{"id":109775,"date":"2026-05-15T11:05:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T11:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/10-things-i-never-travel-without\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T11:05:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T11:05:46","slug":"10-things-i-never-travel-without","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/10-things-i-never-travel-without\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things I Never Travel Without"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Cornwall<\/div>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

What little things do you always pack when you travel? My long-time personal checklist includes a gripping book and simple alarm clock, and I\u2019d love to hear yours. Here goes\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

1. Alarm clock.<\/strong> I like turning my phone off at night, so for an alarm, I just bring along my regular clock<\/a> from my bedside table. It\u2019s super simple and foolproof to use, even when you\u2019re jet lagged.<\/p>\n

2. Sunscreen (duh).<\/strong> Confession: Back in college, I used to go to the tanning salon<\/em>, gahhhhhh. Now I\u2019m older and wiser and a stickler for sunscreen. This stick<\/a> lives in my bag all summer to reapply on the go, especially to the boys\u2019 faces. And as I\u2019ve mentioned before, I also LOVE the scent of Vacation<\/a> and wear it on my arms and legs every day.<\/p>\n

3. Self-tanning lotion.<\/strong> So, when I\u2019m in the mood for a warm sun-kissed glow, I just turn to self-tanner. Over the years, I\u2019ve tried dozens of different ones,\u00a0and the stand-out winner is St. Tropez<\/a>. It\u2019s easy to apply without streaks and gives a very natural look. I put it on the night before a trip and feel ready to go.<\/p>\n

4. Stamps.<\/strong> Okay, I\u2019m a nerd, but! I like sending postcards on vacation, and it can be weirdly hard to track down stamps in a new-to-you place. So, I bring stamps to stick onto postcards for my dad, mom, and bff niece<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0Deck of cards.<\/strong> Always and forever up for playing Gin Rummy on the beach, at the pub, whenever\/wherever. My one cousin famously hates it, but everyone else has fun!<\/p>\n

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6. Quick-dry nail polish.<\/strong> My beauty friends all swear by Dazzle Dry<\/a>, and here\u2019s why: you have to swipe on multiple coats, but it dries quickly (like, 10 minutes) and lasts forever without chipping. I love painting my nails a fun color<\/a> and then completely forgetting about them during the trip.<\/p>\n

7. Hairspray.<\/strong> This tiny spray<\/a> is the MVP of my suitcase. I use it for flyaways, humidity, frizz, a braid or bun after swimming, etc. A CoJ reader also recently commented that if you spray Elnett<\/a> on the collars of your shirts, it helps prevent makeup and sunscreen stains. Who knew??<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0Great book.<\/strong> What books have you enjoyed on vacation? I\u2019m currently in the middle of A Private Man<\/a>, a debut novel by a poet, and her beautiful sentences keep making me gasp and clutch my heart.<\/p>\n

9. Chocolate.<\/strong> You know when you get back to the rental house or hotel, and you wish you had something sweet at the end of the night? I always pack some Tony Chocolonely (winner of our taste test<\/a>) or Reese\u2019s for that exact moment.<\/p>\n

10. Sunglasses.<\/strong> My doctor sister<\/a> always begs me to wear sunglasses whenever I\u2019m outside \u2014\u00a0the sun can really damage your eyes! I have transition lenses, so my regular glasses<\/a> darken in the sun, but Alison was recently wearing these<\/a> from a new-to-me California brand<\/a>, and they were so cute. Now I\u2019m tempted to get the cherry red<\/a>. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

What little things do you pack for trips? I\u2019d love to hear. Please share below\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. The trick for enjoying family travel<\/a>, and what\u2019s your #1 travel tip<\/a>? <\/p>\n

(Photos from past family vacations<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

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183<\/span> COMMENTS<\/p>\n

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