C'est le Brie

Essential Travel Tips for Planning Your Own Trip without using a Travel Agent – Portugal Edition!

Published on August 28, 2025 by C'est le BrieLeave a comment

I’m not sure how it happened, but at some point my sister and I became the designated travel agents for all of our friends and family. And no, we don’t do it professionally! We just love traveling, we love researching, and we love having memorable and easygoing travel experiences. Ever since our summer abroad in Paris when we were in high school and college, we’ve slowly learned a thing or two about being abroad. It’s always a little overwhelming in the beginning of planning a trip. Flights, hotels, rental cars, day trips, restaurants… it’s a lot to think about it. But if you just focus on one thing at a time, the rest will fall into place. I also wrote this list in the order that I follow throughout the booking process. 🙂 I hope it helps simplify your travel planning!

FLIGHTS

I always start with booking my flight first. It just feels like the “biggest” thing to get out of the way – figuring out the dates! Plus, the plane ticket is usually the largest and most expensive part of traveling so I like to make sure I get the best deal on the plane tickets first and foremost. I typically try to research flight prices on Mondays-Wednesdays when the tickets are usually the cheapest. It’s also helpful to book at 6-8 weeks out for domestic flights and 2-6 months out for international flights. Though, if you’re dates are flexible, I recommend watching the flight prices for a few days (or weeks if you have the time) before making your purchase. I tend to use Booking.com most of the time because it’s easy to find the cheapest flights with their search engine and they offer mix-and-match flights from multiple airlines. Oftentimes, booking directly with an airline site is more expensive. Just make sure to read their refund process because it’s usually different for each airline, even when you book through Booking.com. I tend to do way too much research when it comes to booking flights because I’m always looking for the one with the least amount of layovers for the best price. Yes, sometimes I’ll even make spreadsheets and charts before purchasing… but that’s probably overkill. 🙂 I booked our Portugal trip for 10 days. I always find this to be a good timeline if you’re going to be traveling between two-three cities. And honestly, 10 days wasn’t even enough for Portugal! In Japan, we were there for about 11 days, which felt just about perfect. If you’re spending all of this money on plane tickets, you might as well make it worth your while! And remember, you only live once!

HOTELS

Okay, so you finally pulled the trigger and booked a flight! Yay! After I book a flight, I usually take a few days off to let my brain recharge. Hotel research is a whole other beast. BUT! Booking.com actually offers package deals that include flights and hotels, which makes it even easier! I usually do my initial research on Booking.com and then make sure to read a few reviews on each hotel on Google too before officially deciding. If you’re traveling to Portugal, make sure to check out my blog post – Cute and Affordable Hotels in Porto and Lisbon – for recommendations! I’ve learned the hard way to keep the hotels to a minimum. Meaning, stay in the same hotel for as many nights as possible and avoid switching hotels if you can. It’s such a pain dealing with check-in/check-out times and dragging suitcases down the street and on public transportation. TRUST ME. I recommend only one hotel per city. In many cases, you can take day-trips out of major cities to see landmarks and use your hotel as a home base for the majority of your trip. Also, I definitely recommend reading some travel blogs or reddit posts about the best areas for visitors to stay in for the city you are visiting. You’d be surprised how many people have already done the research for you! Reddit is a lifesaver, in case you haven’t discovered it yet. I use it all the time! You can usually figure out how convenient a hotel is by reading the reviews as well. In Europe, I tend to like hotels that are located near the river, as most European cities were built around waterways. In Porto, I’d recommend the Ribeira and Baixa areas. In Lisbon, we stayed in the Chiado area!

TRANSPORTATION

Booking transportation can be the most stressful part of planning a trip – trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B in a foreign country. Honestly, I just read other people’s travel blogs! After doing a bit of research, I figured out that Omio is one of the easiest ways to book bus and train tickets in Portugal. They have a super easy to use phone app, so just make sure to download it before you go! I booked our train ticket from Porto to Lisbon on the app before we left but I’ve read that you can book train tickets on Omio even on the day of your train ride. You can also book buses and ferries on Omio, all over Europe. It’s a super helpful app! For rental cars, you can also use Booking.com. They always have super competitive rates!

