As the owner of a luxury travel PR agency, it may come as no surprise that in addition to visiting some of the loveliest hotels in the world, Lysbeth Fox spends a good deal of time getting on and off planes, navigating airport security and coping with jet lag.
A professional traveller for nearly 20 years, here the globetrotting entrepreneur shares her top 10 travel tips for summer 2018.
1.) Suitcases
A variety of suitcase sizes is a must. I pack according to the number of nights I stay, so I use an utterly gorgeous set from Constellation Luggage for all my travels that is stylish but durable – there is nothing nicer than turning up at a 5-star hotel with a chic set of luggage. For one or two nights a cabin bag is perfect, but honestly my top tip for days more than 3 is hold luggage. I know I go against what everyone else recommends, but this way you don’t even have to think about bottle sizes and that extra outfit for an occasion that wasn’t planned on the original itinerary. The joy with the set I use in particular is they are light, light, light so won’t add to your kg limit. www.constellationluggage.com
2.) Packing
Packing is an interesting affair; always wrap belts around the outside of a suitcase put your smart clothes in first neatly and then you won’t have to iron them on arrival. Outfits from places like Bauken are great, as they are light weight and don’t crease easily. I always put my wash bag and night clothes near to the top of my case so when I arrive all I have to do is pull these out rather than unpacking everything when I am exhausted. baukjen.com/uk.
3.) Wash kit
I have a separate wash kit that’s just for travelling. The number of times I’ve been caught out from early morning flights to discover I’d left my toothbrush at home made me realise that it’s worth having double – and don’t be tempted to take an electric toothbrush as a heavy press on the button and it’s run out of battery before you’ve arrived. Buy some mini bottles before the trip, so you can fill with your favourite shampoos & conditioners; it’s better for environment than those single use plastic amenities bottles. And make sure to invest in a stylish backpack. For walking and exploring new places, not to mention those long walks from gate to exit – it will make you glad you did. Knomo is the brand travel and beauty writers are obsessed with at the moment and I love mine. knomobags.com.
4.) Keeping fit
Working out whilst travelling really helps with jet lag and if you are brave enough it’s a great way to see a city – just remember to take your phone in case you get lost! As for a little tip, add your gym kit to the top of the case so every time you open it you’ll be reminded to use it. I always wear my trainers to the airport rather than packing them. You’ll be so thankful you did during those long walks from the gates, standing in queues and they’ll also allow you the opportunity to exercise when at the hotel. By wearing them to the airport they won’t take up any extra space in the case too.
5.) Stay hydrated
Drink lots of water. I take a water bottle with me (again think of the environment, flying is quite enough damage to our wonderful world) and refill it at the airport, on the plane etc. If you can, don’t drink alcohol on the flight, it’s so dehydrating, go for a juice or just load up on water, you’ll feel so much better when you arrive.
6.) Moisturise
I love wearing very little make up when I travel and using a face spritz during the flight hydrating mist. I love the range by Linda Meredith as they are small enough for security and fantastic creams, their Amazon moisturiser is amazing – put it on as soon as you get on the plane and then you arrive looking like you’ve had a mini face lift! I pack a few compact make up bits, so I can put some on before I arrive. lindameredith.com/product/amazon/.
7.) The essentials
I always pack a pashmina, travel socks, eye mask and headphones for the plane. A pashmina as I get chilly on flights, (you can use later as a wrap), travel socks aid my tired feet, eye masks to block light and headphones for noise – allowing me to sleep, arriving refreshed – and you never know when you might need them in a noisy or bright hotel room. Top tip – invest in good headphones. Make sure you check battery life but many such as the Sonys I use have 22 hours which is plenty for long haul flights and airport lounges. They really get rid of background noise and are great for a meditation, music or even book on tape. ao.com
8.) Mobile phone
Your mobile phone provider will charge you for voicemails left in a foreign country, even if you listen to them back in the UK. So, turn off your voicemail before you go, which is easy to do, with Vodafone all you have to do is dial 121. But the top tip, is put a calendar note in your diary for when you land to put it back on, otherwise it might be days before you realise you have no voicemail! Always upgrade to travel packages for the countries you go otherwise make sure you’ve switched off data roaming and just use the hotel wifi, I’ve heard horror stories of friends that have come back with bankrupting phone bills by accident.
9.) Wellbeing rituals
I like to keep up some of my favourite wellbeing rituals even when I’m away. When I arrive I like to ask for a lemon and knife to be delivered in my room, but if I forget, then I grab a few slices from the bar and in the morning I have a detoxifying hot lemon water to start the day.
10.) The environment
And lastly, for those worried about the damage flying causes, log onto to one of the carbon offset websites and payback your global footprint to become carbon neutral. carbonfootprint.com/carbonoffset.html.
