I Traveled Through Southern India for 2 Weeks Without Checking a Bag — These 14 Products Made It a Breeze

For the last 15 years (with a brief exception for the COVID-19 pandemic), my family and I have celebrated Christmas and New Year’s abroad in Africa or Asia. From Madagascar, Indonesia, and Tanzania to Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore, I’ve gotten used to spending two weeks during the holidays in warm, muggy climates, swapping coats and boots for sandals and flowy dresses.

This year, my family and I spent two weeks bouncing around India’s southwestern state of Kerala, nicknamed “God’s own country” for the richness of its natural beauty. From misty mountain towns and river-framed cities to urban metropolises and the roaring sandy coast of the Arabian Sea, the a trip filled with constant movement and changing climates, requiring gear, accessories, and clothing that could accommodate everything (think: versatile travel bags, one-and-done outfits, and more). 

And, as someone who is prone to overpacking, I wanted to challenge myself to only bring a carry-on suitcase and a personal item in an effort to travel light — a skill that I have yet to master since becoming a travel writer. These are the 14 travel essentials that topped my packing list, and ensured that my whirlwind ,two-week trip was smooth and effortless – even with just a carry-on. 

R. Vivimos Women’s Long-sleeve Midi Dress

I had three requirements when packing my wardrobe for my trip: stylish, breathable, and modest. These Amazon long-sleeved bohemian-style dresses (thankfully) satisfied them all. As someone just under 5 feet, 1 inches, I was initially worried that the length and oversized style would dwarf my small frame, but I was pleasantly surprised when they only came up to mid-shin. I purchased three styles and colors, and wore them while exploring the city of Kochi and the mountain town of Munnar. 

Despite being long-sleeved, they were breathable and comfortable, and they helped me survive the oppressive Indian heat with optimal sun coverage. The dress comes in 35 different color and print variations that can be worn during the summer, fall, or spring, so it’s a versatile wardrobe staple for any traveler. 

Topbag Family Passport Holder 

I’m a triple citizen of Italy, Ireland, and the United States, and, as an anxious flier, I always travel with all three of my passports, just in case. That’s why I use this family passport holder to safely secure my three passports and other important documents in one easy-to-reach place. 

It can hold up to six passports, which is convenient for families or friends traveling together. The passport holder also comes with a cash pocket and six card slots, which I use to stash away my other forms of identification, bills, loose change, past flight tickets, and my Italian SIM card for when I return home to Rome. But that’s not all: it also has a strap that you can wear around your wrist and a back pocket large enough to fit an iPhone, so you can have all of your major belongings on you in one place (and it doubles as a secure sling bag if you're not a fan of big purses). It helps make the chaos of traveling just a little more organized. 

Prite Corduroy Tote Bag

I collect tote bags, especially for when I travel, so when I received this large, olive-green corduroy one for Christmas, it was a match made in tote heaven. It has a zippered closure that I appreciated for keeping my valuable items from tumbling out. And, for those who love pockets – well, you’re in luck: The tote has a large outside pocket that can close magnetically, two interior slip pockets, and one ample interior zippered pocket which I used to secure my wallet, passports, and keys.

I carried this tote around with me everywhere during my trip, and was able to fit my passports, sunglasses, Kindle Fire, lip balms, earphones, chargers, mints, a 32-ounce HydroJug tumbler, and deodorant, all with plenty of room to spare. The large 18-inch by 15-inch by 4-inch tote is made with durable corduroy and is sturdy enough to carry heavier items like books and laptops, which is what I’ve been using it for since my trip. 

VibiVenezia Women's Timeless Rosso Velvet Slippers

Friulane, or furlane, are popular Venetian velvet slippers that date as far back as the 19th century. They’re a staple in every Italian woman’s closet and add a pop of color and playful elegance to any outfit, which is why I wear mine all the time when I travel. They’re also very comfortable, especially since I had my favorite cobbler in Rome add another layer of rubber to the soles for extra cushioning.

I love the burst of color that they give my outfits, and my orange pair paired especially well with one of the long-sleeved dresses that I purchased for my trip in shades of yellow and orange. I buy most of my friulane from small boutiques when I’m home in Italy, but VibiVenezia is a popular Italian brand that offers the slippers in a literal rainbow of colors and styles. No need to worry – they ship to the United States, so you can wear a small piece of Italy on your feet, too.

HydroJug 32-ounce Tumbler 

I’m especially horrible at remembering to drink water during long flights, which is likely why I always feel like a wretched, dried husk after traveling. I’ve gotten better at hydrating myself since purchasing a mini, 32-ounce HydroJug tumbler. I usually fill it using water fountains at the airport to ensure that I have enough to keep my body happy while up in the air. This was especially important during my many long flights to India, and even more so upon arriving, as my family and I had to be careful of the drinking water we consumed. 

The hotels we stayed at provided bottles of purified drinking water, which I used to fill up my HydroJug while we were out exploring. This not only ensured that I was staying hydrated in the unforgiving heat, but also that I was consuming safe drinking water. HydroJugs come with the option to purchase a sleeve and strap that can be worn around your person for a hands-free experience, which is especially useful for trips where you’re moving around a lot. 

Longbida Women's Cropped Denim Jacket

While the majority of my trip called for a summer wardrobe, there was one occasion that required slightly warmer attire. My family and I spent two days in Munnar, a mountain town nestled between sprawling emerald-green tea plantations and lush forests. The higher altitude was pleasantly chilly, especially at night and in the early morning. Although it was a welcome respite from the heat, I needed to stay warm, and my cropped, faded denim jacket did just the trick.

