As a travel writer, it's no surprise that my passion for exploration runs in my family. After all, where else did I get this from? Both of my grandparents are avid travelers, traveling abroad multiple times a year to places like Thailand, Italy, and France.
My grandparents, who love to travel, are in what my grandfather called their “golden years” of life and are enjoying their retirement by exploring the world. But of course, the ability and joy of traveling effortlessly comes with a list of foolproof travel accessories to make your trip as smooth as humanly possible. With a wealth of experience under my belt, I asked my grandparents to create a list of travel essentials. This includes everything from your favorite slip-on sneakers to a portable cane for emergencies. Keep reading for our top picks starting at just $5.
Zomake Portable Metal Shoe Horn
Amazon
“I never go anywhere without a pocket shoehorn,” my grandfather told me on the phone the other day. I should have known this would be his first piece of advice to share with other retirement travelers. Because all his life, he had shoehorns scattered around the house (and in his bag) to help him put on loafers. , sneakers, and other footwear can be found everywhere, from entryways to rental cabins to doctor's offices. He sent me a link to this handy $5 portable device of his. I'm only 24, but I'm considering adding this to my cart to make my life a little easier.
Kizik madrid slip-on sneakers
Amazon
My other grandpa has replaced almost all of his shoes with these slip-on sneakers, so he doesn't wear shoehorns anymore. He calls the slip-on sneakers “the best invention since sliced bread” and says, “I wish I had them.” I've had one pair all my life. ” Thanks to his intense love for these sneakers, my grandmother also became a convert. Now, the two happily walk from stall to stall all over Thailand wearing kijiku.
Samsonite Freeform 21 Inch Carry-on Suitcase
Amazon
My grandparents have no patience for heavy, creaky luggage. That's why we trust this Samsonite carry-on with its four smooth-gliding wheels and a spacious, compact structure that conveniently packs all your belongings. This suitcase weighs just over 6 pounds. This means you don't have to worry about carrying around heavy bags or risking injury. They each have their own bags. And you probably won't be traveling with any other bags.
Vera Bradley Triple Zip Hipster Crossbody Bag
vera bradley
My grandmother loves stylish shoulder bags, but says they're too heavy for long trips these days. So she now travels with a lightweight crossbody bag that's large enough to hold her phone, passport, and other belongings, but not too burdensome. She loves this Vera Bradley one for its “fashionable look and storage ability.” [her] Things are close. ”
Auvon Travel Pill Organizer
Amazon
When traveling, it's important to keep all your medications in one convenient place. My grandparents have one of her boxes that not only organizes all of her medications by day of the week, but also by time of day (morning and night) to streamline medication taking and memorization. . My grandmother also advised other travelers to have an extra few days' worth of medication in case their trip is delayed or extended. Oh, and this set happens to be on sale for $8 to Prime members.
ostrich pillow compression socks
Amazon
My grandparents found that compression socks helped reduce the discomfort and swelling caused by prolonged restricted movement by stimulating circulation in the legs. And while they've tried different pairs (including this set of 8 Charmking compression socks), their current favorite is this one from his Ostrich Pillow that I featured. They love the socks' “incredibly comfortable compression” and feel confident enough to wear them for his upcoming 24+ hour trip to Thailand. .
Vaunn portable folding cane
Amazon
My grandfather sometimes needs special assistance with walking, especially during long trips. That's why I always carry this handy portable folding cane with me. We bought it for him last year and have been wearing it ever since when his knees hurt or he needs help with balance. He feels it's better than traveling with a regular cane because he doesn't have to worry about “a big cane taking up too much space in the airplane cabin or in his TSA.”
Techshare Magnifying Glass and Light Keychain
Amazon
When I visited my grandfather recently, he pulled out this handy dandy two-in-one magnifying glass and light in the dimly lit restaurant we were in and used it to read the menu and order food. When I asked him when he started carrying it around, he said that a friend recommended it to him about a year ago to read handouts and other information on the go. I thought it was totally genius, and even better that it could be hooked to his keys. Everything was only $8. It's now a necessity for him, and I can't recommend it enough to make other retirees' trips smoother.
Cabeau Evolution S3 Neck Pillow
Amazon
Last Christmas, I gave this neck pillow to my grandmother to replace her old neck pillow, and when I asked her how durable it was, she found out that it was so comfortable that she fell asleep as soon as she sat down on the plane, and she kept it there. It seems like he sleeps all the time. time. She's also a fan of convenient carry-on bags, which she said she can “keep in the bag and take a break in the car.”
loft drop shoulder cardigan
loft
Both of my grandparents live in South Florida, and between the humid heat and indoor air conditioner blasts, a good cardigan is a daily and travel necessity for both of them. We both love styles like this lightweight style from Loft (we both happen to love everything about Loft) and it adds a cozy warmth to wherever you are. Even better, this stylish thing is currently on sale for $33.
Quince Women's Linen Pants
Quince
Near the end of my phone call with my grandmother, I asked her if she had any other advice she'd like to pass on, and she told me that travelers “shouldn't waste their time in jeans or uncomfortable pants,” and instead opt for jeans or uncomfortable pants. He said I should choose bad pants. These pull-on pants are comfortable, breathable, and easy to wear. She actually found this particular $40 pair of hers from Quince in an online ad and has been hooked ever since. So she has her 3 pairs and keeps adding more.
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