My mom embraced solo travel late in life — as a travel writer, these are the 15 items I recommend she pack

Whether it’s a road trip with friends, a weekend getaway to a tropical location, or exploring a new neighborhood in NYC, my mom is always up for an adventure. She calls me and my daughter her favorite travel companions, and I’ve been lucky enough to explore some of the most beautiful places in the world with her.

On our trips together, my mom gets out and explores as much as possible, preferably by walking or using public transportation. Sometimes, I would wake up in our hotel room and she was already out, looking for a local café for morning coffee and breakfast, like Arepa in Cartagena or the exquisite croissant in Paris. I would usually wear clothes while eating whatever my mother brought in paper bags. Because of her adventurous spirit on these trips, I was not surprised when she eventually embraced single trip At some of her favorite hotspots later in life.

I have watched as a proud daughter as she now expertly navigates new cities alone. As big gearheads, we love sharing recommendations, especially items that make our trips safer, easier, and more comfortable. Here are 15 things that I, as a travel writer, recommend to my mother as she embraces solo travel later in her life. personal protective equipment to make comfortable walking shoes,

Saber 120dB Wedge Door Stop Security Alarm

The Wedge Door Stop is a packing must-have for my mom and me as women who like to travel alone. Whether it’s a hotel room or a rental front door, locking this door upon entry adds an extra layer of security. I love this special Saber door stop extremely Loud – It can be heard up to 1,500 feet away. If someone is really trying to break into your hotel room at night, it may wake up even people who are fast asleep.

She’s Birdie is the original personal safety alarm for women

As my mom travels to new destinations, she uses her New York City street smarts, but She’s Birdie’s chain alarm gives her an extra layer of comfort. There is no fear of not knowing the words for help in the local language because this alarm sound transcends language. If you’re in danger, you pull the top pin to turn on the loud siren and flashing strobe lights. And, continuing flights is not a problem; She can keep her keys in her personal luggage or pack them in her carry-on. Right now, you can get the Birdie Alarm for 25 percent off, bringing its price down to just $23.

Acemining Portable Door Lock

It’s a little disconcerting how easy it can be to get into a hotel room. To add an extra layer of security, you can travel with this portable door lock. The lock prevents the door from being opened from the outside, even with a key, and is relatively easy to install and remove. Super compact, it’s a great extra layer of protection that doesn’t take up much space in your bag. I highly recommend it to all women traveling alone.

Saber Pepper Spray

Some people give their children pepper spray when they go to college alone; I got my mom a key chain canister for her trips. Allowed only in checked luggage, pepper spray can give an extra layer of protection, although I understand this may seem a bit excessive to some people. Keep in mind that not all states allow delivery or even the use of pepper spray. The one I bought for my mom is pink in color and looks like lipstick, so it’s perfect for her to keep in her purse before going out.

galvaron knee brace

Traveling can be physically tiring for the body. My mother, now an experienced traveller, has some preventive measures in her travel bag, like compression socks, ankle wrapsAnd This is an arthritis relief knee brace and stabilizerThis brace is perfect for long runs exploring new places, and it’s adjustable for more or less support. Although my mother does She likes to run to the foreign drug store, she finds some relief in knowing that she can support a sore ankle with it in her bag.

Donen Genuine Leather Sling Bag

My mother Love bag. She likes big bags, but while travelling, she is very cautious about keeping her valuables close to her body. We were visiting a European capital and we noticed two elderly women being pickpocketed right in front of us (I think they tried to pickpocket me at first, but my keen sense of the thieves’ presence kicked in And I gave one of them what I thought was a terrible sight) as I gathered my stuff. Since then, my mother really got into using it Crossbody bag She can carry it on her chest when she’s traveling – and we’re always on the lookout for stylish options.

i’m obsessed with it Row Small Slouchy Banana BagIn nylon or beautifully soft leather, this is the perfect bag: it’s discreet, timeless and perfect for travel. However, the price may present some sticker shock. Instead, this Donan bag sells for about $60 on Amazon and has a similarly wide, adjustable strap that can be worn closer to the chest. Yet it’s still quite stylish – it doesn’t inspire a tourist to carry everything in a fanny pack. It’s also quite spacious, so my mom keeps everything she needs inside: foreign currency, her wallet, passport, and even an extra bag for the cute souvenirs she picks up.

