Travel Must Haves

Over years of wandering, I’ve discovered a few trusted essentials that make travel smoother, more intentional, and a little more beautiful. This page is a curated collection of my personal favorites. Thank you for supporting Wander With Monica. I hope these pieces bring a bit of ease and joy to your own travels!

My Favorite

CARRY-ON COMFORTS

A woman with long wavy brown hair smiling and wearing a navy blue travel shawl, standing in a forested area with a tent in the background.

  • I love this shawl—it’s one of my most-used travel companions. It works beautifully as an evening wrap, a cozy blanket on the plane, or even a makeshift pillow or lumbar support during long travel days. Lightweight yet warm, it rolls up small and always lives in my carry-on.

Two people sitting outdoors near a river, with the woman holding a gray inflatable seat cushion and the brand logo 'ATEPA' visible on it, and the text 'ATEPA INFLATABLE SEAT CUSHION' in the foreground.

  • Self-Inflating with Memory Foam: This compact seat cushion has become one of my go-to travel comforts. It’s perfect for long flights when you need a little extra softness in your seat or some gentle lumbar support. Lightweight and easy to fold, it fits easily into your carry-on.

A person pouring magnesium citrate supplement powder from a packet into a glass of water on a white surface, with a box of CALM magnesium supplement and lemon halves nearby.

  • I always keep a few of these magnesium drink packets in my travel kit. They help me unwind after long days and ease muscle tension—especially helpful for sleep and preventing leg cramps after flights.

A woman with closed eyes and a smile is wearing an inflatable travel neck pillow around her neck, sitting on an airplane seat.

  • With Washable Cover and Carrying Case: This neck pillow is a staple in my carry-on. It inflates quickly, adjusts to the support you need, and then deflates to fit neatly back into its compact carrying case. I love that it comes with a case and a washable cover.

Woman relaxing on a sofa with a cordless heated eye mask covering her eyes, smiling with her hands behind her head, wearing a striped shirt.

  • Washable and Travel-Friendly: I recently started using this heated eye mask to help with my dry, watery eyes—and it’s quickly become part of my wind-down routine. It’s gentle, cordless, and deeply relaxing, especially after a day of travel or screen time.

My Favorite

LUGGAGE & ORGANIZATION

A person standing on a tiled floor, holding a gray travel suitcase with an extended handle. The person is dressed in black pants, a gray blazer, and white sneakers. The background features a brown wall. Text overlay says "Travelpro Expandable Luggage."

  • I swear by this suitcase. During my years of frequent work travel, I went through more bags than I can count—but this one lasted. It’s durable, well-designed, and easy to maneuver through airports and city streets. I still use mine for every trip.

A blue Apple Airtag holder case with a keychain attached, featuring the Apple logo on its surface. The case is designed to hold an Airtag and is placed against a blurred background with some debris.

  • These Airtag holders are a simple but essential part of my travel routine. I attach them to the inside of my suitcases and carry-on bags to keep track of everything while in transit. They’re durable, easy to use.

Blue travel packing cubes, a toiletry bag with makeup brushes, a laundry bag, and small accessories organized in a compact travel set on wooden floor.

  • These packing cubes have completely changed how I organize my suitcase. With four different sizes, they make it easy to separate outfits, shoes, or travel essentials—and keep everything neat and easy to find. I love how they help maximize space and reduce the chaos of unpacking.

A woman with long, wavy brown hair, wearing hoop earrings and a white dress with thin straps, holding a black clear makeup bag with makeup palettes inside, standing in front of a white wall.

  • This is my go-to toiletry bag for travel. The clear design makes it easy to see exactly what’s inside. It's roomy and waterproof too.

A woman at an airport holding an orange Airtag passport holder wallet with airplane tickets, wearing a straw hat, cream sweater, jeans, carrying a woven bag, and pulling a suitcase.

  • This passport holder was such a smart addition to my travel setup. It has a built-in slot for an AirTag, which gave me peace of mind in busy airports. I also used it as my wallet while traveling—it held my ID, cards, and boarding passes all in one place, making airport security so much easier.

My Favorite

HEALTH & PERSONAL CARE

A woman is taking a piece of PUR gum from her beige purse while wearing a white shirt, with a background of greenery. The gum packet is white with red accents and text.

  • This gum is a staple in my travel bag. I always pop one after a meal, and the cinnamon flavor is strong but not overpowering. It’s also been a lifesaver for my ears during flights—chewing gum helps relieve pressure, especially during descent. I love that it’s naturally sweetened with xylitol and free of aspartame.