EXPERIENCES AND DAY TRIPS

This is the fun part! What do you want to do while you’re there?! Booking day trips and experiences are the best way to get to know a new country. You can do food tours, ghost tours, boat rides, entertainment, wine tastings, etc. The list goes on and on! I prefer to use Viator for this kind of thing because the experiences usually have a lot of reviews from previous travelers. Sometimes there are multiple versions of the same type of excursion but the schedule of the day is different. They do this so that tour groups don’t run into each other. For example, the Douro Valley Wine Tour with River Cruise that I booked in Portugal had a few different options. You could either do the tour that included two vineyard visits and a boat ride OR a tour that included three vineyard visits without a boat ride. We also did a 3 Hour Food & Wine Tour in Porto, Portugal that we loved – you can read more about it on the blog here! These kinds of tours are typically great for older travelers too because everything is pre-planned and you can choose the tour that works for your accessibility. I try to book at least 2-3 tours/excursions for each trip we take. The tour guides are usually super friendly and willing to share information about their culture and country. You might even find that you make friends through your tour group that you keep up with throughout your travels. And maybe even friends for life!

RESTAURANTS AND FOOD OPTIONS

This can often be the most stressful part of a trip when you’re exhausted, lost, jet-lagged, or starving. Every country is different, which is why I make sure to create a list of restaurant ideas before we even leave for our trip. I make sure to pick restaurants that are close to our hotel for those nights when our feet are throbbing and we just want to hang out in our temporary neighborhood. You can also create your own map using Google My Maps, which is an incredible tool. You can add the restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, landmarks, and anything else you’re planning to do to your map so you can see how far away everything is from each other. Make sure to download your map to make it accessible offline just in case you don’t have wifi or service at some point during your trip.

OTHER TRAVEL TIPS

-Bring a charged power bank with you everywhere. Your phone will die FAST when you’re using it all day for maps, directions, restaurant research, etc.

-Bring a camera! As a photographer, I often bring multiple cameras, but a camera like the Canon G7X Mark II is great for travel because the images are beautiful but the camera itself is super easy to use. You can read more about this camera on my photography blog here! Plus, it’s a tiny point and shoot camera and can fit in your pocket!

-Invest in a rolling suitcase with spinner wheels. These are SO much better than the old school suitcases that you have to drag behind you. It makes the airport experience a million times better, believe me!

-GET AIRTAGS FOR YOUR LUGGAGE! I’ve heard so many nightmare stories about lost luggage. Airtags allow you to track your luggage throughout your trip. Even if you just accidentally leave your suitcase outside of the elevator at your hotel. Airtags are truly amazing. I use them for everything in my life now. Plus, it’s kind of fun to watch your suitcase travel along with you from airport to airport.

I’ll be sure to add more tips as they come to me, but for now, I hope these tips help you in your planning process! Feel free to leave any comments/questions below!

Happy traveling!
❤ Myles Katherine

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Cute and Affordable Hotels in Porto and Lisbon, Portugal – Travel Tips for Couples on a Budget

Published on August 28, 2025March 20, 2026 by C'est le Brie3 Comments

I LOVE a good hotel deal. Especially when I’m planning a long trip and I don’t want the majority of my expenses to be a room that I hardly spend any time in. I always have the intention to lay around in the hotel room and sit on the balcony sipping my coffee, but it never really seems to happen. There’s just always too much to do and see outside of my doorstep! But… I do like to have the option to lounge or sip my coffee with a beautiful view. You just never know! 🙂 That’s why I spend a LOT of time researching our hotels before our trips. I read tons of reviews on multiple websites and I scour the internet for discounts and deals. I’m here to save you a bit of that trouble and tell you about the adorable and affordable hotels we stayed in on our recent trip to Portugal! It would simply be unfair of me to keep them a secret! Below, I’ve included our 4 favorite hotels that we stayed in throughout our 10 day trip to Porto and Lisbon.

