Even if you plan to go off the grid, you should probably bring your cell phone and charger on your next vacation. Doing so will make navigating to your grid-less existence easier.
Not everyone has Sam’s wilderness navigation skills (image source: amazon.com)
Today’s society is rife with electronics. Free wifi – at one point limited to just hotels and internet cafes – is slowly proliferating stores, museums, bars, restaurants, grassy fields, and anywhere else a tourist may frequent. It’s a pandemic of sorts!
While technology was invented to be helpful, it often can be bulky. Cords on cords on cords may take up valuable room in your suitcase or carry-on. However, at this point we’ve become so reliant that it’s hard to live without! In my opinion, my techie gadgets provide enough utility to make lugging them around worth the weight (or wait…if you’re talking about the time spent untangling cords. Hah.).
So, without further ado, here is my list of gadget must-haves that I plan to take on my next vacation:
- Smartphone (for me, iphone5) and chargerThere are so many apps out there now that make traveling easier. A few that I always have on my phone are Spotify Premium, airline apps (Delta, American, etc.) and Google maps. I also recently downloaded Gate Guru after reading about it from Travel & Leisure, and I can’t wait to review it next time I’m at a new airport.
Using Gate Guru on iphones (image source: http://www.gateguru.com/images/4.0/3_airportcard.png)
- Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and chargerI love my Surface Pro 3. I left my Surface Pro 1 in a rental car last fall and ended up buying a new one because I loved it so much. The tablet functions exactly like a laptop but is compact for traveling. Plus, I can download informational PDFs, hotel confirmations, transit system maps, bus schedules, and more before I leave for my trip and have them all handy throughout my excursion. Further, I recently downloaded the apps for Kindle (books), Nook (books), and Next Issue (magazines) on my Surface in order to store numerous reading material options for my next trip. It’s a much lighter weight alternative to bring a bunch of books and paperwork!
Guys. It’s a tablet and a laptop. What more could you want!? (image source: http://www.techhapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/sur3.jpg)
- International power adaptersI just learned that Italy power adapters are actually slightly different than those of the rest of continental Europe. They have three prongs instead of two. For that reason I ordered a pack of three on Amazon to make sure I can always charge my equipment during my next vacation. Bringing power adaptors is so important so you can make sure all of your gadgets will charge.
These chargers came in a small box for easy packing (image source: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YL6HY6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=detailpage)
- Portable charger for electronicsI think the most famous (and probably most expensive) brand of portable chargers is the Mophie. I haven’t broken down and bought one yet, but instead I have a couple of smaller off-brand portable chargers that carry far fewer charges yet are still easy to throw in a purse (latest Jackery purchase can be found here). At this point I find it ESSENTIAL to carry around at least one portable charger in my day bag if I’m out and about…my iphone5 no longer holds a charge for a full day!
We just bought this Jockery charger off of Amazon to bring on our trip (image source: amazon.com)
- Sony 16 megapixel digital camera, plus (2) charged batteries and (2) SIM cardsMy boyfriend and I bought a compact 16 megapixel Sony camera in 2012 and have loved it ever since. Due to the fact that we’ve had it for a few years now, the one that we bought is pretty discounted and you can get higher megapixel models now for the price we paid. However, ours is still working great. The camera itself is less heavy than a DSLR, making it easier to tote around all day – plus the picture quality is fantastic! Can’t ask for better.
Sony micro four thirds camera (image source: http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–TuZt6auD–/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/18kz16d81fyjrpng.png)
- Suitcase with a built-in overweight indicatorWe just bought two new Delsey Helium Hyperlight 25” Spinner suitcases for our Italy trip that I’m really excited to try. As experienced travelers will admit, one of the most annoying things about traveling for long periods of time is learning that your suitcase is over the 50-lb limit when you check in. For this new suitcase line, if you pick up the luggage by the separate indicator handle, an small light will turn red if you’re bag is overweight. Pretty ingenious! Can’t wait to try the new suitcases out next month and report back. 🙂
Delsey 25″ suitcases (image source: http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/image/BedBathandBeyond/4966553259082m)
Technology has always been defined as something that makes life easier. It fills a need. In order to travel meaningfully you do not need to buy all of the latest gadgets, but technology may help you get the most out of your trip. For example, by doing research and sending emails on your connected devices while in transit or relaxing in your hotel room in the evenings, you may be able to spend more time sightseeing during the day. Additionally, if you bring the right tools to take good pictures, you’ll be able to reminisce about your experiences for years to come.
With that said, I must divulge that I love paperback guidebooks. I don’t think I will ever stop buying them, and I have quite a collection! Although I may always bring guidebooks on my trips, it makes sense to save room and weight in my pack in other ways by converting all other forms of entertainment to digital.
Guidebooks come with me everywhere
Now that I’ve divulged my list of tech, I have a question for YOU, dear reader….
What do you think of selfie sticks?
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