Indispensable Travel Items and Apps

I’m a compulsive traveler. At my happiest when either planning a trip or on a trip, traveling is almost an addiction. Yet, I really don’t relish the actual journey to my chosen destination. I have developed a list of indispensable travel items and apps that help to make my life on the road more convenient. I freely admit that because I find the journey a bit tedious, if I am unable to stay at my final destination for a long time, it is a temptation to skip the trip altogether.  For me, a long time means no less than three weeks and as much as 90 days, the normal amount of time that I am allowed to stay in most countries without applying for a visa. To make the journey itself a little less trying, I am always looking for ways to travel lighter and with as much convenience as possible.

Whatever I choose to pack must pass a stringent carry-on-bag-worthy test. The must-have list seems to be forever evolving, but below you will find a few essentials that have earned the right to occupy a space either on me or in my tiny suitcase at this stage of the travel game. In addition, I have included a list of apps that I use on a regular basis while traveling.

 A Few Essentials to Carry With Me

 

An RFID blocking wallet which also carries my passport, money, credit cards and airline tickets was added to my must-have list recently after reading about security issues with the chips embedded in newer passports and credit cards. The wallet blocks readers from picking up personal information from these items. I carried this wallet with me on my most recent trip to Los Angeles. Not only was it convenient for carrying important items during the actual journey, but I also felt safer knowing that my identity couldn’t be so easily stolen. RFID Blocking Executive Organizer Passport Case

 

The travel vest, in this case, a Magellan travel vest, was a marvelous way to keep personal items close to me, yet out of sight. I enjoyed hands-free travel during the entire trip. I didn’t bring a purse. That I loved! However, while sold on the concept, I wasn’t thrilled with the style of the vest. Vanity reared its little head more than once. Don’t get me wrong, it was very functional and light weight, but it felt a bit too much like safari garb for my personal liking. Also, no fault to the company, but I think that I ordered a size to big. That was my fault. I will be purchasing a Scotte vest for my next trip, try it out and report back on the results in February. Hopefully, I will strike a better balance between convenience and style.

 

 

My iPad and Apple keyboard are invaluable to me. Both were new purchases, but so worth the investment.  Of course, I carry my office wherever I go, so they were used daily. Prior to the new purchase, I had carried a MacPro in my bag, but frankly, it was a burden, a bit too heavy and I hated having to remove it from the bag every time I went through security. If you don’t write on a regular basis like I do, the mini iPad would be even more compact. Actually, if I wasn’t a writer, I might find that my iPhone would be enough.

 

My new iPhone 5 is the best. Cannot imagine traveling without it. Cannot imagine staying at home without it. Need I say more?

 

I don’t carry an electrical currency converter anymore, because all of my digital gadgets are equipped with conversion capabilities, but I still make sure that I have the proper plugin adapters for wall sockets as the style varies from country to country. Actually, I have an all-in-one device, but I don’t remember where I purchased it. You can buy adapters on Amazon and in most travel sections of stores. Inexpensive and necessary.

 

 

I am still able to pack everything that I need in my carry-on bag plus clothing and personal items without making my little suitcase bulge at the seams. Some airlines, especially European airlines, are quite particular about weight. Any overage can start to cost a pretty penny.

 

The Logitech Mini Boombox is probably not a true essential, but when I am on the road for a long time, it gives me great pleasure to be able to listen to my music while writing. It is only about 4 inches long and even less in height, but it packs a big sound. It is wireless and syncs easily with any device. Love it! Logitech Mini Boombox for Smartphones, Tablets and Laptops – Black (984-000204)

 

Favorite Apps

Camera+ is a must-have app.  It’s a free app that produces some very nice pictures. At this point in time, I do not carry another camera. That may change, but so far I depend on this app for most of my blog roll photos. Camera+ has some great editing capabilities that I enjoy using. When I start to use more video content, I may reintroduce my Sony Bloggie or even purchase the next step up. Fortunately, that is a tiny gadget, too.

Dropbox is on all of my gadgets and provides a great way for me to access important documents and pictures no matter where I am in the world.

iTranslate can help out in a pinch when I need help with foreign language issues.

 Skype and ooVoo are two apps that I keep on my iPhone because when I have access to WiFi, I can then call family, business associates, and friends back home for free.

 Kindle has an app for my iPhone that allows me to read any books that I have purchased from Amazon. The screen is small, but beats adding another device to my suitcase or carrying actual hardcopy books. I can use the app on my iPad as well.

 Convert is a great tool for helping to figure out the exchange rate of my American dollar to any foreign currency that I use.

FlightView tracks my flights in real time which can be helpful.

My little compact world is fun. The less I have strapped to my body or have hanging from my arm, the more likely I am to be able to get where I want to go quickly with my hands free, making it possible for me to enjoy the journey.