Travel Essentials

Recommendations – Services & Products I Actually Use & Love

Because there’s so much involved in planning a trip, I thought it might be helpful to share with you my favourite companies for booking hotels, activities, local transport and staying connected.

These are all companies I have used in the past, who I trust and love. I never recommend anything I haven’t tried out myself.

Sitting on a fallen tree trunk in a forest, facing away as she looks down a wooded slope. Bare and budding trees stretch toward the sky under bright daylight.

Full disclosure! See those links below? If you happen to click on one of these and purchase something I recommend, I’ll get a small commission (wohoo). Don’t worry, this is at no extra cost to you (in fact, often I’ll have some discounts you can enjoy!). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying sales. You can read my full disclaimer here.

Tours & Activities

GetYourGuide

I choose GetYourGuide for the:
‣ Free cancellation on most bookings
‣ Book now, pay later option
‣ Clear, detailed listings
‣ Thousands of verified reviews
‣ Instant confirmation
‣ Mobile tickets

A woman in a cozy knit hat with a pom-pom looks out from a hot air balloon basket, watching dozens of colorful balloons float above the misty landscape of Cappadocia at sunrise. The soft light highlights the mountainous horizon and the scattered town below.

Manawa

Not as well known, I’ve used Manawa a few times, most recently for my Ljubljana hot air balloon ride. Here’s why I love it:
I choose Manawa for the:
‣ Specialist outdoor activities
‣ Huge range of adventure options
‣ Carefully selected local instructors
‣ Clear listings
‣ Verified reviews from other travellers
‣ No booking fees
‣ Weather-related rescheduling

Accommodation

HostelWorld

If you’re a budget traveller, HostelWorld is great because:
‣ Huge choice of budget stays
‣ Easy comparison by price, rating & location
‣ Legitimate reviews from travellers who’ve actually stayed there
‣ Clear ratings for cleanliness, security, atmosphere and facilities
‣ Free cancellation and flexible booking options
‣ Dorms, private rooms and female-only options
‣ Hostel photos, room details and facility filters
‣ App features that help solo travellers meet people before they arrive

Cozy stone-carved cave hotel room with a low wooden platform bed covered in a mustard-yellow duvet, flanked by bedside tables and warm lighting. The textured walls and arched stonework behind the headboard create a rustic and authentic Cappadocian cave stay atmosphere.

Booking.com

Booking.com is the only company I use for booking hotels. Here’s why:
‣ Huge range of hotels, apartments and guesthouses
‣ Free cancellation on many stays
‣ Pay at the property options on selected bookings
‣ Clear filters for budget, location, reviews and facilities
‣ Verified guest reviews
‣ Easy map view for checking locations
‣ Genius discounts on eligible stays
‣ Simple booking confirmations in one place

Transport / Getting Around

Rail Europe

I choose Rail Europe for the:
‣ Easy train booking across multiple European countries
‣ Clear route options and journey times
‣ Simple comparison of prices
‣ Mobile tickets on many routes
‣ Helpful for planning multi-city trips
‣ Seat reservations shown when needed
‣ Straightforward booking process in English

Welcome Pickups

I’ve started using Welcome Pickups when I arrive in new cities. Here’s why:
‣ Fixed prices, so there are no taxi meter surprises
‣ Airport meet and greet service
‣ Flight monitoring if your arrival time changes
‣ English-speaking local drivers
‣ Driver details sent before pickup
‣ 24/7 customer support
‣ Private transfers that can be booked in advance
‣ Option to request extras like child seats where available

Discover Cars

I use Discover Cars for the:
‣ Easy comparison across major car hire companies
‣ Clear pricing before you book
‣ Flexible pick-up and drop-off options
‣ Free cancellation on many bookings
‣ Filter options for automatic cars, luggage space and supplier ratings
‣ Customer reviews
‣ One place to compare airport and city-centre car hire

Travel Insurance

SafetyWing

I tend to use SafetyWing for longer trips / staying in one place for a long period of time. Some of the key features are:
‣ Flexible cover you can buy before you leave or while you’re already abroad
‣ Global coverage across 180+ countries
‣ Simple monthly-style payments
‣ Emergency medical cover while travelling
‣ Travel benefits like lost luggage, travel delays and emergency evacuation
‣ Easy online claims process
‣ 24/7 human support

Woman in a cream coat rolling a white suitcase along a train platform beside an orange and black train. She carries a tote bag and looks toward the train doors while traveling by rail.

