Human side of travel

Best Tips For Your First Ancestry Trip

Photo by Melissa Berry

True confessions: I've fallen headfirst and hard into researching my family tree. If you haven't done it - word of warning - it's a deep, dark rabbit hole. My plan, once I've researched enough, is to take an ancestry trip to explore my family tree - one branch at a time.

Then I talked to my dear friend, Melissa Berry of the Everyday Spokane blog, about her first ancestry trip and the plans for her second. I immediately asked for all her tips on how to plan my own heritage journey.

If you want to take your own Ancestry trip - read on and then execute, People!

You’ve probably seen the commercials: happy families with percentages over their heads, getting together for the holidays. Or a single woman, visiting all sorts of unique and interesting locations, from frozen wonderlands to tropical beaches. Each of the commercials ends the same way: encouraging you to sign up for a genealogy program, like 23AndMe or Ancestry, to learn more about your heritage.

Whether you sign up for a program to learn more about your specific genealogical history or you decide to take an ancestry trip given the family history you have, there are a few things you’ll want to do before heading out. Chances are your trip will be long and may include a flight over an ocean, so make sure to read up on Cindi’s awesome post on the best travel carry-on essentials for long flights and her best tools for travel planning in order to get good deals and plan your trip.

Once you’ve planned your trip as best as you can (best to plan a little loosely, in case you find out something really interesting in one city and want to stay longer), it’s time to prepare for your first ancestry trip!

Taking My First Ancestry Trip

I have to say, when I went on my first ancestry trip, I was unnecessarily cocky. This was pre-23AndMe and pre-DNA-Ancestry info. I had done some genealogical work on Ancestry.com, made sure to ask my grandmother all of the information she could recall on her family, and basically figured that was enough.

I figured I would show up in Ireland, easily find our records based on the information gathered, and bring back a goldmine of information I could show off to my completely-not-interested-in-genealogy family.

Photo by Melissa Berry

I’m sure you see where this is going - it didn’t turn out that way at all. When I and my cousin (who’d come along to learn more about this side of her family, too) reached Cork, Ireland and began looking in the library records, we were immediately stymied. What I hadn’t known was how... creative... people could get with spelling names. Plus, all of the men for some reason shared the same first name and, apparently, everyone had the same occupation (or so it seemed).

At one of the church libraries we were working in, a kindly priest tried to make me feel better by telling me some of the records had been destroyed in a fire. “In the 1860s?” I asked. “Sure,” he replied - but I’m pretty sure he was lying to make me feel better.

Preparing for and Getting the Most Out of Your First Ancestry Trip

After drowning my sorrows in some Guinness and encouraging my cousin to go after some cute Irish guys (her response: “no - they’re probably related to us!”), I realized we could have been more successful if we had taken a few key steps before we got to Ireland.

First, realize that not every ancestry trip is the same.

If your family kept very good records, or is a recent arrival and still has living family abroad, the trip should be a lot more successful for you. The further away you are from living relatives from ‘the old country’, the harder it will be. But just because we struggled finding our relatives (only 4 generations away - not as far as some!) doesn’t mean you will!

While ancestry trips are different for everyone, use these tips for getting the most out of your ancestry trip:

Do some research before you go. Which side of your family came from this country? What do you know about them? Do you know the region from which they came? If you know, start by planning your trip there. Some countries are very big, and being able to narrow it down will help shape your itinerary.

When I took my first ancestry trip, I hadn’t yet taken an Ancestry.com DNA test. While the results didn’t surprise me, since I’ve taken it, I’ve been connected to more people who’ve done serious research on my family tree. I’ve even connected to someone around my age who lives in England (and is related to that side of my family!).

If you can, before you go, take a DNA test, do some research within your own family and whatever records you can find online, and get to know as much as you can about where you’re visiting. If you really want to research your history, this prep work will be invaluable - and may connect you with a living, breathing relative!

Attend events, places, museums, hikes and more from the area where your family is from. We did some hiking, museum-touring, and bed and breakfast stays around Ireland because we really wanted to get to know and experience it. Visit churches, libraries - any place that may have more information about your family can be informative. You may find information you never would get from an online search!

Photo by Melissa Berry

Not only is it just a great idea to get out and do things when you travel, but you may also learn more things about your family history while out. Most of our (limited) success came from visiting churches, but even the museums gave us an interesting backstory of what was going on when our ancestors lived there. Museums gave us a background and hiking around the countryside made us feel we were connected to our family, as they may have walked those same or similar trails.

