My travel essentials for a Eurotrip!
If you’ve ever been to Europe, you know that the planes, trains, automobiles, and narrow cobblestone streets can be tough to navigate with a big rolling suitcase. I also have irrationally high anxiety about airlines losing my checked bags on international flights & layovers. For both of these reasons, I do everything I can to pack in a carry-on, and specifically for Europe I like to pack in a backpack so that I can more easily walk through centuries-old streets or hop onto a train or ferry with my stuff on my back vs. in a rolling bag.
Packing for a week-plus long trip in a backpack can be tough (honestly, packing for a week-plus long trip in any form can be tough) but I thought I’d share a few of my favorite non-negotiables for international travel!
1) The backpack:
I use the Osprey Fairview 55 & my husband uses the Osprey Farpoint 55 . Both fit easily in the overhead compartments on planes!
2) The space-saving compression cubes and vacuum bags:
Thule Compression packing cubes
These are on the pricier end for packing cubes but they are significantly sturdier with stronger zippers & fabric than the cheaper ones I’ve gotten from Amazon. I really pack these things to the brim so in my opinion it’s worth having better quality ones because they will last a long time
Space saver bags (no vacuum pump needed, roll-up compression vacuum bags)
These vacuum compression bags don’t require a pump and are a great way to compress a lot of clothes. I’ve used these on two multi-week Eurotrips and they were lifesavers!
3) The efficient footwear:
These Nike GORE-TEX sneakers are waterproof so if I know I’ll be hiking or walking a lot in a place that it rains often (like this trip - I’m going to Ireland), I bring them with me for an all-in-one sneaker and hiking shoe that’ll perform well when it’s wet
4) The leak-proof toiletry containers:
These Cadence capsules are literally the only travel bottles I’ve ever used that are legitimately leak-proof. They are pricey BUT to me, paying more for items of this quality is justifiable - I would much rather spend the money up front on these than I would spend $5 on cheap travel bottles that leak everywhere, or on a bunch of mini sized travel bottles every time I go on a trip. These allow me to use my own products that I already have at home and not worry that they’ll leak everywhere. Plus they’re super convenient in that they stay together with magnets, and in that you can swap out the labels to help you know what’s inside with magnetic lid-labels.
5) The favorite toiletries:
Risewell toothpaste and floss are my favorite nontoxic and fluoride-free oral care products
Marie Veronique protective day oil is the only single product that keeps my skin hydrated when I travel on planes or to dry climates
Dr Dennis Gross exfoliating pads help keep my pores clear
Necessaire deodorant is one of the most effective natural deodorants I’ve tried (I like their other products like their lotion as well)
6) The laundry detergent:
Laundry feels inevitable when you’ve packed light for a 2+ week trip. I usually travel with this mini nontoxic detergent by Branch Basics so that I can wash clothes and undergarments in hotel sinks or showers. I also use the normal size of this concentrate at home for all my cleaning and laundry.
7) The converter/adapter:
This Conair all-in-one adapter includes 3 AC outlets and 1 USB outlet with surge protection
8) The electrolytes and supplements:
The LMNT unflavored electrolytes are perfect for staying hydrated during long days of walking and/or during long flights
AG1 travel packs are great to have on hand when you’re lacking a few nutrients or looking for a gut-health boost. We tend to indulge on vacation, so I like to bring these to ensure I get my vitamins, minerals, and pre/probiotics on days where I don’t eat as many nutritious foods.
I always bring magnesium and fish oil too
Magnesium helps me sleep and helps with absorption of other vitamins/minerals
Omega 3s in fish oil have anti-inflammatory properties, which I find helpful when my body is a bit stressed from long travel days.
9) The long flight must haves:
Eye mask
An eye mask is absolutely crucial for me on a long flight if I have any chance of sleeping. I love this sleep mask by Slip which is silk (so nice and soft on my skin) and has eye cups carved out so that your lashes aren’t all crunched up underneath it.
Ear plugs
I actually sleep with ear plugs every night no matter where I am (I’m a very light sleeper) so I always bring these earplugs with me when I travel too! Even if I end up not using them on the plane, they’re great in hotels and hostels where walls are thin or if you need to block out noises from busy city streets.
Noise cancelling headphones
I’ve had these Bose QuietComfort 25s since I was in college (so almost 10 years (yikes)). Yes they are wired (not wireless) and yes they take an AAA battery instead of being rechargeable and yes I like it that way. With a physical battery there’s no risk of a charge running out on a long flight (I always pack an extra battery), and with a wired connection I can easily plug them into the headphone jack on the back of an airplane seat to watch movies I want on the long flight. (If I want to plug them into my iPhone I just use an adapter like this.) They also cancel noise like a dream. I don’t think Bose makes them anymore so I linked a refurbed pair from Amazon but I will never give these things up!
Snacks
Airplane meals for celiac travelers can be severely disappointing. I literally got a container containing 2 pieces of pineapple and some honeydew melon one time on a 6 hour flight and was told that was the Gluten Free “meal” option. So, I always travel with backup snacks/food, and I try to bring things that are high in protein, fat, fiber, and nutrients. Here are some of my favorites:
Peanut butter & chia smash jelly pouches
Homemade trail mix – see my recent post about this @phoswellnessbyML on instagram
And with that, we’re packed and ready for a Europe trip! Let me know if you have any questions about what I’ve linked above, and follow me on instagram at @phoswellnessbyML to see some of my highlights and recommendations from my upcoming trip to Ireland and Greece!
