My Carry-On Essentials

As a luxury travel advisor, I am always traveling somewhere, and today I’m sharing how I’ve mastered the art of a long-haul flight with my carry-on essentials. Preparation begins well before takeoff. Hydration is key, so I start increasing my water intake at least 24 hours in advance and adding electrolytes to ensure I board the plane feeling replenished. For carry-on essentials, my bag is always stocked with a few travel luxuries that make all the difference. I always bring under-eye patches, a rich moisturizer, and a nourishing lip balm to combat dry cabin air.

For sleeping, I bring my silk sleep mask, earplugs, and noise-cancelling headphones to create a cocoon of calm, no matter the seat assignment. I always wear an outfit comfortable enough to sleep in, like silk trousers or a cashmere cardigan.

Once I board, I settle in immediately, sanitizing my space, popping on my compression socks, and ensuring my water bottle is within reach. I follow the one litre per four-hour rule to maintain hydration and always opt for peppermint tea over caffeine to help fight jet lag. I also pre-order a low-sodium or light meal to avoid unnecessary bloating and discomfort. Airplane food is notoriously heavy on salt, which also amplifies dehydration at altitude. After dinner, I reapply my skincare, get myself comfortable, and try to get as much sleep as possible. Depending on the length of the flight, I’ll often take a sleep aid. My personal preference is magnesium because it helps with relaxation without leaving me feeling groggy. 

Just before landing, I try to give myself a bit of a refresh and chug as much water as possible. Arriving at my destination, I do my best to prioritize movement, natural light, and continued hydration to signal to my body that it’s time to adjust to the new time zone. 

Favorite Carry-On Essentials

For organization, I love these Away Packing Cubes, especially when a trip has multiple stops. I'll organize for what I need a few days at a time so I don't have to dig around or completely unpack my entire suitcase.  I love this jumbo case for toiletries and this Jetset case (which is TSA approved for a liquids bag) to keep my toiletries (both checked and carry-on) organized. I'm taking more supplements these days and have been committing to keeping that routine on the road. I have two of these organizers (one for AM and one for PM) and love that they're high quality, sleek, and functional. 

For entertainment, my Kindle is a no-brainer. I love that I can have an entire library with minimal space, and I love this new color, too! To keep hydrated, I pack my Memobottle. I love that these water bottles are flask-shaped: flat and easier to slide into your travel bag. They come in different sizes, but the A6 is a great small size that can fit into a cross-body purse. I pair that with Cure Hydration Electrolytes, especially this watermelon flavor. I drink these just about every day in the summer (sometimes 2x a day around days I'm flying). Clean ingredients, low cal, and great taste. 

Even if I'm flying in the summer, I love to have a cashmere wrap on hand in my carry-on (airplane cabins and any indoor area with aircon can be cold, and this is an easy item to wrap up in anytime you need it).  I LOVE this silk sleep mask. It keeps light out for any sleep environment and has raised areas around the eyes so they don’t squish your lashes. I curl up with my wrap and slip on the mask when I’m ready to get some shut-eye.

For skincare, I pack the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask as I tend to be a bit dehydrated when traveling, and this makes all the difference on my dry lips. I love these hydrating under-eye patches. I'm prone to dark circles, which get worse with travel (lack of sleep and dehydration). I pop them on about 30 minutes before landing. I am late to the game on this, but I have noticed such a difference in facial puffiness when I use a gua sha to aid in lymphatic drainage. Flying, lack of sleep, and indulging in food/beverages can make my face feel puffy, and this simple tool is easy to pack and can help reduce that. 

Flying long-haul doesn’t have to leave you feeling depleted. You should feel like an extension of the journey, not an obstacle. Try these tips for packing your carry-on essentials and thank me later!

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Packing for France in Summer

We just wrapped up the loveliest week in France with a group of ladies on an Atlas Adventures trip. It was the perfect combination of time spent enjoying Paris, exploring quaint towns, winery tours, cooking classes, and relaxing with yoga and meditation.

Paris, Limoges, and Bordeaux in early July typically experience summers with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to mid-80s°F (around 18–28°C). You can expect warm afternoons, plenty of sunshine for outdoor tours, and cooler, breezier moments during evening events or in air-conditioned transit spaces. You also always have to plan for the chance of rain! As this trip was a bit different than our other trips spent mostly in Paris, here’s what we recommended our attendees pack.

What to Pack for France in Summer

We always recommend packing one or two nicer outfits if you’re going to a nicer dinner or performance, like the theater or opera. With that said, make sure everything you pack is something you'll feel comfortable in! You’ll want a lightweight cardigan, jacket, or scarf - ideal for cooler moments during train journeys or for that extra layer if the evening gets breezy. Especially if you partake in an evening boat cruise down the Seine like we did.

Whether you’re exploring the cobbled lanes of old Limoges town or strolling Bordeaux’s elegant streets, we suggest lightweight pants, linen shorts, or skirts that are comfortable, breathable, and can easily be layered up as needed. Pair with an easy blouse and you’re set. With our relaxed mornings offering yoga or meditation sessions, and leisurely afternoons at retreat venues, a couple of comfortable activewear sets fit the bill.

