Tips and Tricks

Gift Ideas, Lists, New, Tips and Tricks

15 Life-Changing Gifts for Adventurers

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Got an adventurer in your life who you’re looking to buy a gift for? Or maybe you’re an adventurer and someone has asked what they can buy you this upcoming holiday season?

Check out these 15 gifts ideas I personally love and would even consider to be “life-changing!”

Most of the gift items below are super versatile, meaning they are multi-use, making them so perfect for those wishing to get the best bang for their buck. And best of all, nearly all of the below items are under $50 (and can be found on Amazon)!

And if I’m missing an item that you think should be added, let me know in the comments at the end of this post! I absolutely love learning about new adventure related products, especially if they can be used as gift ideas! 

Click on each title below for more information and photos of each item.

One quick thing to note before reading: This post contains no affiliate links, contains our own thoughts and opinions, and contains links and photos that are not our own (but are used from the items’ websites to ensure the most accurate depiction).
Similarly, I do not own the rights to the below photos: they are property of the retailors. 

The 15 Life-Changing Gifts for Adventurers:

Puffy camp quilts and blankets are only for those wishing to be the absolute coziest in the outdoor elements. Is that you or the person you’re shopping for? Then you’re in the right spot! 

Puffy camp quilts and blankets are a favorite to those in the outdoor communities due to their warmth and versatility. You can cuddle up around a campfire, use them as a sleeping bag replacement, wrap them around you on a hike or chilly snack break, use them as a windbreaker, and so many other things. 

Rumpl is one of the current most popular brands due to their partnerships with big brands like Carhartt, NASA, and the National Parks, and can cost above $75, but there are other reputable brands out there as well for a cheaper purchase. 

I just tried these for the first time in fall 2022 while backpacking in Utah. It snowed during this trip! But these booties were a true game changer in keeping my toesies warm on the nights it it dropped to below freezing. I’ve since added them to my personal wish list to now add them into our gear library as the ones I used previously were borrowed. 

Grab some on Amazon here!

Down sleeping booties

Another life-changing yet incredibly simple must-have product is the foam sitting pad. That’s right, who knew a simple piece of foldable foam would be this necessary? The uses for this thing are endless: 

  • Sitting on cold (or damp) ground
  • Extra cushion on your camp chair
  • Extra padding for sleeping 
  • Small but mighty rain barrier 
  • Clean surface for eating 

And best of all, they’re inexpensive and, for those tracking the weight of their gear, are incredibly lightweight at only 54g. 

Purchase one here! 

foam sitting pad

National Parks and State Parks passports add a fun challenge and exciting element to visiting the Parks! There’s just something really exciting about going to the visitor center and getting your passport stamped. 

Since we live in Minnesota, we have a Minnesota State Parks passport that gets stamped each time we visit a new park. If you visit a certain amount of Minnesota State Parks, you receive a reward too, which adds another layer of fun. If you don’t live in Minnesota, check your state to see if they offer something similar, too!

And since we have a goal to visit all of the National Parks in our lifetime, getting stamps in our National Parks Passport is also really exciting. Each park has a different stamp design, and often they have multiple stamp options. 

national parks passport

I can’t even begin to count the amount of times it’s been helpful to have my reusable silverware on hand. 

And reusable silverware isn’t just for the outdoorsy types. If you’re interested in additional ways to better the planet, using reusable silverware in unconventional places is one of the best! I’ve been bringing my reusable silverware to work since 2017, and can’t count how many times it’s been nice to use that over disposable silverware. 

There are a few different types of reusable silverware you can carry along with you both out on adventures and in “other” settings: 

While immersed in nature (lightweight, packable, easy to clean):

At work or on the go in the city (lots of options, easy to clean):

In my opinion, Buffs have been a game-changer in both the hot and the cold weather. In the sun, desert, or beach? Use it to protect your neck and face from the sun, wind, and sand. In the snow? Use it to protect from the cold and brutally chilly wind. In the summer and fall elements? Use it to protect against mosquitoes or as a way to wipe your face throughout the day. I have three, and Eric has two. We rotate them each day we’re out and about doing things as a way to keep our faces clean and necks not sunburnt! 

Here are a few activities we’ve used ours for: 

  • Hiking
  • Snowshoeing
  • 4-Wheeling
  • Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding
  • Backpacking
  • Sleeping (to cover cold noses and block out light over the eyes)
  • As a headband
  • Desert sledding and dune-buggying (keeps sand out of mouth and off face)

Find the perfect pattern here! 

It may seem weird to have clothing in a gift guide, but just hear me out. Have I recently found my absolute favorite hiking, rock climbing, base layer-acting, all-around amazing leggings? Yes I have. My only regret is that I didn’t buy them sooner. This isn’t even a sponsored post and I’m ecstatic to tell you about these. 