1. MEMORIA PORTO FLH HOTEL: My absolute favorite hotel in Porto was the Memoria Porto FLH Hotel. I KNEW it was going to be perfect as soon as I stumbled across it because the photos looked incredible. And honestly, it totally lived up to the hype. As with most European hotels, the room wasn’t enormous, but it was super duper clean and we were greeted with a glass of Port after a LONG journey from the United States. It was quiet and peaceful with a lovely view of the river. It was located right next to the gorgeous and historic Church of Saint Francis and was walkable to pretty much everything we did in the city. Just be ready to get a WORKOUT in Porto. The hills are no joke. But I felt so fit and toned when I got home! Make sure to check out Curioso cocktail bar – it’s walkable from the hotel and was home to the best cocktails we had in Porto.

Also, if you’re going to be in Porto for a few days, I definitely recommend this Douro Valley Wine Tour and this 3-Hour Food & Wine Tour. We had the BEST time of both of these tours and our guides were incredible! You can read more about the Douro Valley wine tour on our blog here or the 3-hour food and wine tour here! It’s just an absolute necessity to drink Port while you’re in Porto!

(This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links.)

Front Entrance of Memoria Porto FLH Hotel

Basic Twin Room

Private Bathroom

Breakfast Area

Cute Entryway

The Port we received upon arrival and the view from the front entrance of the hotel

Beautiful Park Super Close to the Hotel

Church of Saint Francis

2. ACTA THE CLOVER IN PORTO – We only stayed one night at the Acta the Clover but it was so so lovely. We had a large balcony looking over the city and we left the windows open all night long. Our room was facing away from the train station so it was quiet and peaceful. And it’s located super close to the Trinidade metro/train station which is one of the main stations in the city. It felt very fancy, especially the service we received at the front desk. They even had fruit-infused water in the lobby which I always appreciate, especially in Europe. Once again, it’s a pretty small room but that’s just typical of Europe, especially if you’re traveling on a budget. For me though, I care about cleanliness and comfort, and this room was everything we needed. My husband and I argued over whether this hotel was nicer than the Memoria Porto but I think that just shows that they were both amazing!

Double Room

Balcony View

In-room Coffee Bar

3. HOTEL PORTO INTERFACE TRINIDADE BY KAVIA IN PORTO – The Hotel Porto Interface Trinidade was probably the least nice of the three hotels we stayed in in Porto, but it was probably the most convenient. It’s literally right across the street from the major Trinidade train station. You just walk across the street and you’re there. So if you’re short on time and want to stay close to transportation, this is a great option. It was quite loud, even with the windows closed but I don’t mind sleeping with earbuds in. I’ve gotten used to traveling with them though, so it’s not a big deal for me as long as I have those. My husband, however, can sleep through anything so he didn’t even notice. The hotel overall was very clean though and I like that you needed the key card to get in through the front door. It made it feel safer, especially being right across from the train station. It’s a very busy area near lots of shopping and major sites, but it did feel a bit crowded. I preferred the quiet area near Memoria Porto, but my husband liked being closer to the inner part of the city. Once again, it’s pretty small. Don’t do what I did and bring a giant American suitcase with you because it won’t fit anywhere in Europe. You would think I’d learn my lesson by now, but I still haven’t…. I just like to bring all of my cute outfits!! I forgot to take photos before we’d already settled in with our suitcases, so just ignore all of our stuff everywhere. 🙂

Double Room

Private Bathroom

4. BOUTIQUE CHIADO APARTMENTS AND SUITES IN LISBON – The Boutique Chiado Apartments and Suites was my husband’s favorite of the 4 hotels. And thinking back on it now, it was definitely the biggest and most comfortable of them all, especially for an extended stay. It was like a little home away from home. It had a large living room area, a mini kitchen and a separate area for the bedroom. It was absolutely gorgeous and in a great location. The Chiado area has a lot of great restaurants and coffee shops, and is just a short walk to a huge bar scene area if that’s more your vibe. If we ever go back to Lisbon, I will definitely book this hotel again, no question. It was incredibly affordable and we appreciated the extra space, for sure.

