My Amazon Travel Must-Haves & Why I Love Them

I think one of the best things about being an empty nester is having the freedom to travel whenever you want! Like, every season is travel season! I know many of you are taking multi-generational family vacations this summer, just like we are! Before we do that, though, we’re taking a cruise just the two of us! Today, I’m sharing details on our summer travels, as well as a few of my Amazon travel must-haves with you!

As always, click the pink text links or any image (including the collage above) for more information.

Empty Nester Travel

According to Tripadvisor, this summer Americans are eyeing destinations with entertainment, sporting events, and adventure. In addition, 95 percent of travelers in a Tripadvisor survey said they plan to travel as much or more than they did last year. In fact, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is predicting that 2024 will be a record-breaking year for the global travel industry!

Some of this may be driven by the fact that average airfares fell 0.5 percent in March’s inflation report, making them 7% cheaper than a year ago and 15%cheaper than their June 2022 peak. Prices are even lower compared to the final pre-pandemic month of February 2020. ✈️

Our favorite empty-nester travel guru, Shannon Leyerle of Vacations by Shannon, says that Europe is the number one travel request she’s received over the past 18 months. The top destination request is France, followed by Italy. She’s also getting lots of requests for cruises🚢.

Where We’re Traveling This Summer

Speaking of cruises, this week, Bob and I are on a Virgin Voyages cruise! The brainchild of British entrepreneur Richard Branson, Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line that aims to be a bit different from the other options on the cruising market. The line is known for its yacht-inspired atmosphere, upscale dining outlets, free Wi-Fi access, design-forward staterooms, and wellness activities. There are four ships in the fleet, and Bob and I are taking a 5-day Mexican Riviera cruise on the Valiant Lady. I’ll be documenting everything on my Instagram and Instagram Story, so you’ll want to be sure you’re following me to see our adventures and learn more about Virgin Voyages.

Also, how great is this? If you’re interested in Virgin Voyages, I’ve got an amazing deal for you! The cruise line is offering Empty Nest Blessed followers $100 of onboard credit for voyages in 2024 when they book! You can use this credit on anything from Shore Excursions to Spa Treatments, and everything in between! (That’s on top of their current offer on the market, which is 80% off the second sailor.)  Click HERE to learn more!

Later this summer, we’ll be heading to the Chicago area to visit our son and daughter-in-law. We haven’t seen them since January, and we’re so looking forward to getting on their “turf.” If you’re a seasoned ENB reader, you know how important I think that is! (And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, click HERE.)

A few weeks after that, we’ll venture up to Big Fork, Montana, to see our daughter, Becca, perform at Big Fork Summer Playhouse. Scroll down on THIS page to see her headshot and on THIS page to see the shows she’s doing! While we’re there, we’ll also be doing a lot of hiking and fly fishing in nearby Glacier National Park.

Finally, in late summer, we’ll be heading to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas with our son, daughter-in-law, and grandbaby toddler 😁.

Amazon Travel Must-Haves

Handheld Luggage Scale

This lightweight digital scale comes everywhere with me! When I travel, I offload (gifts, products I use up, etc.), but I also tend to pick up new clothes, gifts, etc. No one wants a surprise upcharge at the airport!

White Noise Machine

No more waking up in noisy hotels because people are slamming doors! This little white noise machine masks all the sounds. (Incidentally, it’s the same one we have in the grandbaby’s nursery at our house!)

Toothbrush Sanitizer

This rechargeable toothbrush sanitizer uses UV rays to sanitize your toothbrush. We’ve all gotten sick while traveling, and this sanitizer is an extra precaution I take against germs. It’s a little pricey, but you only have to buy it once!

Fast-Charging, Portable Charger

This cute portable charger fits right in the bottom of the phone and stays put! It charges from 20% to 60% in just 30 minutes! The sleek design means I can keep using my phone and it doesn’t get in the way, which is so helpful! THIS is the one for the older iPhones. If you have an iPhone 15 or a newer Android or Samsung, you’ll need THIS one.

Lightweight Packing Cubes + Cosmetic Bag

Packing cubes keep you organized and help you maximize space in your suitcase. This 8-piece packing cube set is an updated version of the set I use and includes a laundry bag, makeup bag, and shoe bag. Click through HERE for color options.

