World Travel 101 {Life and Links}

The motto at Figs and Flights is "life fueled by food and travel."

{Life and Links} are my lists for creating the best life, delicious food, and comfortable and smart travel. Themes vary seasonally, include tips and tricks, and my favorite items. It's the stuff that's so good I need to share it with you. 

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• I will only recommend items that I use regularly and that I absolutely LOVE
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So you've booked an international flight, you're doing it! 

Now what happens, how do you even begin to prepare?

These are a few of my favorite WORLD TRAVELING things!

There's no rule surrounding what classifies someone as a "world traveler" but there are a few things you absolutely need for a trip out of the country. 

I'm piggybacking on Tuesday's post, the Rome {Travel Guide}, which covers my very first international trip to bring you this list of items that I always bring along for an flight out of the country.  

Passport, water, and power are KEYS for successful World Travel

Passport

Obviously you need a passport! 

Get your passport ASAP. According to the official website the process can take up to 8 weeks so be sure to have your application in at least 3 months before you plan to depart. You'll need more time on the front end to collect your information, fill out the forms, and get pictures taken. 

Getting a passport is JUST the beginning. This is the one item that you need to take the very best care of when you're traveling internationally. Here are my best tips for passport safe keeping while you're traveling:

1. Know where your passport is at all times. Always keep it in the same 1-2 keeping places/bags. Make sure you've got it every night, every morning, when you swap your bag, and when you arrive to and leave a hotel or city. 
2. Have electronic copes of your passport handy. If, God forbid, you lose your passport you'll be better off with a copy of it handy. Take a photo of your passport and save it to your phone, iCloud, and email it to yourself. 

Passports last for ten years. I've heard that the last year is basically worthless and that you should renew yours in the year before it expires. It's easier to renew a current passport than it is to get a new one!

Get yourself a passport then ALWAYS know where it is!

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International Power Adapter

You need a  power adapter!

Before I ever traveled abroad I watched the cast of Jersey Shore go to Italy. It was all fun and games until they couldn't dry, curl, and straighten their hair because of the incompatibility of their electricity based hair tools! It was hilarious to watch on TV and horrendous to imagine for myself.

My World Traveling friend bought one for me, as a gift, before my first trip. It felt like a rite of passage and it was. 

Buying a power adapter for someone who's traveling out of the country for the first time  is a tradition that I've carried on since. I bought the same one for myself, my parents (before their first trip to Italy), and my sister-in-law (before Barcelona)!

This adapter can be used in several countries. I love the bright color because it's always easy to find in my luggage. It's got a regular plug and 2 USB ports so you can charge a few things at once. You don't want to get to THE PLACE YOU'VE BEEN WANTING TO SEE YOUR WHOLE LIFE and find out your camera is dead. 

get the power adapter

I love this little blue adapter. There are 2 USB ports on the bottom!

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Filtered Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is especially important while you're traveling. You're dealing with time changes, jet lag, different types of food, and you might be drinking alcohol. You also don't want to be paying 1 euro for water at every landmark and museum and twice that price for hotel and airport waters. You certainly don't want to  leaving a trail of plastic bottles behind you around the world. 

Getting a bottle with a filter is a great option while you're traveling from country to country and unsure about the drinking water situation. We've had several bottles over the years and the Lifestraw is our favorite. Others have broken or leaked while the Lifestraw is still going strong. 

Take your filtered bottle, empty, in your carry on or personal bag and fill it up at the airport before you depart! 

get the lifestraw bottle

My LifeStraw bottle is a life saver.

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Nail Polish Remover Pads

Especially on a long and international trip you want to look and feel your best. I buy myself a fresh bottle of nail polish and take it to the salon for a mani & pedi before I leave town. 

After a few days that manicure starts to deteriorate, yikes. Rather than roaming the earth with badly chipped nail polish or trying to find a salon or drugstore, I travel with a few of these nail polish remover wipes. Bring that fresh bottle of polish, too, for a mid-trip manicure.

These polish removing wipes are brilliant. There's no bottle or liquid to bring in your bag, no cotton balls needed, and no fuss. I'll remove my polish when needed and carry on with the adventures without missing a beat. Typically I need two wipes for all 10 fingers so pack two!

get the polish remover wipes

Remove your nail polish so easily with these bad boys (pack 2!)

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Deodorant Wipes

International travel is wild when it comes to sleeping and showering routines. You're dealing with jet lag, naps, staying up late, sleeping on trains or boats, and other shenanigans.  

You may need a refresh when you can't get to a shower and these little deodorant wipes will save the day for you and your travel buddy who's in close proximity to you! Wipe down your neck and armpits, reapply your deodorant, and you're good to go. 

I love the French lavender scent SO MUCH. If that's not for you there is a tea tree option, as well.  

get the deodorant wipes

You and your travel buddies will appreciate these deodorant wipes!

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Step Counter

Bryce's loves speculate about how much we've walked each day when we're wondering around abroad. We do a ton of exploring on foot and we're always amazed by how many steps or miles we cover! 

Use the Health app on your iPhone, a Fitbit, an Apple Watch, or some other snazzy device to track your steps while you're out and about abroad. 

See your steps on your iPhone's Health App. 13,000 steps per day in Barcelona vs 1,300 per day in my home life.

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I hope this list helps you get ready for your first or next trip abroad! 

​Staying documented, hydrated, powered up, smelling good, and looking fresh are my KEYS to successful travel. 

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