This is not an article for veteran travelers who travel 50 weeks out of the year and keep a list of must-haves in their heads. It’s for everyone else who might need a bit of help. Below are three things—or collections of things--you’ll need to get you started on planning your next trip.

1. First Aid Supplies in Travel Form

Yes, while where you are going may have a first aid kit, but it also might not. Unless you’ve been there before, it’s wise not to assume. If you plan to do day trips and sightseeing tours, you should have a small pack with basic medicaments, especially if you have a compromising health condition. Plus, while they may not be “first aid,” it will include items such as lotion and sunscreen. Keep a small, easy to carry pack with the following:

• Bandages of several sizes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Alcohol wipes
• Aspirin or other pain relievers
• Upset stomach reliever
• Gauze
• Ace Bandage
• Tape
• Small scissors
• Sunscreen packets
• Lotion packets
• Calamine lotion

This could also be a good spot for a single emergency dose of any medications you need to take on a regular basis. This will help you if you get stuck away from your hotel or other accommodation and need to take it in a timely fashion. While these items may seem prosaic, many people rely on others to carry these items, which they may not. Being prepared is one basic way to always enjoy travel.

2. Travel Toiletries You Can Tote

While you may have a much more rigorous and involved bath time routine, having the basics with you if you’ve got a full schedule is a really good idea. Either have a case or a bag that includes the following:

• Hairbrush and comb
• Deodorant
• Soap/body wash
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Travel towel
• Lip balm
• Talcum powder
• Emergency toothbrush/toothpaste

Although you may not think about it, your lips are one of the most sensitive parts of your skin—your largest organ. When traveling, they can become chipped or cracked, which is one of the ways communicable disease gets in. The best lip balm for chapped lips will include a natural moisturizer that won’t end up irritating the tissues more. Lanolin is a wonderful natural smoothing and moisturizing agent that comes from the wool of sheep. With the exception of individuals who are allergic to it specifically, it has a low allergen rating.

Having the basics close at hand will help you if your schedule runs a bit slower than usual. Relaxing is part of a wonderful travel experience, and having a small pack with essentials can help you roll with the punches. Plus, it’s great to have a comb or brush near to hand for those memorable pictures. Make sure you look your best at a moment’s notice.

3. Packing for Abroad

This is really more of a collection of things that can be stored in various places about your person or luggage. However, it’s good to put them all together if you’re new to traveling abroad.  When you make a list of packing tasks, put them all together. This way, you can be sure to be organized and ready to travel anywhere in the world.

• Passport
• Money (exchanged) of various denominations
• Phone and electronic adapters
• A sleeve for credit cards to avoid electronic theft
• Flip-flops (for shared or public showers)
• Paperwork or other important documents
• Online back-up of your phone

It’s important to keep your passport and important paperwork together and close to your person. As well, money should be carried in a place both easy for you to access and difficult for individuals bent on theft to get to. However, the other items may find a home elsewhere in your baggage, since you won’t especially need them all the time or urgently.

It is also very important to make sure that all of your important information from your phone is backed up online before traveling. This is important in case you lose your phone or if it gets stolen. If your phone is backed up, you will not lose all of your important information. 

Conclusion

It’s a guarantee that you’ll want to plan ahead when packing for an extended trip in the country or beyond its borders. Making sure you have enough varied types of clothes, rain gear if it’s especially rainy, or sun protection even if it’s not particularly sunny, is also important. There’s very little that can spoil a wonderful trip more quickly unless it’s one of the incidents described in the above article. Ensure you’ll have the best possible time by bringing the essentials with you.