I even recently wore them on a multi-day backpacking trip through brush and the backcountry and they didn’t tear, rip, become uncomfortable, smell, or chafe! They’re so breathable, comfortable, and stretchy that I’m going to go buy another pair because they’re currently on sale. Best of all, they have two great pockets and look great on all body types, too!

Grab a pair (or two) here! 

Okay so this is the only gender-specific gift suggestion I have. But there is sort of a men’s version available too, you can view here.

Okay just one more article of clothing, I promise! Both Eric and I have sun shirts/sun hoodies and absolutely love them, making them a great gift for any type of adventurer. Due to their moisture-wicking abilities, sun shirts and hoodies are perfect for year round recreation. They keep you cool yet protected by the sun and elements in the summer, act as a comfortable mid-layer for the spring/fall season’s activities, and are a great base layer for cold weather uses. 

Here are our favorites: 

Here are a few activities we’ve used ours for:
  • Paddleboarding
  • Cycling
  • Mountain Biking
  • Boating
  • Jet Skiing 
  • Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding
  • Hiking in the desert 
  • Hiking in the snow 
  • Fishing / Ice Fishing
  • Sitting at the beach / pool

If your adventurer loves parks, then a US or Canada National Parks or local State (or Provincial) Parks annual pass will be an amazing gift for them! 

One thing to note is that not all state parks in the US require an entry fee, so you may not have the option to purchase a pass in your state (i.e. Missouri doesn’t have a park pass option because they don’t charge an entry fee, but Minnesota does have this option).

Similarly, also consider whether or not that person is a traveler as not every state or province has a National Park nearby. If you’re not sure, a gift card may be a better option, this way they can either buy a pass or purchase park-related items online instead. 

Click here to check out the US National Parks Pass options! Or click here to check out the Canada National Parks Pass options! 

This inflatable solar lamp is so lightweight and compact, it’s a wonderful gift that can be used in so many places! We have multiple, so we keep a few on hand in our camp and backpacking gear library, in our RV, and in our garage for random nighttime hikes/boat rides, or in case of severe weather. 

Click here to purchase! 

Anyone else get a little iffy when it comes to walking on ice, or is that just me? If you’re in a cold weather climate that’s susceptible to ice, this one may be especially helpful! 

If you’re gifting to someone in a warm climate area that doesn’t get ice (or they don’t travel to icy places frequently), then you may want to skip this suggestion.

But micro spikes have been such an asset to surviving the slippery winters here in Minnesota, especially when we get so many freeze-thaw into puddle-refreeze weather cycles throughout the winter months. These are especially handy when ice fishing and winter hiking. 

 

When you’re out in nature away from electricity or a charging area, it’s nice to have a lightweight wireless charger on hand. We are able to get multiple charges with each of the below power banks, and would recommend them to anyone in the market. Whether you’re charging your phone, camera, flashlight, headlamp, or GoPro, our two favorites have you covered: 

1. The Charmast Portable Charger (weighs 0.5 lbs) 

2. The Hiluckey Outdoor Portable Power Bank (solar charges!!) (weighs 1.34 lbs, however)

wireless charger

Quick drying items are the best when it comes to outdoor activities. Not only does it save time, but being quick drying means the item has multiple uses: wipe down your face, your body, your dishes, your vehicle, your bike, your boat seats, nearly anything and it’s dry to use again – fast! Also, quick drying towels keep away germs that would otherwise grow on slower drying towels. Plus they’re always so soft.

One quick drying towel that’s stood out the most is the REI Co-Op Multi Towel Mini. It seems like it dries nearly instantly and only weighs 0.6 ounces. This little guy also packs down into its own bag so it can be stored separately and is easily portable while camping, backpacking, canoeing, boating, or in any other activity.

Similar to the above suggested quick dry gift, a large beach towel that’s quick drying and light is perfect for a day at the beach, or a picnic, or the pool, or on the boat. This one is also wonderful because 1) sand can easily be swept off without sticking and making a mess, and 2) it has its own stuff sack, making it small and compact for transport. 

Check out the Nomadix Ultralight Towel here!

Reusable snack baggies are just as important as reusable silverware, and equally as useful! You really can’t go wrong with reusable snack baggies, but there are multiple options to choose from. 

Some, like the Stasher bags, are silicone, making them slightly heavier than other types (if weight matters to your adventurer), but are uber durable and waterproof. I love their varying colors and sizes, and some even come with a carabiner so they can be clipped to a backpack!

Others, like the Jagrom bags, are incredibly lightweight, durable, and leak proof as well. 

It’s also nice to have another type of reusable baggie that could be used for snacks, meals, or even to pack out garbage, would be the Sea to Summit Trash Dry Sack. 

Did I forget a life-changing gift?
Want to add a life-changing gift?

Let me know in the comments below!

Or, looking for more gift ideas? Check out my previous gift guide, here!

