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What's Your Travel Must-Have?

8-20-travelmust.jpgWe tend to pack extra-lightly, but the one thing we always take with us when we travel (besides the obvious ID, money, toiletries, and clothing) is our digital camera. In our family, our dad would usually pack a fishing pole for each family member when we went on vacation, and our brother never leaves for an overnight trip without his pillow. Other people we know can't imagine traveling without a favorite blanket, a beloved stuffed animal, or cozy pair of slippers.

 
 

8-20travelmust2.jpgSo, what's the one thing from home you can't travel without?

Top Image: © Royalty-Free/Corbis

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Comments (32)

Digital SLR...otherwise everything taken from the Paris tour boat is an incomprehensible blur

posted by saintmims on August 20th 2008 at 12:24pm
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I can't think of anything outside of basics that I ALWAYS take with me. I suppose I usually pack a journal.

posted by BetterBombshell on August 20th 2008 at 12:25pm
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It is very rare that I do not pack a swimsuit. Whether it is business or pleasure - hitting a pool when I can't sleep is a lifesaver.

posted by Kimberlina on August 20th 2008 at 12:28pm
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If i'm driving or taking the train/bus i bring my white noise machine. I stayed at the beach in DE last year and was up all night b/c it was TOO quiet!

posted by Bridget212323 on August 20th 2008 at 12:29pm
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Mine is a larger cooler, filled with gluten free food. I am still looking for a cool looking one, that doesn't make it look like I am going camping.

posted by heresyoftruth on August 20th 2008 at 12:31pm
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earplugs!!! They have the power to erase so many annoyances - the deafening drone of the plane, the noisy neighborhood outside your hotel window, the loud-talker next to you on the park bench - gone.

posted by Arran on August 20th 2008 at 12:35pm
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I always bring running shoes so I dont get tired after days of walking excursions.
And of course I can't go without my SLR. (non-digital, mind you)

and if we're driving, we always bring the ipod filled with new playlists for the road.

posted by revolution9 on August 20th 2008 at 12:42pm
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My Tempur-pedic pillow, in it's pillowcase. I never wash the pillowcase in the week before I leave so it smells like home while I'm away.

Also, I always replace my regular jewelry with my goodluck necklace. It's a silver lobster charm on a silver chain... purchased in Bar Harbor, Maine.

I usually bring along gum for the flight as well, one pack of mint and one pack of fruit. It's great for sharing with other passengers as well as clearing my ears during the descent.

posted by mangabanga on August 20th 2008 at 12:46pm
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A good book, my ipod, and a small portable snack. I never know how long I might be stuck somewhere in an airport somewhere. Better keep myself entertained and fed!

posted by Goosebucket on August 20th 2008 at 12:49pm
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Definitely a book (or 3) and some good tunes on my ipod. If I have reading material and music to drown out whatever noise is around me, I can be happy anywhere!

posted by kathyh on August 20th 2008 at 12:59pm
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ear plugs and my own down pillow.

posted by kimg924 on August 20th 2008 at 1:00pm
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I'm with your brother. If at all possible, I bring along my own pillow.

posted by lurker2209 on August 20th 2008 at 1:01pm
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It is kind of silly what we have to take when flying now. Whatever we are offered is expensive or bad-tasting. I will take snacks and an empty bottle for water (to fill up after security because my water bottle might blow up something) on my flight from California to Wyoming next month. And I am trying to figure out what to take in case we get stuck in a plane on the runway!!!

posted by frnd4vr on August 20th 2008 at 1:02pm
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I always have to have a stack of magazines, my ipod, camera, my own pillow and blanket and we'll be getting Nintendo DSs right away, so I am sure I will be adding that to the list!!

posted by prettylittlethingsforhome on August 20th 2008 at 1:12pm
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After a difficult experience years ago (not traumatic, but one of those things that really sticks with you), I now always carry a flashlight if I'll be staying in a hotel. And it goes right on the bedside table. One just never knows...

posted by AZkathy on August 20th 2008 at 1:18pm
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Always, regardless of means of transport or whether I'm traveling for business or pleasure:

1. Digital camera
2. Trader Joe's lavender dryer sachets (for my luggage)
3. 2 packets of flavored instant oatmeal for each morning I'll be in a hotel, so I don't fall prey to the calorie trap that hotel continental breakfasts usually seem to be.

posted by JenS64 on August 20th 2008 at 1:21pm
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Where did that picture come from (up there ^) and do you know who makes those shoes?!?!?!

