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10 essential items that you should bring from home on your next travel

General

Image: Mesut Kaya

Image: Mesut Kaya

To pack or not to pack?

10 essential items that you should bring from home on your next travel

Most packing advice usually focuses on what you should not bring from home, but it is also important to consider which everyday essentials you should pack when traveling abroad. What is considered normal and easily accessible for you and those around you might not be available in other places, or it might be different from what you are used to.

So before immersing yourself in a new culture, it is worth checking whether these everyday items are easy to come by at your destination, or whether carrying them with you will save you a headache later on.

You might have never considered this, but did you know that medications that are sold over the counter in the United States sometimes require a prescription in other countries? Analgesics, antihistamines, sleep aids such as melatonin, or cold medicines are some of the things that might be trickier to come by abroad. If you consider any of these essentials, it might be worth bringing them from home.

Deodorant is sold worldwide, but this doesn’t mean it will work for you. Not all deodorants are formulated in the same way. Some regions, such as the European Union, have regulations that restrict the use of certain ingredients in personal deodorants, which changes the formula and the strength, even if it's the same brand you know. In other countries—Japan, for example—people tend to have a less noticeable body odor due to their genetic makeup, which means that deodorants are often formulated to be milder.

This item might seem less important and easier to find, but do you really want to be looking up how to say "stain remover" in a different language because you got sauce on your favorite shirt? It’s more about convenience than about a real need, but stains and accidents are bound to happen when you least expect them.

What is considered an acceptable volume level definitely varies across cultures; some welcome bustle and noise, while others have stricter social rules about it. Noise-cancelling headphones are useful in both situations: if you are somewhere extremely loud, they will make it less overwhelming. If you are somewhere where loudness in public is frowned upon, headphones are a must for using your phone or listening to music.

Adapters are among the items most often forgotten by international travelers. Did you know that there are 15 different types of plug sockets used around the world? And this does not account for the differences in voltage. This means that even if your electronics’ plug matches the socket, the voltage difference might cause issues. Plug adapters are generally easy to find, but having your own from the get-go will help you avoid complications.

Much like over-the-counter medications, there is no guarantee that your personal prescription will be available abroad, even if you have travel insurance. Some medications might not be available at all, while others might be restricted. If you rely on medication regularly, it is extremely important not only to check your destination’s regulations regarding it, but also to make sure that you are carrying enough with you.

There’s water everywhere, so why is a bottle a must? While a water bottle is not an essential, water definitely is. You can always buy bottled water if needed, but having a reliable water bottle with you will save you money, reduce waste, and keep the water cold for longer.

In the same line as deodorant, bug spray varies around the world, and so do insects. Locals at your destination may be used to them or have a lower risk of an adverse reaction, but there is no guarantee that this will be the case for you. If you are traveling somewhere where insects are abundant, carrying a strong insect repellent with you is never a bad idea.

Another commonly forgotten item, a portable charger, is always a good idea, even more so if you take into account the differences in plug sockets mentioned earlier, which might make it difficult to charge your electronic devices with your usual charger.

Is lip balm an essential? Many might think it isn’t, until they find themselves with chapped lips in the middle of nowhere. For those who do deem it a key item, once they find the lip balm that works for them, nothing else will do. So, do your future self a favor and remember to put the lip balm in your bag.

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If you had to pick one beach per US state, would you pick one of these?

Geography

Image: Ken Cheung

Image: Ken Cheung

America by the sea

Can you guess the most visited beach in these 10 states?

Think of any US state. Now picture its most famous beach. Can you? Is it the one with the postcard views? The one everyone talks about? Below is the list of the most popular or most visited beaches per state. Let’s see if you guessed them and which one you most want to visit!

Image: Matthew LeJune

A must: This is California beach culture in its most iconic form. Wide sand, endless people-watching, and the famous Santa Monica Pier stretching into the Pacific. Of course, it’s most people’s main pick!

Image: Pixabay

Florida is not short of popular beaches! But there is one to which visitors flock the most, and this is it. On Florida’s Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach is all about the sand. Soft, white, almost powdery, paired with calm, shallow water.

People rave about how clean and family-friendly it feels, and how the sunsets manage to steal the spotlight every night.

Image: Jess Loiterton

Hawaii certainly has endless beaches to brag about! But, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, Waikiki seems to be the gem.

Palm trees, soft sand, and Diamond Head watching quietly from the background. You can swim in the morning, shop in the afternoon, and watch surfers glide past at sunset.

Image: High Tide Content

Myrtle Beach, in South Carolina, is beloved because it gives you everything. Miles of sand, lively boardwalks, shows, restaurants, and nonstop activity. Visitors come for the energy, the affordability, and the feeling that summer never ends.

Image: Elizabeth Liebenberg

Virginia Beach is the crown jewel of Virginia’s coastline. This beach knows how to welcome people: a long boardwalk, calm surf, and a clean, well-kept shoreline.

Visitors often mention how easy it is to enjoy, whether you’re biking, swimming, or just sitting back with the ocean in front of you.

Image: Romain Briaux

Along the New Jersey coast, Wildwood Beach is famous for its sheer size. Huge, free beaches paired with a boardwalk full of retro charm. That’s key here! People love the nostalgic energy, the rides, the lights.

Image: Tangie Bodden

Nags Head captures the soul of the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Wide beaches, rolling dunes, and a slower pace that people instantly fall into. If you visit, you’ll love the sense of space and simplicity, where mornings start with ocean breezes and end under star-filled skies.

Image: Tristan Fox

Gulf Shores, in Alabama, surprises first-timers every time! The sand is brilliantly white, the water is warm, and the vibe is friendly and relaxed.

Image: Leon Wu

Of course, Cannon Beach is one of Oregon’s most recognizable spots. That’s thanks to Haystack Rock, rising straight out of the sand like a monument. A moody beauty, from foggy mornings, dramatic tides, to a peaceful atmosphere that feels almost meditative.

Image: Anthony Camerlo

This beach feels endless… It’s the longest drivable beach in the world! Stretching for miles along the Washington coast, Long Beach is all about open horizons and fresh air. People love flying kites here, walking for hours, and feeling wonderfully small next to the Pacific.