10-Surprising Travel Tools

1. Several Power Adapters: Take more than one power adapter with you for various types of outlets. In the electronic age having a power adapter with USB and American two-three prongs is necessary depending on the gear you have. However, not all adapters fit in the square or round wall outlets because the bulk of it is too large. Then, there are the logistics of needing an outlet for use in the bedroom and in the living space(s) of the apartment. So now you need to take several power adapters with you, even if you are traveling light.

2. Disinfectant Wipes: The COVID-19 pandemic put these wipes in the spotlight, but their packability for use is vital. Some accommodations are not quite as clean as they should be and may not have cleaners. By bringing your own you can clean when you arrive or even clean on your way to a new destination. Airplane and train tray tables are frequently in need of a wipe, especially before eating from them.

3. Indoor Footwear: Some people love to be barefoot. Others can’t stand it. Whether it’s medical conditions or dirty floor phobias, spa slippers, Crocs, or cushy foot covers fit nicely in a suitcase and make an ideal barrier on tile floors in other countries. Something washable is best.

4. Reusable Shopping bags: Versatile for the beach or shopping of all kids, these fold up bags always go with us. In Italy we were always asked if we needed a bag. In Albania we were always given a plastic bag unless we stopped them. In Portugal we were offered bags at $0.15-$0.20 each!! NO thank you. We brought our own.

5. Binder Clips: Not just for your stationery, these clips are multifunctional. They are ideal for resealing food packages in the kitchen like chips, oatmeal bags, sugar, or salt, especially when your preferred containers are not available. They can be used in the bathroom from toothpaste to towels. They can even hold your important documents needed at border crossings.

6. Magnetic Hooks: Originally purchased for our cruise, since ship walls are metal and surface space is limited; these hooks have been invaluable within accommodations. They can be hung on refrigerators to hold kitchen towels, metal doors to hold keys or shopping bags. And even in some bathrooms to hang the hairbrush or such.

7. Small Carabiners: Click-click. These magical items can clip onto your backpack, purse, and clothes. They hold the shopping bags together and hang from a door, so we never forget. They attach the water bottle to the backpack, so it doesn’t fall out while on the train or plane. If the weather is windy, take off your hat and clip it to the backpack. They also clip our accommodation keys with our rental car keys and our mini-led, rechargeable flashlights. So versatile, you will find even more uses.

8. Laundry Sheets: When you live in another country clothing must be washed and dried. If an accommodation has a washer, it will not likely have detergent. Laundry sheets are packable products that won’t spill in your luggage and averts the need to buy a large bottle of detergent that would be wasted on a shorter stay. Why fabric softener? Clothes are mostly dried on racks in Europe and towels become stiff as a board without it.

9. Mini LED Rechargeable Flashlights: Old buildings may not have lighting in the stairwells. Apartment light switches are sometimes hard to find in the dark, specifically in a new location. Time to walk “home” after an evening event? How many streetlights are there. And finally, has a tour guide ever taken you into a cool cave or museum with darkened locations? Some people use their phones, but phone lights and cameras cannot work at the same time on an iPhone. Besides, these rechargeable lights have an adjustable beam.

10. Portable Charger Power Bank/Battery Packs: There are a hundred out there in various sizes. Some are even solar rechargeable, but the panels are so small there is no real benefit in our experience. Fast or slow charging, take your pick. Having an extra source of power is a MUST when traveling. There are not always free outlets nearby and will you even have the correct adaptor handy and, on your person, when there is? Nothing saps a battery, (and cellular data) more than an active map program giving you step by step route instructions. A dead phone is a paperweight. Now consider the new digital passports being REQUIRED by some countries and airlines and you with a dead phone.

BONUS: Do you like Mexican food? No surprise, it’s very hard to find or replicate in Europe. You can find the hot pepper aspect, and you can find cumin. You can’t find chili powder. The key ingredient. So if you need a once-a-month fix while traveling, bring your own packets or bring your own chili powder.