Last summer I have been travelling trough Hong Kong and mainland China with a backpack. And since I have just booked my upcoming summer holiday to Italy there are a few travel-related items I’d like to discuss with you; travel bags and essentials!
Once in a while, I was soo done with those heavy backpacks I just want to travel light (or I should have trained my back before my departure ….too late this time). This gives me the opportunity to think a little bit more about “travel bag” and “travel essentials”. What kind should I bring? Should it be big, small or really tiny? How to pack it (properly…)?
Before we dive into all kinds of bags I have heard a nice story of Shanghai men during my trip. Shanghai men are known to be the best men for women. They are aware of the burdens of women. Such as when having children the women will be very busy so the men should earn enough money to provide for his family (or should be a great stay-at-home dad while the women will make a living). He should have a car, a home and the best of all he should definitely carry the woman’s bags while shopping or doing groceries. First let me make it clear that even when your purse is pink, fluffy and has some little bunnies on it, the Shanghai men will carry it anyway. Shouldn’t all men be like them…?!
So ladies and gentlemen let’s talk about some bags…
Big travel bag
- Backpack: While travelling as a backpacker, of course, you could have a leather “day backpack”. A little smaller than the big backpack and very firm as well. You don’t have to worry about any damage to your bag because during the usage leather will always become more and more pretty.
- Shopping bag: when you travel with just a suitcase an extra shopping bag could be a great addition to your travel luggage. You can take it with you as an additional piece and hand luggage or fill it with all your belongings and fit it in your suitcase.
Small travel bag
- Camera bag: travel photography is one of my favourite types of photography. Even when you have the memories it is still nice to gaze at you holiday photos and find yourself back there for a moment. Either if you have a compact camera or a DLSR you might find the need for a camera bag. When you also don’t want to walk around showing off that you have a very expensive camera there are some very fashionable ones or you can make one yourself.
- Shoulder bag: when carrying a backpack and already have painful shoulders you might wanna skip this type of bag though it is a very safe way to carry your belongings with you. You can pull it to the front to keep an eye on it or swing it to the back at other times. Another great advantage is that you can take it with you all day long, from early in the morning until the late hours at night as a fashionable accessory.
Tiny travel bag
- Money belt: maybe not that useful when it is made of leather though when travelling it is a real must if you ask me. It will just be a little bit more difficult for pickpockets to rob you from your valuables such as your passport, (hotel) keys and your money of course.
Travel essentials
- Passport cover: Especially when you will be travelling for quite a while a passport cover will protect your passport. Besides the functional property, it will also look more awesome and is less likely to be stolen since it doesn’t look like a passport.
- Travel tag: I don’t really like the look of the fluorescent free luggage tags you will receive at your airport so I like to bring my own. Why not a leather one; sturdy, good looking you will recognise your luggage immediately!
- Small make up bag: Don’t forget to pack your makeup bag in your carry-on. Most of the women will be in the need of a little refresh after such a long trip. Check out, for example, the DIY of a kiss-lock frame make up bag over here, to make one yourself!
Take back home
If there are like a million basket bags or handwoven linen bags for sale at your travel destination it might not feel as special anymore. But if you imagine, yourself, just for a moment, back home… wouldn’t it be great to have a product no-one has or will ever find at your local stores? ALWAYS, take something back… as small as it might be! So keep some room left in your bags for all those little treasures.
What is your favourite travel bag for a city trip or backpack adventure? I can’t wait to get on a plane and discover more of the world but for now … it will stay with some daydreaming and in a few moths, ITALY HERE I COME!
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