My Favorite Travel Tools

Just a few days left until I head off for two weeks in Ireland and the UK!

On Saturday I’m leaving for Europe to co-lead a pilgrimage for young adults in Ireland, followed by a few days in London to revisit my old stomping grounds and spend time with good friends.

Since I’m spending the day packing, I thought I’d share some of my favorite travel tools of late:

1. The Scrubba Wash Bag

Even though I’ve been traveling light for years, I still haven’t mastered washing clothes by hand. I found out about the Scrubba wash bag from Tsh at The Art of Simple. She’s traveling around the world with her family this year and said the Scrubba was changing her life. The price tag is hefty at first, but it will pay for itself instantly through both the money and added weight you’ll save. (PS: It’s just 7 ounces!)

2. RuMe cFold Expandable Carry All

I just bought this last week and since then have been wondering where it’s been all of my life. This collapsible tote has a zip top and can hold up to 50 lbs, which makes it perfect for all of those souvenirs on the plane ride home. Plus it slips right on to the handle of a carry-on suitcase. I have a feeling you’re wondering where it’s been all of your life right about now, too. (PS: It’s on sale at Target right now!)

3. Thermos 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Tea Tumbler with Infuser

Today’s my birthday, and this tumbler is one of the top items on my wish list. I already have the 16 oz tumbler and love that it keeps things hot for 6 hours and cold for 10 hours (with ice!). This 12 oz version would fit in my day bag perfectly.

4. Moleskine City Notebooks

Sometimes smart phones just don’t cut it, and when it comes to maps in a foreign city, this is the case. There’s no guarantee you’ll have good signal (or affordable data when in another country), so I prefer to use a map. That said, I don’t love looking like a tourist (or maybe I just like to pretend I’m a local), so I use the Moleskine city notebooks to guide me. The maps are laid out on a grid from page to page and it comes with transparent sheets to mark routes and favorite spots. Plus, since it’s a Moleskine notebook, you always seem like you’re deep in thought when you look at it instead of like a lost tourist. I have the New York and Seattle versions, and if I didn’t have my faithful London A-Z I’d have the London version too!

5. Common Prayer App

For a centered morning away from home. Kyle will be using it each day on the Camino this spring. Bonus for roaming travelers: it works offline!

6. Amazon Kindle

Travel is filled with downtime and it’s great to have a library at my fingertips so I can read whatever fits my mood. It’s also great for guidebooks, and takes up far less space in my day bag! (PS: My go-to source for great Kindle deals.)

7. GoToob Travel Bottles

Arrive to your destination leak-free. Enough said.

8. Lärabars

When traveling, it’s always good to have a snack on hand. (I learned this the hard way when I almost fainted in the London Underground.) Lärabars are great because they’re made with simple, energy-boosting ingredients. Bonus: they don’t crunch, so it doesn’t matter if they find their way to the bottom of your bag!