As always, fail to plan and plan to fail. As exciting as traveling through Europe’s beautiful countries is, prepping beforehand and organising the essentials can ensure a getaway that’s filled with happy memories and not unwanted surprises. These must-have travel items will leave you stylish, safe and feeling more in control of the adventure too
Why a VPN is the perfect travel accessory
Forget your favourite pair of sandals or evening dress. When it comes to staying connected during a trip abroad, having 24/7 access to your emails, online banking and other important services is a must. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a must-have accessory for anyone traveling for work or pleasure, particularly for international travel. A VPN helps you mask your IP address with an easy setup, thus protecting your private information and making accessing your accounts more seamless.
Without a reliable VPN, your European trip may lead to being blocked from your bank account, unable to access work emails or locked out of other important platforms – leaving the ‘dream holiday’ filled with unwanted stress or worse, entirely derailed. Plus, there’s the added bonus of being able to stream your favourite shows no matter where you are in the world. Trying a vpn free trial can be an excellent way to discover its many benefits before committing long-term too.
For additional peace of mind, using a VPN also helps to keep your personal information and credit card details scrambled from malicious potential hackers on hotel and airport public Wi-Fi networks. It works by using encryption so hackers can’t make sense of your data, leaving your personal information safer and tightly secure.
Ensure you’ve downloaded the essential apps
Never simply assume there will be easily accessible or free wifi when you step off the plane, train or boat in Europe for downloading apps on the go. Ensure that you have downloaded any essential apps for getting around beforehand – whether that’s for navigating, translating, transport or sorting accommodation.
Having the essentials downloaded before your departure will reduce stress throughout your trip and save you scrambling for additional data or storage space. Useful apps to consider could include Google Maps, Booking.com, Whatsapp and Uber.
If you’re traveling for a more active holiday with excursions that involve hiking, cycling or running, it’s worth considering fitness apps such as Strava or Komoot for route mapping too.
Depending on your destination, research any useful local apps beforehand too for an added bonus – you might discover a new favourite restaurant or transport style this way too. Use your devices to keep up with fun local event listings, museum guides, and performances. For real-time updates and the latest happenings, follow tourism boards directly on social media.
Seek out day-to-night wear
When visiting multiple destinations within one trip, there’s certainly one thing that can cause hindrance – suitcase space. Regardless of whether you’ve opted for a checked-in bag or limited hand baggage, investing in high quality day-to-wear night wear makes for a versatile wardrobe that saves packing space and leaves you feeling comfortable whether you’re at the breakfast buffet or bar.
The ideal day-to-night travel outfits feature wrinkle-resistant fabrics, breathable layers, and pieces you can easily mix and match, such as tailored trousers and a little black dress. Put fluid silhouettes, comfortable fits, and a neutral base first, pairing well-fitting basics with smarter layers like a blazer or pashmina to instantly elevate your look from casual transit to more glamorous evening dining.
Don’t forget a universal adapter
A non-negotiable when it comes to traveling this summer, a universal adapter allows you to safely connect your devices to conflicting power outlets. When visiting multiple countries across Europe, they eliminate the need for multiple single-country plugs whilst providing multi-device charging for modern devices.
As the majority of mainland Europe uses different prong variations to the UK, a universal adapter covers all the different types with one single versatile solution – with many modern options allowing for multiple charging points and ports too. Lightweight and easy to transport, a compact universal adapter will also save valuable carry-on space.
Invest in sturdy footwear
Visiting a new country often involves plenty of strolling and walking from place to place, especially when exploring larger cities or national parks. Investing in a pair of high quality footwear goes a long way – and will save you from unwanted blisters or swollen feet. As most European countries tend to heat up in the summer months, choosing an excellent pair of walking sandals or trainers will help you get around comfortably.
We highly recommend KEEN’s UNEEK sneaker – this clever shoe adapts to your feet for the perfect fit, with free-moving cords that provide freedom of movement, security, and structure for mile after mile. The Mimosa 3 colourway is particularly chic.
To conclude
As always, fail to plan and plan to fail. As exciting as traveling through Europe is, prepping beforehand and organising the correct travel accessories can ensure a successful getaway that’s filled with cherished memories and not unwanted negative surprises. Whether tech-based or packed straight into the suitcase, these must-have items will leave you stylish, safe and always in control of the adventure too.
