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Micro-Vacation Travel Essentials from Amazon
A micro-vacation is a well-planned focused getaway that is about four days or less (less than 5 nights in total). Micro-vacations are usually taken around the weekend so that you don’t have to take too many vacation days off from work. When done right, micro-vacations can be thoroughly enjoyable and arguably even better than a long extended vacation. We all need those mini retreats sometimes - does the mind, body, and soul good!
Although the following items may also be useful for longer vacations, I’ve put together a carefully curated list of micro-vacation travel essentials that I absolutely love to bring on all of my adventures. They make my life a whole lot easier when I’m jet-setting.
All of these travel essentials are from Amazon because, let’s face it - it’s awesome! I absolutely love using my Prime service and love getting that fast delivery. And the checkout is so easy. But my favorite thing about Amazon are the reviews - I’m a huge believer in reading reviews and making sure there are supporters of the product who have actually tried it out before I buy.
This list includes a mix of some investments as well as some more affordable items that I personally use and love. Yes, there are several beauty products but keeping your skincare in check while you travel is very important, especially for someone like me with eczema. So without further ado, let’s jump into those micro-vacation travel essentials!
White + Warren Women’s Cashmere Travel Wrap Scarf
Okay, yes, I know, this one is an investment. But a good cashmere travel wrap is so versatile and luxuriously comfortable to use when traveling.
I love that I can use my cashmere travel wrap for a variety of things - as a wrap, a scarf, a blanket, or even a pillow. I’m always freezing on planes so it’s nice to have something that’s so soft and warm in an environment that is often not so comfortable.
White + Warren is a reputable cashmere company that’s been around since 1997. They make stylish, versatile and comfortable knits in cashmere, cotton, linen, and merino wool. Their design and colors are timeless and high quality.
A good cashmere can last a lifetime so it’s a great investment piece for your wardrobe whether you are jet-setting or not!
2. Evian Facial Spray - 1.7 oz. Travel Duo
I never leave without a travel-size 1.7 oz travel bottle of Evian facial spray. I have eczema, so many different skincare products irritate my sensitive skin. With the Evian facial spray, I can always rest assured that when I spray a refreshing puff of mist, it won’t make my skin flare up in any way, unlike some other facial sprays that contain ingredients that my skin reacts negatively to.
I love using this while I’m in transit - a dry plane, train, subway, whatever. It soothes and hydrates my skin and gives me a little boost of energy. It’s also a life saver when I’m in hot environments - the cool mist makes me feel instantly better.
The small size of this bottle is TSA friendly and can be thrown in a purse or backpack for when you’re on the go.
3. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Noise-Cancelling
Yep, this is another pricey one. But I’ve been using my Bose wireless headphones for years, and I ADORE them. They are totally worth the money in my opinion. I never travel anywhere without my Bose headphones. They fit my head well, are adjustable, and comfy on my ears for long periods of time.
This is a must-have for flights - I can’t tell you how many times these have been life-savers as a crying baby is on the plane behind me. The noise-cancelling really helps and the sound quality for music and movies is incredible, especially for those songs with the bass. I really like that the noise-cancelling is genuinely quiet - not white noise.
A newer feature on these headphones that my older one did not come with is the Alexa-enabled for voice access to music, info, etc. It’s also enabled with Bose AR - an audio-only version of augmented reality…I’ve not tried this but it’s an added plus.
I also really like the case that it comes in - the case is a perfect compact size but also hard, so I don’t have to worry about them getting jostled or damaged if I throw them in my carry-on. I rarely have to charge them too - one charge lasts up to 20 hours, so it will last for the longest of flights.
These are incredible for travel but they are also great for when you’re not traveling too. If you need to buckle down at the office or at a coffee shop and focus on some work, the headphones are really great for it. I frequently take mine in to the office.
4. Travel Organizer - Cable Bag/USB Drive Shuttle Case/Electronics Accessory Organizer
I always travel with my electronics, so at a minimum I travel with three cords - one for my laptop, one for my iPhone, and one for my Apple watch. But I usually also have even more accessories too like USBs, a power pack, travel converter, earbuds, and more.
These items can get lost easily when I throw them into my luggage. This travel organizer is very affordable and durable, and keeps all of my cords and electronic accessories in order. The color selection is not super wide, but with this item, I’m aiming for affordable function, not beauty.
I have the Olive Green one - it really doesn’t look very olive green…more like a dark gray with light gray strap - that was my favorite color combination.
5. Travel Packing Cubes
If you don’t have packing cubes yet, GET SOME NOW! They help me SO much when I’m packing. I can fit a lot more clothes than usual when using the cubes, plus it keeps my clothes much better organized.