Live like a local. As much as possible, try to get into the culture while on your ancestry trip. We visited Ireland for a little over a week, and we toured the whole island. We rented a car and stayed at bed and breakfasts along the way, so we could take our time, talk to locals, and feel like part of the community. There’s nothing like driving on tiny roads in the middle of Ireland, trying to get to a museum before it closes, only to be waylaid by sheep!

For me, it felt like a homecoming. I looked like I fit in while in Ireland - not particularly tall, curly, reddish-brown hair. People didn’t treat me like an American ‘outsider’ when I was in Ireland, because I didn’t really stand out from the crowd.

This was not my cousin’s experience (taller, darker-haired) and it may not be yours either - but that’s okay! Depending on your genealogical history, the first ancestry trip you take might not feel like a homecoming. None of your trips may feel like a homecoming - and all of that is okay too. But keep an open mind, because you never know what you may learn or experience while taking an ancestry tip - and it might surprise you.

Photo by Melissa Berry

Planning My Second Ancestry Trip

Needless to say, I’m planning my second ancestry trip (for my Dad’s side) but taking my own advice this time. For this trip, I’m very glad I took a DNA test, because where we thought my Dad’s family was from (Germany) is not… it turns out, he’s mostly Scottish. A surprise to everyone (including my family’s last name, which is a top 10 common German name). So it’s off to Scotland for me next - not Germany!

However, I learned my lesson in a variety of ways, and this trip will be significantly different because of three key factors:

1. Planning ahead - I’ve done much more research on this side of the family, and have planned my trip accordingly. I’ve researched where I want to go, roughly where I want to stay, and the museums I’d like to visit.
2. Not being disappointed by what I do or don’t find. I’m not expecting to find any traces of my Dad’s side in Scotland - first of all, our family name isn’t Scottish, and I don’t know where I’d start. But you never know what you may find - from research, I discovered there was a war in Scotland around the time we think my ancestors fled to Germany. Could this be the reason we’re ‘German’? Maybe - but I’d like to go to Scotland and learn more about this time period to learn more.
3. Realizing that ancestry is more than just ‘where you’re from’ - For some people, it can be easy to get discouraged and feel down about a country (or travel in general) if things you planned didn’t go right. This can feel even heavier if it’s an ancestry trip and nothing is going right.

There’s a chance you plan an ancestry trip to France because you’re 45% French, but you get there and absolutely hate it. Maybe you have 5% Spanish, so you head there and feel like you totally fit in and fall in love with the country.

All of that is okay! It’s about what you want to get out of it and adjusting your expectations. If I had gone to Germany expecting to fit in, but felt very out of place, I might feel like something was wrong with me. But don’t forget: if you’re reading Traveling Later, chances are you’re traveling because you love to travel.

Travel and affinity for other cultures aren’t dictated by your DNA - imagine how boring life would be if we only traveled to places ‘where we were from’ - I’d never love Morrocco if that were the case!

Ancestry travel can be amazing, life-changing, and connect you to your heritage in ways you never dreamed. It also may be disappointing, sad, or make you feel out of place. I recommend everyone who’s interested take an ancestry trip, but (as with most travel advice) be realistic and roll with what you find!

Are you planning an ancestry trip? Where would you go?

Melissa Berry is a travel blogger at Everyday Spokane, a local travel blog for people relocating to and living in the Inland Northwest. When she’s not planning trips, she works as a freelance editor and website consultant. You can read more of her work at Everyday Spokane.

Ten Best Destinations for Your Next Girls Trip

I’m constantly designing the best girls' trip (in the history of girls' trips) - in my mind. The first thing I think about is how many girls will be on the trip. A posse of two works as well as going with the whole gang, but knowing the group size helps with destination decisions.

And then I ask myself the big question: what's the best destination?

Well, there isn't one best destination, there's only the best one for you and your girls. So, I asked ten of my favorite travel bloggers to share their best girls' trip destinations with us so we can pick one. Or all ten. (🙋‍♀️ I'm doing all ten - wait til you read them.)

No time to read now? Pin this for later.

Wait - Before You Pick the Best Destination for Your Trip

You gotta know your girls and plan accordingly. Start asking yourself what you all love to do together: hiking? Beach? Shopping? Zip-lining? Sightseeing? Ski Poles? Even if there's more than one answer it will help you start to whittle down the options.

Next qualifying question: How long is everyone's get-out-of-jail-free card? Does it need to be a girls' weekend trip? Can it turn into a girls' vacation? You have to work within everyone's schedules.

Ok, this is getting exciting! You and your BFFs are now ready to pick the destination for your weekend/vacation girls' trip to…

Where are you going?