Wydeer Metal Travel Pill Organizer

An organized tablet case is an essential item when traveling. Although your body may be disorganized due to a different time zone and schedule, you’ll still need to be prepared to take your medication at the right time — and a pill organizer will help. This Wydeer metal travel pill organizer features a sleek design that protects against water and moisture with a silicone seal and desiccant. It is so compact that my mom can easily keep it in her purse or luggage.

apple airtag

Given the prevalence of lost luggage, especially when traveling during peak season, I wanted to do as much as I could to ensure that my mom’s trips went off without a hitch. So, I gave him some gifts apple airtags Which she can easily keep in her checked luggage, passport holder and anything else she wants to keep an extra eye on during her trip.

Skyborn iTravel Mini Anti-Theft Passport Holder

While there are a lot of designers passport holderI decided to give my mom this elegant and functional gift loved by business travelers. The Skyborn Passport Holder is lightweight and durable with high-quality leather, and it comes with a mini pen, so there’s no need to engage in communal pen searches while filling out those customs forms (although mine is). Always The one with the pen, anyway). With three card slots on the back, the holder is integrated with RFID-blocking technology, which also protects you from electronic pickpockets. It is also compatible with the company’s Sky-Tag Mini GPS tracker; However, if you have an AirTag, you can put it in the case.

Cadence Travel Containers Bodycare Capsule Set

I was gifted this Cadence Travel Set as a part of a travel beauty program, and once I started using it to pack my daughter’s toiletries, I loved it so much that I There was a need for more – especially for my mother. Cadence Capsules are magnetic, stackable and leakproof cases to keep liquids in the most convenient way. Each capsule is easy to fill, and the set is really beautiful, elevating my mom’s toiletry bag; No more wrapping small bottles in plastic to keep them from shattering!

First aid kit for household car and travel

My mother was actually a scout and considered herself prepared for anything. Her medicine cabinet at home is like a pharmacy, so I wanted a first aid kit that would give her some flexibility to take on the road. Band-aids, safety pins, gauze, burn treatment – ​​you name it, this kit contains 107 pieces of comprehensive medical supplies. Plus, it’s compact enough to keep in your luggage or car.

Q Store 10000mAh Power Bank

My mom is amazing at staying connected, and whether she’s taking videos or photos or FaceTiming, she keeps me updated on her travels. Naturally, I always want her phone to be charged when traveling alone, so I got her this fast-charging portable power bank that comes in especially handy on long travel days. It’s easy to charge with a built-in AC wall plug and has a slim profile, so it can be carried in any bag.

New Balance Women’s Dynasoft Nargize Sport V2 Cross Trainer

Once, on a trip to Lisbon, my mother slightly sprained her ankle while tackling the city’s hills. Now, traveling with the right shoes is of the utmost importance to her, and she often raves about the comfort of her New Balance sneakers. She appreciates how stylish they are as well as making her feel supported and comfortable.

Tripped Travel Gear Compression Packing Cubes

I really leaned into its usefulness packing cubes After seeing my mother organize her luggage so efficiently for multi-destination trips. Being able to keep his things neat and tidy with a good packing cube set gives him peace of mind on the road and saves time wasted rummaging through bags to find an item.

Casetify Rope Phone Strap

On a recent trip, my mom praised my purse-free approach, just like me This Bandolier Leather Crossbody Phone CaseAlthough he’s a little skeptical about keeping his ID and wallet tied to his phone, he likes the security of keeping his cell on his crossbody or wrist. I gave him this adjustable Casetify Phone Strap It easily connects to her phone so she can navigate airports with one less thing to worry about in her hand.

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