These particular packing cubes come in a lot of beautiful colors and come with multiple size options, including a toiletry bag. They are very durable and lightweight. The mesh allows me to quickly see what I packed in each cube without having to open them up.
Some people use the cubes to organize their outfits for each day - one cube for each day, while I know others that organize by clothing category. Even if you can fit all your items in a single cube for a carry-on, it’s totally worth it - just makes everything compact and contained.
I tend to use the small and medium cubes more than the large.
6. Aromatherapy Associates Roller Ball
I love essential oils. Aromatherapy Associates’ oil formula is high quality and very gentle. It’s made without any potential skin irritants like parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, phthalates, silicone, talc, or artificial fragrance and color.
This roller ball is super travel-friendly at 0.34 fluid ounces, so TSA approved. I use this to de-stress and lower anxiety levels, which can come on easily while traveling. When traveling, I apply to my pulse points (wrists, temples, behind ears), rolling in a circular motion, then I inhale it deeply.
They offer four amazing blends - Deep Relax, Revive Morning, Support Breathe, and Inner Strength. Each of them serve a different purpose, so I can’t really pick a favorite - they all are lovely.
Primary benefits of each:
Deep Relax - promotes relaxation and resting sleeping, calms and eases anxious mind
Revive Morning - energizing and invigorating to the senses, excellent for managing jet lag
Support Breathe - minimizes effects of seasonal threats, cool and soothing aroma to promote clear breathing
Inner Strength - promotes feelings of confidence, courage, and belief, supports a positive mood by managing anxiety and stress
Key ingredients of each:
Deep Relax - vetiver, chamomile, sandalwood, patchouli
Revive Morning - grapefruit, rosemary, juniper, neroli
Support Breathe - pine, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint
Inner Strength - clary sage, frankincense, cardamom, geranium
7. Patchology Eye Gels
I love using eye gels, especially after a long flight. I like to pack one of each for after I arrive at my destination. The eye gels help to combat dark circles and puffy eyes while the lip gels restore moisture to my chapped lips after spending time in a dry plane cabin.
The “Down Time” calming eye gels contain calendula flower with anti-inflammatory properties, evening primrose extract to improve skin elasticity and fight skin fatigue, jasmine flower to reduce dryness, and an aromatherapy blend to soothe and calm the senses.
Patchology, also sold at Nordstrom, is a high quality skincare provider, whose gels don’t irritate my very sensitive skin. The ingredients are really nourishing and I never worry about an adverse reaction.
8. Hot & Cold Facial Massager
So my fiance actually discovered this and got it for me when I was having sensitive skin problems on my face. You wouldn’t really expect a guy to find this, but I love it! It’s very compact, cordless, and handheld, so it barely takes up any room in my carry-on. It has both warming and cooling settings for opening and closing your pores while washing your face. It’s also just pleasant to have the cool setting on during a hot day. This is an anti-aging tool - I don’t use a ton of anti-aging products but I really like this one.
The warming setting helps stimulate blood circulation and opens your pores so that your skincare products can absorb better. It’s not too hot and very pleasant on the skin.
The cooling setting then helps to tighten the skin, shrink pores, and improve skin texture and fine lines/wrinkles. There’s a safe automatic timer that shuts off after 2.5 minutes in each treatment mode.
9. Memory Foam Neck Support Travel Pillow
You may not require this for a micro-vacation if you’re flight’s not too long, but if you plan on snoozing at all during your plane or car ride, I recommend a solid travel pillow.
I’ve tried several travel pillows over the years, and I really like the HOMIEE one, which also comes with a sleep mask, earplugs, and storage bag. The storage bag is especially helpful as it makes the travel pillow super compact and keeps it clean when you aren’t using it.
It comes in several color options and is quite comfortable. I also like that it has a snap that can be adjusted in tightness level to support your neck for a better sleep experience. The outside velour material is also machine washable!
10. DKSUKO Travel Umbrella
If there’s even a remote chance of rain, throw this compact travel umbrella into your suitcase. It's full of features and I always throw it into my carry-on no matter what time of year I travel, and no matter the destination. Better safe than sorry!
A few features that I like:
Lightweight and Compact - 0.98 LB and 12.2” in size
Windproof Design - no more flipped umbrellas!
Reverse Folding Design - the wet stays on the inside and not on you!
Automated Open/Close - single press of a button to open AND close
Sun and Rain Protection - 210T Teflon fabric that’s waterproof AND UV resistant to protect your skin
Warranty - 1 year replacement guarantee from DKSUKO
Affordable - less than $20
11. Portable Handheld Fan
This is helpful to have in the hot months when you plan to travel outside in warm weather. This compact, lightweight device particularly came in handy when I was traveling around the hot and humid Thailand in July.
I like that it has a strap and handle for easy holding. The handle can also swivel around to prop itself up on a table for hands-free cooling. It’s USB chargeable, so no need to carry around AAA batteries.
