My Travel Necessities

In Salzburg, rocking items 4 and 6

This list is a mix of the practical and personal. Check it out and feel free to disagree. However, I am hoping it may help some of you remember key items for your trip!

1. Battery back-up – this would be my absolute number one recommendation for anyone traveling. Nothing is worse that experiencing an amazing new place, taking out your phone for a picture… and your phone dies. Well, except for being lost in a new city with a dead phone and no way to access Google maps! Don’t let this happen to you: bring a battery back-up (or two).
2. A high quality plug adapter – I speak from personal experience here. Buy a decent plug adapter; you won’t regret it.
3. Headphones – you will have a lot of down time when you travel. There is the plane, the train, the plane, airports, and the plane. Use the time to catch up on podcasts, listen to music, or books on tape. I know a lot of people advocate noise cancelling headphones, but I love earbuds because they take up less space.
4. Scarf – how do you instantly look like you fit in, especially in Europe? Wear a scarf. Added bonus: if you get cold on the many planes mentioned above, it’s a well-known trick to use your scarf as a blanket.
5. Stylish rain jacket – I love me some North Face, don’t get me wrong. I grew up in the Midwest after all. However, I don’t recommend bringing your North Face fleece jacket with you when you travel. One, fleeces are not waterproof or windproof and encountering either water or wind in a fleece will put a damper on your travelling experience. Two, there are so many cute options (yes, I’m specifically talking to the women here) other than your fleece that there is no reason to declare “Why yes, I am American!” with your clothes. This is a personal preference of course, but I like to try blend in when I travel. I got a Helly Hansen Welsey Trench before I went to Munich and it was perfect.
6. Crossbody bag – again, speaking to the women here. I didn’t go for a money purse (I’m not Rick Steves), but I did get a cheap crossbody bag prior to studying abroad last spring. Find one with a leather/chain strap and a zip closure and you will feel fairly safe.
7. Kindle – this is a personal addition to the list. I am a huge reader and can’t imagine going anywhere without my Kindle! If you are a reader too, make sure item #6 is big enough to hold your wallet AND your Kindle :)

What are your travel necessities? Comment below, especially the guys!