Taking care of yourself while traveling is important. The travel itself sooths the soul, invigorates the mind, and tires the body. So I make sure not to overschedule myself, and make things comfortable. Here is my guide on how to make the best of your bedding, baths, and hair.
Comfortable Bedding with Allergies
One of my main challenges with traveling is my allergy to dust mites. They feed on skin of people and animals. They flourish in mattresses, upholstered furniture, and carpets. If you don’t already know dust mites live in and love bedding too. Where possible I bring my own foam pillow to limit my putting my face next to them.
TIP: I put my full size pillow in a space compression bag and smush it down to save space.
For this trip to Greece, I tried LivePure Anti-Allergan spray to my travel kit. I’m really pleased to say it worked pretty well. I sprayed the bed, bedding, and pillows, yes even though I brought my own. It doesn’t have an overpowering scent and kept me from needing my asthma meds. I put 100ml into a travel container and will be refilling it for future trips.
Depending on the accommodations I might also bring a travel sheet. Did you know many European hotels don’t include flat (top) sheets? The hotels that don’t include sheets have duvets with covers and unlike American hotels the duvet covers are changed for each guest. But I am more comfy with a top sheet. It’s possible to ask them to bring you one or you can bring a travel sheet or set.
If you stay at a very inexpensive AirBnB or home stay the sheets may be very cheap and scratchy. One time in Spain while house-sitting for three months, I actually bought new sheets and gifted them to the homeowner when I left. For 7€ I was much happier and the homeowner got an upgrade. Everyone wins.
Soothing the Soul Baths
I’m a bath girl. When I re-modeled the bathroom in my apartment I put in a soaking tub with jets. My room in Baghdad only has a shower, so now I look for hotels with bath or jetted tubs. I’m picky and prefer a deep, soaking tub with jets but that can be hard to find in a hotel.
After a long day of touristing, hiking, museuming, or wandering a long bubble bath with a glass of bubbles can sooth the soul and the body. Or you can have a bath, just because.
Only one of my stops had a bath but see the image above for how great it was!
Hair Care – No Bad Hair Days
I’m lucky to have pretty easy care hair. Not everyone has easy care hair. Hair cuts and coloring can be challenging anywhere. In 2001, I went to a salon in Tel Aviv a friend had recommended and ended up with a nice haircut, nothing special, but cost $200. In Thessaloniki, I had a color (no cut) for 60€. It turned out darker than I wanted but it’ll fade and grow out. Since my last color was too light and this one too dark, maybe the next will be just right. 😉 And sometimes I just put it up and out of the way. (Pic at Delphi before coloring.)
Never, EVER bring an American 110v hair appliance overseas. A power outlet adapter won’t help you. A step-down transformer may not be available and they aren’t recommended for devices that generate heat. If you really must style your hair on a longer trip, buy a local appliance. Some dual voltage, 110-240v travel hair dryers and flat irons are available on Amazon but they may not be what you are used to.
NOTE: Water isn’t always water. Ok it is, but sometimes it’s very hard on your hair and skin. Here in Baghdad, it’s non-potable, or not safe for drinking. So showering in it is ok, it’s not kind to my hair. And easy care or no, some shampoos and conditioners work better so I travel with my own. Hotels may offer free samples, but may not work like your preferred products.
On the other hand, you may find a shampoo, hand cream, toothpaste or other product overseas that you like better than your old home version. Bonus: It may be cheaper overseas than at home so check the stores and pharmacies. I love shopping overseas.
Coming soon a post about traditional Greek massage techniques.