Also, just as a quick travel tip, we used Omio to book our train travel between Porto and Lisbon. It took me a while to figure out the best way to book train travel from the US while we were planning. This was by far the easiest and least confusing option. They have a cute and fun app you can use, and the tickets are super affordable. You can find tickets from Porto to Lisbon here!

Hotel Entrance

Double/twin Room Deluxe

Private Bathroom

View from the Living Area

Hotel Entrance

We had such an incredible time in Portugal and the hotels make such a big difference. My family always reaches out to me for hotel recommendations because I love saving money where I can but I’m also not willing to give up my comfort and safety. All of these hotel rooms are perfect for a traveling couple on a budget. I hope this information helps you in your trip planning!

WHERE TO BOOK:

MEMORIA PORTO FLH HOTEL on Expedia.com

ACTA THE CLOVER IN PORTO on Expedia.com

HOTEL PORTO INTERFACE TRINIDADE BY KAVIA IN PORTO on Expedia.com

BOUTIQUE CHIADO APARTMENTS AND SUITES on Expedia.com

TRAIN TRAVEL RECOMMENDATION:

OMIO

Happy travels!

❤ Myles Katherine

First Time in Istanbul? 10 Must-See Attractions You Can’t Miss

Published on July 13, 2025February 28, 2026 by C'est le Brie4 Comments

Top 10 Things in Istanbul, Turkiye

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Istanbul is truly a unique city. It offers decadent food, stunning architecture, and a rich, historic culture. It’s an easy city to just wander the neighborhoods and take in the sights, smells, and sounds. This is why I would recommend not over-planning a trip there, but instead allowing yourself to get lost in the city. The views from around the city are truly breathtaking, and there is just so much to see and do. But, if you’re type A like we are, I highly advise having a list of places you want to see and then centering your explorations around those landmarks! Below is a list of my top ten must-do recommendations for this awesome city!

I was in Istanbul for work and stayed at the Sheraton Istanbul City Center. It was a great venue for my work conference, had comfortable rooms, and a lovely breakfast buffet with a variety of wonderful Turkish dishes. The best part was that the hotel offered a free shuttle that took us straight to Taksim Square (see #4) for sightseeing, people-watching, and plenty of shopping! The Sheraton also provided some nice treats in the room when I arrived!

And if you’re interested on catching up on Istanbul’s history, I read a non-fiction book about the city called Istanbul: City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World that helped me understand the city’s history before my trip.

Bosphorus Strait Cruise

I always love to travel to cities with beautiful rivers or bodies of water flowing through them. Istanbul might just be the most ideal spot for water views! I wrote a review about the GetYourGuide Istanbul: Bosphorus and Black Sea Cruise with Lunch in Istanbul, and I absolutely recommend it! A cruise like this lets you put your feet up and just enjoy the majestic beauty of Istanbul and the Bosphorus Strait.

2. Explore Ortakoy Mosque and have dinner with views at Banyan

This corner of Istanbul may just be my favorite. The Ortakoy Mosque (also known as Büyük Mecidiye Mosque) has stunning views of the Bosphorus, and the sights feel like they are out of a movie. There are so many great photo opportunities, and I just loved being right on the water! After exploring the mosque, my mom and I had dinner and drinks at Banyan. It’s a restaurant perched on the water with stunning sunset views and delicious food. We were able to watch the boats drift by in the water and relax over some nice cocktails.

3. Basilica Cistern Tour

This Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Fast-Track Entry and Audio Guide Tour was unexpected, but so much fun. It was a bit eerie because it is underground and quite dark, but there were so many beautiful sculptures and breathtaking architecture. The atmosphere is what makes it such a unique and surprising activity! My mom and I loved taking photos down here and watching as the lights changed color on the columns and water reflection. The highlight is definitely the Medusa sculptures in two of the columns – be sure not to miss this!

The ancient cisterns are just 150 meters from the Hagia Sophia, making it an easy pitstop while sightseeing and should only take an hour or less to explore. Be sure to book here if you’re interested in a tour and fast-tracked entry.