There was a pool at our country retreat and at our last hotel in Bordeaux, so packing swimwear and a light cover-up or sarong was a must. French summer hopefully means glorious sunshine— be sure to protect your eyes with quality sunglasses and shield your skin (and add some style) with a lightweight hat and sunscreen. A tote bag that can double as a pool bag and for storing all your treasures from the local markets is a good idea, as well as a zippered crossbody bag.

As is typical for European cities, we did lots of walking, including some longer city walking tours, and during a full-day winery excursion. Be sure to pack comfortable, broken-in, and supportive shoes. I personally love having a slightly dressier flat pair of sandals and flats that are easy to walk to dinner spots, but can look dressy enough, too. If you prefer a heel, I love wedge espadrilles.

Don’t forget to bring along a reusable water bottle on daytrips or walking tours. If you think you might want to pop a few bottles of wine in your suitcase, then I highly recommend bringing some wine bottle travel protector sleeves like these. France uses Type E plugs with a 220V supply. Pack a universal converter to charge your devices, do your hair, etc. You may want to consider an external charger for extra juice on longer transit days.

Our trip leader, Marigold, loves to read a book set in or by an author from the destination she’s traveling to. Here is her reading list for this trip to France.

• Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris by Ann Mah. Journalist Ann Mah moves to Paris when her diplomat husband is given a three-year assignment there. She's overjoyed at the opportunity until he's reassigned to Iraq for a year-long solo stint and must figure out life in Paris on her own. And so she does, one pain au chocolat and boeuf Bourguignon at a time. Both funny and intelligent, this is a story about love of food, family, and France.

• Where the Light Falls: A Novel of the French Revolution by Allison Pataki and Owen Pataki: Pataki has a reputation for writing excellent historical fiction. In her newest, she tackles the French Revolution with the help of her brother Owen Pataki. Tracing the effects of the Revolution and Terror on the lives of two linked Frenchmen, Pataki explores courage, democracy, and love, while emphasizing why the Revolution's lessons remain important today.

• A Year at the French Farmhouse by Gillian Harvey: Escape to France for the perfect uplifting, feel-good book. A story about being made redundant and second chances in life, the central character, Lily, takes on renovating a French country house by herself. 

• The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick: Eleanor of Aquitaine is a 12th-century icon who has fascinated readers for 800 years, sometimes known as the “rebel queen of the Middle Ages”. But the real Eleanor remains elusive. She was the Duchess of Aquitaine (the region in which Bordeaux sits) and married first the French King and later the British King Henry the Second, and is credited with bringing wine to the UK. This stunning novel introduces an Eleanor that all other writers have missed. Based on the most up-to-date research, it is the first novel to show Eleanor beginning her married life at 13.

We’d love to help you plan your own dreamy summer trip to Paris, Limoges, and Bordeaux! Learn more about our travel planning services and reach out today to schedule a consultation with our team.

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What to Pack for Sweden

Dreaming of endless daylight, sparkling lakes, and quaint cobblestone streets? Summer in Sweden offers all that and more. With its long days, lush landscapes, and vibrant cities, Sweden in the summer is an absolute dream. It’s the perfect season for outdoor adventures and cultural exploration. But the country’s northern charm comes with changeable weather, so smart packing is essential.

We hosted our first Atlas Adventures trip to experience Midsummer in Sweden. We’ll be spending the first half of the trip in Stockholm and will be doing plenty of walking while exploring the city. We’ll be taking a boat to Smådalarö for a few days of relaxation at our hotel’s spa, and enjoy all the Midsummer activities for the second half of the trip. Here’s what we recommended our attendees pack.

What to pack for Sweden

Sweden in summer typically sees temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the high 70s°F. Expect warm afternoons, plenty of sunshine for outdoor tours, and cooler, breezier moments during evenings or in air-conditioned transit spaces. If you’re taking an archipelago boat cruise, be extra prepared for a potentially breezy trip!

Sweden’s summer weather can range from cool and breezy to warm and sunny, all in the same day. Pack versatile clothing that you can layer throughout the day. Think base layers like blouses and tees layered under lightweight sweaters or cardigans you can drape over your shoulders as the day heats up. Easy, lightweight pieces like linen pants, shorts, and dresses are great for those warmer days. Even in summer, rain showers are common, especially along the west coast and in Stockholm. Be sure to pack a compact umbrella and/or waterproof jacket.

As is typical for European cities, we will be doing lots of walking during our trip, including some longer walking tours around the city and through the gardens. Comfortable and supportive shoes are always a must for these types of trips. Swedish summer days are long, sometimes with up to 18 hours of daylight. Protect your skin and eyes with UV-protection sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen. Since we’ll have a few days enjoying the spa and cold plunges in the stunning Swedish waters, I’m packing a swimsuit and cover-up.

Sweden in summer is relaxed, scenic, and easy to enjoy with the right wardrobe. Pack light but smart, focus on layering, and don't forget your sense of adventure. Whether you're kayaking the Stockholm archipelago, hiking in the north, or chasing the midnight sun, you’ll be ready for whatever Sweden throws your way.

Ready to explore Sweden like a local?
Let us take care of the details. Whatever type of trip you’re looking for, we’ve got your journey covered. Book a consultation with our team today!

Glad sommar! (Happy summer!)

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