Jetsetter’s Essentials 3 Must-Have Items Always Packed by my Globetrotting Dad

Lifelong Globetrotter 3 Essential Items My Dad Always Packs on His Travels

My Dad’s Travel Tips: Portable Chargers, iPads, and Packing Cubes

Lauren Edmonds’ father, Kevin Edmonds, wearing a red shirt and blue baseball cap. Lauren Edmonds/Insider

Let me introduce you to my dad, Kevin Edmonds, a man who has been traveling since he was just six years old. He’s a seasoned jetsetter with a habit of never leaving home without a few trusty travel items. And let me tell you, his travel essentials are as essential as oxygen itself! Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating, but you get the picture.

So, here I am, all excited about my upcoming trip to Europe. Naturally, I turned to the great sage of travel wisdom, my dad, for advice. I hopped on a call with him, hoping for some profound insights, and boy, did he deliver!

Portable Chargers: The Lifeline of Modern Travelers

Lauren Edmonds holds a black portable charger. Lauren Edmonds/Insider

When I asked my dad about his go-to travel items, he immediately emphasized the importance of a portable charger. According to him, it’s like having a magical unicorn in your pocket. In this digital age, where our phones practically run our lives, a charged battery is everything!

“In this day and age, you do almost everything on your phone, from reservations to ordering an Uber,” my dad enthusiastically explained. “So I’m always concerned that I don’t have an extra battery.” And he’s right! We can’t afford to be stranded without our beloved smartphones, can we?

Picture this: You’re lost in a foreign city, desperately trying to navigate your way back to your hotel. Suddenly, your phone’s battery flashes ominously on the verge of death. Panic sets in as you realize you can’t call for help or hail a ride back. It’s a nightmare! But fear not, my friends. With a portable charger in hand, you’ll conquer the world, powered by the limitless energy of technology!

My dad even recommended an affordable champion in the portable charger realm – the almighty Poweradd’s $16 slim portable charger. He gifted it to me years ago, and it has never let me down. You better believe I’m charging my phone in style, feeling like James Bond with his gadgets!

iPads: The Swiss Army Knife of Travel Logistics and Entertainment

Now, don’t get me wrong, my dad loves his phone. But when it comes to travel, he takes it to the next level. He brandishes his trusty iPad, a secret weapon of convenience and entertainment.

“It’s like having a personal assistant and a mini theater, all in one sleek device,” my dad boasted.

With his iPad in tow, my dad conquers the complex world of travel logistics. From finding the best restaurants on Yelp to booking reservations and reviewing hotels, he does it all on his tablet. He even manages to squeeze in some fun with the Amazon Kindle app, music streaming, movies, and catching up on the latest news. Talk about multitasking!

So, imagine this: You’re sitting on a long flight to your dream destination, feeling a little restless. Your tired eyes long for a distraction, and the inflight movie selection is subpar at best. But guess who’s grinning with glee? My dad, with his trusty iPad loaded with endless entertainment options. He’s solving crosswords, devouring books, and jamming to his favorite tunes while the rest of us gaze into the abyss. Oh, the envy!

Packing Cubes: Organization Galore!

Now, prepare to have your mind blown by the organizational wizardry of my dad – by the power of packing cubes!

A photo of multiple packing cubes stacked in an open purple suitcase. Lauren Edmonds/Insider

I must confess, I had no idea my dad was a packing cube enthusiast until I witnessed his genius firsthand during their visit to New York City. Apparently, he discovered these magical cubes two years ago, and they have forever transformed his travel game.

Gone are the days of digging through suitcases, rummaging for that elusive pair of socks buried at the bottom. With packing cubes, my dad can effortlessly locate his belongings like a treasure hunter discovering ancient artifacts. He simply pulls out the cubes and pops them into the hotel dresser, voila!

But wait, there’s more! These cubes not only keep his clothes organized and wrinkle-free but also save valuable space in his luggage. It’s like having your very own Mary Poppins bag, but without the fear of accidentally pulling out a lamp or a penguin.

So, imagine this: You arrive at your hotel, utterly exhausted from the journey. All you want is to crash onto the bed and drift away into blissful slumber. But alas, your belongings seem to have waged war against each other in your suitcase. Clothes are tangled, shoes are squashed, and chaos reigns supreme! But my dad? He opens his suitcase like a graceful magician, retrieves his neatly packed cubes, and whispers, “Let the relaxation begin!”

In conclusion, dear friends, my dad is a bona fide travel guru. From his prized portable charger to his trusty iPad and packing cubes, he’s armed and ready to conquer the world, one journey at a time. So, take heed of his wisdom, and embark on your travels well-prepared. And hey, if all else fails, just remember to pack an extra dose of humor and adventure – you’ll never be without the essentials!