One of the perks of being single is also being flexible and when it comes to travel, there's nothing like last-minute plans to soothe the single gal's soul (especially over the holidays). Nothing says love like cramming into the middle seat on a last-minute flight to see family and friends for the holiday season.
If you get struck by the travel bug this holiday season, or you succumbed to the guilt of family members and agreed to go home for the holidays, don't forget to pack these essential travel items in your carry-on...
1. Melatonin: I'm a lover of hotel rooms and their heavenly beds, but I can also appreciate the comforts of my own sheets and pillows. Many people have trouble sleeping while traveling, but you don't a bad night's sleep to ruin your day. Melatonin is an herbal supplement that helps put your mind at ease so you can get some z's. This is especially helpful if your traveling through time zones or internationally.
2. Travel candles/scented sachets: I always bring a touch of home with me when I travel. Small candles (1 oz.) or lavender sachets are an easy way to freshen any hotel room, and my favorite scents remind me of the comforts of home.
3. Black wrap/sunglasses: I never leave home without a pashmina in hand. Airplanes get cold and for long flights, these warm wraps will do wonders. For red-eye flights or international flights, throw on your shades and tune out the other passengers (especially the guy next to you who insists on keeping his reading light on for the entire flight).
4. Laundry pack: What's worse than being delayed when you travel? Being delayed with no clean clothes. Apparently, someone in the Tide and Woolite camps had this problem and thankfully, they've come up with a solution: travel laundry packs. Pick up pouches of laundry detergents from your local pharmacy or drugstore and you can save yourself a lot of trouble if you're stranded overnight (or just want to limit the amount of clothes you bring with you). These laundry packets are for hand-washing garments and come in handy in any hotel room bathroom.
5. Travel alarm clock: They take up little space and can be a savior for those early-morning flights. Travel alarm clocks are under $20 and run on batteries, making them an affordable must-have carry-on item for any traveler.
6. A good book: What's a vacation without a good read? Ok, maybe you won't have time to read while slaving over the stove this holiday season, but you can be sure you'll have downtime on your flight to catch up on the latest New York Times bestseller.
7. Facial mist spray: This is one of my essential travel items and comes in a 2.5 oz tube that fits neatly in my purse. Airplane air can be dry, causing you to feel worn out and tired. A quick mist of facial spray and you'll breathe a little life back into your dry skin. Evian makes a great water-based mist and many cosmetic companies also offer these mists in herbal scents like lavender and jasmine.
8. Oil-blotting papers: Another must-have for the single woman traveler - oil-blotting papers. Particularly great for long-haul flights, these oil-blotting papers are a perfect way to freshen up your face before applying makeup and greeting your friends and family at the airport.
9. Chargers: I'll admit I'm addicted to my technology. I travel to all corners of the globe, but only with a charged cell phone in hand. Make sure you always have spare chargers and if you're traveling internationally, an adapter for your chargers. If you find yourself with an airline delay or worse, a cancellation, your charged cell phone will come in handy when booking last-minute hotel rooms and calling for cabs.
10. Snacks: Traveling solo also means paying for everything, so why not save a few dollars and pick up some snacks pre-travel (instead of paying mark-up prices at the airport or hotel gift shop). Granola bars, dried fruit and peanut butter sandwiches are easy travel items that will always make it through security.
Don't forget -- the TSA limits all carry-on liquids to 3 fluid ounces, and it must all fit into one 1-quart sized clear plastic zip-lock bag.
