8 International Packing Lists Must Haves!

Our trip is coming soon. As of now, it is back on for March. We are going to Israel! But we don't want to check in luggage. Instead, we want to bring only carry-on luggage. That means that I have to be selective in what we bring. I've been studying other travelers posts on doing it. This past year I had tried some new products and determined which ones posed usefulness when we are talking long, daily treks to multiple cities. I want to show you just how I'm making our dream come true of going international without over-packing!

Must haves!

Kub dry wipes were something I was able to test for a review. I'm glad I did! Having wipes on long trips is a necessity. You can use them to freshen up or for cleaning up when soap and water isn't readily available. However, most wipes that come pre-wet are heavy. Since we are planning to use a single carry-on and personal bag for each us, we have to stay mindful of weights. These dry wipes are lighter, more durable than paper towels, and if I get them slightly wet, will be perfect for any use I might need.

Water bottles are nice, but require free hands to carry them. Otherwise you have to bring some kind of carrier too. That means extra stuff in your bag. Why bother with a water bottle at all? Well, for starters, it saves you money. Airport waters are expensive. One blogger said she had to pay $4 for a bottle before she started bringing her own! And since we plan to be hiking 9 miles a day, that would be a lot to have to purchase repeatedly. Instead, we are taking empty CamelBaks through security at the airport and refilling, every chance we get. Did you know that some airports have water bottle refill stations?? CamelBaks take up little room when empty, and with the mouthpiece being designed as it is, we can easily put it in our backpacks that we are planning to take along as well. With me having to use a cane at times, this will also help me keep everything centralized. I need an empty hand for steadying myself at times as it is. 

Blister care is something I'm acutely aware of. I've had them, I hate them, and I will do whatever I can to avoid them. We bought new shoes for me along with inserts for the both of us. But I wasn't ready to stop there. I had recently tested out a sample of a product that I think is absolutely amazing in preventing or even helping with healing blisters. Compeed Advanced Blister Care. I had tried one of these after walking the treadmill in old shoes had left me limping. After wearing one for about an hour, I was feeling so good. I even showered in it and it stayed on.

By the next day, my blister was almost completely gone. So with the knowledge that we will be walking and not getting days of rest in between, I want to be able to keep going without interference. From what I've seen online, you should be able to find them in Walmart, Rite Aid or on Amazon.

My own personal pharmacy is another reason we need to bring along at least one backpack. Between my husbands allergies and headaches and my pain and headaches, we need to have easy access to over the counter meds no matter where we go. I have Pillsteer pill organizers kept in various places. We have one in the bathroom, one in my purse and I keep one packed in our bug out box. They are neatly labeled and easily accessible for all uses. When traveling overseas, you only have to have your prescriptions in their original packaging. At least that is what I've gathered from all my research. I plan to have one in my backpack during the whole trip.

A scarf is a must have, especially for women traveling to Israel. They have multiple uses. On the long flights, they can double as a shawl or small blanket to bring comfort and warmth. They can also accentuate and change up your styles. If you are only bringing the carry-on, and a personal item, then you want to bring clothing that can be swapped from time to time. Multiple outfits from fewer pieces. Having a scarf can help change up the looks. And lastly, you will need one to cover your head if you plan on visiting certain areas. Like the Western Wall or the Temple Mount. I have a couple scarves I'm planning to pack for the trip. 

Empty bags are also important to have packed. This one was rather genius! You might need to put excessively soiled clothing separately. Or maybe you need to repack something that leaked. Having a few bags, maybe even in various sizes, on hand will be invaluable.   

Power plug adapter is a must when you are traveling overseas . Here is something we shopped around for. And I'm very glad we did. I found this one on Amazon. I plugs into the wall as the adapter, I can plug in and add up to 4 USB plugs. I love it! 

Don't forget batteries! In addition, we planning to bring both cameras. I have one that is waterproof for the days when we plan to go somewhere that will be wet. We purchased extra batteries for them. The last thing we want is to exhaust our batteries while snapping photos everywhere we go.         

I have been creating lists for traveling on Pinterest. These lists also include packing tips. Let me know what you think I may have missed! Or what you may bring on a trip like this. I love hearing from you guys.