4. Taksim Square

While Taksim Square is a bit touristy, it’s a central hub that offers a segue into some of the beautiful shopping streets in Istanbul, including İstiklal Street. You can grab a Simit (Turkish bagel-like treat) or Pide (Turkish flatbread) from a food stand or find one of the famous ice cream performers.

I also recommend popping into Hafiz Mustafa which is a famous cafe known for its Turkish coffee and desserts, including its baklava (pictured above). This is a great stop for souvenirs 🙂

5. Galata Tower

Galata Tower is an iconic landmark in the city that is in a bustling corner of Istanbul. It’s beautiful for photos and exploring. You can also climb atop it and explore the small museum inside. It’s a picturesque tower with much to see and do nearby! If you would like to skip-the-line and pre-book with an audio guide, I recommend this entry with an audio guided tour.

6. Topkapi Palace Museum

Topkapi Palace is truly a must-visit when in Istanbul. I would compare it to seeing Versailles when visiting Paris. It’s a large palace complex with so much history to unpack. It has beautiful and well-maintained grounds with stunning views of the city and water below. It’s also close to the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, but note that visiting all three in one day may be a bit tiresome. There is a lot to see at the palace, and I recommend having a tour guide like we did. This really helps bring the history to life and understand the past. Again, there are so many beautiful photo opportunities in and around the palace. This two-hour tour: Topkapi Palace & Harem, Skip-the-Line Small Group tour is similar to the one we had booked that included the Harem as well.

7. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque

If this is your first time in Istanbul, I highly recommend planning to visit both the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque together – they are both absolute must-sees! They are next to each other, with a beautiful square sitting between the two mosques. Be mindful of prayer times, and also be sure to bring a headscarf and to cover up appropriately. As is custom for all mosques, you must remove your shoes upon entering.

If you prefer to travel with a tour guide and learning more about the history and architecture, you can book the GetYourGuide Istanbul: Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Tour w/Entry Tickets
here. And if you want to combine multiple excursions, this combination tour offers a tour of the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and the Hagia Sophia (you would need to enter the Blue Mosque on your own).

8. Sahaflar Bazaar (Book Market) and the Grand Bazaar

For great souvenirs, I always love to get vintage maps, stamps, postcards, or paintings. I love anything I can hang up in my house or use to scrapbook and journal my adventures. Right outside the Grand Bazaar, are winding pathways filled with antique books, paintings, maps, and anything you can imagine. We managed to snag some really great items that are hanging on my walls now. There are so many beautiful items here and I find it less overwhelming than the Grand Bazaar and is more my cup of tea (literally because we sat inside a store and had tea with one of the vendors!).

If you’re curious, like we were, to at least see and explore the Grand Bazaar, I recommend it. Be wary that the vendors can be aggressive, but we did end up buying a few lamps we love!

9. Attend a Whirling Dervish Show

We had arranged to see a Whirling Dervish show on our last night, but I got an awful cold that I couldn’t shake and had to stay in my room for the night. The shows are put on by Sufi groups that perform an active meditation. Whenever I am back in Istanbul, I am going to make sure I see a Whirling Dervish show, it seems like a once in a lifetime experience!

10. Indulge in the food!

While we didn’t have time to arrange a food tour, I really wish we had! There are just so many delicacies to try in the city. GetYourGuide has a few offerings for food tours that look fun to try. If I could book one, I would choose this Istanbul: Guided Food Tour with Ferry Ride and Tastings. The tour takes you to a few different locations around Istanbul and looks like a fun day of city exploration tied into yummy food experiences!

A few of the restaurants we really enjoyed were Divan Brasserie (which had spectacular rooftop views), RestoHan (had live music), Seven Hills Restaurant (mainly just for the view!), and Arada Cafe.

11. Bonus – Find alllll the cats!

Istanbul is known for its friendly street cats – be sure to keep an eye out, they are all so cute!

❤ Natalie Anne

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour by Viator – Review – NYC Travel Tips & Ideas

Published on July 9, 2025March 20, 2026 by C'est le BrieLeave a comment

(This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links.)

