My Top 7 Travel Tips

This is a list of my favourite travel tips - little things that help make the journey or time away from home a little more bearable!

1. Clear Glasses Cases

http://heidirobertskitchentalk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/travel-tip-clear-glasses-cases.html

2. Condiments

http://heidirobertskitchentalk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/travel-tip-2-take-your-condiments.html

3. Cosmetics

http://heidirobertskitchentalk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/travel-tip-3-travel-light-cosmetics.html

4. Be Prepared

http://heidirobertskitchentalk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/travel-tip-4-be-prepared-bubble-wrap.html

5. Coconut Oil - A travellers best friend

http://heidirobertskitchentalk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/travel-tip-5-coconut-oil.html

6. Pack-A-Snack

http://heidirobertskitchentalk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/travel-tip-6-pack-snack.html  

7. Travel Essentials - travelling in comfort

http://heidirobertskitchentalk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/travel-tip-7-travel-essentials-to.html  

A few travel tips from friends, fellow bloggers and family here for you too ......

Neil says " wear cargo shorts or cargo trousers - plenty of pockets to put your things in ready to hand" and "chill out - delays etc are out of your control so don't waste time worrying"!

Mr R never travels without his 'Puzzler' magazine.  He loves the range of puzzles and finds it great to do when you are not allowed electronic devices or smart phones or when there is little to no wifi or internet connections.

Choclette Ammar Travel as light as you can for easy manoeuvrability - take layered tops that are interchangeable and go with everything and suitable for every occasion.

Kavey always splits the money between her and her husband so if one gets theirs lost of stolen you still have some to tide you over.

Caroline makes a 'Busy Bag' for the children - a new bag with colouring books, crayons, reading book, small packets of sweets or snacks and a little toy along with a fruit drink to keep them busy on the journey. They really look forward to it at the start of a holiday.

Nayna says "I always take my fave shawl on the airplane to keep warm".

Becca Pusey Take some spare underwear in your hand luggage, just in case your suitcase gets lost!

Penelope Reader - If you have food allergies or healthcare needs, do a quick google translate of key words phrases and save them on your phone in advance. Saves stress & panic if you need them in an emergency

Do you have any favourite travel tips? Please feel free to leave yours in a comment below.

Travel Tip 7 - Travel Essentials to Travel in Comfort

There are a few items that just help make travel a bit more comfortable.  Whether you travel by car, train or plane these little 'helpers' will be worth their weight in gold!

Travel Pillow:
I have a Tempur travel pillow that I take with me either in the car, plane  or on the train.  It comes in a little plastic case to keep it from getting dirty and if space is short I can just loop the case over the back of my hand luggage case. Sometimes I don't particularly like hotel pillows or just want something a bit softer next to my face and this little gem does the trick.

Mr R has one of those half circle travel pillows for his air travel. These keep your head from lopping from side to side and with a handy clip can attach to the outside of a bag or backpack to be at hand whenever you might need it.

I have just bought a new 'J' shaped travel pillow that has another 'arm' that rests under your chin.  I am going to give this a try on my next trip. This is a great one for children and I will be letting the 'Little People' give it a try on the next car journey.

I wouldn't consider leaving home without a travel pillow.

Wet wipes and tissues:
One of my pet hates is to use the toilet when travelling and there is no 'paper' available so a small packet of tissues is always in my handbag.  I usually take one pack for every day I will be away - there are always noses to wipe as well.

Wet wipes are now available to clean most things now and often come in smaller travel packs.  Baby wipes double up as adult wipes for sticky fingers

Bandana (scarf, face cloth & more):
On a trip I usually buy a new one of those 'cowboy' style hankies or bandannas.  I have a whole collection of colours and once home they become serviettes for BBQs and outdoor parties because they wash so well.

However on holiday they are so useful for many things.  As soon as I get a new one I will hand wash it to remove the protective coating.  Then it becomes a scarf, bandanna, cloth to wet to keep cool, face cover if the sun get too intense, something to wipe hands on if eating outside and so many more things.

I also take a really light but large scarf which can act as a bit of warmth around your shoulders or cover up if you arrive and it is chilly or need something a bit more elegant to add to an outfit whilst travelling.

These little tips just keep me feeling a bit more comfortable when travelling thus keeping me a bit happier which is a good thing!!

As usual all photos and opinions are my own. I was not paid to review any of the items in this post.

Travel Tip 3 - travel light cosmetics

I am sure you are like me and want to stay clean when you are travelling but also want to travel light.  Here are a few of my tips, especially for making things do more than one job.

There is no need to take full size products with you when you are only going away for a short time - up to two weeks. My main intention is to throw things away to make room for the goodies I will be buying and bringing home.  Although I rarely leave home with the full weight allowance each kilo is sacred when I travel home.

Toothpaste - I wait until the tube is almost empty and put them aside for travelling.  When you think you will not get any more out of the tube cut off the seam at the top and inside will be 5-7 days worth of toothpaste that you would ordinarily throw away!  If you do this to every tube you use throughout the year you will save a couple of tubes of toothpaste per year anyway.  Of course I always take my toothbrush with me!

I don't like shower gels. I am a soap person. You may get a bar of soap in a hotel or nowadays you tend to get shower gel.  When my current bar of soap gets to the really thin stage I let it dry and put it with a couple of others in a plastic bag.  These are perfect for travelling because I don't mind leaving them behind whereas a full bar of soap would be too much for me to leave and although doesn't weigh much on its own adds to the total coming home luggage weight!

A few years ago I realised that I was allergic to conventional deodorants and started using coconut oil as a deodorant. This is one item I take with me in it's original jar because changes in temperature can make it melt somewhat and some containers may leak.  However it must be prepared to do more than one job and it does.  (I will be writing a post just about the uses of coconut oil in this series).

I take a small baby powder with me to dust under my arms after using the coconut oil as a fine talc/powder helps to keep you dry and cooler.  It can also be used for any chafing areas or to keep shoes dry and smelling nicer.

Again with shampoo - I will wait until there is only a small amount left in the bottle and put it aside for travelling.  As each bottle is finished it can be thrown away or recycled and doesn't need to come back with me.

That is really all my essentials because they do more than one job but a few others I will take when there is space are:-

Little sample sizes of facial and bath products I get when I buy full size (I like Clarins products and usually get the smaller sizes with a purchase).

Or cleansing wipes that can clean your face as well as take off any eye makeup and can be used for a quick clean on any part of your body.

Even Mr R will take the small samples from his Clarins for Men purchases with him. 

I don't like buying small travel sizes because they work out much more expensive but occasionally it is more practical like the travel shaving foam that Mr R takes - there is enough to last the fortnight's holiday.

It may not seem like a big deal taking all the cosmetics etc that I want but I really do like to keep my luggage as lean as possible on the outward journey and as full as possible on the way home!

What is your favourite travel tip for keeping clean and cool?