This fan has three settings - low, medium, and high. The fan is strong but quiet so it wasn’t distracting while I was using it. The battery life is solid. These are also great for bringing to an outdoor concert or a baseball game!
12. Anker PowerCore 20100mAh - Ultra High Capacity Power Bank
I’m really bad about keeping my devices charged. Like super bad. Then I need a portable charger and I forgot to charge that. So I needed to pick a portable, pocket-friendly charger that could hold a charge and be able to fully charge my devices multiple times before I needed to charge it back up again.
The Anker PowerCore can charge an phone between 5 and 7 times depending on the make and model. It’s fairly lightweight compared to other ultra high capacity power banks - 12.5 oz (the equivalent of a can of soup). I also like that it comes in different colors - I have the white, which I think looks very sleek.
Better yet, it’s dual charging, so you can simultaneously charge 2 devices at the same time. And it charges fast. Anker also has stellar customer service - they are highly responsive and easy to work with.
When it arrives, it’s about 75% charged. It takes about 10 hours to fully charge the PowerCore from 0% to 100% so make sure you plug it in overnight before taking with you on your next micro-vacation.
13. Herban Essentials Towelettes
We all know that traveling means that you will be in many public places which carry more germs. Lysol wipes work well, but I adore the Herban Essentials ones so much more. I always keep a few towelettes packed away in my carry-on and purse to clean my hands and wipe down dirty surfaces like airplane tray tables, public transit armrests, or gas pumps. The essential oils in these towelettes are a natural alternative to the harsh alcohol and chemical based sanitizers. When I use them, they don’t dry out my hands or leave a sticky residue.
I love the assorted pack because it contains 20 towelettes of all their scents (4 of each) - Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint, Orange, and Eucalyptus. They all smell amazing. The essential oils in them help to reduce stress and anxiety but they also kill germs.
I love that they are individually wrapped so they are travel sized and easy to throw into a bag when you’re on-the-go.
Some other ways to use the wipes…inhale the Lavender towelette to relax before bed or remove makeup (if you don’t have sensitive skin). Use the Eucalyptus towelette as deodorant or place it in a hot shower to enjoy the aromatic vapors. If you’re on a road trip, put the towelette back in its packet after using and keep in the car for an instant freshener.
14. InStyler Ionic Styler Pro
This is a 4-in-1 style tool which makes it great for micro-vacations. I’ll be upfront with you - it’s not the best hair tool out there. It’s not as good as my individual straightener which is optimized for straightening, nor is it as good as my individual curling iron, which is optimized for curling my hair. But being able to pack a single hair tool versus multiple is way more convenient to me for a mini getaway. And the price is right.
The ionic tool fights frizz and added a ton of volume to my hair. I also like how easy it is to transition from a straightener to a curler - just a single flip of the button. I’m not really good at making my hair do the “in-between” styles, like waves, but I can effectively curl and straighten my hair with it.
Occasionally my hair is tangled and will get stuck in the bristles, so this tool is not the best for tight ringlet curls, but I liked the outcome of using the curler - it added volume and soft, loose curls.
Be careful of the bristles breaking in your suitcase in transit - I advise getting a protective bag to slip the tool in for safer transportation.
15. Osprey Packs Daylite Plus Daypack
I have the greatest little travel backpack from Osprey that is light and super comfortable. It’s perfect for packing my travel essentials for the day, like a light jacket or shawl, water bottle, money, camera, etc.
This backpack is not for overnight or long-term camping because of it’s smaller size…it’s large enough to tablet laptop (up to 14”). The backpack is super durable and comes in lot of beautiful rich colors, which I love.
The back panel is made with mesh-covered die-cut foam, so it’s very comfortable but also breathes easy so I don’t get too hot wearing it.
Don’t you just love it when things are perfectly stylish AND functional?!
16. The Carry On Cocktail Kit
Ok, ok…so maybe this is not an essential, but I love using these in the air! W&P makes a variety of cocktail kits that come in a cute little tin (TSA approved) that you can throw in your carry on. All you need to add is the alcohol.
You can pick from a variety of flavors:
The Old Fashioned
The Bloody Mary
The Gin & Tonic
The Moscow Mule
The Margarita
The Hot Toddy
The Champagne Cocktail
My personal favorites are the Moscow Mule and the Champagne Cocktail.
Each tin makes 2 drinks and contains a receipt card, spoon/muddler, linen coaster, and the ingredients needed to mix with the alcohol (ie. aromatic bitters, cane sugar, rimming salt, mix).
These also make for fun gifts!
Which of these travel essentials will you get for your next micro-vacation? What else would you recommend? Let me know in the comments below!
Travel well and often,
author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
