Nothing puts a downer to the anticipation of a vacation more than realizing you have forgotten something vital behind. Some things, you can learn to live without during your vacation but there are just some you can’t afford to forget. Keeping this in mind, I thought I’d share five essential travel items one should never forget to pack for a trip.
This post is sponsored by FCMB. All opinions and ideas are entirely my own.
So, first on my list is;
Travel Documents and IDs
Your international passport and visa (where applicable) are the obvious travel documents you need for your trip. Needless to say, without these, you’re not going anywhere! So, be sure to double-check that you have packed them, along with other important documents. And I mean double, double-check. I can’t count the number of stories I’ve heard of people realizing they had left their passports at home, only after getting to the airport.
Also, ensure that you have copies of these documents scanned and backed up somewhere. Personally, I send a copy to my email and save another on my phone and trust me, that has come in handy quite a number of times.
Medication (and accompanying doctor’s report, if applicable)
If you routinely take prescription medication, you want to make sure you have these packed. Preferably in your carry on bag – if they meet airport security regulations. Remember that regulations will differ from place to place, so be sure to check with appropriate authorities to figure out what is allowed and what is not. It’s also important to keep in mind that some medication may be illegal in some countries. Again, you want to confirm this and make alternative plans with your physician if necessary.
Electronics
Remember to pack your phone, camera, e-readers, headphones – basically any electronic device you need for your trip. It’s just as important to remember to pack in the accessories for each device. Imagine feeling good about not forgetting anything, then realizing that you have left your camera charger plugged to an electric socket on your bedroom wall. Yikes! Or maybe you took out your memory card without putting it back in and only realized when you were about taking that dope photo. Double Yikes!
Money, Money, Money!
Personally, I would rather travel without cash and I am actually excited to learn about the FCMB Naira MasterCard. The card allows you to spend up to $5,000 (or its equivalent in other international currencies) over a month when you travel. I remember being stranded in Rome because of a card that just wouldn’t work! It’s great to see that this works and the limit has been increased.
PS: If you want to spend abroad without the limit, then it’s best to get the Foreign Currency card. And if you’re travelling this summer or shopping from home, FCMB has many exclusive deals on their website.
A Travel Journal
Because this is a site called Travel with a Pen, this is definitely going to make the list! :). Travel journals are wonderful. They make a good read later on and help you relive the wonderful moments of your trip. There is no right or wrong way to keep a journal. Right now, I write in my Travel KOTRoom journal or on my phone and I’m limited to just words for now. But I like the idea of making some form of scrapbook later on where I can paste my boarding passes, postcards, dining receipts and so on.
So, there you have it – my list of 5 essential travel items every traveller should never forget? What’s on your list?
I’ve never taken a travel journal with me on a trip before but I can now see how this would be so useful. It’s great to be able to write stories of places visited and especially the history or tales behind a city.
I agree! And for a travel blogger who isn’t blogging on the go, it helps to keep track of information you may forget later on.
These are key, anything else is extra really! I’d add a good attitude on top of that! Welcome back!
A good attitude! You’re so right – that’s definitely something everyone should never forget to travel with.