While travelling is fun, your comfort depends on how well you packed. Unlike in the 90’s when you would pack a few t-shirts and cargo shorts and call it a day, style is the theme in the minds of today’s travellers, mostly because of social media. Taking into account the need to save on space, the main goal is to pack versatile attire fit for hiking, dinner or casual events.

We know travel packing can be challenging, so here are some useful tips worth keeping in mind next time you plan to travel!

Fashion Tips for Men

If you’re going on a winter vacation or you’re travelling to a colder climate, consider packing merino travel clothing, a clever way to stay warm, be stylish and save space. Bring along a jacket, even a leather one, to add extra class to your style. If you’re off to a beach vacation, a classic and versatile piece like a linen blazer is a great idea, as this can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion. They say the shoes a man wears speak volumes about him. While travelling, the most important thing to bring is a pair of shoes that are both comfortable and stylish. Although this task might not seem easy, there are many online websites where you can find a great assortment of super chic yet very confortable shoes, like Luisaviaroma for example that has a whole section of men’s Prada shoes. For the days you want to change things up a bit, bring along a pair of loafers or better yet, espadrilles. You can walk for miles in them without straining your feet while staying classy for all planned activities. Get a portable steamer to help keep those pants and shirts wrinkle-free because let’s face it, no one wants to walk around in wrinkled clothes.

Fashion Tips for Women

Women are luckier when it comes to packing for travel, especially when going to warmer climates. A colorful dress is a staple piece that is stylish and comfy for basically any occasion: relaxing at the beach, walking around town and going to a romantic dinner. Be sure to pack mostly cotton dresses since they don’t wrinkle as easily as opposed to linen. If you love boots, you might want to pack ankle boots which are great space-savers and are comfort for outdoor activities like hiking while also looking stylish as you go club hopping. A simple plain tank top is worth packing along with a pair of fitted jeans and a flattering skirt. Tank top and jeans is perfect for outdoor activities, while for a dinner date, tuck the tank top in your skirt for a more put-together look. Always bring along a black dress, which is always great for any occasion, formal or informal. What’s more, black goes with almost every other fashionable outfit, be it a blazer, cardigan, scarf or other signature accessory. For footwear, pack low-heeled shoes that range from elegant sneakers to some simple flats since you need the comfort without compromising on style.

Although most travellers tend to ignore the importance of style while packing, it’s worth considering if you want beautiful pictures. Moreover, when you look good, you feel good!

A long summer road trip is a great way to explore and enjoy the warm weather. However, sitting in the car for long periods can cause joint stiffness and poor circulation. Here are a few tips for staying comfortable on the road.

1. Plan your stops. Before you hit the road, plan rest stops at various points of interest. This will allow you to take a short walk and stretch your legs while enjoying new sights.

2. Drink plenty of water. People often drink as little water as possible to avoid pit stops. However, this increases your chances of becoming dehydrated. When dehydrated, your body stores energy by decreasing blood circulation. Make sure to sip on water regularly.

3. Perform simple exercises. If your legs start to feel achy and pulling over isn’t an option, flex your feet, wiggle your legs, or do some sitting calf raises to encourage healthy blood flow and prevent blood clots.

4. Wear loose-fitting clothes. Tight-fitting clothes like skinny jeans and leggings can restrict blood flow to your legs. It’s best to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing while on the road for several hours.

5. Invest in compression garments. Purchase medical-grade compression garments, like socks or stockings, to assist with circulation while sitting. Talk to your doctor about medication options if you’re at risk for blood clots.

Stay safe and enjoy yourself this summer!

While on vacation or a work trip, it is crucial to take extra care of your eyes

Travelling involves long days and could include flights or road trips, which could strain your eyes. Therefore, taking extra care of your eye health while travelling is imperative. For this reason, we contacted leading health experts to learn about easy ways to care for your eyes while travelling. Please note that these are general recommendations. If you have any pre-existing eye conditions, speak to a healthcare professional before your trip; if you experience persistent eye discomfort while on your trip, it is best to seek medical attention. Here are 7 simple ways to protect your eyes while travelling.

Eye health: 7 expert tips to protect your eyes while travelling

Take Breaks from Gadgets

While on your trip, be mindful of the time you spend in front of a screen. “Prioritise your eye health while travelling by observing the 20-20-20 rule and taking regular breaks from digital gadgets. Look away from the screen every 20 minutes and concentrate for 20 seconds on anything 20 feet away. This keeps your eyes rejuvenated and lessens eye strain,” says Prateek Kumar, fitness expert, nutritionist, and founder of FitCru.

Also, be aware of where you are using your gadgets. “A big no to watching gadgets in a moving vehicle, especially on a road trip or a train. Focusing the eyes on the constantly moving gadgets due to the jerks puts extreme stress on the eyes. Additionally, on long-distance road trips, drivers can suffer from ‘highway hypnosis,’ which can prove fatal. Taking breaks every two hours, washing your eyes with plain cold water, and keeping yourself hydrated with plenty of fluids are the proven ways to care for the eyes,” adds Dr. Pramod Mane, wellbeing director – of SOM wellbeing at Woods At Sasan.