Close-up of a person sitting on a tree branch, wearing white breathable slip-on sneakers, beige pants, and a brown jacket, with a background of green trees and blue sky.

  • These are easily the most comfortable walking shoes I’ve worn while traveling. I wore them all over Europe, including on uneven cobblestone streets, and they held up beautifully—lightweight, supportive, and breathable.

A box and case containing Sea-Band wrist bands for nausea relief. The box features an illustration of hands wearing the bands, and the case contains two gray wrist bands with white circular areas on the inside.

  • Natural Motion Sickness Relief: These wrist bands are a must-have for boat trips or any kind of travel where motion sickness might sneak up on you. They use gentle acupressure to help relieve nausea without medication. I keep a pair in my bag just in case—especially for cruises or ferry rides.

Person placing a pack of Stall Mates flushable wipes into a black purse.

  • These individually wrapped wipes are a must-have when traveling. They’re perfect for those moments when a restroom isn’t as clean—or stocked—as you’d hope. They work well as a backup for toilet paper or to clean your hands and they take up hardly any space.

My Favorite

TRAVEL TECH

A hand holding an Apple AirTag with a white background and a gray banner at the bottom displaying the text "Apple Airtags 4 Pack".

  • These are incredibly useful for keeping track of your essentials while traveling. I use them in my luggage, purse, and passport holder to give me peace of mind in airports and crowded areas.

A digital device charger plug inserted into a wall socket, with white cables connected, near a smartphone and a laptop.

  • With Dual USB & USB-C Ports: This adapter set worked perfectly on our recent trip to Europe. It’s compact but powerful, with dual USB, USB-C, and two U.S. outlets, so we could charge multiple devices at once. It includes plug types for Europe, Asia, Australia, Japan, and more, making it a reliable choice for international travel.

A person taking a selfie with a white iPhone mounted on a blue tripod stand on a wooden table, with a plate of assorted cookies in the background.

  • Magnetic & Adjustable: This slim, foldable tripod is perfect for taking group photos while traveling—no need to ask strangers or prop your phone against a water bottle. A small but super useful tool for solo or group adventures.

My Favorite

CREATIVE & JOURNALING TOOLS

A flat lay of various notebooks and journals in different colors including black, pink, green, blue, and white, some with elastic bands, on a light blue background.

  • These are my go-to travel journals. They are good quality and I love the plain covers where I can place a sticker from each city on my trip. They come in a variety of colors.

A large, cream-colored pencil case with a zip closure on a green surface. Surrounding it are pastel-colored pens, charcoal sticks, and a digital thermometer.

  • I use this pouch to keep all my journaling and planning supplies in one place while traveling. It’s roomy enough to fit pens, washi tape, stickers, and small tools, but still compact enough to slip into a carry-on or day bag. The adjustable compartments make it easy to stay organized on the go.

Colorful paper binder rings in green, blue, yellow, and pink, with a small pink and white striped object above them.

  • These simple metal rings are one of my favorite ways to turn travel memories into something tangible. I use them to create postcard books from each trip—just punch a small hole in the corner and loop them together.

A collection of decorative washi tapes with travel-themed designs, including landmarks, maps, coins, and vintage travel items, arranged in a box and displayed on a surface.

  • I love using this washi tape in my travel journal and day planner—it adds a personal, playful touch to notes, memories, and daily reflections.

My Favorite

BOOKS & INSPIRATION

Book titled "My Life in France" by Julia Child, featuring a photo of two women with hearts on their shirts on the cover, positioned next to pink roses on a white surface.

  • This book feels like a love letter to Paris—told through the eyes of Julia Child with all her signature warmth, curiosity, and honesty. Her reflections on food, art, and the rhythms of everyday life are full of thoughtful detail and delight. I often return to the Audible version, playing a few minutes when I’m missing the sights and sounds of Paris.

Book titled "Lonely Planet The Travel Book" with colorful illustrations of travel-related imagery including animals, landmarks, and cultural symbols on the cover.

  • This stunning book takes you on a photographic journey through every country in the world—one page at a time. It’s my go-to when I need a little travel inspiration or a quick mental getaway. The images are vibrant and immersive, and the brief country snapshots spark endless curiosity. It’s a beautiful addition to any coffee table and makes a thoughtful gift for the travel lover in your life.

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