Ultimate Travel Checklist
☐ Book early for cheap flights (use Skyscanner, sign up for alerts) or book directly with the airlines
☐ Reserve refundable hotel rooms in advance (booking.com is reliable)
Find Your Perfect Stay
I use Booking.com to find hotels, boutique stays, cosy B&Bs, and special places close to nature. Their filters and reviews make it easy to choose the right spot.
☐ Always buy travel insurance
☐ Pre-book key activities and tours, you will find almost everything on Viator or Getyourguide (more focused on Europe)
Top Tours & Activities
When exploring a new place, I love using GetYourGuide for well-organized tours and experiences. They offer everything from food walks to outdoor adventures.
☐ Pre-book activities and tours focused on food with ByFood, they are big in Japan ;) but are expanding quickly
☐ If you are visiting a big city Gocity sells city passes that include entry to multiple attractions for one price
☐ Travel during the off-season for better deals
☐ Use points or miles for flights or hotels if available
☐ Learn a few basic local phrases (“Please”, “Thank you”, “Sorry” )
☐ Check for visa and safety
☐ Check for vaccinations at least a few months before you leave
☐ Check out party/drug laws (that is one my son had on his list)
☐ Make copies and photos of important documents (passport, ID, insurance)
☐ Visit local tourism websites for free guides and events
Be flexible and leave room for spontaneity in your itinerary:
Expect changes or delays, you never know when another Covid can hit again
We stayed extra days in the beautiful Mundo Nuevo Eco Lodge in Minca, Colombia for example.
Packing & Luggage
☐ Choose light, durable luggage, such as Samsonite
☐ Plan your outfits based on destination and weather
☐ Use packing cubes and a small laundry bag.
☐ Roll clothes to save space and reduce wrinkles.
☐ Bring a portable luggage scale.
☐ Make your packing list a week before departure (use destination-specific checklists).
☐ Pack key items in your carry-on: electronics, medications, essential toiletries, change of clothes, reusable water bottle.
☐ If traveling with someone, divide personal items and money across bags.
☐ Essentials: small quick-dry towel, light jacket, earplugs, headlamp (if needed), hand sanitizer, first aid kit, universal adapter, extra batteries, portable power bank, small daypack, reusable water bottle, Kindle, and bum bag
Packing Cubes Set
Keep your clothes neat and wrinkle-free. Includes a laundry bag for worn items.
Portable Luggage Scale
Avoid extra baggage fees with this lightweight, accurate travel scale.
Clear Toiletry Bag
TSA-approved, wipe-clean, and easy to organise at security.
Electronics & Travel Gadgets
Universal Travel Adapter
Stay powered wherever you go. Works in over 150 countries with built-in USB ports for easy charging.
Portable Power Bank
Compact and fast-charging — keep your phone, camera, and headphones powered up on long travel days.
Amazon Kindle
Read anywhere, even in bright sunlight. Lightweight, long battery life, and space for hundreds of books.
Written by Elene Riordan
Welcome to Travelling Cooks! I’m Elene, a 50-ish-year-old British-Belgian woman living in Brussels, surrounded by my beautiful friends and family. This blog is a celebration of my three great passions—travel, restaurants, and cooking. Enjoy!