The Ultimate Travel Shopping Guide – Must-Have Essentials Before Your Next Adventure!

Traveling to Europe is a dream come true, but packing for it? That can be a challenge. Fortunately, Madelyn—the founder of both Paris Perfect and London Perfect—along with her sister Lisa—founder of Italy Perfect—have perfected the art of packing light and smart over decades of European adventures. We’ve shared a glimpse of their tried-and-true shopping and packing tips on Instagram, and now we’re compiling it all into comprehensive guides to help you pack like a pro. From the best suitcases and travel bags to must-have travel electronics, this shopping guide will make your next trip smooth, stylish and stress-free. Let’s get packing!

Packing and On-the-Plane Essentials

Your journey starts the moment you leave for the airport. Having the right luggage and in-flight essentials really sets the tone for a smooth trip. Here are our top shopping recommendations to prepare for your next adventure:

Luggage & Bags

Away Luggage: We’re big fans of the Away luggage brand. They’re lightweight, durable and beautifully designed for seamless travel. We try to travel carry-on only as much as possible, and love their regular hard sided Carry-On, which is fine for short trips and fits in most overhead compartments. Their Bigger-Carry On is big enough for an efficiently packed 3-4 week trip. Be aware that it does not fit in the overhead of budget European airlines like Vueling, EasyJet and RyanAir, so you have to check in. Away suitcases also make excellent gifts if you’re shopping for the travel enthusiasts in your life!

TravelPro Soft-Sided Suitcase: This is an extremely versatile alternative for travelers who prefer a soft-shell carry-on option. Madelyn likes it because she can easily unzip it and reach into it during the flight and pull out her many snacks! Hard to do with a hard side. Expansion feature is handy too if you’re bringing back some gifts! Also has nice big wheels.

Away Everywhere Bag: Lisa’s go-to laptop bag that has a sleeve that slides over handle of carry-on suitcase. Fits under seat in front of you. In addition to laptop, there’s plenty of space for all the essentials, including cables, headphones, chargers, plug adapters, Uniqlo Ultralight down jacket, inflatable neck pillow, travel slippers and a small ziplock bag with a few toiletries.

Away Packing Cubes and Packing Cubes Set: Keep everything organized and maximize luggage space with mesh packing cubes. Great for squishing everything and for staying organized throughout your travels. Makes it so that you don’t even need to unpack, since you can just put the cubes on a shelf or drawer.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Backpack: Madelyn likes this backpack especially in black (more subtle at check-in if you’re carrying extra stuff)! Lisa used to think they were all the same, but the luggage style opening means you can really organize your carry on. Handy zip pockets for your laptop and for small items. Enough room that, you can even pack emergency toiletries/t-shirts in case your luggage is lost. Nice shape to fit under the seat in front and footrest.

Cincha Travel Belt: Handy to attach your personal bag to your suitcase for hands-free travel.

Big Toiletry Bag: Lisa always buys a hanging bag in case counter space limited. Sheer plastic compartments make it easy to find things.

Little Toiletry Bag: Choose the right size for your needs. A hanger and see thru pockets is essential. Hanging, packs flat, good for toiletry minimalists. Easy to see and find everything at a glance!

Luggage Tag You Can’t Lose: A practical, stylish way to keep tabs on your bag and since they screw on you don’t have to worry about them falling off.

Apple Air Tag: Never lose track of your luggage. So easy to know where your luggage is and to be able to make back up plans if it misses a connection.

Madelyn’s Favorite iPhone Case: Everyone is always asking Madelyn where she got her iPhone case/wallet. This is the model, and if you have more recent iPhone models, they have the same. What she loves is how much she can cram into the credit card compartments, so much that often she don’t carry a purse anymore while out and about shopping. Credit cards, drivers licenses, even cash. It’s also a safety for traveling as pickpockets can’t remove it. She bought a pretty tortoise style chain in Paris and switches between straps.

On the Plane Comfort

Inflatable Neck Pillow: Ensure comfort on long flights with an inflatable pillow – a great choice since the memory foam pillows can be bulky.

Travel Pillows: This Memory Foam Travel Pillow is adjustable around the neck so it doesn’t slip around. Lisa finds this Travel Pillow very comfortable and how the shape is lower at back so it doesn’t push the head forward and has lots of support on the sides and front.

