Is it possible to go on holiday without your mobile phone? Photo: Nicole Michalou
Never before have we relied on technology and gadgets to make our holidays that much more comfortable.
From the mobile phone to the tablet, these have now become the new essentials that we pack into our hand luggage or bags. We need headphones and iPods to keep us in touch and entertained, an eye mask so that we can sleep, and a travel pillow for comfort.
Here is a list of things that the modern-day holidaymaker who wants to travel in style and comfort cannot be without. But remember, the best tech is the one that aligns with your individual needs and travel plans.
Pick and choose what fits your priorities and budget and makes for a more comfortable and enjoyable journey.
Staying organized and efficient:
- Packing cubes: Keep your luggage organized and space-efficient. Look for compression cubes to maximize space. You want them to be lightweight and waterproof.
- Portable document scanner: Scan essential documents like passports and travel plans for easy digital access without carrying bulky copies. A hand-held easy to use document scanner is the perfect tool.
- Universal adapter: Charge your devices anywhere in the world – this should cover UK, Europe and USA – without any headaches.
- Luggage tracker: Keep tabs on your bags with a smart luggage tracker that connects to your phone. The best on the market can track up to 250 ft.
Staying connected and entertained:
- Power bank: A lifesaver to keep your phone, tablet, and other gadgets juiced up. Choose one with enough capacity for your needs and consider fast charging options. 10,0
00mAh power bank should be able to charge a smartphone up to three times and a 20,000mAh power bank more than six times. - Noise-canceling headphones: Block out airplane noise, chatty neighbors, or city bustle for a peaceful journey and immersive entertainment. They can also be useful if the person next to you traveling has fallen asleep and are snoring.
- Portable Wi-Fi hotspot: Stay connected on the go without relying on pricey hotel Wi-Fi or roaming charges. Hotspots can cost anywhere from $59 to $400 for the device, plus the cost of a data plan. Good quality 4G LTE hotspots are usually $200 and up and give you just what you need.
- Tablet or e-reader: Load up on books, movies, or games for offline entertainment on long journeys.
- Travel-friendly streaming stick: Bring your favorite streaming services to any TV with an HDMI port. Examples of streaming sticks are the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, or Roku Express.
Rest and relaxation:
- Travel pillow: They support the neck and head in a natural position, preventing the head from falling forward or to the side. They should be adjustable, ergonomic, and made from natural latex. The gentle support of a good travel pillow can make all the difference in preventing neck pain and headaches. Very useful for long journeys on planes, rail and car travel.
- Travel sound machine: Block out unwanted noise and lull yourself to sleep with soothing sounds. Travel noise machines can also help you sleep better in noisy hotels, airplanes, or other travel accommodations. They can also drown out unfamiliar sounds that might disrupt your sleep such as outside hotel traffic noise.
- Travel blanket: Whether flying across the world, road-tripping down the coast, or embarking on a bucket-list train ride, a cosy travel blanket is a must-have for any and all upcoming trips. What’s more, the best travel blankets are designed to keep you warm and comfy while on the go.
- Eye mask: An eye mask blocks out any light that may interfere with a good night’s rest, so you can snooze no matter where you’re at.
- Neck massager: A portable neck massager can provide some benefits when travelling, if you’re looking for short-term neck, shoulder, and back pain relief, and to reduce stress and increase relaxation.
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Other helpful gadgets:
- Portable translator: Simplify communication in foreign languages. Translate while you read and write with DeepL Translate, reputedly the world’s most accurate translator.
- Water purifier bottle: Stay hydrated and avoid questionable tap water with a purifying bottle. Simply pour water into the bottle. The filter inside the bottle filters out the contaminants, such as heavy metals, chlorine, and other chemicals. The water you drink is clean, fresh, and tastes a lot better than if you had drank it straight from the tap
- Universal remote: Control all your entertainment devices with one remote. As long as your smart TV has an Infrared sensor (or whatever connection type your remote uses, like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), your universal remote should work with it. But some universal remotes will control only your TV’s power, volume, and channel up/down buttons.
- Mini flashlight: Always be prepared with a small, bright flashlight. A penlight is a good one. It is small, often containing two AA or AAA batteries. In some types, the incandescent light bulb has an integral lens that focuses the light, so no reflector is built into the penlight.
- Travel camera: Capture your adventures with a compact camera that suits your photography style. One of the best pocketable travel cameras is a Ricoh GR III.
- Mobile phone: This is your communication link to the rest of the world and home while you are away.