Although mine can technically be classified as “vintage,” as it was passed down to me from my mother, I found this affordable version at Amazon that comes in 16 different colors and patterns and is easy to pack (or wear on a plane if you're trying to save luggage space). 

Havaianas Mini Bag

I spent a week soaking up some much-needed vitamin D rays in the coastal town of Kovalam, and this water-resistant Havaianas mini bag was wrapped around my wrist every day. Made with durable silicone, this small, colorful bag is a staple of mine for any beach outing. I mostly use it to safely store my iPhone from sand and water, but it’s also doubled as a no-frills purse for my wallets, keys, and lip balms. It was gifted to me by my Brazilian friend nearly a decade ago, and it’s accompanied me all over the world, from Greece and Sardinia to Thailand and Indonesia – and it still looks brand new.

Sun Bum Lip Balm SPF 30 3-pack 

As someone who is unfortunately prone to lip blisters after prolonged exposure to the sun, I always have SPF lip balms on deck. Sun Bum’s lip balms have recently become a favorite of mine, not just for their high protection, but also for their tropical flavors that release a burst of summer whenever I twist off their caps. Each gluten-free and vegan lip balm is packed with aloe vera, cocoa butter, and vitamin E, so they roll on super smooth and keep my lips soft and hydrated throughout the day. 

I bought this three-pack ahead of my trip, and almost used them all down to the nub. Part of my excessive use may have been because of how nice they smelled (and tasted), but regardless, I was relieved that my laying in the sun like a lizard didn’t result in any sun blisters. 

Anrabess Women’s Loose Spaghetti Strap Jumpsuit

Jumpsuits are one of my favorite go-to summer outfits for a breathable, comfortable, and stylish look. I have a bordeaux-colored one that I purchased years ago from Urban Outfitters that I wear to near tatters every summer for these reasons. I, of course, brought this jumpsuit on my trip with me and paired it with black lace-up sandals for more formal events such as New Year’s Eve. For most of my trip, however, flip-flops were my standard footwear. 

While the exact jumpsuit I own can’t be found online anymore, there is this affordable Amazon option that has more than 2,000 five-star ratings. Available in 25 colors and patterns with sizes ranging from S to 2XL, it's an especially versatile and traveler-loved staple that I’m looking into trying myself once summer comes around.

Miady Dual USB Portable Chargers 2-pack

These pocket-sized dual USB chargers have been a boon during my travels, and my trip through India was no exception. There were a couple of days when my family and I spent hours traveling between cities, so these portable chargers helped juice up our phones throughout the day. I’ve also used them to power up other devices such as my Kindle Fire and iPad, so it's an especially helpful travel essential to always have on you.

Available in a variety of colors, each charger has two USB ports that can charge two devices at the same time, so they’re useful for traveling with friends and family. But don’t just take it from me — these durable, slim portable chargers have over 75,000 five-star ratings at Amazon.

Tessan Universal Travel Adapter

Any frequent flier knows the value of a good travel adapter, and this Amazon one is one of my favorites. The plug works in over 150 countries, from Italy and Dubai to China and New Zealand — so you know that you’ll always be covered no matter how far you travel. It also comes with four USB ports that can charge up to five devices at a time. Because of its versatility, I was able to easily share it with members of my family, which significantly cut down the amount of arguments over outlets that we had during our trip. Compact and lightweight, it can easily fit into any carry-on or personal item, which is why it’s always one of the travel essentials I pack first.

Twelve South AirFly Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter

I can never sleep on airplanes, so watching movies is one of the best ways for me to pass the long hours. The earphones they hand out on the airplanes have always bothered my ears, not to mention the subpar audio quality they provide that makes watching anything a frustrating experience. That’s why I was intrigued when I came across this traveler-loved, pocket-sized bluetooth audio transmitter. The Airfly device seamlessly connects your wireless earphones to the airplane’s seatback television (and can also be used to connect to tablets, hotel gym TVs, etc.), which has vastly improved my international flight experience. 

The many flights and hours it took to reach India literally flew by (pun intended) because of this small but mighty device. I currently have the device that can only connect one pair of headphones, but I’m looking into purchasing the dual AirFly version for when I travel with my partner.

Béis The Mini Weekender Bag

This Mini Weekender has quickly become my favorite carry-on for international trips since I received it for Christmas. Durable, compact, and sleek, it’s perfect for maximizing your limited packing space when only traveling with carry-on items — there’s a reason why it’s universally loved by flight attendants. 

It especially came in handy when returning from India, as it was able to hold the majority of the souvenirs that I had purchased during my two weeks there. Its structured bottom shoe compartment, which is trimmed with stylish vegan leather, was useful for holding all of my sandals, slippers, and flip-flops, which freed up much-needed space in my carry-on suitcase. I have trips to Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Morocco planned within the next few months, and I’m looking into using compression packing cubes to maximize the Mini Weekender’s potential.

Ray-Ban Classic Aviator Sunglasses

The Ray-Ban classic aviators have been my go-to pair of sunglasses since I was 13, so it should come as no surprise that they came to India with me. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and stylish — and, not to mention, great at shielding my eyes from the harsh sunlight. I have the gold-tinted shades that I chose to match my coloring and the gold jewelry that I always wear (us Italians really do love our gold).

Based on my experience, Ray-Ban sunglasses are worth the investment. I’ve had my pair for the last 13 years, and aside from a few small nicks, they still look brand new. But for those who don’t want to splurge, there’s this affordable Amazon-loved pair from the brand Pro Acme that’ll give you that same "Top Gun" feel.

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