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The summer holidays are finally here, and the Condé Nast Traveller editors have booked their flights, sorted their hotels, and are counting down the days until mornings are spent lazing on beautiful beaches, afternoons are spent feasting at Europe’s best outdoor restaurants and evenings and evenings are whiled away sipping on rosé and watching the sun go down. Between frantic planning, we asked them to let us in on the one item they always pack for a summer holiday, whether it’s a week spent on the Amalfi Coast or a long weekend in one of the UK’s prettiest villages.
Abigail Malbon, acting audience development manager US
“When I’m travelling, the first thing I pack is this genius handheld fan. I first bought it during a London heatwave (to use on the Tube, obviously), and it quickly became something I wouldn’t leave the house without. I hate the feeling of being hot and flustered, and this small fan has a surprising amount of power, so it really helps keep your body temperature down. I love that it has a stand base, so I can place it on a table in front of me while I’m working or eating, and it’s not too heavy for carrying around. My ultimate tip is to get a small face mist to spray before you use it, for extra cooling.”
Sarah James, deputy digital editor
“Packing cubes. I’m a Virgo, but also a wildly disorganised person – so packing cubes are essential. I normally keep my clothes and accessories in their cubes once I arrive – placing each cube into a drawer to limit the once-inevitable hotel room floor-drobe. When travelling on budget airlines with teensy baggage allowances – I’m looking at you, Ryanair – I often travel with just a tote bag for a full week away, and slotting my bag full of compression packing cubes is the only way to pull off such a feat.”
Amber Port, audience development manager
“I have incredibly fair skin, which means summer travel always comes with one must-have: good face sunscreen. We’ve all seen the face of a traveller who may or may not have spent too much time in the sun, so I do my best to avoid discomfort by always packing my favourite sunscreen. My go-to is Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+ because it keeps my skin fresh and light while providing plenty of protection.”
Connor Sturges, digital assistant
“Long days by the beach or afternoons roaming around outdoor attractions can be tough on my face – especially once factor 50 has sweated out. I find the best way to soothe sore cheeks is with a sheet mask, chilled in the hotel room mini bar. Garnier Vitamin C Face Sheet Masks contain the equivalent of a full bottle of serum and quickly make skin look sun-kissed rather than sunburnt. Best of all, there’s so much serum left in the packet, so you can put this to the side and pat the remainder on your skin for a few evenings afterwards.”
Charlotte Davey, fashion and lifestyle editor
“An absolute must is a smart pair of sandals. I hate flimsy flip-flops but don’t want walking shoes for the beach, so a chic summer sandal is the perfect all-rounder. Ancient Greek makes the best, in my opinion – I love these slim strappy numbers in goes-with-everything black, they’re ideal for city hopping or beach-to-bar days.”
Megan Wilkes, art production manager
“The Dream Cocktail Coconut-Infused Leave-in Treatment is the best product for lazy hair care during the summer. I scrunch a small amount into wet hair in the mornings and air dry it before heading out for the day – hair dries naturally into beachy waves and stays hydrated. In the evening, I reapply to freshly washed hair and activate using a hairdryer, styling it into the perfect smooth look for dinner. I use the coconut-infused cocktail – the smell is like summer in a bottle.”
Divia Thani, global editorial director
“Easy, breezy Kaftans! They’re perfect to throw over your bikini but also to go to dinner; just pop on a pair of fun earrings to dress it up. My tip is to look for lightweight and soft ones on your skin, in vibrant colours and patterns, with beautiful accents or embroidery. They’re very elegant when they’re full length and take up barely any space or weight in your suitcase. I buy mine from Verandah, Surily G, Ahilya, Sureena Chowdhri and Arpita Mehta in India or Maison du Caftan in Marrakech.”
Louisa Parker Bowles, global operations director
“I was taught the importance of suncream at an early age, thanks to the ‘slip, slop, slap’ advertising campaign that anyone who grew up in Australia in the 90s will remember. Now I never travel without Dr David Jack’s suncream, which smells amazing and gives skin a lovely healthy glow. My skin tends to dry out quite easily, so I always pack a pot of his hydrating blue face peel, an essential part of my (increasingly panicked) anti-ageing regime, and regular facials with Izabela Pawlitka. I’m sure Izabela is part magician – an hour with her is as good for the soul as it is for the skin.”
Lauren Burvill, commerce editor
“I tend to try and keep my beauty products to a minimum on summer holidays. I’ll usually pack my go-to cleanser and moisturiser in my wash bag, a good tinted SPF, maybe some liquid blush, tanning drops and a tinted lip balm. But the one little unnecessary luxury I always treat myself to is a pouch of the coffee body scrub from Frank Body. Just a little handful does wonders and leaves my skin silky and smooth. The gentle exfoliating also helps promote blood flow and collagen production.”
Sophie Knight, visuals editor
“My camera – I don’t go on any trip without it. Although it’s heavy to carry around, and not the easiest to fit in hand luggage, I will always prioritise space for it, even if it means only taking one pair of shoes in my carry-on. I use the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, with the EF24-105mm lens, which is a great all-rounder. It brings me joy to explore a new destination and culture with it over my shoulder. Then when I get home, I relive the holiday while I edit the photos in Lightroom. Photos are the best way to relive the holiday blues.”
Zahra Surya Darma, associate social media manager Middle East
“While on summer holiday, I tend to keep my makeup to the bare minimum — my essentials include an eyebrow pencil, concealer, lipstick and an eyelash curler. But I always finish the look with the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray. This product is a holy grail for those with oily-prone skin. Once it dries, it works its magic by keeping my makeup locked in place throughout the day. I also like to switch up my fragrance during the summer months. Enter Tom Ford's Eau de Parfum in Soleil Blanc. If there’s one scent that embodies ‘summer by the sea’, it’s this. It has notes of floral, coco de mer and a hint of citrus — plus it’s long-lasting.”
Olivia Morelli, senior digital writer
“I’m a recent convert to the Apple Watch life, but boy, do I finally understand the craze. I track every step I take and love seeing how much ground I’ve covered when exploring a new city in data format. I also hate how so many of my summer outfits (dresses and skirts) don’t have any pockets, so my Apple Watch saves me from constantly holding my phone in my hand as I’m walking around or repeatedly having to dig into my bag to pull it out.”
