Arnicare

Here’s a homeopathic product I swear by in my travels: Arnicare. It’s a fact that much of travel involves sitting, sitting and more sitting, and my entire body starts to shut down when it’s not moving. I always bring Arnicare Gel with me to relieve achy, sore and stiff muscles—the result of too much time spent in seat 23A or in the backseat of a car. Arnicare—which contains Arnica montana—is quickly absorbed, unscented and non-greasy, so you can slather it on your stiff muscles.

Oil-Scented Cotton Balls

Here’s an insider travel secret that the initiated know about: the allure of scented oils. Simply purchase scented oils, soak some cotton balls in them, zip them up in separate plastic bags, and stash them in your travel tote. Use cotton balls scented in sweet orange oil to clean and sanitize your surroundings (including tray tables), and ones scented with lavender oil to help induce sleep, relieve bug bites, and remove makeup. Men can even use them as an after-shave. Tote peppermint-oil cotton balls to help with motion sickness.

Smart Snacks

Why take a detour on the road to Sveltesville? I never transit the tarmac without having packed my breakfast/snack of champions—puffed rice cereal, raisins and powdered nonfat milk, packed in a clear plastic bag. Bring your own plastic spoon and bowl, pour in the dry ingredients, and just add water for a great snack on the plane or at your hotel. I also swear by flavored almonds, which have only about eight calories per nut; some companies even make handy 100-calorie packets. (Try those made with cinnamon sugar or the smokehouse variety.) Low fat cheese wedges on diet bread, fresh fruit and dried fruit are also healthy choices (and after you land, more slimming options than the hotel mini-bar). And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love turkey pepperoni, which is a guilt-free gourmet goodie, no matter where you are in the world.  All of these items will save you from scarfing down high-fat foods at your destination, so you can indulge without the bulge.

Flavored Water Packets

Regular water handed out by the flight attendant is oh-so-boring. But if you bring flavored water packets containing dry powder, you’ll turn a glass of plain ol’ you-know-what into something wonderful. It will not only taste terrific, but you’ll keep yourself hydrated on the road.

Lip Balm and Scented Moisturizer

Everyone knows how parched your lips get when you spend time on a plane. By the time you land, your smackers are dying of dehydration. Keep a tube of lip balm in your pocket as ammunition against the stale dry air. Don’t forget a moisturizer for your face for radiant results by the time you land. I especially love scented moisturizers when I travel, as the scent you choose makes your immediate surroundings more succulent and much more pleasant than the horrible odor of diesel fuel. I personally love moisturizers in Hawaiian scents such as mango or plumeria flower, as well as those in chocolate.

Silk or Satin Pillowcase

Use it to cover the travel pillow that you tote in your carry-on. I also always place my silk or satin pillowcase over the cotton pillowcase in my hotel room or cruise ship stateroom for sybaritic slumber that’s kinder and gentler to my face and which obviates wrinkles.

Duct Tape

It’s an absolute travel necessity, to repair just about anything. Use it to quickly hem your pants, mend your luggage (as I had to do in Bora Bora once), fix a broken shoe, or hang a note on your hotel room door. I can tell you this—if you don’t pack duct tape, chances are you will need it!

Photocopy of Your Passport

Don’t leave home without a photocopy of your passport or a PDF of it downloaded to your smart phone. When you get to your destination, stash the passport in your hotel safe, and take the copy with you when sightseeing or shopping. Should you lose your passport, at least you will have a photocopy, which is invaluable.