Let’s be real—packing can be the most stressful part of a vacation. The biggest thing that helps me stay sane? A good packing list. I keep one ready to go so I can check off all the essentials and avoid that last-minute panic. Here is my ultimate packing list guide!
Okay, I’ll admit it—I’m a little extra when it comes to packing. I almost always check a bag, and I usually roll up to the airport with a full trio: checked bag, carry-on, and backpack. My luggage is definitely an investment, but it's been with me from Europe to the Caribbean to Asia and still looks amazing. Worth. Every. Penny.
My backpack is another favorite—it opens like a mini carry-on and fits everything I need for the plane. If I ever do just a carry-on, I rely on packing cubes and these vacuum bags. The cubes keep everything organized, and the vacuum bags are a game changer for shrinking down clothes—especially for long trips when I need extra space or when I’m packing only a carry-on and trying to fit as much as humanly possible into one bag. And because I live for being organized, I’ve got a dedicated bag for pretty much everything: makeup, jewelry, toiletries, cords, passport, even my hot tools (because who wants a straightener melting their socks?).
I also always throw an AirTag in my luggage—just in case. If you’re planning your next cruise or resort getaway, check out my Virgin Voyages Cruise Tips & Tricks for packing inspiration and onboard essentials!
Planes are always freezing, so I never board without a blanket. While the inflight sodas are cute, I’m usually thirsty way before the drink cart shows up, so my Brita water bottle is a must-have.
For long-haul flights, I’m all about comfort: compression socks, eye mask, hydrating face mist, and my adjustable neck pillow (seriously a game changer). Oh—and let’s talk about the snackackle box. Yep, a snack box with compartments for all the delicious goodies. It’s a lifesaver not just on the flight but throughout the trip.
I’m not a “raw dogging it” kind of traveler—I’m using my phone nonstop from takeoff to touchdown. My must-have: a super slim MagSafe power bank. It clips right onto my phone and keeps me charged all day.
I’m also obsessed with my AirPods. They block out most plane noise and the battery lasts forever. If I’m heading overseas, I bring a universal outlet adapter and a compact extension cord with multiple ports. I have a lot of electronics, so this setup saves me every time.
Bonus: I always travel with a white noise machine. Big city noise? Resort neighbors partying? Don’t hear a thing.
My skin leans dry, so I always pack a good face wash, facial oil, moisturizer, and face-specific sunscreen to avoid breakouts. Speaking of—which—this clay mask I use as an overnight spot treatment is magic.
Also, shoutout to my lash serum. It took about 6 months to kick in, but now my lashes are so long it’s wild. And I never leave home without my favorite makeup remover towel—just add water, no extra products needed.
Vacay hair can get crispy from sun and salt, so I pack my shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, and a good detangler. Between washes, dry shampoo saves the day—especially the one I use that actually works and doesn’t leave a weird residue.
Travel umbrella – for surprise storms
Lint roller – fellow pet owners, you get it
Soft sleep masks – block the light, stay comfy
Laundry bags – separate the funky from the fresh
Mini medicine kit – because you will need it
Supplement organizer – makes staying healthy easy
My own pillow – yes, I carry it. It’s that comfy.
Tripod – for those solo shots or couple pics! My favorite one attaches magnetically with MagSafe.
Beach trips are my fave, and I come prepared. If you're headed to a rocky shore, water shoes are non-negotiable. Mine are comfy, lightweight, and don’t make me feel like a grandpa.
A sand-resistant towel = no more dragging half the beach into your room. I also pack a full-face snorkel mask (game changer), my GoPro for sea turtle spotting, and a zip-up cropped rash guard for sun protection once my sunscreen motivation starts to fade around day four.
When the beach wraps up, it’s pool time. I bring a float that’s basically a nap pod, and my Kindle for the chillest end to the day. Pool pillow + chair band = luxury.
A comfy airport outfit is a must, plus sunglasses, flip flops (even if you’re not beach-bound), and anti-chafing shorts for under dresses—because thigh rub is real. I also pack “cakes” (not the dessert kind)—they’re super comfy and make certain outfits way easier.
Packing’s one thing—but if it’s your first time flying, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered there too. Check out First Time Flying? Here’s Everything You Need to Know for all my tips on getting through your first trip like a pro.
Yes, it’s only July. Start planning anyway. Fall books faster than people expect, and a few of these destinations are worth getting ahead of. Here are five places worth putting on your radar right now.
Ireland: Cooler temps, moody skies, dramatic coastline fall was made for it. Tourist crowds drop, the green stays, and the whole country feels a little more like itself.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC: Fall foliage in the Smokies is the real thing. The color peaks mid-October and the views from the ridgelines are hard to argue with. It’s also one of the most visited national parks in the country, so going on a weekday makes a real difference.
New York City: Fall is NYC at its best comfortable temps, the energy of the city shifting into a new season, and every neighborhood doing something worth showing up for. It’s also just a great walking city when it’s not brutally hot.
Japan: Fall foliage season is as good as spring cherry blossoms and somehow less talked about. The colors are dramatic, the temples and gardens are stunning, and it’s worth planning around peak dates by region.
Mystic, Connecticut: Small, walkable, genuinely charming Mystic in fall feels like exactly what a New England autumn is supposed to look like. Easy to pair with a broader New England road trip if you want to extend it.
Full guides linked in bio 🍂
There are two kinds of travelers: people who plan a trip and then figure out where to eat, and people who book a restaurant and then build the rest of the itinerary around it.I am the second kind. I will not apologize for this.
The reservation gets locked in first. The hotel search happens within the same 24 hours. The flights get compared around the restaurant’s hours of operation. The rest of the trip exists to fill the days before and after the table I actually came for.
If this sounds unhinged, I completely understand. It has also resulted in some of the best meals of my life, so I’m going to keep doing it.
Drop a 🍽️ if you plan your trips around food too.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
