Must Buys for Travelling in 2023*

We’re fast approaching peak holiday season and you may now be thinking about your packing list. If you’re off to a long-haul sunny destination, trying to remember everything you need might be a little challenging. Especially if you’re travelling with kids! And while you might always remember the big things, passports, money, and sun lotion; I just wanted to share some of my favourite must-buys for travelling that make my adventure in the sun much more enjoyable!

GPS Tracker

After the chaos in airports back in 2022, I decided to invest in a GPS tracker for our luggage and I am glad I did. I use the PAJ Find & Protect Allround Finder which I reviewed here. Since receiving it I have used it on three journeys, two by air and once on the train to keep track of our luggage. I would not be without it because it gives me complete peace of mind. Last year my daughter had her backpack stolen, it had her Switch in. Now our valuables travel with the tracker. The PAJ Find & Protect Allround Finder is so easy to use and set up. I keep track from an app on my phone. If you don’t have a GPS tracker yet for your luggage, they are my must-buys for travelling! There is absolutely nothing worse than having lost luggage at the start of your holiday!

Metal Water Bottle

I’ve taken my daughter on holiday to both Florida and California and while it’s a different kind of heat in each of these places, you still have to drink a lot. But how do you keep your water cold if you’re out all day? Why you invest in a metal water bottle! I have found (and been advised by locals) that filling a metal water bottle up with ice and water, keeps it cold all day so you never end up with a mouthful of warm water (this has happened to my Dad, we have it on video!) And you don’t need to pay out for plastic bottles of water while you’re on the go. My absolute favourite water bottle is by SHO and they have the cutest designs! These bottles work perfectly with bottle clips, meaning you can probably even convince your kids to carry their own!

Hand Fan

When I was a kid we used to take those little battery-powered hand fans, and once the battery had gone that was it for the day. Brutal, huh? Welcome to that 90s childhood. Luckily for my daughter, there are now rechargeable hand fans and we have one each. This particular one also comes with a stand so during those hotter weeks we get in the UK (I know they’re few and far between) we can have them stood on our bedside table to keep us cool. When we’re in Florida especially these are our must-buys for travelling because that humidity really hits differently! The fact they’re rechargeable is a lifesaver as they can be charged up during the day using my battery pack. And that of course leads me to my next item…

Rechargeable Battery Pack

As I mentioned above, I can use my rechargeable battery pack to charge up these hand fans we have, but most importantly, it keeps my phone charged while I’m on the go. Like most people these days, my phone is everything. As i’m self-employed I need to have access to my emails around the clock and I love a browse on social media. My phone like for many others is also my camera and video recorder to capture those special family holiday moments. And finally, my phone is also just my phone, while i’m on holiday I need it in case of emergencies and to keep myself safe! I couldn’t be without it, so ensuring my phone can charge no matter where I am is vital. I love this one as it can charge two phones at a time from 0% up to 80%/90%.

Cooling Towel

If you are taking a kid somewhere hot, from the UK, and they have skin like Casper the Ghost.. this one is for you. A friend who lives in Florida introduced me to cooling towels as she uses them herself during theme park days to keep her daughter cool. I have had heat stroke and it’s not fun! Now, I would do anything to help my daughter avoid that. And I love that they come in their own little bag so once again my daughter can carry her own when she’s not using it. She usually wraps it around her neck or drapes it over her shoulders if she has a vest top on. It keeps her body temperature down and helps her avoid heat stroke. And yes, I’ve used one too, 10/10 recommend. We have multiple so they can be washed and dried out before their next use.

No matter where you’re going this summer, these items really could be a game changer for you. Just like they were for me. I like that none of them are a one-use and discard item, so you can continue to use them for years to come. Hopefully, you feel the same that these really are must-buys for travelling!