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Do you have an essential travel gadget?

(92 Posts)
techygran Thu 18-Aug-16 15:41:59

I've just got back from holiday and for the first time took a portable luggage scale (wasn't this one but very similar). It was brilliant and I can't think why I never thought to buy one before. I always overpack and it was so good to have this at home and with me on hols so I knew how much limoncello I could bring back with me wink
Anyone else have any useful gadgets they can't travel without?

Mildred Fri 19-Aug-16 11:19:35

Mr M is a limoncello fan, outside Italy he says Carluccio's is the best (v expensive) but Sainsbury's is quite good too. Aldi is not on his list tried it once too sweet which is a shame because it is so much cheaper. We take a bottle opener and corkscrew with us still.

Galen Fri 19-Aug-16 11:18:28

Hate limoncello

funwithgrandma Fri 19-Aug-16 10:53:10

I always take a large old soft pashmina to combat air/con on the plane and as cover up in the evenings. Also plug adapters. And I'm off to get some limoncello - first had it as a complimentary drink after a huge meal in an Italian restaurant and I couldn't believe how much better and less over-full I felt after it. Thanks for reminding me about it! And the hand-held scale too, great idea. Does the mattress topper thing mean you dont feel the buttons on a mattress?

angelaB123 Fri 19-Aug-16 10:51:29

I expect lots of you have googled limoncello and found a great recipe on Tesco website. Must give it a try.

Mrsdof Fri 19-Aug-16 10:42:52

I also love Limoncello. Try it with Prosecco - lovely! ? I also take luggage scales and multi plug. As previously said never enough plugs!!

Lewlew Fri 19-Aug-16 10:35:36

annodomini thanks for that, I will have to try it. I use the yellow builders ones which work fine, but is blue-tack more insulating?

I do the rest of most of these, especially the mattress topper. If going to the US, I buy a cheap memory foam one. My hips and back need the protection! We also take our strong black Brit teabags, although I am finding Tetley English tea now at normal prices in US grocery stores.

Cheers all for these great ideas... already am a limoncello fan. Great stuff... great in sponge-cakes/cup-cakes

annodomini Fri 19-Aug-16 10:07:13

If travelling with my snoring sister, I take a pack of Blutack to use as earplugs. Also necessary if I go swimming. This was a tip from my GP. Unlike wax it leaves no residue and is infinitely malleable.

goose1964 Fri 19-Aug-16 10:03:04

does DH count as a gadget, he unpacks & repacks what ever I've done so now leave him
to it

lolarabbit Fri 19-Aug-16 09:51:11

Apparently out can make your own limoncello - vodka, lemons, sugar. Haven't tried yet but sounds like a plan. Mind you my plum brandy last year wasn't an overwhelming success sad

Gadgets for holidays abroad always include an app where you can download road maps in advance and so use phone as Sat nav. Not got lost yet! Also one of those plastic gizmos that hold said phone in place on dashboard.
In the past my DH would have always had his trusty Swiss Army knife which has been used to fix/open many things, but these days we tend to travel with handluggage only (skinflints!) and it wouldn't make it through security.

jollyg Fri 19-Aug-16 09:38:23

Ear plugs, eye mask, and the most important of all and inflatable pillow.

its v light, made of plastic and folds into nothing. If you get a hole in it a wee dab of plastic glue does the trick.

Where to purchase? i'm afraid in India.

Lilyflower Fri 19-Aug-16 09:30:49

Builders' tea teabags and a packet of Digestives. Used to take a small teapot until the bagge allowances shrank.

pattie Fri 19-Aug-16 09:10:20

Have just found set of little plastic bags like toilet bags not kitchen ones and they were so good for packing. Think I read about them on here,

petra Fri 19-Aug-16 09:01:44

The first time I bought limoncello it was for a cake that my daughter wanted me to make.

Daddima Fri 19-Aug-16 08:55:49

I always take wire coat hangers, and for Greece I take a shower holder, as they often are hand held showers. We also have luggage scales ( £1 from Poundland!)

Sailingnana Fri 19-Aug-16 08:48:03

Yoga mat.

Lilypops Fri 19-Aug-16 08:45:21

Gilly Bob ,,Aldi sell Limoncello,

morethan2 Thu 18-Aug-16 19:30:52

A plug for the sink. The amount of appartments I've been to that don't have a bowl or a plug and the plug is easier to pack than a bowl. grin

granjura Thu 18-Aug-16 19:30:26

hihi not the mattress but just the topper ;) it's a Fine Bedding Spundown mattress enhancer (what it says on label) very light and takes very little space- but makes a massive difference. I also take my bamboo fibre neck pillow if I can. In fact, may well pay for an extra piece of luggage next time I travel- worth every penny or centime ;)

Mamie Thu 18-Aug-16 19:19:36

J-cloths in my holiday box too. Wipes, tinfoil, clingfilm as well.
Fridge lightbulb hmm. Was it a French and Saunders sketch? "You'll only regret it if you don't...
grin

SueDonim Thu 18-Aug-16 19:19:32

Same as Galen, we take a multi-socket extension and what a difference it's made! I don't know why we didn't think of it before.

Luckygirl Thu 18-Aug-16 19:13:45

My OH would take a fridge light bulb if I let him - honestly. We always go self-catering and he gets very frustrated when the light in the fridge does not work - we spent half a day at one place traipsing around trying to buy one! I am a very patient woman!!

He also insists we take J-cloths - it is on his Master List.

Mamie Thu 18-Aug-16 18:58:25

Lidl only have it here in Italian week Gillybob. It is Greek week here, but you might be lucky. grin
I love that GJ. I take my pillow, but taking your mattress must be the ultimate home comfort!

KatyK Thu 18-Aug-16 18:57:15

An ipod on a flight. We put loads of different music on it and play it on shuffle and you never know what you are going to get! Helps pass the time.

granjura Thu 18-Aug-16 18:51:57

If we travel by car, I always take my mattress topper with me- it rolls up to a small sleeping bag size and its so comfy.

gillybob Thu 18-Aug-16 18:29:00

I wonder what time Lidl closes tonight ? Not sure I can wait until the weekend now.