There’s a LOT to see in New York City and it’s not always easy to navigate the city, especially if you’ve never been there. I still remember my very first trip to NYC when I was about 13, and the stress on my dad’s face as we tried to figure out how to get from Point A to Point B. If only we had known about this New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour by Viator. At this point, I feel fairly confident getting around the city since I’ve been there quite a few times. But on my latest visit, I was only going to be there for two days, but I still wanted to see all of the famous sites and landmarks. Is it really a trip to NYC if you don’t visit Times Square and Central Park?!

This tour was perfect because it’s only from about 9:00 am to 3:30pm, so you still have plenty of daylight left afterwards to continue exploring on your own. And the tour starts and ends right next to Times Square, so you can spend the rest of your day visiting all of the fun shops and restaurants in the area.

Our tour guide, Don, was incredible. He grew up in the city and knew everything about every single building we drove by. He had so many entertaining stories and truly brought the city to life. It was amazing to hear about how the city has changed over the last few decades.

Some of the highlights of the tour included Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Staten Island Ferry, the 9/11 Memorial and so many others. I can’t imagine trying to do all of this in one day on our own. It was so nice to have a bus driver who kept us on track and got us everywhere in a timely fashion. Plus, the fact that this tour also included a two-way trip on the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty truly made it a full, classic NYC day. It was pretty rainy on the day of our tour, but we were given rain ponchos from our tour guide which we were very grateful for, considering we totally forgot to bring an umbrella.

When we were near Rockefeller Center we got to see some of the famous TV filming locations, and we got lucky and saw Jenna Bush and Leslie Bibb filming live on the Today Show! If you’re a White Lotus fan, then you know Leslie Bibb. That totally made my day!

This tour is perfect for families with kids of all ages because it takes the guess work out of the day. I’m sure my dad would have felt much more relaxed back in the day if we’d had a guided bus tour to drag us all around the city. He also would have loved our tour guide, an NYC native with that classic New York accent and personality that you’ve seen in the movies. This tour is also great because it doesn’t involve too much walking, and you’re always welcome to stay on the bus at any point and skip one of the visits. The bus was super nice and fully air-conditioned, which I’m sure makes a big difference on those hot summer days in NYC. I feel like this tour would be perfect around the holidays too, since it gets so crowded in the city near Rockefeller center. Our tour guide knew the best ways in and out of everything to avoid crowds, so I think it would really help make your holiday trip to NYC more relaxing and easygoing. Not to mention, you’ll get to see the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree and ice skating rink!

If you’re interested in reading more about this tour and seeing more photos from our day, make sure to check out my photography blog here! And if you’d like to book this exact same tour, you can find it on Viator here. And make sure to check out my Viator Shop for all of my recommended tours all around the world. Take it from me, tours are the best way to see everything without the hassle of figuring out transportation yourself. And if you’re traveling with your parents, grandparents, or children, these tours are a game changer. If you’re looking for a hotel in the Times Square/Hell’s Kitchen area, I highly recommend the StayPineapple Hotel in Midtown. It’s great for couples and super affordable. The rooms are somewhat small so I’m not sure I’d recommend it for larger families, but it’s super cute and quirky! We loved it.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy travels!

❤ Myles Katherine

20 Gift Ideas for the Traveler in Your Life | C’est Le Brie 2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Jetsetters

Published on July 9, 2025July 9, 2025 by C'est le BrieLeave a comment

We love a good gift guide, especially when it’s all about traveling! We’ve definitely done our fair share of globetrotting over the years and we wanted to share our absolute favorite necessities that we never leave home without.

But before we get into our personal recommendations, we have to mention Try the World. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a subscription gift box that’s perfect for travelers and foodies alike! In every box, you’ll get snacks and gourmet treats from around the world. It’s a great way to get excited for new travels and to expand your palette. We’ve been obsessed with Try the World since they first started and it’s such a nice treat whenever we get a new box in the mail.

Without further ado, here are a few gift ideas for the traveler in your life!