Jewelry Organizer

Y’all know I love jewelry! This jewelry organizer helps me coordinate all of my bejeweled accessories and access them easily. It’s great that it folds up like an envelope to slip easily into the room safe or my suitcase.

Foldable Travel Hangers

These non-slip, lightweight, retractable hangers are fantastic for travel. I take mine every time we go for longer than a weekend. You never know what’s been in those hotel room drawers 😝, and hanging everything reduces wrinkles and helps you clearly see what you brought.

Manicure Set

This little manicure set has saved me on more than one occasion! Nobody plans for a nail emergency, but if you break a fingernail or chip a toenail, leaving a sharp or rough edge, it can be a real problem! (Take it from your friend, Suzy, open-toed shoes around luggage…bad idea!🙄) Also, the nail clippers are great for snipping tags on new purchases, etc.

Self-Cleaning, Water-Purifying, Reusable Water Bottle

I’ve saved a ton by foregoing those overpriced airport disposable water bottles! This UV-sanitizing water bottle ensures that my drinking water is always safe and clean. Bob has one in navy blue! The Larq UV sanitizing water bottle is the original and the one I own, but if you’re looking for a less-expensive dupe, try THIS one.

Hot Sock Diffuser

As a curly-hair gurl, I’m LOST without my diffuser! If I don’t want to end up looking like some guy from an 80s hair band, I gotta have it🤣! This genius ultra-light diffuser prevents heat damage and fits on any hair dryer. (Also, it’s super cheap, so there’s that🙌.)

UV Travel Umbrella

If you think you’d be embarrassed to carry this UV Travel Umbrella when sightseeing, then you haven’t been to Europe lately! It is THE thing. It’s compact and ultra-lightweight, and it offers UV 50+ protection. It will keep you cool(er), and it’s a great insurance policy if you don’t have time to reapply sunscreen every two hours as recommended.

Travel Neck Pillow

You’ll see this Flyhugz Neck Pillow on next week’s SO in the KNOW! It has an ergonomic design that combines 360° memory foam neck and chin support and a 100% cotton cover that can be removed for washing. The tightness can be adjusted, and it comes with a carrying case so you can easily attach it to your carry-on bag. It also comes in gray.

Electronic & Cable Travel Organizer

Probably like most of you, I’ve got different cords for my iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad! Not to mention other devices like my heated eyelash curler and my magnifying lighted compact mirror! Gotta keep them all organized!

Handheld Garment Steamer

I’ve tried other, smaller steamers, but this steamer is the best! It goes with me on all of my trips and works on everything from cotton to silk.

Toiletry Travel Bag with Hanging Hook

This Amazon best-seller holds a TON of lotions and potions. The quality is primo, and the various zippered compartments keep me organized. I use one for hair products, one for dental 😁 products like toothpaste and teeth whitener, and one for body products like my self-tanner, etc.

Magnifying Compact Mirror with Light

At our age, good lighting, and a magnifying mirror are must-haves, for sure! This little rechargeable number provides both!

Travel Razor

This mini Gillette Venus On The Go Razor uses the same razor blades as the full-size Venus razor I use at home. I love that it comes with a cute little carrying case so no blades are exposed in my luggage, and the 5 blades and a lubricating strip provide a close, smooth shave.

Magnetic Hat Clip

Another preview item from next week’s SO in the KNOW! I ordered this to take on our cruise! If you’ve ever arrived at your destination to find your supposedly “packable” hat misshapen and bent, this magnetic hat clip is the solution you need! Just clip the magnetic holder to your hat and attach it to your bag with the metal loop. It comes in brown, white, or black and also works to attach keys, sunglasses, and more.

Packing List Pad

Never forget a thing! This exhaustive checklist of everything you could ever need will keep that pre-trip packing chaos to a minimum! Now you just have to figure out those cute outfits!

Lightweight Packable Backpack

Bob and I both use these lightweight packable backpacks, and we’ve taken them all over the world! They’re compact, light, and perfect for sightseeing, bike rides, or even as beach bags!

I’ve loved sharing my Amazon travel must-haves with you! All of the items I shared with you today, plus a lot more are in the Travel Essentials list up on the Empty Nest Blessed Amazon page. You can check out the full list right HERE or by clicking the link below.

When you’re an empty nester, every season is travel season! I think it’s one of the very best things about the empty nest! Let me know where you’re headed next in the comments and if you have a travel must-have that you love, okay?