Hello everyone!! As Angelo and I are getting ready for our next trip, it dawned on me that it would be super helpful for some of you to write a post on what to bring/not to bring, useful tips and other things we learned on our last 7 month adventure. This is mainly for travel outside the U.S., but there are probably some tips that everyone will find useful.

Ok, here is a list of what to bring when you are traveling overseas, and although most places in the world these items you can purchase, it is much easier to just reach in your suitcase and use.

1. Ciprofloxacin – This antibiotic is easily acquired at clinics overseas, but in our experience depending where you were it could cost as much as $50 for the meds plus another $60 for the doctor fees. Just have your MD prescribe you one (or two) RX’s before you leave and have it filled before you depart. Bring the prescription with you whenever transporting medicine over borders, just in case. Great for stomach issues due to bad food and also UTI’s.

2. Oregano Oil – I didn’t see this stuff on shelves until we got to Prague. You can research online what its uses are for, but I used several times for sore throats, upset stomach and mosquito bites.  I have to be honest, it didn’t work so well for mosquito bites, but great for everything else. Just bring a really small bottle – little goes a long way.

3. Disposable Gloves – It might seem a little OCD to bring disposable gloves with you, but you better believe you will thank me when you have to lift up that toilet seat that has excrement all over it, or you have to clean your airbnb of dead roaches. Your welcome.

4. Biodegradable Trash Bags – If your going to Paris, then this isn’t necessary, but if your heading to Bali – pack 5 in your suitcase. This is especially if the hostel/rental doesn’t give you new bags and you want to dispose of accumulating trash. One hostel in Cambodia thought I was weird taking my trash out everyday, but I never saw bugs in my room and I don’t like sleeping in a hot room with trash.

5. Hat, Sunblock, thin hiking pants, thin long sleeved shirt – I have to say that this is a preference, but I never got bit by mosquitos or had a sunburn the entire trip. I HATE having to nurse a sunburn while on vacation, and I HATE even worse mosquito bites! *Southeast Asia btw I had a hard time finding affordable good sunblock – just bring your reliable brand from home, and bring the big size.

6. Dryer Sheets (Bring 10) – Great to keep your luggage smelling bearable, especially if your on the road for awhile and your clothes smell like poo.  Sorry, it’s true! (Hey that rhymed!!) Also great to have when you find that rare laundry mat and dryers.

7. Debit Card that has a chip on it – Ok, this is a big one. Everywhere else in the world they are quickly accepting only cards with the chip on it. It also has a higher level of security. This is something to try your hardest to obtain from your CC company if you already don’t have.

8. Mosquito Net – Even if you are going to Europe during the summer bring one, many of the airbnb’s that we stayed at had no screens on the window and no air conditioning. It was around 90 Fahrenheit in Istanbul during the day and we had no choice but to keep our windows open and I got about 50 mosquito bites within a couple of days. It was unbearable.

9. Portable Wifi – Great to have if you are running a blog like we are, or you are working on the road. Some countries the wifi is just really slow and takes a long time to upload items. Not necessary if you are just the normal tourist, but if your going to away for awhile, it is great to have.

10. Dr Bonner’s Soap – Treat it like gold. You can wash your clothes in it, wash your hair, your face, your body… I always need to wash my clothes sometime in a trip over 1 week even if I packed enough clothes. Hotel laundry should be avoided at all costs because it’s very pricey.

11. Coconut Oil – Bring a small jar instead of lotion, it can replace make up remover, lotions, hair conditioner, and is good to put in coffee or tea in the morning to keep the gut healthy. I have eczema and it was so helpful at keeping my breakouts under control. Even Angelo used it on his scalp for dry skin and I used for chapped lips when we were in colder climates. It is not as easy as one would think to find while out on the road and sometimes it is more costly. Besides, who needs a huge jar of that stuff anyways? Just a small container will do.

12. Nyquil – Now, this is really what you prefer. Some of you might have a favorite organic medicine that you take when you get a cold or flu. Just be prepared with a small travel kit in case you catch a bug.

Ok kids, the list could go on, but these are some things that I won’t be leaving without on our next big trip. You probably have some items that you cannot leave home without, if so, leave in the comments below!! P.S. – If they make a smaller version of whatever you are bringing, like a laptop or camera try to bring it!

Unnecessary Items

1. Perfume – Wtf?!? Why?? Wear good deodorant or buy the good stuff once you get there. Bonjour Monoprix Paris!!

2. Books – Bring your iPad or Kindle and download that stuff before you leave.

3. Shampoo/Conditioner – If your staying at a hotel, they will have it for you, if not then just bring a little bit. You shouldn’t wash your hair everyday anyways unless it’s super oily. **** Huge tip – bring one of Lush’s shampoo bars, they last forever and take little space!! I just got Brazilliant – it smells amazing and it’s great for dry hair like mine. 

4. Pretty Bras and Underwear – Bring maybe 1 or 2 for some nice dinner dates or for under dresses, but your probably going to be walking miles a day. Seamless and sturdy, it doesn’t have to be fancy.

5. Pack for the season – You can always buy a sweater or thicker socks at your destination if it is a lot cooler than expected. Usually I will pack all of my items for my trip, then the next day will take out some items that are not necessary.

Ok, I hope this helps. There is so much more advice I have, but are trying to break it up. Anyhow, thanks for reading!!

xoxo,

Onisha