(This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links.)

Myles Katherine’s Recommendations

1. Canon Powershot G7x Mark II Powershot

As a photographer, I have to start off by sharing one of my favorite digital cameras for travel. I have a full review of the Canon Powershot G7X Mark II on my photography blog here if you want to read about it in more detail. It’s a small point-and-shoot camera but takes beautiful photos, and is perfect for beginner and professional photographers alike. You can shoot in a full automatic mode, or you can get creative with full manual mode. It has an f/1.8 lens, so it’s great in low-light settings and for taking beautiful portraits and food photographs. It’s a little difficult to get your hands on these days because they are so popular, but you can usually find them on Amazon or eBay!

2. Noise-cancelling Airpods Pro 2

Apple Airpods now have full noise-cancelling with the Airpods Pro 2. My husband bought them before I did and I kept stealing his whenever we were traveling on a plane. They seriously block out all sound and are a game-changer when it comes to sleeping on the plane. I also use mine as earplugs when I’m staying in a hotel that might be a little too noisy. Not to mention, music sounds incredible with these!

3. GoPro Hero 13

I’ve had at least 4 different versions of the GoPro over the years, because I usually upgrade once they come out with a newer version! It’s always on my packing list. There are so many reasons why I love the GoPro. It’s super teeny tiny and is so easy to travel with. It has a wide view option that is great for capturing cityscapes and tall buildings. It can capture both photo and video and it has a waterproof case. The GoPro Hero 13 is the latest version and is capable of capturing 5.3K video at 60 fps and 27 MP photos. It’s perfect for swimming, snowboarding, hiking and so many other activities. I usually have a GorillaPod with me at all times too so that it’s easy to set up in any location and take photos or video. Honestly, the GoPro is great for anyone at any age. My husband loves to steal mine from me when we’re traveling. 🙂

4. Allbirds Tree Pipers

Allbirds Tree Pipers have become my go-to sneaker for my travels. They are incredibly lightweight and easy to pack and they are crazy comfortable! I usually bring two pairs with me for color variation, typically a black pair and a white pair. They match everything and they look cute in photos! I just finished up a 103-mile hike in the Cotswolds and whenever my hiking boots started hurting my feet, I’d switch to the Allbirds because they are so light and comfy!

5. Universal Travel Adapter

Photo by Evan Mahmud Shuvo on Pexels.com

You can’t leave home without one of these! I usually bring a few of these with me on every trip to plug in my cameras, computers, phone, etc. My husband and I always have a million things to charge every night. Just make sure you’re getting the right one for the country you’re visiting. They might be considered “universal” but each country is different. So just check the description before officially ordering it, just to make 100% sure you’re covered! It’s much cheaper to buy these in advance on Amazon than to pick one up at the airport or a gift shop when you’re already at your destination.

6. Heatless Curl Set

You’ve probably seen the Kitsch Heatless Hair Curler Set on Tiktok, but it’s a great way to get cute, stylized curls while you’re sleeping. It helps save time in the mornings when you’re rushing out of your hotel room to get to a tour bus or an early entrance to a museum. It takes a few times to get it right, so I’d recommend practicing at home before you go. But it weighs nothing and saves so much time! Plus, they are way cheaper than a fancy curling iron!

7. SuperGoop Glow Screen Tinted Sunscreen

It took me a while to figure out which tinted sunscreen I like the best, but the SuperGoop Glow Screen has a nice, subtle sheen and a lovely dewy finish. It doesn’t dry my skin out at all, and it’s basically like a light layer of foundation. Except better really, because it’s protecting your skin! I find it to brighten up my face on days when I didn’t get enough sleep too. It’s a little pricey but a little bit goes a long way. My tubes always last me much longer than I think they’re going to!

8. Cute Crossbody Sling Bag

Photo by Richard Cascaes Figueiredo on Pexels.com

I never leave on an international trip without a cute crossbody sling bag. It’s perfect for easy access to your passport, phone, and wallet when you’re at the airport. And also great for avoiding pickpockets because you can wear it on the front of your body. It’s also just less bulky than carrying a purse around and leaves your hands free to carry cameras, shopping bags, etc.

