Decades of travelling with every conceivable companion, from children on holiday road trips to contemporaries on a Saga cruise, have given your columnist some firm ideas about the best technology to pack.
Give it some juice with a power pack
There is nothing you will pat yourself on the back more for having remembered than a pocket-sized rechargeable power pack. Whether it’s to boost your phone when you land after a long flight or to give a grandchild’s games console some much-needed juice, it’s a must-have.
There are dozens to choose from, but I particularly like the 12,000 mAh Powerbank from Dutch company Fresh ’n Rebel. It’s a powerful device and costs approx. £37.99 including shipping.
Music wherever you move
A really small Bluetooth speaker is another endlessly pleasing thing to have packed. Lots of types out there, again, but Marshall (yes, the stage amplifier people) has a big range that all sound superb. My pick for travel would be its Willen (RRP £99.99), a 4in square of audio oomph and clarity that weighs just 310g.
Try a tag for peace of mind
Getting on a flight to X and worrying that your suitcase is on its way to Y can set any holiday off to a bad start. So how about putting a tiny Bluetooth tracker in your case? It’s legal and lots of people do it for peace of mind.
Once you’re in your seat, they have enough range to indicate that your bag is down in the cargo hold. And at the other end, while you’re waiting by the conveyor, you’ll be able to detect when your case is close, even if you can’t yet see it.
Tile has a big range or, if you have an iPhone, try Apple’s AirTag (RRP £35). You can buy a pack of four for £119 and keep one in a wallet and another with your passport.
Sound adventures to keep young minds busy
When my kids were very small, we did a camping trip in the USA. At a toyshop in a small town, they spotted cassettes in a series called Little Thinker. They were sound adventures – one a space journey, the other an undersea adventure. With their eyes closed as instructed by narrator Nancy, the kids would listen on their Fisher-Price cassette player.
They were so entranced, they stopped squabbling for whole hours at a time. They’ve always said the tapes were their ‘best ever childhood thing’.
Amazingly, the same Little Thinker recordings can now be downloaded and my four-year-old grandson, Oskar, is as enchanted by them as his dad and aunt were 40 years ago. They cost $13.99 each – about £11. Alternatively, you can order USB sticks or CDs from the States. If you download them, they can be listened to on a child’s MP3 player – you’ll find plenty on Amazon for under £30.