What you need to pack for a holiday: 17 must-have items

We all know that holiday travel can be super stressful, and your biggest worry is to have your luggage go missing. To put a stop to luggage panic, we’re big fans of adding Apple’s AirTag tracker to our suitcases, which uses Apple’s 'Find My' network and Precision Finding technology to show you exactly where your items are at any given time.

On my most recent holiday to the Maldives, I was so worried my luggage wouldn't make the connection. As soon as I checked and discovered it was on track, I could sit and enjoy my flight in peace.

Packing cubes are a really good idea. If you're going away for a few days, use the packing cubes for day one, day two and day three's outfits including underwear and accessories. That way, you won't even need to rummage around to find something. If you're going away for longer, you could use packing cubes for swimwear and underwear and they're especially good when packing for the kids. 

We've all been there - you forget the travel adaptor and have to spend three times as much on one at the airport. Don't let this happen. I forgot mine on my most recent trip, but I'll definitely be looking into buying this one as I like that there are added usb plugs on there. 

If you're after a ultra-fine boost of comforting hydration and protective moisture barrier support, this is what you need - the Summer Fridays brand new Jet Lag Skin Soothing Hydration Mist. Featuring a skin soothing complex to calm and comfort the skin from the very first use. 

I admit, this is a bit niche. But it'll come in handy whether you're on holiday or not. If you love your tech, this little tech organiser can be super helpful. Store away your camera cables, your phone cables, Kindle charger, and whatever else you need. 

I have one of these and it comes with me on every holiday. I love sunglasses and I don't just want to take one or two pairs away with me, I want choice! This allows for that - and it keeps them super protected as well. 

This may look bulky but it isn't, and if you're travelling with kids or elderly parents you need to pack for every eventuality. Don't forget one of these.  

This might seem like a random inclusion, but I follow Soru Jewellery on Instagram, and one of the brand's founders shared a photo of these travel hangers that her husband had packed for her, and I thought, a) Wow, that's such a thoughtful thing to do, and b) how genius! 

After travelling on a Ryanair flight recently, I really wish I'd had one of these. If you usually watch TV shows on your phone, this could come in very handy. Not just for flights, but for train journeys too. 

One happy shopper wrote of the insect repellent wrist bands: "Got a few packs of these - they're comfy, easy to put on, not unpleasantly citronella smelly, and I did a couple of hours of cricket training near a river wearing one this week, without getting bitten. So I'm calling them as a success, and they are in a beautiful range of stylish colours for the fashion conscious mosquito meal."

If you're always getting bitten on holiday, you need a saving grace. Love Bites Only is more than just an insect repellent, it's about embracing nature and the premium dual-purpose formula not only keeps bugs at bay but also acts as a soothing remedy for bites if you forget to apply it in time. 

Make your vacation memories last a lifetime with this awesome fill-in children’s travel journal that’s packed with brilliant activities and prompts to inspire kids to write and draw their adventures. 

Draw your own passport picture; make a cool flip-book animation of your experiences; describe the tastiest treat from your journey. 

When I went to the Maldives, I was so jealous of everyone I spotted with one of these clear phone pouches. It provides full protection for your phone up to 100ft/30m underwater. The bundled 2-pack waterproof pouch is perfect for you and your family to use during swimming, beach, diving and other activities. Each comes with a lanyard for easy carrying and the length can be freely adjusted as required

This is for the organised amongst us. If you're going away for a week's holiday, you probably don't need a full shampoo and conditioner, face moisturiser etc, so it's a great idea to decant into one of these toiletries travel packs.

Perfume bottles can be heavy these days, and there's no point taking your fanciest Jo Malone London scent on holiday with you for a few spritzes at night. Purchasing a perfume travel bottle is a great idea, and you can use it when you get home as well - ideal addition for your work bag.

Loop is on a mission to make people think of earplugs in the same way they think about putting on sunglasses to protect their eyes and is changing the conversation around proper hearing protection., making stylish earwear an everyday lifestyle essential.

These will come in especially handy if your hotel happens to be next to a busy road, or if you can't sleep on planes. 

A handheld fan is always a good idea. From warm temperatures at the airport, to the aeroplane, to your hotel room, you never know if you'll need a little air-con back-up situation.