In the last few years, I’ve become an avid traveler.  Like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get at it.

How can you be good at traveling?

Watch someone who travels for business pack.  They never forget anything, they know what’s essential and what’s dead weight, and they’ve discovered all kinds of tips and tricks for making life out of a suitcase easier.

Whether you’re planning your first vacation in years, or cashing in your frequent flyer miles again, here’s a few things you can’t leave home without.

10 Things To Buy A Woman Who Travels

1. Hanging Toiletry Bag

Baggallini Hanging Cosmetic Bag

Never forget your toothbrush or your mascara – either at home or at a hotel.  These bags keep everything organized and visible.  The bathrooms in guest rooms and hotels are notoriously short on counter space.  Hang this on the towel bar or the back of a door and have easy access to everything you need.

I love this Baggallini version because the bottom compartment detaches.  Take this to the gym and store your shower products in the detachable compartment.

2. Travel Bottles

Eagle Creek Custom Travel Bottle Set

Hotel shampoo sucks.  It might be good enough for a man with a buzz cut, but it’s notoriously awful for a woman’s hair.  Of course, thanks to the joy that is the TSA, you can’t just throw your own bottle of shampoo in your carry on.

Pack your own shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser and moisturizer in these clear, 3 oz. bottles and save packing space and a cavity search in security.

3.  Jewelry Storage

eBags Bazaar Jewelry Case

I hate packing and trying to figure out what one necklace, bracelet and earrings will go with everything I plan to wear during my vacation.  But I also hate pulling a tangled mess of what used to be nice jewelry out of the bottom of a cosmetic bag.

Now I can accessorize while I’m traveling and have the organization of my jewelry box.  This version offers tons of storage and packs flat.

4.  Awesome Travel Pillow

TravelRest – The Ultimate Inflatable Travel Pillow

Hat tip to Robin for pointing this one out.  She’s a freaking genius and my neck thanks her a thousand times over.

Remember when you used to be able to get a pillow and a blanket on a plane?  Of course, you used to be able to get a damn meal on a cross country flight, too.  Lucky for us, this pillow works in a plane or in a car.

5. Waterless Hand Sanitizer

Bath and Body Works Waterless Hand Foam

Traveling is dirty.  And germy.  And it’s usually the places farthest from a water source that leave you feeling the grimiest.  This 1.7 oz. bottle fits in your post and passes the TSA test.

6.  Travel Umbrella

Travel Samsonite Flat Pack Umbrella

If you have luck like mine, it will rain when you’re on vacation.  But it won’t be raining when you get up.  Oh, no.  A torrential downpour will be unleashed when you’re miles away from your hotel after you’ve spent hours getting ready for a night out on the town or something.

I carry a mini umbrella with me everywhere in my purse.  This mini version is even flat for packing purposes.  Genius.

7. iPod touch (or iPhone. Ahem.)

Apple iPod touch 16 GB (2nd Generation)

I’ll be honest, I don’t know how people survive in this day and age without an iPhone or some kind of smart phone.  I mean, I hear it’s possible – but I also hear some people still have dial up.

If you’re not in the market for a new cell phone, you should definitely consider an iPod touch – especially if you travel frequently.  There are a ton of iPhone apps that make traveling easier.  I can’t imagine traveling without access to the internet – maps, weather, phone books, subway routes.  I can do absolutely everything from anywhere.

8. Unique Luggage ID Tag

Luggage Tag – Neon Pink Plastic Set of 2 by Travelon

I hate the luggage carousel.  Hate.  I hate shoving my way past the morons who insist on standing 6 inches from the carousel just to get my damn bag.  And I hate even more having shoved my way to my bag – only to realize it is not my bag, but someone else’s bag.

I started tying a colored scarf to the handle of my suitcase a few years ago so I could recognize my suitcase more easily.  These luggage tags do double duty of making your black suitcase stand out in the sea of black suitcases and providing contact information just in case your bag gets lost.

9.  A good sleep mask

Pb first class sleep mask

Sleeping in a strange place can be difficult.  One of the things I’ve found that helps me get a good night’s sleep is a sleep mask.  It’s especially useful if you’re on a weird schedule or in a new time zone – or staying in a guest room that lets in bright ass sun at 6 am.  Like at my house.

10.  Portable sound machine

Marsona Travel Sound Conditioner

Speaking of a good night’s sleep – do you sleep with the fan on at home?  Or use a noise machine for white noise?  If you’re used to background noise when you sleep, a strange hotel room can make it difficult to sleep.

The Marsona is extremely portable and small enough to pack in an overnight bag or carry on.

Posted in Traveling Vacations Trips Tagged: bags, gifts for travel, iphone, organization, portable, travel, travel accessories