The Shop

Things we'd consider packing.

Seven trip-shaped categories, a small handful of items each. These are inspiration — what we'd look at, not exhaustive reviews. If you buy through these links we get a small commission; the price is the same for you, and you're welcome to go shop elsewhere if anything doesn't fit. See how the site is funded for the full picture.

For a sun trip

6 items

The five things that decide whether the beach week works or it doesn't. Skip the rest.

For a heatwave city break

5 items

When the city centre is 39°C and the locals are inside until 17:00 — these are the five things that keep you sightseeing.

For a long flight

5 items

Five items between you and a sub-par 11-hour flight. The neck pillow is the one most people get wrong.

For a scooter day

5 items

On a scooter in Bali, Santorini, or Mallorca, the difference between a great day and a hospital is four pieces of kit.

For a slow morning hotel stay

5 items

The reading-on-the-balcony-with-coffee setup. Five things that make hotel mornings feel like the trip you came for, not a transit lounge.

For taking kids to the beach

5 items

Five items that turn a beach day with small kids from a logistics test into an actual holiday. None of them is a stroller you can't take on the sand.

For the photos you'll actually take

5 items

Three items that make holiday photos noticeably better. Skip the dedicated camera — your phone is enough, but not on its own.

Everything here is an Amazon Associates link. We earn a small commission on qualifying purchases; nothing is paid placement. We only include items we'd use ourselves. Full policy.