Hydrate

While on the move, drink plenty of water for the eye and overall health. “Often during travel, our water intake goes drastically down as we are out and about. This can often lead to dehydration, affecting your eyes’ moisture levels. Drinking enough water helps support the production of tears, ensuring that your eyes stay properly lubricated and protected. So consciously drink plenty of water throughout your journey to reduce the risk of dryness, discomfort, and irritation,” states Nyela Kapadia, fitness expert, founder of WWN, and co-founder of Intermittent Fasting Mindful Living.

Wear Sunglasses

While outdoors during the day, make it a point to wear sunglasses. “Wear broad and large sunglasses that completely filter UVA and UVB radiation to save your eyes from damaging UV rays,” remarks Dr. Manoj Kutteri, medical director of Atmantan Wellness Centre.

Furthermore, when swimming, wear goggles to protect your eyes. “Sunglasses help minimise glare from bright sunlight, making it easier to see and reducing eye strain. When travelling, it is also an excellent idea to bring a pair of swimming goggles to engage in water activities, protecting your eyes from potential irritants, chemicals, or microorganisms present in the water,” adds Dr. Arun Suraj, Ayurveda doctor and wellness head at Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra.

Manage Contact Lenses Usage

Before embarking on a long flight, wear your glasses instead of your contact lenses. “To safeguard the well-being of your eyes and maintain optimal vision, it is crucial to prioritise eye care while travelling. Whether embarking on a thrilling adventure or relaxing on a beach getaway, taking special care of your eyes should be your top priority. Extended travel, especially in dry environments like aeroplanes, can lead to dry and uncomfortable eyes. Contact lenses can exacerbate this dryness and cause discomfort or irritation. It is a good idea to use moisturising eye drops made especially for those who wear contact lenses or to switch to eyeglasses for flights,” states Dr. Arun Suraj.

Be Hygienic

Not touching your eyes with dirty hands is good advice, even when you’re not travelling. “Clean your hands before handling contact lenses or your eyes. Make sure your hands are clean and dry. This will lessen the chance of eye infections and help stop the transmission of germs,” adds Dr. Manoj Kutteri.

Wash Your Eyes Frequently

If you are driving on your trip, remember to take breaks often to rest your eyes. “Remember to rinse your eyes often with cold water while driving. Take breaks to rest your eyes and wash your eyes with cold water to keep them cool and revitalised while driving,” concludes Dr Arun Suraj.

Get Adequate Rest

Travelling could include tiring days that can strain your eyes. Ensure you are getting adequate sleep at night, and if you have a long flight or road journey, try to take a nap to rest your eyes.

Lost bags can take days or even weeks to locate again, but following some simple steps could reduce the risk of them getting misplaced.

There’s nothing more exciting than that first step off the plane when you arrive in a different country – arguably one of the best things about a holiday.

But things can get stressful very quickly if you arrive at the dreaded baggage carousel only to find that your luggage hasn’t quite found its way to you.

Lost bags can take days or even weeks to find again, and it can put a real sour mood on your holiday. But there are certain things holidaymakers can do to reduce the risk of luggage being misplaced.

Travel whizz Anthony Collias, co-founder of luggage storage service Stasher, said: “Despite taking every precaution, luggage can occasionally go astray,”

“Ensure you’re covered with suitable travel insurance that includes provision for lost or delayed luggage.”

He also recommends keeping valuable items in your hand luggage: “This includes crucial documents, money, jewellery, electronic devices and medications.”

And if you’re travelling with others, consider dividing your belongings between your bags: “This means that if one bag gets lost or delayed, both of you will still have access to some of your items.”

Here are Anthony’s tips for the best chances of keeping your luggage safe on holiday.

Tag your bags

You should always make sure to have current ID tags on your luggage, as well as the tags the airline gives you at check-in.

“These should detail your name, mobile number, and email address,” Anthony said.

“For security reasons, it’s best to leave off your home address.”

Attach a tracker

Electronic tags such as the Apple AirTag, Tile and DynoTag are really popular at the moment. Starting from around £15, they help provide travellers with peace of mind.

“These devices, utilising GPS or Bluetooth technology, enable you to keep track of your bag’s location,” Anthony explained.

“Through a mobile app you can conveniently track your luggage with real-time updates.”

Take photos

It’s worth snapping a picture of your bags prior to checking them in for your flight, as it could help to identify them if lost.

“These pictures can prove invaluable if your luggage is misplaced and you need to describe it to the airline or insurance firms,” said Anthony.

Stand out from the crowd

Brightly coloured or distinctive bags aren’t just for making a fashion statement – they serve a useful purpose.

“It simplifies the task of identifying your bag on the carousel and minimises the risk of another passenger mistakenly picking it up,” said Anthony.

But try to avoid designer bags covered in logos, as these can be targeted by thieves.

Check in early

One of the reasons bags don’t make it to the right destination is because they don’t make it into the airplane hold on time.

“Endeavour to check in your luggage as early as you can,” Anthony suggested.

“This provides airline staff with ample time to load your bags onto the aircraft.”

Choose direct flights

To really reduce the risk of misplaced luggage, try avoid booking flights with stopovers.

Anthony said: “Where feasible, select direct flights to minimise the risk of your luggage being misplaced or delayed during transfers.”