Sleep Mask: Block out distractions and arrive well-rested. Lisa loves these for travel and at home use. This sleep mask has a soft frame around eyes is deep which means no pressure, fits around nose, great blackout.

Ear Plugs: There are dozens of silicon ear plugs out there, but none of them work for Lisa as well as these. She only buys wax ear plugs which she can shape to her ears. Truly block out the noise! Yes you have to replace but they’re not expensive and so worth it.

Isotoner Terry Cloth Slippers: Lisa’s holy grail of travel slippers. Fit easily into carry on. Her travel tips: “I have a washable cloth bag drawstring to keep them in. I have tried and don’t like the memory foam version, too bulky for carry on or the satin ones, show stains. These have rubber bottoms, which are ideal for wet airplane toilet floors. I wash them & the cloth bag when I return home & put back in carry on for next trip.”

Bluetooth Adapter for the Plane: If you prefer your own headsets to the ones that barely work on the plane, this is your adapter that hooks up to your ear buds or headphones! Also works at the gym and elsewhere.

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Travel Electronics

Staying connected and powered up is essential, but without the key items, it can be one of the biggest modern hassles. Make your travel easier by shopping for these compact and reliable gadgets before your trip:

Universal Plug Adapter: Very affordable and compact. Put at least 2 in your carry on bag in case your luggage gets lost. If you travel with a lot of devices, buy one of Madelyn’s favorite power strips below.

Maddy swears by Power Strips: An Absolute Must for Multiple Devices! You arrive in France, Italy, the UK or any country in Europe and … surprise! You cannot charge your phone or your computer with your American plug. You need one of these power strips for your Kindles, iPads, phones, computers, travel hairdryers and more.

3-Outlet and 4-Port USB Travel Power Converter and Multiplug: An adapter plug is NOT a voltage convertor so check that your hair dryer or curling iron are dual voltage. If not, you need to buy a transformer. So I start my favorites list with the all in one: a transformer AND adapter plug for Europe! If you’re not sure whether your portable appliances such as iron, hair dryer, electric curlers/curling iron are dual voltage, then your easiest choice is this. It’s not only a voltage converter, it has 3 regular outlets and 3 USB ports. An easy choice!

8-Outlet and 4-Port USB Travel Power Converter and Multiplug: I love this one because it comes with 8 regular ports and 4 USB ports! PLUS it has adapters for most plugs in the EU including France, Germany, the UK and Ireland.

3-Outlet and USB Travel Power Converter and Multiplug: Very stable on the table with rubber feet that hold it steady Includes adapter plugs so it fits most plugs in the EU including France, Germany and also the UK.

Favorite Power Bank: Love this to re-charge phones, iPads and more. Skinny, lightweight; best of all 4 cables for charging multiple phones and devices.

Travel Power Bank: Our daughter and friends swear by this, not only for their phones but for their computers as well! so handy to charge when you aren’t near a plug or don’t have the right adapter.

Mini Portable White Noise/Sleep Machine: Brilliant because it’s small. Perfect if there’s ambient noise; soft nightlight so you can see around the room, USB chargeable, gentle sounds.

Tiny white noise machine: Great design that is even smaller.

Neck Fan: Not quite an electronic but just as life saving. Philippe loves it! Growing up in Normandy, he doesn’t do well in hot weather; he swears by it.

Velcro Cable Ties: Super for packing electronics cords and keeping everything organized while traveling.

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Your Perfect Packing Journey Starts Here

We hope these tips and shopping recommendations help make your next trip as seamless and enjoyable as possible! Packing light, choosing versatile pieces and investing in quality items are at the heart of Madelyn and Lisa’s travel philosophy. Over years of exploring Europe, they’ve learned that a well-packed bag isn’t just about convenience – it’s the key to focusing on what really matters: experiencing the beauty, culture and charm of your destination. Plus, you always have to save room for souvenirs!

For even more packing and shopping tips, including what to wear when traveling, don’t miss our guides for The Perfect Travel Wardrobe – Shop for Your Next Getaway and Essential Travel Toiletries for Your Next Trip. For even more inspiration and advice, be sure to follow us on Instagram at Paris Perfect, Italy Perfect and London Perfect. Ready to start packing? Shop these travel essentials and find your perfect apartment rental from Vacation Perfect!