My Travel Tips
For some people, the joy of travel lies in its unpredictability. For others, that same unpredictability can feel a little daunting. One thing is certain — things will be different from home, and not everything will go to plan.
Being prepared (and expecting the unexpected) makes all the difference. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the years — take what works for you.
Insect repellent
Go local. Always.
Unfortunately, I’m one of those people that insects seem to find particularly appealing, so this is something I’ve had to figure out through experience.
I do use Avon’s Skin So Soft as a moisturiser, and I think it offers a bit of protection, but it’s nowhere near strong enough for Scottish midges or tropical climates. Local products are almost always more effective.
In South East Asia – I often use Tiger Balm products
In Africa – Tabard has always worked well
In Scotland – Smidge is essential for midges
The best all-round repellent I’ve found, though, is OFF — the bright orange spray can you’ll find in many countries. It’s effective, easy to use, and even works upside down.
If I’m somewhere particularly bad for bites, I’ll also use mosquito bands on my wrists and ankles — and sometimes even tie one in my hair. I’m sure I smell wonderful to sit next to!
If you do get bitten, I swear by Mopiko (although produced in Japan, we call it “Malaysia Magic” as that’s where we first bought it). The itching disappears almost instantly. We always bring a few tubes home, and they never last long once friends discover them.
More recently, I’ve also used Moskinto patches. They’re drug-free and work by lifting the skin slightly to reduce itching. However they work — they really do.
Clothes pegs
A simple one — but I never travel without a couple of clothes pegs.
They’re perfect for:
Hanging handwashing in your room
Keeping hotel curtains closed when they don’t quite meet
Securing towels on sunbeds
I’ve even used one as a toothbrush holder in a hotel that didn’t provide a glass!
Documents
I always carry digital copies of important documents — especially passports and visas.
If you take medication, it’s also worth having photos of:
Prescriptions
Glasses prescriptions
These can be incredibly helpful if anything gets lost or broken, or if you need to replace medication while travelling. In some countries, pharmacists will accept a prescription photo without needing a doctor’s visit.
Luggage
I avoid black suitcases — there are just too many identical ones on the carousel. I always add something distinctive so I can spot mine easily.
Before travelling, I also take a photo of my luggage. If it goes missing, having an exact image makes things much easier.
A few other habits I swear by:
Toiletries in reusable ziplock bags (after a few suitcase mishaps!)
Laundry detergent sheets for easy washing
A laundry bag to separate clean and dirty clothes
A tumble dryer sheet in the laundry bag to keep things fresh
Packing-wise, I know rolling saves space… but I still prefer folding.
We’ve also had a few issues with hotel irons — stains or unreliable temperatures — so we now travel with a protective ironing sheet. It’s lightweight and has saved more than one outfit.
Cash
At home, I rarely use cash — but when travelling, I always carry a small amount of local currency.
There have been plenty of times when:
Cards didn’t work
Internet systems were down
Small places only accepted cash
If I don’t have local currency, I’ll carry a small amount of dollars, euros, or pounds (English ones — Scottish notes aren’t always recognised!).
Hand luggage
After years of long journeys and missed luggage connections, I never rely on my suitcase arriving with me.
In my hand luggage, I always pack:
A clean top and underwear
Swimwear (if travelling somewhere warm)
Essential medication
Chargers
I also carry a lightweight sarong, which is incredibly versatile — it can be:
A blanket on a cold flight
A cover-up
A towel
Or just something to make an airport wait a bit more comfortable