SAMOA!

Photo by Christy Dunn

From Christy Dunn @ https://www.planestrainsandmonorails.com/

For the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime girls’ getaway, head to the beautiful island nation of Samoa. This tropical paradise in the South Pacific offers the perfect combination of breathtaking views, delicious food, warm weather, and a welcoming environment. Whether you and your friends are looking to relax on the beach or tackle an adventure, Samoa has you covered. The people here will make you feel right at home. And, it has lower prices and fewer crowds than some of its more famous neighbors.

Taumeasina Island Resort is the place to stay if you want relaxation, luxury, and convenience. It has spectacular views in every direction and is only a five-minute cab ride to the heart of the capital city of Apia. Another great option for lodging close to the action is the Sheraton Aggie Grey in downtown Apia. If you would prefer an all-inclusive resort, I recommend the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort near the airport.

Your trip to Samoa is not complete without a meal at Paddles. This small restaurant offers scrumptious Italian food in a laid-back island environment. Your stomach and your girlfriends will be thanking you for this one!

During your trip, take a little time to shop in the various markets in Apia. You will find tons of Samoan handicrafts. For a little adventure, rent a car and drive to To Sua Ocean Trench. This amazing swimming hole is about 100 feet below ground and is connected to the ocean by underwater tunnels.

Christy is a wife, mom, and attorney who’d rather be traveling than in a courtroom! She learned a lot about traveling the last fifteen+ years with her husband. She believes traveling is the best way to teach children about the world and her son started traveling at two years old. Her favorite destinations are Disney World, sporting events, and the South Pacific. Follow her on Pinterest.

CANCUN!

Photo by Christine Zelina

From Christina Zelina @ https://treasuredfamilytravels.com/

Sun, sand, and food! That was what my BFF and I were looking for when we planned a long girlfriend weekend getaway. Cancun fit the bill on all accounts.

Countless all-inclusive resorts abound tempting you with unlimited food, drink, and activities. There is no need to go outside the resort area unless you want to. In fact, we did more onsite group activities than I have ever done with my family.

Salsa dancing lessons, Spanish cooking demonstrations, mixology classes, and an introductory scuba lesson kept us busy when weren’t eating, sleeping or sunning.

Venture out one night to Coco Bongo – a party club located within Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Seriously, you need to see this place! Flying acrobats, loud music and so much going on you don’t know where to look.

Consider booking a package deal that includes airfare and airport transfers. Many cities have charter airlines with non-stop flights which I highly recommend. Where else can you get so much for your money and not have to worry about anything once you get there?

If you’re looking for a tropical and inexpensive girlfriend getaway, do your research on Cancun. The white sand and beautiful blue water will literally melt away any stress you came with. And, you may even learn a new recipe to take home!

Christine, the founder of the family travel blog Treasured Family Travels, writes about her families world travels using miles and points. She’s a huge Disney fanatic and devotes a section of her website to all things Disney. Follow her on Pinterest.

TUSCAN COAST, ITALY!

Photo by Katy Thomas

From Katy Thomas @ https://katyinumbria.com/

A weekend catching up with girlfriends on the Tuscan coast while getting a tan and sipping local white wine? Pretty close to perfect.

Starting from Perugia, in a small car, take the slower, windier roads to Talamone. Pit stops included: San Casciano Dei Bagni, a wealthy spa town, great for a quick panino and a stroll. Pitigliano, perfect for an afternoon gelato. Get ready to take lots of photos and stock up on their famous local white wine for pre-dinner drinks. And finally Le Terme di Saturnia, free hot springs with healing mineral waters that have created gentle waterfalls and pools, my favorite so far.

Activities: snorkeling off the rocks of Talamone, driving to the nature reserve for walks and naps on the long sandy spit, and late-night shopping sprees in Orbetello. Looking for a bit more adventure? Take a ferry to one of the islands, like Elba.

Food: keep it Italian! Breakfasts of pastries and cappuccinos. Light lunches with local prosciutto and melon or tomatoes and mozzarella. Dinner? My favorite restaurant in the area is Agriturismo Buratta for their wild boar ragu, red wine, and pickled onions. Perfect after a day exploring the coast of Tuscany’s Maremma. And be sure to try what this region is known for, Tortelli. Large square pasta stuffed with spinach and ricotta.

The salty Mediterranean sea and the warm Italian sun help with the relaxing, the wine is for chatting. Because what summer is complete without a road trip with your friends to the beach?

