No matter where I’m traveling or whether I’m going to be in a big city or the middle of nowhere, there are certain things I never leave home without. Are some of these must haves simple/basic, yes….but sometimes the simplest items can be the most important when needed. For country specific gear I packed (like the gators needed for Gorilla Trekking or winter gear for Lapland) I call those out in the specific country blog post. Hopefully there’s something below new to your packing list and it helps you out in your future travels. 

• Garmin Satellite Tracker:

I purchased a Garmin Mini 2 for my first trip to Africa knowing I would have difficulty with cell service and most likely would only have satellite internet access at my lodges that could be spotty at best. I at least wanted a way to text with my family in case there was an emergency on either end. Thankfully (knock on wood) I’ve never had to use my Garmin to send my location, an emergency text, or receive one. But the peace of mind it gives me while traveling is invaluable. Also, it’s pretty awesome with its ability to show your exact location in the world and bring up an image of that location via the link sent with your message. The Garmin Mini 2 is a bit pricey, coming in at $399 on Amazon and requires a monthly subscription of $16.47, which you can cancel whenever you choose. But like I said, having it on hand for peace of mind is invaluable to me. There was an incident while I was at Petra by night where I did turn it on just in case things escalated and having it on hand at the time gave me a peace of mind. As for that incident at Petra by night….you’re going to have read my Jordan post…definitely not the Petra by night experience I was expecting. Lastly, if you travel with a satellite tracker make sure to check country restrictions on satellite devices. I was not allowed to take this with me to Bhutan due to their restrictions on satellite devices and there are other countries that do not allow them either.  Garmin Mini 2 on Amazon

• Doorstop:

I keep a small doorstop in my both my travel backpack and the carry on I use for work travel. I carry it with me just in case the door to my hotel room doesn’t have more than one way to secure it at night or if the room is one with shared doors. It takes up no room in my bag and is a simple and cheap way to add a security layer to your hotel room door.  You can find a basic plastic doorstop on Amazon or your local hardware store for under $10. The doorstop also comes in handy when the bathroom door won’t stay open. 

• Travel Wallet: 

Long ago I purchased a Pacsafe Passport Wallet for all my international travel and have never looked back. It’s currently $59.95 on Amazon. Outside of the general security it provides being an RFID blocking security wallet, there are many other things I love about this wallet. The size for one is a plus and is compact in size at 5×7 inches.  It fits in my travel purse (see below for the travel purse I use), but it also fits in the small crossbody I use while flying. I also love that this wallet, in addition to the full length compartment where I store tickets and cash, also has a full length zippered compartment where I usually store my spare cash or big bills (when I do have cash on hand) or receipts I don’t want to lose. I love that this wallet has a small, zippered compartment for my ID where I also store my insurance card and other sensitive items. Knowing those items are secured is one less thing for me to worry about knowing they are secured and can’t fall out. And while we are talking wallets and what I carry in mine, I have recently started carrying my Global Entry ID card. I had heard rumors of some airports in the US asking you to show it to access Global Entry. Indeed, I was asked to show mine recently coming back through JFK. Additionally, if you’re traveling back to the US from Canada and want to use their TSA equivalent security lines you need to show your Global Entry ID card. I also carry with me my yellow international certificates of vaccination booklet (that’s its official name, I just call it the yellow book). I keep my yellow book updated with all my vaccines (and as an army veteran I have more than a few vaccines).  For my travels to various countries in Africa I was required to get the Yellow Fever vaccine and the yellow book is where it gets documented. There are countries which require you to show you received your Yellow Fever Vaccine prior to your entry into certain countries where yellow fever is a risk before they will let you in their country. 

• Travel Purse:

My criteria when I purchased this purse was: (1) something with security measures (clips to secure the zippers, difficulty slashing the strap and RFID blocking security (2) the ability to hold a small travel umbrella and/or a water bottle (3) the ability to stash away Kleenex/Toilet Paper, Aspirin, and Hand Sanitizer (4) the ablity to carry around any small items I might purchase throughout the day (5) could be worn as a cross body and (5) wasn’t ugly. This Loveon Security Crossbody, which I purchased from the Container Store fit the bill and I never leave home without it. Right now on Amazon you can find the purse for $51 and in four different colors, one of which is black. I’ve had this purse for over 8 years and it has appeared in more travel photos than any potential boyfriend will at this rate. 

• Airtags

I will never not check a bag (which is a rarity a I’m Team Carry-on) without an airtag tucked away. Airtags on Amazon I now also keep one tucked away in pretty much all my bags and purses, my dogs, and sometimes question if I also need to attach one to my reading glasses and keys. These little things are worth every penny. If you’re not into Airtags there are many other tracking devices you can use. But don’t ever check a bag without one. 

• Medicine Kit

About 3 Delta amenity kits ago, the kit came in a small black Tumi zippered pouch, and I converted one into a small travel medicine kit. Sometimes getting to a pharmacy can be difficult, non-existent, the need for medicine happens in the middle of the night or I’m just too lazy to make the trek out to a pharmacy. I have packed my small Tumi pouch to its limit and it still manages to take up very little room in my backpack. I take limited quantities of the medicines I carry, but enough to get through a few days. So, what’s in mine? Here’s everything I cram into that little pouch: Masks, Various sizes of Band Aids, Blister Pads, Tampons, Tylenol/Aleve/Bayer Benadryl, Pepto, Imodium, Tums, Sudafed, Dayquil/Nyquil, Ear plugs, Excedrin Migraine (I unfortunately suffer from occasional migraines), Neosporin, Iodine wipes, Alcohol Wipes, Bug Repellant wipes, Bug Bite Relief, Melatonin, Mini toothpaste, Throat Lozenges, Cold-Ease packs and a small key chain flashlight.