Travel with Rachael

These are not the vital things you can’t actually get on the plane without, like your passport and boarding pass.

This is a list of the little things that, over the years, I’ve found really handy to have in my suitcase. Some I’ve learnt from experience… usually the hard way! 😂

1. Copies of your prescriptions.

I speak from experience about how important these can be.
On one of our holidays to France, we arrived at our hotel extremely late. I went to take my epilepsy medication and couldn’t find it. 😱

After emptying every case and retracing our steps, we concluded that the medication must have been left behind when we were packing the car to catch the ferry.

Thankfully, I always carry a copy of my most recent prescription.
Even though it was almost 11pm, €30 and a photo of my UK prescription sent to by email, 10 minutes later, I had a prescription that could be used in an EU country.

I’ll save you the details of our drive through French country lanes in the middle of the night trying to find a 24-hour pharmacy… 😂

I have never forgotten my tablets before, but I have always taken a copy of my most recent prescription with me — and I certainly will continue to do so!

And, of course, when we got home, we found the tablets in my husband’s suitcase. 🤦🏻‍♀️

He’d put them in a little side pocket to keep them safe.

Of course he had.

2. Rehydration sachets

Not something you really want to think about when you’re looking forward to your holiday, but if someone gets an upset tummy, it’s not just about the possibility of it ruining your holiday.

Keeping hydrated is really important, especially in hot weather, so I always like to have some rehydration sachets with me.

3. Imodium and laxatives

On the topic of digestive distress…
I always pack Imodium and laxatives, because apparently holidays can affect your stomach in two very different ways! 😂

It’s one of those things you hope you won’t need, but you’ll be very glad you packed them if you do.

4. Painkillers and Calpol

Painkillers are another one for the suitcase.

And if you’re travelling with children, Calpol is definitely on my list.

Yes, you can buy these things when you’re away, but inevitably you need them at 2am when the shops are closed.

I’d much rather have them to hand.

5. A really good mosquito repellent

If you’re like me or my son, and mosquitoes seem to have an inbuilt GPS specifically programmed to find your hotel room, you’ll understand why this one is important!

I strongly recommend Incognito insect repellent to my clients. It’s tried and tested by both myself and my son, and it’s DEET-free.

If mosquitoes love you as much as they love me, you’ll thank me for this one!

6. Comfortable shoes

Again, I speak from experience.
Nothing can upset a holiday quite like uncomfortable shoes.

Before marriage and children, my now-husband and I went to Rome. I took a pair of beautiful new leather pumps. I loved them.

By the end of the week, I absolutely hated them.

They were the only flat shoes I’d packed. But I was in my early 20s, and back then I wore heels all the time — even to work.

So, obviously, I thought one pair of flats would be plenty.

Fast forward to my late 30s and I can honestly say heels very rarely make it onto my feet. I just can’t be bothered with the effort anymore!

Despite this, I still learnt from this, and always pack an already worn in pair of shoes.

7. A light cardigan

Even if the forecast is showing 30°C, I will still pack a light cardigan.

The evenings can be a little cooler, and if you’re travelling with children, you’ll probably find yourself sitting out on the balcony in the evening.

And if you’re staying somewhere high up, it can get surprisingly windy.

Plus, air conditioning can make restaurants and hotels feel absolutely freezing!

8. A Wet Brush

I have curly hair. My daughter has poker-straight hair.
Yet we both benefit from having a Wet Brush on holiday.
Because there is something about what the sea, sand and pool water can do to your hair.

Add in a little sea breeze and you’ve got yourself a birds’ nest. 😂
A decent brush makes life so much easier.

9. A portable phone charger

Because the last thing you want is a flat phone when you’re trying to find your transfer, your hotel, your boarding pass or your way back from a day out.

Just remember that power banks need to go in your hand luggage, not your hold luggage, and should be kept switched off during your journey, and easily accessible.

10. Travel wash

This one might sound slightly random, but I always find travel wash useful.
Obviously, it’s great for washing swimwear, especially if you’re away for a couple of weeks.
But it can also be handy for washing things like face flannels or dealing with those little holiday emergencies when something needs a quick wash and you don’t want to send it to the hotel laundry.
So there you have it — my slightly random list of things I never like to travel without.
None of them are technically essential to getting on the plane, but they’re all things I’ve found useful over the years.
And let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like being away from home and thinking:
“I wish I’d packed that.”
What would you add to the list?

A little extra if you travel with a health condition.

If you have a health condition, there are a few extra things I think are worth considering before you travel. These aren’t things you necessarily think about when you’re packing your suitcase, but they could make a big difference if something does happen while you’re away.

1. A copy of your prescription
As I’ve already mentioned, I always take a copy of my most recent prescription with me. It’s something you hope you’ll never need, but if your medication is lost or you need to replace it while you’re away, having that information can be incredibly useful.

2. A letter from your doctor
Depending on your condition and your travel insurance, it may also be worth asking your doctor whether you need a letter confirming that you are fit or safe to travel.
This is one people might not think about. If you need medical treatment while you’re away, your insurance company may ask for evidence that it was safe for you to travel when you left the UK, particularly if your condition was already known.
It’s worth checking what your own insurance provider requires before you travel, rather than finding out when you’re trying to make a claim.

3. A credit card or access to emergency funds
This is another one that’s easy to overlook.
If you do need medical treatment abroad, you may have to pay for treatment upfront and then claim the money back from your travel insurance afterwards. Having access to a credit card or enough money to cover unexpected costs can be a real help in that situation.
Hopefully you’ll never need any of these things — but when it comes to travelling with a health condition, I think it’s much better to be prepared and never need them than to need them and not have them.

If you’re thinking about your next holiday and would rather have someone take care of the searching, comparing and booking for you, get in touch — I’d love to help you find the perfect trip, with my little travel tips thrown in along the way, of course! 😉

Happy packing

Rachael