Katy is from the West Coast of Canada. She studied violin making in England, lived in Toronto, Canada for a time, and now lives in Perugia, Italy since 2014. She runs a business making and restoring violins with her Italian husband, and spends her spare time exploring every inch of Central Italy and sharing it all on her blog. Follow her on Pinterest.

CHICAGO!

Photo by Catherine Brady

From Catherine Brady @ https://travelingwiththelittles.com/

For a girlfriend weekend getaway to Chicago, there are endless possibilities of things to do! I’m not a martini drinking, clubbing, spa type of gal, so this itinerary is somewhat laidback. BUT, if you are into clubs, bars, and spas, Chicago has no shortage.

The first order of business is your hotel. I’d stay at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, on Wacker Drive, located right on the Chicago River. It’s affordable, has excellent views, and is smack in the middle of all the action. The Hyatt boasts three restaurants on-site if you’d like to eat at the hotel. They also have the BIG Bar and a café/snack shop that’s open 24/7.

Friday night grab pizza at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. Everyone has an opinion about which Chicago pizza is the best and most authentic, and Lou Malnati’s takes the cake! After pizza, grab a drink at the Signature Lounge on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building. It’s free to get up there (except for the $13 mojito you’ll pay for) and has some of the best views of the city. The best view is from the ladies room, so be sure to check that out!

Saturday grab breakfast at the hotel or on the go and get after the day. First, take the architectural tour down the Chicago River. I’m not into architecture, per se, but this is probably the best tour in Chicago. Grab lunch at Eataly Chicago, and then go shopping down Michigan Avenue on the Magnificent Mile. For dinner, I’d recommend the Dearborn.

If you have time to kill in the evenings, you can catch a play at one of Chicago’s many theaters, or take a sunset cruise on Lake Michigan. Alternatively, you can catch a free concert in Millennium Park or at the beer garden at the end of Navy Pier.

Sunday morning hit up the Nutella Café for some confections and a bit of indulgence.

Catherine is an attorney - turned Travel Writer. She started travelingwiththelittles.com as a resource for parents who love the idea of traveling post-children but are apprehensive about traveling as a family. Her goal is to make family travel more manageable and to take the anxiety out of traveling with children! Follow her on Pinterest.

MADISON, WISCONSIN!

Girls-trip-to-Madison-Capital-Square-Wisconsin

Photo by Sue Reddel

From Sue Reddel @ https://foodtravelist.com

Madison, Wisconsin is a unique capital city on an isthmus surrounded by two beautiful lakes. Enjoy water views, beautiful sunsets and amenities like a serene spa and wellness center at the boutique Edgewater Hotel.

April through October visit the Dane County Farmers Market, the largest producers-only market in the country, where vendors fill Capitol Square on Saturday mornings. Then go inside the historic capitol building and explore its breathtaking historic interior.

Stroll the beautiful Olbrich Botanical Gardens free every day or choose from many biking and hiking trails. In summer you can go kayaking, SUP or canoeing. Winter offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.

Ready to eat? Try farm-fresh fine dining at L’Etoile or a creamy frozen custard at Michael’s. Downtown food carts offer great ethnic eats and local gems serve unique authentic food like Indian, Korean, Laotian, Ethiopian and more. Breakfast and brunch get serious attention at spots like Short Stack Eatery and Marigold Kitchen. Don’t miss Wisconsin’s famed supper clubs like Toby’s or the Tornado Room for an Old Fashioned cocktail or a hearty meal. Lombardino’s has excellent wood-fired pizza and a hefty wine list.

Try ciders and get some tasty noshes at the Cider Farm Taproom at Brennan’s Cellars for fun. Like beer? Madison’s thriving craft brewery scene offers many options like lively Vintage Brewing.

One thing’s for certain - if you come to Madison once you will return because you won’t be able to do, see and eat it all in just one-weekend visit.

Sue has a great post with even more information and tips about Marvelous Madison here on her blog. Follow her on Pinterest.

NEW ORLEANS!

french-quarter-architecture-in-NOLA-for-girls-trip

Photo by Kara @Destination Live Life

From Kara @ https://destinationlivelife.com/

If you’re looking for a girlfriend weekend getaway that can include both history AND debauchery, then look no further than New Orleans, Louisiana! A well-known destination for all things culinary, spooky, and raucous, you’re sure to have one heck of a time.

When the sun is up, spend your days exploring the rich architecture in the French Quarter. You can admire the buildings you pass and do some shopping in the many boutiques! I also can’t recommend an afternoon/early evening cooking class enough. It’s a great introduction to New Orleans creole where you can prepare (and then inhale) famous NOLA dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, or pecan pralines.

