10 essential accessories for traveling

I don’t know about you, but when traveling I tend to devour books, whether it is next to a lovely swimming pool, in the evenings in my bed or quite simply to relax after a day full of visits. Since I read several books at a time, it is not easy to carry them all with me in my suitcase. My solution ? A Kindle which has been my best friend for a few years now.

Not convinced at the beginning (“it loses the charm of a real book” bla bla bla), I very quickly adopted it when I realized its practicality ! I selected backlit model (very practical to read in the dark) and 3G which means that I can download a book anywhere (this often happens to me just before take-off when I realize that I have just finished my previous book!!).

Kindle Paperwhite, Écran Haute Résolution 6″ (15 cm) 300 ppp avec éclairage intégré et Wi-Fi

Bose headphones

If you are sensitive to noise, I advise getting a set of Bose headphones to reduce noise. In addition to its very good sound quality, its ability to reduce background noises is very handy, especially in airports, planes, etc … I opted for earphones (QuietComfort 20 model) which are smaller and practical to transport than headphones (QuietComfort 25 model).

An eye mask

Think about bringing an eye mask with you if you are sensitive to light in a car when traveling as I noticed that there are many countries where establishments are not equipped with. So if you do not want to be woken up at 6h in the morning, it is the perfect investment. Be careful to select a good quality one as some are very uncomfortable.

Good insulation is not the number one priority for many hotels. Noise of the vacuum cleaner, talking maids and neighbors banging their doors make it difficult to sleep at 7h at certain establishments (even in the most luxurious ones). For this, opt for ear plugs ! I bought these ones 5 years ago and they are the best ones on the market : because they are made of mousse, they are very comfortable and they do not affect wax !

An universal adaptor

Opt for a universal model whatever your destination as this can serve as an adapter for all your travels.

Inflatable travel pillow

There are a lot of models on the market and it is just a question of taste. As for me, I invested in an inflatable model as it is more practical to transport and it takes up less room.

Comfortable shoes

If, like me, you walk a lot during your travels, it is advisable to bring comfortable shoes. The perfect solution : a pretty pair of sneakers, that are comfortable and stylish. Think about buying some waterproof ones as in a country where the weather is changeable (I’m thinking of my last stay in Ireland for example), it is difficult to predict the day’s weather and it is better to be safe and to have dry feet !

An essential accessory for my travels, even for warm destinations ! I even use it in planes where it can be very cold and it can also serve as a cushion. In certain countries where we have to cover our arms for example (visiting a temple, …), it is a lifesaver !

A paper guide

I never leave without a paper guide for the destination, even when it is for a long weekend as it is very practical to have plans, addresses and visits to do, everything in one glance !

guide

A Photo camera

Last year I bought an Olympus OM-D E-M10, which is a hybrid model, very simple to use and quite compact which is very practical when traveling. I can very easily put it in my handbag, it doesn’t weight a ton and it is the perfect tool for taking photos without having to carry around heavy equipment.