Photograph by Lucas Noonan
Aside from the obvious summer travel essentials—passport, sunscreen, new frock, new strappy sandals—there are a few extra things that we find useful when traveling.
1). Loose change. Very handy to hold onto those euros and yen. Especially when you need a quick snack from the vending machine or the 1 euro coin to get that luggage cart. Not everywhere accepts credit cards or large bills.
2). Mini scented candle. To keep your calm and zen while you unpack and get settled in. No more “what’s that weird smell??” foreign country shock. You know what we’re talking about. Even in New York we have it, except for us it’s just eau de home.
3). Travel adaptor. Amazing how many people travel without them and assume the destination will provide. They usually don’t, and probably won’t, then mutter something under their breath about zi Ah-mericaNNzzz as you walk away with a dying iphone.
4). Eye mask. Not everyone likes to sleep in bat caves like Americans do, so just useful for the plane and to get onto local time.
5). French hairdryer and flat iron. Seemingly unnecessary, excessive and pointless, but THIS WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. It will be the best 100 euros you’ve ever wasted. Works in continental Europe, and other fabulous places like St. Barth’s where you care about your mop.
