The Wish-I-Had-That Packing List

Written By Ashley Jaramillo

Packing is both a science and an art we’ve honed over the last few years at Going Places. We often found ourselves overpacking (do people actually use multiple sheet masks on vacation?) while often wishing we had thought to pack other things. These items typically fall into the nice-to-have category—unlike toothpaste or socks, we didn’t feel the need to go out and buy these things but they would’ve made the trip more seamless and enjoyable.

Now, we run through this list before every trip and consider whether we need any of these items—we hope they take your trip to the next level.

Generally Useful Items

  • Universal Travel Adapter - Whether you are traveling internationally or not, a fast wall charger with several cable ports will help you cut down on your packing. Buying a well-working quality adapter is totally worth it (and makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for the holidays).

  • Large, opaque laundry bag(s) - Hotel laundry bags are typically too small for the amount of laundry I produce on a trip and often rip or tear. Over the course of the trip, we recommend adding dirty garments to a laundry bag on the floor of the closet to keep the hotel room neat and everything in one place.

  • Mini Bluetooth speaker - We love bringing this mini Bluetooth speaker on our trips.  Our favorite use is for playing music or podcasts while I am getting ready in the hotel—such a mood booster! Also helpful on the go for the beach, picnics, etc.

  • Packable duffel - If you have a penchant for shopping, it is nice to pack an extra (sturdy) duffel for the way home. We typically put our dirty laundry in here and then pack our souvenirs with our clean clothes together in another suitcase. It is typically much less expensive to check an extra bag than to pay overweight fees as well!

  • White noise machine - Sometimes your hotel room will be on a busy road or there will be construction nearby—-having a mini white noise machine on hand has been a game changer for us and ensures we get a good sleep so we are up and ready to go each day.

  • Sleep mask - Adding a sleep mask to our routines has been a game changer. We do this both at home and while traveling so it isn’t such a shock. So many hotels don’t have good blackout shades, so we really like using this.

  • Tote bags - No matter where I travel, at some point or another I find myself wanting a canvas or packable tote bag. From going to the pool/beach to shopping for souvenirs to picking up sandwiches or picnic supplies, a packable yet sturdy tote keeps everything together and organized.

  • Duster bags - Be sure to travel with your handbags and shoes in their duster bags to prevent scuffing. I also love to pack the duster bag for my personal item (typically my Goyard Hardy, the most underrated travel bag) easily accessible so I can put the bag into the duster when I’m on the plane to protect it from scratches.

  • AirTags - We put these in our luggage to make sure it ends up in the right location. Recently we had a suitcase delayed and we were able to follow its movements until it arrived home to us.

  • Wrinkle Release Spray - This wrinkle release spray helps clothes look crisp and smell fresh. Especially helpful for clothes you’d like to wear more than once during a trip.

    • Our pick: Downy Wrinkle Releaser (RIP our favorite wrinkle release spray from The Laundress which we are hoping they re-release soon!)

  • Travel Hair Dryer - We have been burned by too many low quality hair dryers when we travel so if we are checking a bag, we are sure to take our own. We will write a whole separate piece on travel beauty tips, but this one is a must-have.

  • Laundry Detergent - There’s nothing worse than realizing you’re just one pair of socks short on a trip. Rather than pay $7 to get them dry cleaned at the hotel (why are these prices always so crazy?!), we recommend bringing a bit of laundry detergent along.

Food & Beverage Items

  • Wine sleeves - If you are visiting a wine region and are planning to purchase and travel with wine, I highly recommend taking these wine sleeves with you. They add a protective layer around the bottle and also contain any dreaded spills should your bottle crack in transit.

  • Wine bottle opener - While most hotels have these, it is nice to bring a reliable wine opener if you plan on enjoying a bottle of wine while you travel. Be sure to either pack in your checked bag if using a normal wine key or purchase a TSA approved wine opener (which will not include a foil cutting knife).

  • Picnic mat - I take this ultra compact picnic mat with me when we travel both during warm and cold months. It is great if you want to stop and take a break on the side of the mountain when skiing and is even better for the beach or a picnic in the park during warm months. It folds up into roughly the size of a small wallet, so is easy to pack in your travel bag.

  • Cups/plates/plastic cutlery - We typically take a few disposable or compostable cups and plates on trips where we know we will be enjoying a snack on the go or a picnic; these items can be hard to find (and are often only sold in really large quantities). We also have these sporks that work well.

Wellness Items

We generally love a good wellness routine at going places and take several supplements year-round. Who hasn’t gone on a trip where just as soon as you start to relax, you feel a cold coming on (this is actually a science-supported phenomenon; as the adrenaline from frantically wrapping up work/personal items/finalizing travel plans wears off, your immune system weakens and you’re more susceptible to getting sick). We typically ramp these habits up even more ahead of and during travel given the changes to sleep schedule, new (often richer) foods and different germs we encounter while traveling. Below are some of the items we rely on to help me stay healthy on the go (though of course consult with your physician before taking any of these):

  • AG1 - This is not a sponsored post, we genuinely love AG1 and take it daily. During travel, we also mix with fiber powder. We love that AG1s includes not only micronutrients but also probiotics as well to keep digestion strong.

  • Fiber Powder - We take psyllium husk powder every day and make sure to keep this habit up during travel so that even if we eat fewer veggies, digestion stays on track. Make sure to really ease into taking this and drink a lot of water. We find it best to take at night a few hours before bed.

  • Propolis - Propolis is an antibacterial immune booster—spraying this in your throat 2-3x a day for a few days before, during and immediately after travel keeps the immune system strong.

  • Glutamine - For particularly strenuous vacations (think skiing, hiking, extreme wine tasting…), we take glutamine which aids in muscle repair.

  • B Vitamins - I take B-Vitamins pretty religiously before and after I drink alcohol. These help boost my mood and replenish some of what is lost while I drink alcohol.

  • Magnesium - Magnesium helps me sleep deeper and also helps minimize muscle cramps, which often seem to get worse while traveling.

  • Compression socks - These help with muscle recovery during strenuous vacations as well as with leg swelling on long-haul flights.

  • Theragun - For ski or hiking trips, our Theragun is an absolute necessity for recovery.

  • Electrolyte Tablets - Electrolyte tablets are especially helpful after intense exercise, in the heat or after a few too many glasses of wine.

  • Reusable water bottle - I typically bring a re-usable water bottle on trips to bring to and from the hotel gym when I am working out.

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Ashley Jaramillo
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