World Nomads

This is my go to travel insurance, especially when sport activities are involved. Here’s why I love them:
‣ Travel insurance designed with independent travellers in mind
‣ Cover for many adventure activities
‣ 24/7 emergency assistance while travelling
‣ Option to buy or extend cover online
‣ Simple online claims process
‣ Clear information before you buy
‣ Useful travel safety advice and destination guides

Staying Connected

Airalo eSim

I choose Airalo for the:
‣ Easy eSIM setup before you travel
‣ Coverage in 200+ countries and regions
‣ Local, regional and global eSIM options
‣ No need to buy a physical SIM card
‣ Ability to top up data in the app
‣ Useful for avoiding expensive roaming charges
‣ Instant internet access once your eSIM is installed and activated

This is me wearing a shirt that says "Hard Rock Cafe New Delhi" stands at a brick lookout wall on Schlossberg hill above Graz. The city spreads out behind her under a bright blue sky.

SurfShark

There’s nothing more important than protecting yourself while travelling. That’s why I choose Surfshark. Some of their features are:
‣ Extra privacy when using public Wi-Fi
‣ Unlimited devices on one account
‣ Easy-to-use apps across phones, laptops and tablets
‣ CleanWeb feature to help block ads, trackers and malware
‣ Split tunnelling for choosing which apps or sites use the VPN
‣ 30-day money-back guarantee

Miscellaneous

Radical Storage

I choose Radical Storage because of the:
‣ Handy luggage storage in 1,000+ cities
‣ 13,000+ verified storage locations
‣ Simple online booking before you arrive
‣ Storage spots near stations, attractions and city centres
‣ 24/7 instant support

EatWith

‣ Unique food experiences with locals
‣ Dinner parties, supper clubs, food tours and cooking classes
‣ Small-group experiences in homes
‣ Chance to learn about local food and culture from people who live there
‣ Experiences available in 130+ countries
‣ Easy online booking before you travel

Travel Photography

Nikon D7500

I love my Nikon D7500 for the:
‣ Excellent image quality
‣ Lightweight enough to travel with
‣ Great battery life
‣ Fast autofocus
‣ Strong low-light performance
‣ Flip screen for awkward angles
‣ Easy manual controls

GoPro Hero12

I chose the GoPro HERO12 for the:
‣ Compact size for easy travel
‣ Waterproof design
‣ Excellent video stabilization
‣ Great for action shots
‣ Wide-angle footage
‣ Long battery life
‣ Easy phone connection

Insta360 x 5

The Insta360x5 is great for:
‣ 8K 360° video
‣ Invisible selfie stick effect
‣ Excellent stabilization
‣ Waterproof design
‣ Replaceable lenses
‣ Strong low-light performance
‣ Easy reframing after filming

DJI Osmo Gimbal Stabalizer

DJI Osmo Gimbal Stabilizer is great for:
‣ Smooth video while walking
‣ Compact enough to pack easily
‣ Great for filming city streets
‣ Handy face and object tracking
‣ Easy phone mounting
‣ Useful built-in controls
‣ More polished footage without carrying bulky gear

leaning against the wide trunk of a dragon blood tree on a rocky cliff. The tree’s dense umbrella shaped canopy frames a dry mountain canyon with more dragon blood trees in the distance.

DJI Mini 5 Pro Drone

I chose the DJI Mini 5 Pro for the:
‣ Lightweight, travel-friendly design
‣ Excellent 1-inch CMOS camera
‣ Strong photo and video quality
‣ Smooth, stable aerial footage
‣ Omnidirectional obstacle sensing
‣ True vertical shooting for social content
‣ Compact foldable design

Packing Essentials

Compression Packing Cubes

I use packing cubes everywhere I go – a weekend trip or a 2-week trip. I love them because they:
‣ Save space in my suitcase
‣ Keep clothes neatly separated
‣ Make packing and unpacking quicker
‣ Separate clean clothes from worn
‣ Make it easier to find things

taking a mirror selfie in a hotel room while wearing a gray beanie, dark sweater, jeans, black boots, and a large travel backpack. A water bottle and luggage tag are tucked into the backpack, with an unmade bed behind her.

Osprey Sirrus Backpack

I love my Osprey Sirrus backpack for the:
‣ Comfortable fit for long travel days
‣ Breathable back panel
‣ Supportive hip belt
‣ Plenty of useful pockets
‣ Integrated rain cover
‣ Sturdy, reliable design
‣ Handy size for day hikes, city exploring and cabin packing

Samsonite Hard Case Set

I choose the Samsonite Omni 2 set for the:
‣ Three sizes for different trip lengths
‣ Durable hardside shell
‣ Smooth spinner wheels
‣ Expandable packing space
‣ Built-in TSA-approved locks
‣ Interior divider and cross straps
‣ Sleek matching set that actually looks pulled together

Osprey 95l Duffel Bag

I absolutely love this duffel bag for the:
‣ Lightweight design for easy packing
‣ Spacious main compartment
‣ Durable fabric for regular travel
‣ Comfortable shoulder straps
‣ Easy-to-carry grab handles
‣ Handy foldaway design when not in use