Ready to Roll: Travel Necessities for 2022

Before you even pack your suitcase–or just before you leave your home for the airport–what are the first or last essentials you know you simply must have with you? Do you have a ritual or routine?

Come to the MV Travel Hub on Facebook and let us know! https://www.facebook.com/group...

My routine: I wear a long, loose knit dress that may as well be a nightgown. Once on board my flight, I put on some warm, thick socks and settle down into the semidarkness as soon as possible with a movie. As I am finishing my dinner (accompanied by a half glass of wine and plenty of water), I take a single melatonin tablet and half a Benadryl.

That's when the physical items come out. 

The first is a ridiculous-looking inflatable Travelrest Ultimate pillow. The usual types of neck-encircling padded blobs don't fit my physique. I can’t explain how this bizarre comma/banana shape works better for me, but I love it. And it’s easily stored when deflated, rolling up like a croissant.
https://www.travelrest.net/products/travelrest-travel-pillow

The second is my sleep mask. I swear by my Bucky’s 40 Blinks for aiding with sleep on a plane, as well as for for adjusting to jet lag on land. The concave shape means there’s no pressure on your eyes, and the generous size means you can get a nice blackout effect. (There are several Bucky’s masks but 40 Blinks is the best.)
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/148FDA20-FC50-4D8F-8CAB-ED9155A376F5?ingress=2&visitId=f2565357-209b-4eff-8fb3-21fa2bae3026&ref_=ast_bln

A hardcore but soft-sided carry-on bag

I am often asked about luggage. The older I get, the less I want to carry. This was really hard adjustment for me because it means I can't carry a hatbox!!! 

I recently replaced my 20-year-old, almost-exhausted but perfectly-designed Atlantic bag with a pretty awesome and super-tough TravelPro Crew Expert Max carryon bag. It has tons of features (similar to my older bag) intended to withstand a lot of abuse. The 22" size is fine for most US carriers; if you usually fly foreign carriers you may want the smaller one.  https://travelpro.com/collecti...

Leak-proof toiletry containers

I love these Nalgene products from the Container Store. I've used them for years and have never had a leak (knock on wood). https://www.containerstore.com...

Special necessities for now

My go-to masks are Korean Health Ministry certified K-94 Vogmasks, with Nelson Labs testing showing their viral and bacterial filtration at >99.9%. They are extremely comfortable and fit me so well that my glasses never even fog up. They come in five or six sizes so you can measure your face to find the one that will fit best. Your experience may be different, but I swear by these masks. There's a 25% discount until the end of the month so I'll probably pick up several more this week. I travel with two or three so I can hand wash them or clean with alcohol occasionally. https://www.vogmask.com/pages/...

If you're planning to self-test before your return to the US, the most important accessory of all is a proctored test kit: https://www.emed.com/products/...

Last but not least, Sherpa is a great resource for checking entry requirements at your destination. https://apply.joinsherpa.com/t...

(And don't forget your proof of vaccine!) 

How about you? Join the discussion at  https://www.facebook.com/group...

Updates on Mon Voyage Small Group Trips for 2022 and early 2023:

• The November trip to Mexico City sold out in less than 48 hours! Remember, if you want first crack at a trip, you need to express interest in it. My first announcement always goes to clients who have (figuratively) raised their hands when I have mentioned the trip in the past. This trip sold out because the people on that trip's "insiders list" spoke up beforehand and stepped up immediately when the brochure was released.

• One space has been made available for the private barge charter in Holland this May, during the spring blooming season. No more than six clients can participate in this trip so it will make for a great "bubble." This spot would be for a female roommate of a longstanding client. 

• I have reopened booking for the July opera trip to Verona and Milan but will accept reservations only through Friday, January 28th.

• Space is still available on the artist-escorted Seine River cruise in Normandy and Paris for late August 2022. This is a wonderful, engaging itinerary filled with art and history. Contact me for details and current promotions.

• Stay tuned for the launch of A Celebration of Classical Music on the Danube. We will enjoy the inaugural sailing of this brand new AmaWaterways itinerary in March 2023. Add a pre-trip extension in Krakow before we embark in Budapest, and enjoy a post-trip extension in Vienna with music-focused activities, Wiener Staatsoper performance, and more. If you want to be on the "first dibs" mailing, let me know.

FIT (individual/private) trips for Fall 2022 and beyond: 

Revenge travel is real. Act early to avoid higher "skip the line" planning fees!