Published 30th Mar. 2026
Written by Tom Barber
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Whether you’re heading off-grid, diving beneath the waves or spending a few days spotting wildlife in the savannah, the right kit can make all the difference. To help you get inspired, we’ve asked our specialists to share the gear they never go on a trip without, from practical essentials road-tested around the world to little comforts that simply make life on the go more enjoyable. Are you planning your next adventure and wondering what to pack? Read on for inspiration on what to stuff in your suitcase…
‘My Vivo Barefoot Trackers are the best – incredibly lightweight with thin soles that let you feel connected to the ground but comfortable. Perfect for everything from long hikes in Yellowstone to strolls along the cobbled streets of Prague, these boots are built for wherever the road takes you. Every scuff tells a story.’
Image by Nick Andrews
‘My lightweight stainless-steel Bambaw water bottle has rattled around rickshaws and even travelled by yak on my trek around Mount Kailash in Tibet, and it’s still going strong. I’d take it over any travel companion – it keeps me hydrated in every climate.’
‘While I’m away, I jot down the date, location and highlights from each day in my Waterstone’s vegan-leather notebook. It’s a lovely way to remember the small details from a trip. For anyone who loves to capture memories beyond photos, a notebook like this can become a travel keepsake you return to again and again.’
Image by Nick Andrews
‘Travelling with two sporty young sons makes a Waboba ball a packing-list essential. It bounces off water for daring, diving catches, keeping the youngsters entertained and active wherever you are. Top tip: always take two – one inevitably disappears.’
‘I always buy Mares masks. The shape gives a wide field of view, and a perfectly fitted mask is the single most important piece of dive kit you’ll ever own – it can completely change your experience, whether you’re exploring coral reefs in the Maldives or wrecks in the Red Sea.’
Image by Nick Andrews
‘This trusty carabiner has summited the highest peaks on three continents – Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Elbrus in Russia and Aconcagua in Argentina – and made it to the Everest Base Camp for good measure. Small but mighty, it’s proof that sometimes the simplest gear is the stuff you end up depending on the most.’
‘I often venture well beyond mobile coverage, and I’ve used my Garmin to check maps at 18,000ft in the Himalayas and send messages from a dive boat 550 miles off Costa Rica. Nothing says adventure quite like texting from the middle of nowhere.’
Image by Nick Andrews
‘My lanyard means I can slip my phone in my pocket. It once proved its worth when someone tried to snatch my phone – only to discover it was firmly attached to me! It’s so lightweight you won’t even notice it in your suitcase or backpack, and yet it can save you from stressful moments (and maybe even a few embarrassing chases).’
‘I know, I know – phone cameras are brilliant now – but the Canon PowerShot G16 is a classic. A proper camera that easily slips into a jacket pocket and takes beautifully crisp photos. Investing in a good camera is a bit like investing in memories – even better if you print them out, stick them in a scrapbook and reminisce on your adventures away from a screen.’
Image y Nick Andrews
‘A kikoy (a traditional East African sarong) is the ultimate travel companion: skirt, scarf, head or face covering, nightwear, makeshift towel, an extra layer on a chilly morning safari drive or even an impromptu picnic blanket when you want to stop and soak in the view. I get mine from Kenya Kanga Collection.’
Header Image by Nick Andrews
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
The sun is shining, the summer vibes are in full swing and the travel bug is biting harder than ever. In July, the world is practically begging you to pack your bags – and with so many destinations to choose from, we’ve picked out a few of our favourites. From sipping wine in Tuscany and surfing the east coast of Sri Lanka to cowboying across Wyoming, city slicking in Kuala Lumpur and working on your tan in Brazil, there’s something for every kind of summer adventure.
30th March 2026 - Travel Inspiration
Train travel has come a long way in the last two centuries and remains one of the more positive expressions of humankind’s restless ingenuity. In Japan, developments are currently underway to cut journey times in half, thanks to the frictionless flair of Maglev (Magnetic Levitation). We’ll have to wait and see how that pans out. In the meantime, why not revel in the splendour of times gone by? Since it would be almost impossible (and ridiculously lengthy) to list all the rail innovations that have taken place over the years, we’ve decided to focus on some of the defining moments.
16th March 2026 - Travel Inspiration
Have you heard the news? This year, a remarkable 16 of our expert destination consultants have been included in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2026 list of the Top Travel Specialists, with six brand new faces added to the lineup. This highly prestigious little black book recognises the very best in the travel industry, and for the fourth year running, we have more experts included than any other travel company.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
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