So, it is that time of year again, or maybe I should say it is the end of the summer 2025? Now I want to talk about travel and some gear that will help you along the way to a stress-free vacation or trip, especially for your 2025 trip to Cyprus. As a former US Diplomat and Crisis responder, I always take a pre wheels up approach to where I am going, what will I be doing, and what can I do better? This latest blog will also emphasize how to prepare for your 2025 trip to Cyprus, focusing on the essential gear that I bring on my trips and why.
Power and Communication First
Preparing for your 2025 trip to Cyprus starts with understanding the power and communication needs for your journey. The most important aspect of a trip I think is communication. What will you be communicating and how? Most people think of their smart phones. Some people need to have access to a laptop or a computer to communicate. So, for these to work, they need power. So, if you are at home, your house is wired for power in the country that you live in. But when you travel outside of your country, those standard power outlets and power supplies may vary. So, let us look at the first item.
When planning your 2025 trip to Cyprus, it’s crucial to consider the unique aspects of your destination. Understanding the local culture, weather, and what to expect will enhance your travel experience.
Best Travel Adapters
The international power adapter. You can get these on Amazon for under $20.00. Of course, if you forget and remember at the airport, it is going to cost you much more and if you buy it and take it overseas and it does not work, then you are out of luck. So, this item should be the first thing in your luggage, or better yet, you carry on. These are small and light weight but when you reach your destination, you do not want to rummage through your checked luggage if you need a charge to make a phone call or text.
The one shown has traditional USB as well as USB C ports as you never know when a power cable might fail you. Always good to carry both types of cables. One cable with USB C to USB C and one with traditional USB to USB C. You do not know if you will find a place like a restaurant that has ports to charge so carry both. Look at the pic for reference if necessary.
Portable Chargers on the Go
Another tip for your 2025 trip to Cyprus is to familiarize yourself with local transportation options. Knowing how to navigate will save you time and stress.
So now we have power with the international adapter and the cables. But let us make sure when you are on the go, you have some emergency power if you need it and none is readily available. These are smart phone chargers. There are many varieties to choose from. I would suggest you get one that has wireless charging and has a traditional USB port and a USBC port. You can get these at various battery power levels. But if you are just going out for dinner and need some assurance, then a higher-level model is not necessary.
Now, lets move into communication from a laptop. Most people are not going to carry a computer with them on travel, so I am not going to cover that. If you must carry a computer, then you have bigger problems…
Light Travel with USB-C Gear
I am a huge fan of light traveling. I have learned to think this way and I follow it when I go into a crisis as I never know what environment I will be going into. So, the next option would be to have a laptop that is powered by a USB C power cable. This will allow you to charge your laptop AND charge your smart phone if you have a phone with USB C which I recommend. You can get a phone now and it is the international power standard now. You will not damage your phone if you charge from a laptop cable as the power tells the cable how much power it is to supply.
So, there is no fear of your phone burning out with that laptop charger. Also, if you have a laptop and you are using the laptop charger, you can absolutely use one of the laptop ports and USB cables to charge your phones at the same time by connecting the cable to the laptop.
This is a pic of my laptop power supply. My laptop is more of a gaming laptop, so it uses more power than smaller portable laptop models. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always ping me.
Soft vs Hard Luggage
Let us look at what you are carrying and how to make it safe and affordable. Soft luggage VS hard case luggage? I am a big fan of soft luggage. There are several reasons why I do not own any hard case suitcases. The first reason is safety. In the past everyone had the traditional samsonite hard case suitcases. That is fine if you are going to check a bag with some fragile items in it. But most people traveling now are not going to check fragile items.
Maybe buying some souvenirs that might be fragile, but otherthan that. I do not do it much. I have purchased China plates in Cyprus and have never had a broken one as they are packed un bubble wrap in my soft luggage. Most souvenir shops know how to pack, and they know you are traveling overseas. They usually take care to wrap them appropriately. Even alcohol bottles.
The second reason that I do not do hard cases, is that you need a key to lock them and the locks break or you lose the key. With security going in your bag anyway at the airport, there is no need to lock a suitcase, because you are in possession of the suitcase before and after traveling to your destination. Airport security will go through your bag anyway if they see something they need to take a closer look at without your permission anyway. So why the lock? The lock is a single point of failure in your gear. If the lock breaks, then you do not have any tools on your trip to fix it.
A soft suitcase has a zipper which if you have some higher quality soft luggage, you will not have any issues. You do not need a lock for the luggage either. Zippers usually have a zipper at each end of the suitcase so if one is stressed or stuck, then you have the other end to work with.
The final issue I have with hard cases is storage. You do not have any play with a hard case. Its either going to fit in it or it is not.
Most soft cases have play in them so if you over pack it some, it will accommodate. If you overpack a hard case, then you are stressing the lock and the mechanism to close and potentially break if over packed. Here are some pics of the gear I use. Additionally, remember to pack a light jacket for your 2025 trip to Cyprus as evenings can sometimes be cooler, especially near the coast.
Durable Luggage Picks
The semi hard case that I love is the brand Lat_56. They have smaller luggage made for business, which I like for shorter trips. I can check these, or I can carry them onboard as they are approved for both. I have the road warrior and the redeye, and they are still in great shape, and I have had these for over 10 years. Very good quality and very dependable and sturdy. The red eye is great because you can pack a suit, dress shoes, tie, sock, and other items with no fear of wrinkling. I used it often when traveling from Washington D.C. to Vienna, Austria for short diplomatic trips when I needed to be at work in the morning but did not want to iron or have the hotel dry clean a suit before working.
There is the black soft 5.11 case which I like. The only thing I would say negatively is that they could have been built a little sturdier. I do not know if the baggage handlers or machine cut the material, but it has sustained some damage. But then again, I have traveled across the globe with it over eight times. It is going to get some wear and tear. It black as I do not want to attract any unwanted attention like, I have money or something worse stealing. Just pay attention to baggage claim to ensure you collect your bags as there are a lot of similar bags. I would have an air tag hidden in it just to keep track of it. The right mindset before your 2025 trip to Cyprus can make all the difference. Be open to new experiences, and enjoy every moment.
Smart Luggage Tracking
I love these little guys. They work thousands of miles away and if you have fresh batteries in them, they work like a champion. I left one in my house in Kyrenia, Cyprus and I can still see it from Washington D.C.
Hacker tip, if you leave them in your luggage and get lost overseas, you might be in a place where you do not speak the same language and get lost. With the air tag, you can find your way back through tracking the air tag in your bag. So, if you get a little drunk or disoriented. You have backup to find your way back home or your hotel.
Conclusion
Packing smart makes every trip smoother. With the right gear, from adapters and chargers to reliable luggage and tracking devices, you’ll be ready to enjoy your 2025 trip to Cyprus or any destination stress-free. What are your must-have items when you travel?
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