I always had a notebook with me to jot down thoughts, take notes about places I went and liked, animals I saw, restaurants I wanted to recommend. It’s a good habit to jot things like this down. That lie we tell ourselves that we’ll remember is a load of dog doodie. We just need to admit it.

Airplane Pockets Seat Storage Organizer 

This airplane pocket organizer is a game changer. I’ve fit my laptop, tech pouch, earbuds, adapter, and water bottle in it all at once—without sacrificing any legroom the way the built-in seat pocket always seems to.

BLACKRAPID Smartphone Safety Tether 

This smartphone tether has kept my phone from ending up in the sea, falling off a cliff, and being lost in general. It’s a lifesaver. It’s simple but effective—a little peace of mind so I don’t have to worry about where I might lose my phone next.

4 Pack Cooling Towel (47″x12″) Ice Cool 

I’m not big on hot, humid days, but a lot of places I want to visit are right in the middle of sweltering climates. To avoid that awful feeling of sweat trickling down my neck and back (it really gives me the willies) and to keep from overheating, I pack these towels. Once wet, they stay cool for hours. Wrapped around my neck on a scorching hike, they make things so much more bearable.

Peak Design Tech Pouch  

Well, I love the Wash Pouch so I had to try the Tech Pouch. Yeah, it’s pretty great. It’s smaller than the Wash Pouch at 2L but bigger than I want when I’m on the road. I use it as my home tech hub, where I keep all the techie cables, adapters etc. in one place. The interior origami design holds different shapes and sizes easily and the clamshell design keeps it standing where other brands fall on their side.    

Peak Design: Field Pouch V2 

Lightweight, balanced and durable, this field pouch has stretch internal pockets I use, depending on what I am doing, anything from lip balm to memory cards. The roll top and velcro closure enables me to put a lot more inside than I imagined, which is one of the reasons I’ve been using it a lot. There are belt loops on the back if I want to use it as a fanny pack. 

BAGAIL 4 Set Packing Cubes Travel Expandable Packing Organizers

Speak to almost any ardent traveler and I bet you they’re using packing cubes. They’re ideal for keeping your clothes sorted, organized, and streamlined. I use three cubes to separate my undies, tops, and bottoms. I especially love them when I’m faced with a multi-stop itinerary–packing and unpacking is infinitely easier. Eagle Creek is the brand many travel “experts” rave about but I really love these Bagail cubes. They look great, work well, come in a variety of colors and prints, and more affordable. 

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT Wheeled Duffel 32 Inch

Full transparency: Eagle Creek sent me a Cargo Hauler for free, and I love it. If for some reason I needed to buy a new one, I would. It’s spacious, sturdy and stands on its end when needed, where other brands topple over. The wheels are also well built and work well over uneven surfaces like gravel or cobblestone.

Gregory Quadro Hardcase 22 Inch Carry-on Travel Luggage, TSA Lock

Whenever I fly, nine times out of ten I need to check my bags so that I can carry my camera equipment onboard. But, for the times I do not need my kit and the trip is only a few days, this suitcase has performed beautifully. 

Gil Dry Duffle 

When I went to Antarctica and the South Georgia Islands, we had to take zodiacs to the beaches where we’d photograph the penguins. The water was often choppy sending salt sprays into the air. Nothing is worse for a camera that salt water as it will corrode the inner workings. Hence the need for a good dry bag. Most dry bags load vertically from the top, which just doesn’t work well with a camera bag. This duffle. however, was just the ticket. It kept my bag protected on the water as well as the beach when curious elephant seals and penguins wanted to check out my kit. 

L.L. Bean Adventure Duffle, Medium

If you’re looking for a simple and less expensive duffle, L.L. Bean’s Adventure duffle is one of my favorites. I’ve used it a lot of time. It also comes with a storage pouch.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag with Zippered Pocket

If you’re kayaking, boating, or spending any significant time around water, it’s always a good idea to have a dry bag to keep your valuables safe. The 30L and 40L sizes can be worn as backpacks. The smaller sizes have a single strap to wear it as a sling. 

Foldable Packable Travel Backpack – 35L

It’s always a good idea to have an extra bag in your luggage if you need it. Souvenirs anyone? I’ve used this foldable large backpack to carry towels and sunscreen in the summer and extra layers and gloves in the cold. It’s not for serious hiking but for a few miles carrying a little wine, bread, and cheese. It works. Did I mention it’s also waterproof? 

Retractable Portable Clothesline with 12 Clothes Clips

Great for any situation where conventional laundry facilities are unavailable. Even if laundry service is an option, I’ll often opt for my hotel sink instead of the pricey fees hotels charge. This clothesline is compact and packable and the clips are attached so you don’t have to worry about losing them along the way. 

