YOUR GETAWAY GURU
Travel for Grownups
Don’t Forget Your CPAP & AirTags
By Kathy Yarian
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re over 55. If you haven’t traveled lately, the world—and you—have changed since you were in your 20s traveling around Europe with a backpack and sleeping bag. Back then, all we needed were some clothes, a camera, a Eurail Pass and traveler’s checks.
Fast-forward to today. Our gear likely includes prescriptions, a CPAP machine, several pairs of shoes and jewelry to match each activity or outfit, a flat iron, an electric shaver, IPad, laptop and other gear that makes us comfortable on the road. And why shouldn’t we be? We’ve earned it and likely now can afford it, unlike our bare-budget younger selves.
Traveling right has taken the place of traveling light.
Handy Gear
I’ve put together tips and my favorite travel gear to make your next trip easier on you and those around you. Let me know if you have others to add and I’ll share those in an upcoming column.
AirTags
This is my number one item. I have three; I keep one in my purse, one in my carry-on bag and one in my checked bag. Thanks to the AirTag app, I know my giant 50-pound (overpacked) bag of clothing is safely tucked away underneath the plane as I make my way to my destination. The app makes it simple. Download the Find My app on your iPhone or Android to connect the AirTag. It’s the same Find My app that allows me to follow a few of my friends, one of my three kids, a few siblings and my 91-year-old father. It’s a great app.
A four-pack sells for $80 on Amazon. It’s worth the investment. Here’s my example: On a recent trip to Vietnam, my cousin Danny realized someone either purposely or accidentally pulled his bag off the hotel shuttle. When he got out at his stop, he realized his bag wasn’t there. He grabbed his phone and opened up the app and saw exactly where his bag was. He tracked his bag down, grabbed it and salvaged his months-long vacation in beautiful Da Lat.
It turned out that a couple accidentally picked up his bag, thinking it was theirs. This brings me to my second pro tip: Put a ribbon, sticker or other unique-looking bag tag on your bag handle. Most people travel with black bags, and they all look alike. (Siri: remind me to send Danny a bag tag).
Water Bottle – Collapsible is best. Fill it up once you get past airport security.
Cross-Body Purse/Pack – They make these in men’s and women’s styles. They keep your money, wallet, phone and essentials close without worrying about pickpockets or misplacing key items like your passport, ID, credit cards and cash.
Tissues – I always keep disposable tissues in my purse or my pocket. Many times, I’ve been stuck places where they either a) didn’t have toilet paper available. b). Ran out of toilet paper or c) charged me to use their toilet paper (Egypt, China). Yep. I was charged for toilet paper at the Valley of the Kings in Egypt and the Great Wall of China. This is a big money-maker for small entrepreneurs, but well worth it to me at the moment. Who would have thought that toilet paper was such a luxury?
Small Bills – Think tipping: hotel maid, taxi, bellman or concierge. Or, in many cases, you need cash to buy an ice cream cone, pack of gum or bottle of water. This goes for both American and international currency when traveling abroad.
Prescriptions – You don’t want to run out. Pack an extra few days’ worth of your daily medications. If you have a flight delay or cancellation, you don’t want to be without your meds.
The Carry-On Vs. Checked Bag Debate
Here’s my take on carry-on bags: If you can’t lift your bag to place it in the overhead compartment or remove it from the overhead bin without assistance, you have no business traveling with a carry-on bag. Check your bag. Make it easier on yourself. Plus, the size of a checked bag allows you to pack those extra pairs of shoes, bottles of sunscreen and your own hair products in your larger checked bag.
Just a side note: Remember, you can only have 3.4 ounces of liquid in your carry-on bags. Another point to my argument is that many low-cost carriers charge less for a checked bag versus a carry-on. Frontier and Spirit are two examples.
Another pro tip: NEVER put jewelry, expensive eye glasses, medications or money in your checked bags. Several times, my clients have had items stolen and it’s nearly impossible to get those items back, let alone find out who took them.
Luggage is handled by many people before it reaches your destination. Put important items in your carry-on bag or your purse, where you can keep an eye on them.
If you’ve packed your suitcase and still have a few pounds under the weight limit, here’s what else I’d pack: a small umbrella, snacks (nuts, crackers, string cheese), an extra sweater/jacket/rain coat (I hate being cold), noise cancelling headphones, small portable speaker to enjoy your music or podcast, your own pillow or an insulated cup to keep your drinks cold/hot. The last item is great when going to an all-inclusive resort. You will thank me for this one.
With summer upon us, I wish you all happy traveling. Pack smart, have a wonderful time making memories… and be comfortable making them.
