My 2026 Travel Essentials
Hi there! It’s been a minute. The close of 2025 and the start of 2026 were delightfully full, and somewhere between planning beautiful trips for clients and hopping on a few planes myself, the blog took a back seat. Over the past few months I’ve found myself in Cancun, Las Vegas, the Lake of the Ozarks, and Curacao. Every trip reminds me that packing really is a skill you refine over time. I tweak a few things, leave something behind, add something new, and slowly get closer to that sweet spot where travel days feel smooth instead of chaotic.
To ease back into blogging, I’m sharing my updated 2026 travel essentials and exactly why they’ve earned a permanent place in my bag. If you love feeling prepared, comfortable, + just a little bit ahead of the game, keep reading. You might find a few upgrades that make your next travel day noticeably better.
While I find techy gadgets and chargers to be some of the most boring items on this list, they truly make the biggest difference! This portable charger has multiple ports and plugs right into the wall itself to charge..gamechanger! You can also never be too prepared with universal adapters. I keep a couple of these in my carry-on at all times so I don’t have to choose between styling my hair or charging my laptop for the day.
As a travel advisor, I’m probably more focused on gathering content than the average traveler. However, I could see both of the above items coming in handy for anyone. This tripod has a bluetooth remote so you don’t have to rely on self-timer and this light makes magic for photos on the balcony at dusk.
Nothing dries my hands out like a travel day so hand cream is absolutely essential. I love this one because it meets travel size requirements and doesn’t make my hands feel greasy. I’ve also started bringing sample products I accumulate on trips where I’m more likely to actually use them rather than forget about them in the back of a drawer somewhere. This also saves space in my toiletry bag which is a win-win.
If there’s one thing you cannot count on when traveling, it’s good lighting in your bathroom. This light-frame mirror has made getting ready on the go so much easier. Another thing I can count on is this lip product which is the only thing that can bring my lips back to life when they’re super dry or even a little burnt.
A comfortable sandal to slip on after landing is always a must. Nothing worse than arriving to a hot, tropical destination and wearing sweaty socks all the way to the resort. I also feel my most creative when traveling so having a little notebook around to jot down ideas in is super helpful.
A stain-remover pen. 5 stars. No explanation necessary. On a similar note, lens cleaning wipes. Between sunglasses, phone, cameras, there’s plenty of surfaces to be cleaned and I find these much easier to carry in travel than a bottle of fluid and cloth.
No matter how close to perfect I think my list is, I always come home with a new idea or a smarter swap I picked up from someone I traveled with. That’s part of what I love about it. Travel keeps teaching me how to do things better + more intentionally. So I have no doubt this list will evolve again.
I’d love to know what you swear by. If something in your bag has completely changed your travel days, tell me. I’m always refining.
Until next time, safe travels!