When the sun goes down, the city really comes alive (OR dead). Taking one of the city’s many spooky haunted tours will give you chills for days. And discovering all the famous Bourbon Street has to offer may give you a hangover for days. Head over to karaoke at Catz and hit the high notes with your ladies to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.”

Luckily, I also have just the ticket to help cure that hangover! Head on over to Tableau in the French Quarter for a little jazz brunch. The food is amazing, they have bottomless mimosas (a little hair of the dog never hurt), and a cute little jazz trio who will serenade you with the likes of Bruno Mars and Metallica on their brass instruments.

Kara is a current full-time world traveler and the writer, editor, and publisher behind the travel blog Destination: Live Life. She loves live music, travel (duh!), animals, and a great cocktail. Keep up with her adventures on the blog, or photographically on her Instagram.

CANMORE, CANADA!

From Natasha Alden @ https://theworldpursuit.com/

The small mountain town of Canmore is the perfect place to have a girls weekend outside. Canmore is just outside of Banff National Park and is easily one of the most beautiful places in the world.

It's Nestled in the Canadian Rockies meaning there are tons of things to do for the gals to enjoy. My girlfriends and I wanted to do some hiking, and there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of hiking trails around. Trails range from easy walks in the woods to hard scrambles up a mountain. Once you're on top of the mountains you are rewarded with amazing views and the feeling of being on top of the world. Some great hikes in Canmore are East End of Rundle, Grassi Lakes, and Tent Ridge.

If you don't want to sweat it out in the mountains Canmore has a great downtown area. There are tons of bars and restaurants, and yoga studios in case you girls want to stretch it out. The downtown area is surrounded by mountains on every side so you're always getting a view no matter which way you look.

If you happen to be visiting Canmore in the winter you will be in heaven. There are four ski resorts within an hour of Canmore and plenty of backcountry access if you want a more extreme adventure. Canmore is well worth spending a weekend away with your girlfriends. You may never leave (I moved here after visiting!).

Natasha writes her travel blog with Cameron Seagle, where they share their experiences, photography, and informative travel guides. They love off the beaten path destinations and hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide the resources to do so. You can read more about things to do in Canmore on the blog, and follow her on Instagram.

NASHVILLE!

Photo by Ashley Hubbard

From Ashley Hubbard @ https://wild-hearted.com/

Nashville is the perfect weekend getaway for girlfriends no matter what you're interested in doing while here. We've randomly and fiercely become known as being a hot spot for bachelorette parties due to our lively downtown scene, but the fun doesn't stop there.

Nashville has plenty of boutique and one-of-a-kind shopping, enough delicious brunch spots to fill an entire year's worth of brunch, beautiful outdoor activities to burn off the brunch calories, and amazing local coffee shops to catch up with your girlfriends. Check out a show at the historic Ryman Auditorium, find something completely unique at the Nashville Flea Market, find your inner hipster walking through the East Nashville neighborhood, go for drinks and bowling at Pinewood Social, try to find all 200+ murals in the city, take a hike at Radnor Lake or Percy Warner Park, or head a little bit South to Franklin and visit Arrington Vineyards. Take a picnic and soak up the fresh country air while enjoying wine and live music.

Hotels can get pricey in Nashville but there is still some affordable unique accommodation in Nashville that is perfect for a weekend with your girlfriends in Nashville.

Ashley is a freelance writer, photographer, vegan travel blogger, animal, environmental and social justice warrior, scuba diver, and adventure junkie from and living in Nashville, Tennessee. You can follow her on Instagram.

CURACAO!

Photo by Acquania Escarne @ Purpose of Money

From Acquania Escarne @ https://thepurposeofmoney.com/

One of my favorite girl's trips was to Curacao. A country full of vibrant colors and colonial architecture - a piece of the Netherlands without the cold. Perfect for relaxing, good food, and enjoying Caribbean culture year-round (the islands’ location shields it from most storms and hurricanes.)

We stayed in the center of Willemstad at Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino, near shops, restaurants, and a movie theatre. Perfect because one night we saw Girls Trip on our girls trip! The hotels' amazing infinity pool overlooks the beach but didn’t have the most direct beach access.

One day, we drove our rental car to Karakter, a beach, lounge, and restaurant with amazing Caribbean food and cocktails. We also checked out the Hato Caves, Kura Hulanda Museum, and local markets. The highlight was driving to the furthest part of the island, and hitting every major beach on the way back. We explored the big beach resorts and small tucked-away places. It was fun and filled with great music along the way.

