How to Travel: The Ultimate Survival Guide
Two Condé Nast Travel Editors on the travel accessories to know about before your next long or short-haul flight.
Nowadays, travelers will assert—quite contrary to the popular adage—that the destination matters more than the journey. Who can blame them? From staving off sub-zero temps on planes to packing the right adaptor, to organizing liquids in a quart-sized bag, there are lots of little details to be mindful of, even before you zip out your front door. But just because you already have a traveling and packing routine down doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from a luxurious update or two.
Condé Nast Traveler Luxury Editor and curator of the Wm. Brown Project, Matt Hranek, and Condé Nast Traveler Contributing Editor Mark Ellwood share with us their favorite items to help make your journeys, even the longest ones, a bit more graceful, comfortable, and stylish.
Given his job, Hranek has access to the most luxurious accessories on the market. But it’s this sleek and simple Dopp kit that he swears by. “It has compartmentalized zip pockets to keep stuff organized and separated,” says Hranek. “And it’s made of nylon, which makes for easy cleaning because inevitably some cream or product will explode in your Dopp kit.”
Tumi 4 Port USB Travel Adaptor
Instead of having to keep track of what kind of adaptor to pack when traveling overseas, streamline with this handy device. “This has changed my travel life,” says Hranek. “It’s small, compact, and keeps all my electronics organized in one place, which is particularly helpful in European hotels. I never travel without it.”
Unfortunately, flying makes you puff and bloat. But instead of wearing of saggy sweats, keep your look tidy with these jeans designed expressly for travel. Ellwood wears these religiously as they’re “extra, extra stretchy—which means they’re comfortable even on long-haul economy flights, so no need to change into PJs—have multiple pockets, and look sharp even without a boarding pass.”
Susanne Kaufmann Eye Gel for Men (Line M)
The dry air of planes is especially problematic for eyes, where skin is thin, fragile, and shows the first signs of fatigue. To keep his blinkers looking fresh, Hranek depends on this lightweight gel from Austrian brand Susanne Kaufmann. “It’s made of organic ingredients, and is a quick fix for long-haul flights (or boozy nights).”
Flight 001 Clear Carry-On Quart Bag
Storing liquids in a quart-sized bag is a must, so why not make your beauty and grooming products look more chic in the process? To that end, Ellwood enlists the help of these cleary carry-on bags: “They’re durable, TSA-approved, zippered, and clear for easy inspection—but far more attractive than a standard Ziploc. You’ll never be ashamed to unpack your travel lotions at the checkpoint again.”
This is an item packs a two-way punch by marrying function and style. For starters, it’ll keep you comfortable on those frigid flights. Hranek says, “A warm neck for me means warm body.” Also, it’ll lend a handsome, yet effortless touch to any outfit. “It looks great with a shirt and jacket, in lieu of a tie.”
WORDS Katie Chang