9. All-in-one lip & cheek stain

I never leave home without one. Personally, I don’t wear a lot of makeup, so anything that saves me time and energy is a necessity. I love having different color options on hand to match my outfits too. Having a lip and cheek stain that is all-in-one is also nice because your makeup just automatically matches. No need to dig through your makeup bag to find a lipstick that doesn’t clash with your blush. Milk Makeup has one in tons of different color options, so make sure to pick up a few for your next adventure!

10. Women’s Waterproof Trench Coats

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I’ve spent many many years trying to figure out what the ultimate jacket is to travel with that is stylish, practical, and matches everything. I’m telling you, getting a light brown or tan waterproof trench coat is the answer. It looks cute over dresses and pants, it’s not too bulky to travel with, and it automatically dresses up an outfit. It can go from day to night easily and is full coverage in bad weather. I recommend browsing on Amazon because they have tons of affordable options. I usually order a few to choose from, but that can be a dangerous game. Sometimes I end up keeping all of them!

Natalie Anne’s Recommendations

11. Nintendo Switch

We love our Nintendo Switch and are so excited about the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 and some new games that will be coming out soon! My sister, Millie, has the adorable Animal Crossings version of the Switch and it’s so cute. It’s the perfect distraction to bring along for long trips and get lost in the world of Animal Crossings or Super Mario Bros.!

12. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera in Lilac Purple OR Fujifilm INSTAX Wide Evo Instant Film Camera

I can’t deny that instant cameras are my very favorite. There is something so exciting about waiting a few minutes to see how a photo magically develops. I take an Instax Mini camera with me everywhere I go! This is perfect for keepsakes, sharing memories, and scrapbooking. Plus, they’re so cute! Don’t forget to pick up some Instax Mini film too!

13. Fujifilm INSTAX Mini Link 3 Smartphone Printer

If you don’t want to bother carrying around another camera, but love having Polaroids, I highly recommend the Instax smartphone printer. This way you can print out any photo you take on your phone and not have to worry about the hassle of any polaroid camera settings or missing our on any moments!

14. UnHide Lil’ Marsh – Faux Fur Blanket

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I love to stay cozy in the winter. If you are planning a long road trip or need something snuggly when you travel, the UnHide blankets are my very favorite! They also have small, squishy pillows to match! The color Rosy Baby is my favorite.

15. 10 Set/8 Set Packing Cubes for Travel

Packing cubes have really become a lifesaver for me. I struggle with staying organized, especially when I’m traveling, but packing cubes help me with my outfit planning and giving some order to the chaos. They also help save room in your luggage.

16. Beats by Dre Headphones – Beats Studio Pro

I cannot travel without noise-cancelling headphones. They help me relax on airplanes and other public areas so I can feel like I’m in my own little world. Beats by Dre have never failed me and they’re always comfortable.

17. Laniege Overnight Lip Mask

Traveling, especially in the winter, makes skin super dry. I always opt for a lip mask on long flights and during nighttime to help re-hydrate and keep soft lips. Laneige has been my latest go-to brand!

18. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment Mask

Glow Recipe is one of my favorite skincare brands. Their packaging is chic and fresh plus their products always smell divine. The Overnight Watermelon Mask helps cool and soothe extra dry skin. It has a subtle, fresh scent that I just adore.

19. UGG Women’s Classic Ultra Mini Boot

Winter calls for Uggs, and I just love wearing mine anywhere, any day. The UGG Ultra Mini Boot is my favorite. I prefer the classic camel color for an easy look.

20. Apple Watch Series 10 Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminium Case

My Apple Watch has been such a great way to track my steps and exercise, especially when traveling and alll the walking it entails. It provides an accurate measurement of everything you’re doing. I also like the “find my iPhone” feature, which really comes in handy. I got mine last year for Christmas in Rose Gold Aluminum.

We hope this gift guide has given you some ideas for the travel lover in your life!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy holidays!

❤ Myles Katherine & Natalie Anne