Travel Prep Like a Pro (Or at Least Like Me)
Why International Travel Deserves Its Own Prep Plan
There’s something about international travel that just hits different. The excitement, the longer flights, the unfamiliar outlets… it’s not the same as tossing a weekend bag in the back of your car and heading a few hours away. It takes a little more intention, a little more prep. And if you’re me, a little more list-making.
Right now, I’m getting ready for a trip to coastal France with my mom, and I’ve been in full-on planning mode. We’re aiming for an adventure-heavy week: biking, kayaking, hiking, soaking in all the charm and coastline the region has to offer. It’s a trip we’ve talked about for ages, and I want to show up feeling good, organized, and present…not stressed from scrambling at the last minute.
So today, I’m walking you through exactly how I prep for international travel! What I do before I leave, how I pack without overpacking, and the small rituals that help me feel like I have my life together (even if I’m eating croissants for breakfast every day for a week).
🧼 Clean House, Clear Mind. I Deep Clean for My Sanity (and for Drew)
One of the first things I do before any trip is clean the house. Not halfway clean. I’m talking fresh sheets, every towel washed, the laundry basket completely empty, counters wiped, and the floors vacuumed. Yes, everything… if I’m feeling chaotic. There’s just something about coming home to a tidy space that makes the travel comedown so much easier. No one wants to land after a long travel day and walk into a pile of laundry or a messy kitchen. I want to light a candle, toss my laundry into the washing machine, and flop on the couch like the cozy version of myself I imagine in my head.
Except… this time, I won’t be the one enjoying the clean house. Drew will. I’m traveling solo this round, which means he gets to soak up the joy of my pre-departure deep clean. You’re welcome, babe. Even though I won’t get the benefit of coming home to it, this ritual is still part of how I mentally prep for a trip. Tidying the space around me helps me shift gears and get into travel mode. It’s one less thing on my mental load, and it helps me feel like I have my life somewhat together before stepping onto a plane.
🧳 Packing Game Plan for Overseas Trips. The Cube System, Color Schemes, and Strategic Repeats
Packing for international travel feels like a strategic sport…and I am absolutely playing to win. I’m a light packer by nature, but that doesn’t mean I just toss a few things in a suitcase and call it a day. It’s weirdly methodical (borderline neurotic?) and all about planning smart.
First rule? Packing cubes. Always. They keep everything organized and compact, especially when you’re hopping between locations or living out of a suitcase for over a week. I separate items by category (tops, bottoms, undergarments, accessories) and it makes unpacking (and repacking) so much easier.
Second rule? Color scheme. I try to build my outfits around a palette, usually neutrals with a pop of one or two colors, so almost everything can be mixed and matched. It’s not about repeating the same outfit… it’s about reusing pieces in different ways. A pair of trousers gets worn with two different tops. A dress one day becomes a beach cover-up the next.
It’s a little puzzle, honestly. How many outfits can I make from the least amount of clothes without repeating an exact look? I also factor in the activities (lots of walking, biking, maybe kayaking this trip), so I know I need things that are versatile and functional…not just cute for a photo.
And yes, I always end up with one thing I didn’t wear. But that’s the sweet spot. If I come home having worn everything except one item, I know I packed just right.
🎒 My Non-Negotiable Travel Essentials: Things I Never Fly International Without
I don’t check a bag….ever. I travel with just a carry-on and a personal item, which means I’ve learned how to be really intentional about what comes with me and where it goes. My personal item (the bag that stays under the seat in front of me) is my travel lifeline. That’s where all of my non-negotiables live…not in the overhead bin.
First up, the golden rule: Always keep a full change of clothes in your personal item.
Not a maybe. Not a “just in case.” This is a non-negotiable. I’ve had flights delayed, bags taken at the gate, and luggage go on mystery adventures. So I keep a fresh outfit, underwear, and anything I’d desperately want if things went sideways right by my feet.
Also in that under-seat bag: any non-replaceable items. That includes:
Jewelry
Tech + chargers
Important medications
Travel documents and passport
Both US and European plug adapters - I always bring both to avoid a frantic outlet hunt abroad
Comfort is a huge priority for me on long-haul flights, so two absolute musts come with me every time:
A neck pillow that actually supports my head
A foot hammock (truly a game changer for long flights. highly recommend)
I also won’t board without:
A refillable water bottle - filled after security, essential for staying hydrated
Hydration essentials like lip balm, eye drops, and a travel-sized face mist or moisturizer
A soft scarf that doubles as a blanket (because plane temps are chaos)
My go-to supplements like daily vitamins and vitamin C
And of course, snacks, because I simply don’t trust airport food timelines
Everything in that bag is chosen to help me feel prepared, comfortable, and slightly in control…even when crossing time zones and running on airplane coffee.
💅 Beauty & Wellness Prep: Fake Tan, Real Glow, and Hydration Like It’s My Job
Before I travel, I like to give myself a little beauty baseline. Not because I’m trying to look “done up” for vacation, but because I want to feel good and low-maintenance while I’m gone. If I know I won’t have to think about shaving, painting my nails, or dealing with a surprise breakout mid-travel… I’m set.
Here’s what I always do before a big trip:
Dermaplane for a fresh, smooth base
Fake tan for that just-got-back-from-somewhere glow before I even leave
Nails done, usually in a neutral that’ll go with everything (again, packing brain never turns off)
I also focus hard on hydration leading up to the flight. I’m doubling my water, using a thick nighttime moisturizer, and making sure I have all the skincare basics in travel sizes. My skin freaks out when I travel—dry plane air, new climates, weird water—so I try to prep it the best I can.
It’s not a whole spa day situation, but these few steps help me feel more put together and less reactive when I’m out of my normal routine. It’s one less thing to think about when I’d rather be thinking about croissants, coastal views, or how to ask for the check in French.
🌍 Trip Goals & Final Thoughts. Organized Enough to Let Go
The whole point of prepping well before an international trip is to give yourself the freedom to actually enjoy it. I don’t want to be halfway across the world stressing about whether I remembered to pack socks or if I left wet laundry in the washer. I want to be present. Curious. A little spontaneous. A little sleepy and sun-kissed.
This trip to coastal France with my mom is something we’ve dreamed about for years, and I want to show up in a headspace that allows me to fully soak it in. That’s why I prep the way I do—not to be “perfect,” but to give myself a clear runway into the experience.
Whether you’re planning a similar trip or just love a peek behind the curtain of how I pack and prep, I hope this helps you feel a little more organized and a little less overwhelmed the next time you’re heading abroad.
Now, I’ve got a suitcase to zip and a croissant with my name on it.
À bientôt, friends. 🥐✈️