SinkSuds Laundry Detergent, Safe For All Fabrics, 8 Packets 

Pretty self explanatory. I could fill up a small bottle with detergent from home, but I prefer the small sealed packages for convenience and packability. 

Dream Essentials Sleep Mask

I’m pretty lucky, I can fall asleep almost anywhere but I have a more restful sleep when I can make my space nice and dark. (I especially love these on trains where you can’t shut the window shades.) Another great touch, the eyes are molded so the mask doesn’t rest on your eyelids. When delivered it comes with a small pouch and earplugs.

VIM & VIGR Cotton 15-20 mmHg Graduated Compression Socks (2)

A friend of mine threw a blood clot in her lungs after a long flight from India. She turned me on to compression socks. It’s a no-brainer in terms of self-care and frankly, my calfs feel better when I wear them than when I don’t . 

Nuun Immunity Electrolyte Tablets with Vitamin D, C, E, & A, Ginger, Elderberry, Magnesium | 4 Pack (40 Servings Total)

I like having these Nuun Immunity tablets on hand when I exert myself or the weather is particularly sweltering for a quick boost of electrolytes and vitamins.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, Multifunction Daily Moisturizer

My favorite daily moisturizer. Creamy, no heavy fragrance, and melts into my skin almost on contact. Since I began using it my skin is baby soft. 

ALOE UP Aloe Ice Sunburn Relief Jelly- 4 Oz

If you haven’t lathered up in sunscreen and manage to get burned, this aloe vera is excellent on cooling your skin down. 

Supergoop! SPF 50 – Broad Spectrum Body & Face Sunscreen Water & Sweat Resistant

Completely organic, reef safe, great protection. It’s awesome. Enough said.  

Klorane Eye Patches

We’ve all been there right?

You wake up after a long day of travel and your eyes look tiny pillows were glued to your face while you slept. You may feel wide awake but your eyes say, “I’m overworked and I am swelling in protest.”

Or heaven forbid you broke up with someone on vacation (that happened to me, it sucked), and you cried all night. If you’re like me, my eyes react so violently to tears that afterward, I look like I’ve been beaten up by Rocky Balboa.

In these circumstances, I pull out the big guns. My Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches. In short: They work.

Crest Complete Whitening Scope Minty Toothpaste .85 Oz Travel Size 4 Pack

I always keep these travel size toothpastes on hand. So much easier than packing a full size tube. I find that one lasts about two weeks. 

Peak Design Wash Pouch 

I was in the market for a new Dopp kit. I loved my Tumi but it was expensive ($90), and I wanted to find something better but also more affordable to recommend. I was at a retailer show and saw this 2.5L Peak Design Wash Pouch and fell in love. The pouch sits up on its own and has a zippered clamshell opening. It carries everything I need without being bulky and internal zippers and stretchy mesh pockets keep things in their place.  The video below I made before my trip to Kenya October 2021. 

Dimensions: 26cm x 15cm x 26 cm

Collapsible & Lightweight Roller for Trigger Point Massage 

I’m sure it will come as no surprise that after years of carrying around a heavy camera bag or days waking miles in a new city, result in some achy muscles. On a fluke, I ordered this collapsible roller, thinking I’d end up returning it. Three years later, I still use it, at home and away. The fact that it lies flat is genius for packing and it’s very lightweight. 

Travel Toilet Paper

If you’ve ever been in a foreign country in a questionable bathroom stall without any TP, you know why I love travel toilet paper. It’s compact, self-contained (no unrolling in your bag) ready when you are, and there are about 1200 sheets to a roll. Ok, that’s exaggerating but there’s a lot. It really comes in handy when you’re dealing with allergies or a never-ending runny nose.

Don’t be caught with your pants down and nothing but your smile….. you’ll thank me later.

SIPX™ Triple-Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle 32oz. 3 Lids, BPA-Free 

I love this water bottle, it’s lightweight, has a straw (I hurt my neck a while back so I try not to kink my neck to drink from bottles when I can), a handle I clip to my bag so it doesn’t fall out.

Tip: If you use this on a plane make sure to release the pressure caused by the pressurized cabin by turning the lid a bit. If you don’t when you flip the drinking spout water will come shooting out. I learned this, as did my seat companion, the hard way. 

BugX 30 Towelettes

I discovered the BugX 30 online while researching repellents for a trip to Costa Rica—mosquito central depending on where you’re staying. Since that adventure, I’ve since taken it to Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Botswana, Tanzania, and Kenya. I don’t use anything else. The individual packets make it easy to squeeze into luggage crevices when packing and the towelette makes it easy to control where the BugX is applied.  

UBFEN Water Shoes 

These UBFEN water shoes are great for any trip that involves boats, beaches, or rocky shorelines. They’re lightweight, quick-drying, and easy to slip on and off, making them a solid pick for everything from kayaking to exploring tide pools.