Travel Resources
I don’t believe in buying things just for the sake of travel. Most trips don’t require much beyond the basics — and I’ll always say when you don’t need something.
This page is a collection of travel resources I personally use and trust, from planning tools and booking sites to a small number of products that genuinely make travel easier. I’ve included notes on when I use each one (and when I don’t), so you can decide what’s actually worth it for your trip.
If you’re planning a trip, these two free guides are a good place to start:
• Planning a trip to New Zealand? Download my free New Zealand itinerary guide with done-for-you routes for both islands.
• Travelling to the UK for the first time? Grab my free UK Cultural Cheat Sheet to help you blend in and avoid common tourist mistakes.
Travel Tools
Booking.com
This is the site I use most often for booking accommodation. I like the flexibility, clear reviews, and ability to filter easily by location and price.
Viator
My favourite option for booking tours and experiences when travelling.
Wise
I’ve used other card and payment options before, but Wise is the one I’ve stuck with. You get a debit card you preload with money, and it automatically uses the local currency. It’s also useful for business, as you can generate bank account details in multiple currencies.
AirBnB (use with caution)
I only recommend Airbnb in more remote locations where you’re supporting local hosts. In many cities, short-term lets negatively impact housing availability. There are great stays available, but read reviews carefully – and be aware that Airbnb’s support can be limited if something goes wrong.
Travel Products
I keep this list short on purpose. These are items I’ve found genuinely useful — not things I think everyone needs.
Away Suitcase
They aren’t the cheapest luggage options, but they are very good quality. Mine took a fair bit of bashing on my USA road trip and while it has picked up a few scuffs it’s still in very good condition.
Packing Cubes
To fold or to roll, to cube or not to cube. People have strong opinions. Personally, I chose compression packing cubes when I went on my USA road trip and it worked really well. Everything was organised and easy to find. Some items were rolled and others folded, but every item of clothing was in a cube. Packing cubes all the way.
Power bank
Worth having if you’re out all day with multiple devices. Just remember it needs to go in your hand luggage when flying.
Compression socks
Useful on long flights to help with circulation when you’re sitting for extended periods. Take them off once you land.
Travel Apps
Tripit
My favourite travel app. You forward your flight, hotel, car rental, activity booking emails, and it creates an itinerary with all the details in one place. It also keeps the information so you can look back at previous trips and remember what you did. I have previous trips as far back as 2014 on my app. All for free. There is a paid upgrade, but I’ve never used more than the free version.
Roadtrippers
This is more for a major road trip. Enter all the stops you want to visit and it creates a route for you. It also shows points of interest along the route. The free version limits how many stops you can add to the trip but is still useful for planning. Use this link to get a discount on the yearly subscription.