I highly recommend you venture to Curacao if you are seeking Caribbean vibes, warm weather, and good food. It can be affordable or pricey depending on your level of lux - our trip fell in the medium price range. Good to know: Official currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, but the US dollar is readily accepted. And locals speak both English and Dutch and Papiamento--a local dialect.

Acquania is a financial coach, freelance blogger, and public speaker who helps people find financial freedom and build generational wealth. She plans and saves for her travels with family and friends. Follow her on Instagram.

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK/BAR HARBOR, MAINE!

Acadia-national-park-girls-trip-destination

Photo by Kasia Lee

From Kaisa Lee @ https://www.glamgranolatravel.com/

Once a year, my best gal pals from college and I get together. We always have a great time, but this year we went to Acadia National Park and had an amazing time.

When I say Acadia National Park, I technically mean the charming Maine seaside town of Bar Harbor. We stayed at the High Seas Motel, which was equidistant from the National Park and restaurants and shops in downtown Bar Harbor.

It was also extremely reasonably priced, which was great as we’re all ballin’ on a budget. You could also camp in the park, but be warned—Maine’s weather can be fickle even on the nicest of summer days. We discovered this the hard way, stuck in the middle of a downpour exploring tide pools a mile away from our vehicle!

As for activities in the National Park, I strongly recommend driving the road, stopping for picnics and overlooks, and picking a couple of hikes. The Beehive was our absolute favorite. Without giving too much away, it’s short but steep, and there are metal bars to help you climb a mountain. The views of Acadia’s surrounding forests and ocean are, of course, as breathtaking as the (mildly terrifying) hike up. Believe me, this hike makes for some badass selfies.

Acadia even has a beach, if you're brave enough for a post-hike dip in the Atlantic!

You can also experience nature at sea with Bar Harbor Whale Watch! They offer different themed boat trips depending on the time of year.

Follow that up with a little tasting sesh at the local winery (hello, sweet Maine blueberry wine) and a bowl of chowder at the Thirsty Whale Tavern. We couldn’t spend a weekend in New England without getting some chowder!

Between the winery, quirky local shops, and stunning hikes, Bar Harbor and Acadia make for a pretty perfect girl’s trip.

Kaisa is a Colorado-based budget outdoor adventure blogger, who loves National Parks and craft beer. Follow her on Instagram.

There you have it!

Pick one or pick them all! Line up your trips for the next few years because no one thing puts more fuel back in your tank than spending time with your Girls. Love them, please!! But...in case you need it, here's an article that might be required reading for the group before your trip.

Safe Travels,

PS. Ok, Ok, maybe you should read this one too, depending on your destination of choice! And this one - perfect for Group travel planning and organizing!

The Best Travel Carry-On Essentials for Long Flights

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Have you noticed? There are lots of “things” available these days that - supposedly - make a long airplane flight easier. The list of new travel carry-on essentials goes on and on. Literally.

But are they all really essential?

That turns out to be an evergreen question because new, essential "things" keep being invented. Some look super cool and so necessary! But are they?

I conduct my own essential gear test every time I travel. No, it’s not the most frugal thing to do - but I buy one cool, amazing new invention for every trip. To try it out and see if it solves 'my problem’ - as advertised. I’ve been doing this for a couple of years now.

Spoiler alert: some don't live up to the hype and most work just okay. But I 'm not dragging an overly heavy bag around an airport, airplane or destination. If I’m not going to use something, or even NEED it, it's not going in my travel tote.

That’s prime real estate. And it's reserved for the absolute best things I've tested and now use before or during my flight, or while I'm at my destination. Here's how I pick what goes into my bag.

What to Pack

I work backward to select the lucky items riding inside the plane with me. I pack what I'll need when I arrive. If my checked bag is still ‘en route’ when I arrive - there are some personal things that need to travel with me. This includes

Medications
Clean undies
Basic toiletries (face wash, moisturizer, toothbrush+paste, mascara, blush, lipgloss, brush)
Appropriate power converter
Portable charger for all devices
Contact lens supplies

But a clean shirt is a want-to-have, so it goes on the waitlist.

Next up is my laptop (if it’s a work trip) and a camera. Although, depending on the purpose of the trip, my phone might be all the camera I bring.

Once that’s settled, I turn my attention to what I need in the air. It's a concise list:

Neck pillow
Eyemask
Blanket
Noise-canceling headphones
Earplugs
Reusable water bottle
Allergy-safe snacks (“she’s one of those people!”)
And something to read (sometimes a book but usually a device)

These are the basic non-negotiables and there are so many options for every item on the list. Which ones go in my limited cargo space? Read on to see what I use and how to buy them.

