My Travel Toolkit: Sherri Andrew
The Apps
The travel folder on my iPhone is easily my most used, thanks to the excellent apps launched in recent years that make travelling so much simpler and more enjoyable. One of the most useful is Timeshifter, which is designed to combat jet lag by regulating your circadian rhythm. I recently used it on a 15-hour flight to Japan (Tokyo is nine hours ahead of the UK) and barely experienced any jet lag. The app guides you on when to sleep, nap, avoid daylight, have caffeine, and take melatonin, among other things. At £21.99 for an annual subscription, it’s worth every penny.
Another app I use religiously is Reddit. There’s a Subreddit for practically everything, and it’s particularly useful for backpacking tips and general travel advice. Whenever I’m visiting a new destination, especially if it’s off the beaten track, I’ll find the relevant Subreddit to ask people about the useful info to know. The Step: Your World app is also great for this, with its worldwide map of recommendations curated by tastemakers and brands like Mob Kitchen and Topjaw. It’s so useful when you’re in a new city and want to find a great bar, restaurant or cultural attraction near you.
Another must is Ubigi, which provides e-sim cards around the world. It saves you having to buy a physical sim card for the country you’re in (if you don’t have overseas data roaming) and it couldn’t be easier to install. Bounce is another useful tool for leaving luggage at drop-off points (for as little as £2 per day in some places), as is Maps.Me, which allows users to download maps (cities or whole countries) so you can navigate your way around a place without the need for data or wi-fi.
I use XE for basic currency conversion, and Google Translate when I’m in non-English speaking destinations – this was a lifesaver during my trip to Guatemala last year. The app even translates photos in real time, so you needn’t worry about navigating your way around busy airports or train stations. I always look at the Resident Advisor app to see what gigs are happening in my chosen destination, and religiously document my travels in the iPhone Journal app, which lets you add text, photos, videos and more.
Keaton Dickinson/Unsplash
The Vault Stock; Jo Ann Snover/Adobe Stock
The Airport & Flight Hacks
One of my biggest pieces of travel advice is to get a credit card that allows you to collect points which can be converted to Avios (BA’s point system) or used with other airlines. Nicky Kelvin, otherwise known as The Points Guy, has a fantastic website where you can compare various cards and learn how to make your money go further. Seat Spy is another useful tool for comparing flight prices based on how many points you have with various loyalty schemes. It’s also worth finding a card or loyalty system that gives you lounge passes to use around the world. Failing that, buying a lounge pass for the day (Priority Pass has a reasonably priced system) instantly elevates your flying experience.
At the airport, a fast-track system can be a wise investment, particularly when you’re travelling with kids or at peak times. Most UK airports offer this service, and it only costs between £5 and £15pp. Also, many people don’t realise that airports have water fountains, so I always bring a collapsible bottle to fill up after passing through security. I also like to pre-order liquids to pick up there as well. The click-and-collect service at Boots is incredibly convenient. Simply order online and collect your items after security.
As for booking holidays, I use Skyscanner and Google Flights to compare airline prices. It’s also worth signing up for airline emails so you never miss a sale – for example, I just saved £400 on a flight to the Caribbean in BA’s January sale. Finally, good annual travel insurance cover is a must and will save you money in the long term. Even if you only travel two or three times a year, it could still be more cost effective than paying for individual policies. Plus, you’ll be covered for any domestic trips within the UK – people often forget to buy insurance for UK travel, but a good policy can assist with everything from hotel cancellations to lost luggage on trains.
Jo Barnes/Unsplash; Brett Sayles/Pexels; Jo Ann Snover/Adobe Stock
Slip; Vruyr Martirosyan/Unsplash
The In-Flight Essentials
Following a few long-haul trips over the past six months, I think I’ve perfected my in-flight experience. For longer flights, I now pack a fold-up foot hammock which (on most planes) can be hooked over the seat in front of you to relieve pressure from your back. It makes economy flights that bit more comfortable and helps me fall asleep. I also pack a Slip silk eye mask and a travel pillow – the wrap-around style from BCozzy is the comfiest I’ve tried and doubles up as a pillow.
Tech-wise, I like to travel with a portable Bluetooth adapter so I can use my own headphones to enjoy the in-flight entertainment. I don’t go anywhere without my wireless noise-cancelling Sony headphones, and using these with the adapter on a flight is a real game-changer. I also take a nifty phone holder for the plane (which clips onto arm rests, trays etc) as well as a Belkin wireless charger which clips onto the back of my phone case.
The 100ml liquid allowance is always a challenge (I’m excited for UK airports to drop the rule in a couple of years), so I decant my essentials into small pots. I bring Laneige’s lip mask for hydration, a Garnier Moisture Bomb sheet mask, and a small bottle of the Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier to prevent breakouts during the flight. I also pack a mini travel concealer (either the Hourglass Airbrush Concealer or the By Terry Hyaluronic Concealer) for quick touch-ups, a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, a tube of UltraSun SPF 30, and a small pack of antibacterial wipes. I love bringing hydration sachets too – Recharge Electrolytes by LMNT are my favourite.
The Packing List
For hot-weather holidays, I typically take a few linen shirts from With Nothing Underneath, as well as some linen shorts from A Day’s March. I like Farm Rio for colourful graphic tees, though most of my basics – like vests and t-shirts – are from H&M and COS. I find swimwear shopping hard, but I like ASOS’s fuller bust range, as well as Damson Madder’s swimsuits.
Everything gets folded into various packing cubes – I have a mixture of sizes from Away (although Amazon Basics do a good alternative), while shoes are popped into pocket shoe bags to save on space. I have a few cases from various brands but I love my Carl Friedrik carry-on for style, and my July carry-on for practicality – it’s smooth on the ground and has a wide handle which is super comfortable. I also rate Nere’s luggage, including its everyday holdalls, which make good gym bags.
I could write an entire feature on my holiday beauty must-haves, but one thing I never travel without is a collapsible hair diffuser. Many hotels don’t provide them, and with textured hair, it tends to get frizzy if it’s not dried properly – especially in heat or humidity. This portable diffuser attaches to any model, so my own hair dryer is one less bulky item to pack.
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