OH MY GOD>

posted by revolution9 on August 20th 2008 at 1:23pm
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My Teddy. Seriously. There are pictures of him all over the world. Even when I backpack he comes.
That and protein bars. :)

posted by truenic on August 20th 2008 at 1:43pm
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My camera and music!!!! Definitely need music to occupy the time getting to my destination.

posted by mary jane on August 20th 2008 at 2:49pm
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I wanted to know about the heels in the photo as well. Someone? Anyone?

I take magazines and a book. I always bring snacks (raw almonds, protein bar, dried fruit) and buy a water after security. Who knows if and how long you'll be stuck somewhere. I bring my laptop and use it when the airport offers free internet.

posted by Stricks on August 20th 2008 at 9:20pm
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my Chi flat iron.

i have super-curly hair that behaves very well in California...but when I fly home, I never know how it's going to turn out in the Kentucky humidity! so if it turns into a frizzy poof-ball, I can always straighten it...

so...that, my iPod, an eyemask, a good book, and I always, ALWAYS overpack. I just can't help it!

posted by my little apartment on August 20th 2008 at 11:42pm
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I always have at least one knitting project with me for those runway waits and other downtime. Also a good book, my first aid kit, and an empty water bottle are key. If there is room, I bring my digital SLR in its pelican case.

snacks!

posted by ottawa_alison on August 21st 2008 at 3:31am
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My camera, comfortable walking shoes and a great slouch bag, MP3 player and a book.

posted by ltblmr on August 21st 2008 at 4:05am
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A 'personal massager' for those nights when you just can't sleep :)

posted by That70sHeidi on August 21st 2008 at 4:22am
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i agree with rev9 and stricks. if i had those green heels they would be on my always pack list.

otherwise, my essentials include magazines, cell phone and camera chargers, lots of socks because i like to walk a ton on vacation, and extra room for stuff i buy.... like those green heels.

SOURCE PLEASE!

posted by salley on August 21st 2008 at 4:33am
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After being stuck in a city with nothing but uncomfortable heels, I always make sure to pack a comfortable pair of shoes whenever I am traveling. I also started packing my comfy fuzzy houseslippers. It was extra space but worth it. They bring a touch of home to strange hotel rooms.

posted by KAyanna on August 21st 2008 at 5:27am
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Sunscreen. Melanoma ruins any trip!

posted by islek on August 21st 2008 at 7:09am
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tickets and passport I suppose are my absolute essentials....

more seriously, iPod, mobile, and some books or magazines, always in the carry on. After that, nothing special, though i do like the idea of the instant oatmeal packs.

as for the heels, at six foot, they'd be de trop. and not really my color.

posted by JonathanB on August 21st 2008 at 8:13am
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Journal, camera, knitting.

posted by thursday on August 21st 2008 at 8:56am
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Another request for the source of the heels! So cute :)

posted by Lexo on August 21st 2008 at 11:15am
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A white noise machine. I don't sleep well if there are strange noises, so my white noise machine ensures I am well rested for the next day.

posted by theseboots on August 23rd 2008 at 6:40pm
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Mmm, those heels were the first thing I saw. Beautiful. And my grandmother just gave me a purse from the 50s that matches them perfectly. Color, weave, everything.

I must have my ipod, a comfy hoodie, and one or two thick books to keep me occupied.

A nice luxury to have when traveling is a nice sugar or salt scrub, so that you feel pampered, even so far away from home.

posted by Avinony on September 3rd 2008 at 12:26pm
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