Travel Essentials List

It wasn’t easy to narrow down my all-star list of items to bring on long flights. I kissed a lot of frogs along the way. And I'm still keeping my eyes open for things to bring because, on top of the one new thing I try every trip, I keep a revolving list of things I plan on purchasing in the future, based on:

Doing continual research
Needing something mid-flight - one time too many
Making do with a substitute of some kind for far too long

But let's get on with it!

Photo by Anugrah Lohiya from Pexels

First up is my pillow and blanket. The Cocoon Cool Max travel blanket is warm, portable, and lightweight but the real reason I was sold is the small, squishy packing bag it comes inside. Some of the blankets I’ve tried were ok but failed on the fold/wad test. Too big.

To go with my Cocoon blanket I chose the Trtl travel pillow. I’ve gone back and forth on this decision. I was tempted to buy one when they first came out (“ohhh, so shiny….”) but I’d purchased a perfectly good (squishy) travel pillow that squished into its own bag like my blanket.

Then the incident happened.

It was a flight from Berlin to Copenhagen and the string on my travel pillow bag got dragged onto the wet tarmac as I boarded my flight. Never saw it happen. But when I lifted my tote into the overhead bin - it dragged.

The wet string. Across the FACE of the man sitting on the aisle. Fortunately, I don't understand German swear words...

I threw it away when I got home and pulled the Trtl trigger. It's a unique design with a light fleece covering. Reviews are great, especially the one where the reviewer wanted to hate it. And the one that pointed out that the excess fabric can be used to hide your open mouth. Sold.

My blanket and soon-to-be pillow are almost all I need for falling asleep on a long flight. And all I’ve used until now. But I’m about to buy myself a sleep mask. I don’t use them - ever - but something has to change. My level of in-flight sleep has fallen to zero.

On the last two long flights, people had lights on next to me or went in and out of the mid-plane bathroom near my seat. Light on, light off, light on...Again with the research to find a way to use a sleep mask for the first time and avoid claustrophobic panic. Here’s what I found and what I’m buying: Nodpod weighted sleep pillow for your eyes. Same principle as the weighted blankets and I’m a big fan.

More Travel Necessities

The other piece of my light sleeping issue is noise, but I fail at earplugs. Something about it - no can do! What I can do is block external airplane sound with a pair of cozy, comfy earphones. Time for an upgrade on this item as well and this time I’m going with a pair of Sony Bluetooth headphones. These are the exact ones I’m buying. Might sleep like a baby.

Photo by Anugrah Lohiya from Pexels

I alternate between binge-watching movies and entire Netflix seasons and reading on my Kindle (they’re so compact and lightweight now!) Up to this point, I’ve used my earbuds, but I’m done with ear pain from overwearing those when traveling for 6-12 hours on a plane.

While I’m reading and bingeing, I’m snacking. I mentioned that I’m ‘one of those people.’ Food allergies to almost everything but lettuce. Not really but it feels like that at times. And airplane and airport food are slightly - shall we say problematic? So I bring my own.

Those snacks keep me from becoming hangry but I’m tired of the plastic baggie trap. (too much plastic!) When I found the Stasher Reusable Silicone food bag I thought I’d give it try. Can’t sing its praises high enough. When I got home, I closed my eyes and threw it in the dishwasher. It was fine! Now going on my fourth trip using them!

After the success of the silicone bag, I wanted to try an alternative to a hard-sided water bottle. Once I pass through security and fill up my water bottle, it’s fine, but until then I want to stay with the packable squishy theme. I found the Nomad Collapsible water bottle. I bought it to travel - but use it on the daily now.

Empty, the bottle rolls up and the attached strap hooks onto a small latch on the front of the bottle. The latch is a bit shallow and the first time I tried to roll up the bottle, it was new and stiff and came unfastened. I planned on tossing it when I returned from my trip until I realized it no longer unhooked itself!

I think after using the bottle it became more pliable and the strap/hook works fine. At least that’s been my experience.

Stay Charged the Right Way

When traveling internationally, part of your carry-on travel essentials must include a portable charger and an adaptor/converter. AND, if you’re like me and packing a blow dryer (yaaaassss), you need to get an adapter that will accommodate that portable wind tunnel machine (blowdryer). This is something I did not know while traveling in Italy back in 2014.

In Sorrento, we stayed in a Relais (upscale B+B) that was once the home of a wealthy shipping magnate. I brought the right converter/adapter for my electronics but every time I used my blowdryer - poof! Electricity out. Hubby had to trudge downstairs and ask the owner to flip the breaker more than once. No one involved was the least bit happy.

