What we always pack (and what we stopped packing)
After building itineraries for half the world, here's what survived the real test — and what we no longer pack, even by accident.
Every itinerary we build includes a packing recommendation, tailored to the destination, the season, and the type of trip. But there's a handful of things that repeat no matter if we're headed to Kyoto, Marrakech, or a village in Tuscany that doesn't show up on any map. Here's what actually works.
The rule we actually follow
It's not "pack light" — it's pack with judgment. Everything that goes into the suitcase has to solve more than one problem. If it only does one thing, it stays home.
What never gets left behind
A universal adapter with USB-C. Not the cheap airport one that overheats and stops charging by day three — a real one, with surge protection. It's the first thing we recommend buying before any international trip.
A cable and charger organizer. Sounds boring until you see the suitcase of someone who doesn't have one.
A reusable bottle with a filter. Changes the game in destinations where the tap water is questionable — and saves you from buying plastic every single day.
If you want the exact kit we build for every trip (affiliate link — swap it for your real one), we have it listed with specific brand and model, not generic picks.
What we stopped packing
"Just in case" clothes. Every item you pack thinking "maybe I'll wear it" is an item that comes back exactly as folded as when it left.
Printed guides. The itinerary already has everything — maps, schedules, reservations — accessible from your phone. Zero paper that gets wet, lost, or adds weight.
A second pair of "nice" shoes. They almost never get used, and when they do, you end up wearing the comfortable ones anyway.
The question we ask about every item
Does this free up time, or does it just take up space? If the answer is "takes up space," it doesn't make the cut. That simple.
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