Finally, he came back to our room carrying a crappy little blowdryer that wouldn’t blow the circuit. My bad hair days in Sorrento are photographically preserved. (no power - no “Do”) Now I travel with the Travel Smart by Conair, a worldwide converter + adapter. No matter what country I’m in I look like my old self!

Ok, let’s talk about charging your smartphone before you head out sightseeing for the day. You have maps saved offline to lead the way and your photojournalist instincts are on high alert. And then it happens right after you stop for lunch. Ten percent battery alert on your phone. Panic!!

Seems silly but I let this happen to me time and time again. I’ve had portable chargers over the years - several in fact. But they die or get lost or don’t do much more than a little boost to get me to the next closest wall plug. No can do on the travel trail.

Plus I use my phone a lot while flying - with podcasts to catch up on and Netflix bingeing. It’s the road to dead battery life. Until finally. Finally. I got this Anker portable charger. That’s my answer for you if you’re taking an international trip or a domestic road trip.

I did so much research before picking this one and chose it for its ability to charge my laptop as well as my smartphone. According to the Anker website, this little baby can get you more than seven phone charges before it needs to be recharged itself. Give it a good 24 hour charge the first time, though.

Carry Your Airplane Essentials

Finally, on top of those 14 items - I can’t leave you without sharing my favorite bag for bringing them all on the plane. Two words: purse and tote.

If I’m on a trip without my laptop (non-work), my purse stores inside my tote while getting from point A to point B. Less pack-mule, more ease of travel that way.

If that’s not possible - which happens - I sling my purse cross-body and hang it to the front. Definitely not on my hip. I’m hyper-aware of those around me for my purse security. I don’t want anyone slashing a strap, slashing the bottom/side, or slyly opening it unbeknownst to me.

I’m also hip to the electronic reader today's thieves employ. They can steal my data as they stroll by me. I need the latest RFID material to prevent this from happening. It’s a lot to ask of a cross-body bag that has to be Swiss-Army knife useful and semi-chic. Here’s what I found after much searching. The Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag in black.

The material used makes slashing difficult. Zippers on the exterior have little locking mechanisms and it’s got RFID material everywhere.

I’ve seen its little RFID protection in action on the streets of Berlin. A couple approached me near Brandenburg Tor asking for directions. I answered while the woman stood in front of me and the man moved next to her - then up behind me - close. I stiffened, then remembered my little Travelon was working this situation for me!

I laughed and laughed all the way home.

And finally my tote. I use Briggs & Riley Kinzie Street Cabin Bag. It has RFID pockets, an interior pocket for my Kindle, and another for my laptop. There’s plenty of space for my travel items and a long strap to hang from my shoulder or go cross-body. In my seat, it easily fits below but can be maneuvered up to access my stuff.

I’m happy with it! I’ve gone through so many iterations of totes, including a couple of backpacks. I don’t know what it is about me or about backpacks but when I see one I’m so drawn to it. I want to do that - carry that. Yet when I actually have a backpack - nope. Hate it. It's just a personal preference.

So there you have it - all the things I absolutely need in my travel kit when I’m in for a long haul flight to a fabulous place. It’s easy to go overboard and fall for the next new thing. Been there, done that, lather-rinse-repeat. But when I add to this list, I’m just bringing something that’s either pure dead weight or I’ll use it when I don’t need to.

Does that make sense? Have you lugged your own dead weight? Heavy luggage isn’t always about your main bag. Before you overpack your carry-on tote, stop a minute. Think about your shoulder, back, and wallet. You don’t need any more than THIS list! And if you need a lesson in packing to get your head on straight, check out this article and this one too!

Safe Travels,

Human side of travel

Taking My First Ancestry Trip

Preparing for and Getting the Most Out of Your First Ancestry Trip

First, realize that not every ancestry trip is the same.

Planning My Second Ancestry Trip

Are you planning an ancestry trip? Where would you go?

Wait - Before You Pick the Best Destination for Your Trip

Where are you going?

SAMOA!

CANCUN!

TUSCAN COAST, ITALY!

CHICAGO!

MADISON, WISCONSIN!

NEW ORLEANS!

CANMORE, CANADA!

NASHVILLE!

CURACAO!

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK/BAR HARBOR, MAINE!

There you have it!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

What to Pack

Travel Essentials List

But let's get on with it!

More Travel Necessities

Stay Charged the Right Way

Carry Your Airplane Essentials

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