2022 life-changing gift guide text
How to, Lists, New, Tips and Tricks

Carry On Travel: 5 Great Packing Tips

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Does ditching a checked bag and using only a carry on make you nervous?

The idea of using only a carry on definitely made me nervous! That is, until one day I went for it and made the switch. And now I’ll never go back to a checked bag unless I’m packing for an extra-long trip.

It may seem like a daunting task, but you’ve got this!  If I, a chronic over packer, can do it, you can too!  You’ll be surprised at how easy it will be once you do it once or twice.

Here are my five best tips for traveling with only a carry on:

1Clothes take up the most space in a backpack or suitcase (which makes sense considering that’s what we’re changing the most).  Lay out everything you think you’ll need, then remove 40% of it.  This may seem like a large percentage, because it is, but it’s good to note that it isn’t 50%.  As an over packer, eliminating 40% of the clothing items I’d otherwise prefer to pack allows me to zero-in on what I really need to pack.  Differentiating between the want and the need is key!

2 Simplify what you’ll need by taking a moment to really think about what you use on a daily basis.  No need to bring that third extra pair of underwear on the chance you might poop them twice in one day for some reason (I always overpack when I needlessly plan for the theoretical emergencies or “just in case” moments that are 99% never going to happen – don’t do that).

3 If you dress in layers, keep in mind that you can wear the same layers for multiple days.  I usually wear a tank top under different tops or sweaters, so picking a neutral colored first layer (like a black tank top) allows me to wear that same layer multiple times throughout the trip.  Wearing the same clothing more than once also applies to other clothing too, such as sweaters, bras, shorts, and pants.  Plus, it’s amazing what types of outfits you can come up with when there are only a few option combinations available! 

4 If you’re bringing more than one pair of shoes, wear your clunkiest shoes (and articles of clothing) on the airplane.  Shoes take up so much space!  Wearing your clunkiest shoes on the airplane allows for more space in your bag.  If you’re bringing another pair of shoes and will also have them in your carry on, consider using them as storage, for example, stuff socks or more delicate items (like watches or jewelry) into the shoes.  Similarly, wearing your clunkiest articles of clothing on the plane will also save space in your bag!  I usually wear my thick zip up fleece, which doubles as warmth (because airplanes are always cold) AND doesn’t take up any unnecessary room.

5 Consider different methods of packing.  Using different packing methods will help you best utilize every nook and cranny in the bag and maximize your packing potential.  For example: 

  • Roll clothing to condense the use of space (especially for pants and long-sleeved tops)
  • Lay clothing flat to fill in gaps (instead of rolling or folding)
  • Put items inside other items (such as socks and undies into shoes),
  • Or a combination of the above

Challenge: If you’re still nervous about carry on only packing, try packing a carry on (don’t forget that free personal item!) well before your trip and try “living” out of that for the duration of your trip first!

If you’re stuck and need help with figuring out what to eliminate or how to pack, feel free to reach out in a comment below and I can help you!

Travel On, the Volkmans
carry on travel tips

Need more packing ideas? Check these out: 

Lists, Tips and Tricks

Top 10 In-Flight Essentials

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Flights can be difficult to be on, especially if you don’t travel often or aren’t a fan of being on a plane. The number one thing you can do for yourself to make the flight more enjoyable is to focus on taking care of yourself! Below are my top 10 in-flight essentials to ensure the best and most relaxing flight experience.

1 - Portable charger

The night before every flight, we charge our portable charging bank. This portable charger has saved us so much grief when we are not only waiting at the airport and all of the charging stations are full, but have also been amazing to have when we’re listening to podcasts, music, or watching shows on our phones or iPad while on the flight. Plus, who doesn’t like to have a fully-charged cell phone when you walk right off that airplane and need to know where to go next?

2 - Headphones/earbuds

OMG. I can’t even tell you the amount of times I’ve taken off and realized I didn’t have my ear buds with. Oh, the humanity! Unless you have a notebook, newspaper, or non-electronic game with, noise cancelling earbuds or headphones are essential to having in-flight peace.

3 - cell phone/tablet plus these apps

It’s sort of a given that you’ll probably have some sort of cell phone or iPad or laptop or something with, so I won’t add that as a specific item; however, I will add that I would be so bored on flights without these apps: Google Play, Podcasts/Podbean, OneNote, Pinterest, The Weather Channel and (of course) Instagram.

4 - Notebook

I love writing. I write notes all the time, every day. Even when nothing requires a note to be written. BUT, how would I remember certain events or plans or memories without writing them down? I do often use the notepad app native to my iPhone, but nothing truly beats a good ‘ole pen and paper to jot down your thoughts. How else do I remember details for my blog posts?

5 - Reusable water bottle

These are great throughout your entire trip and not just on a plane. Trust me. Just went through security? Fill it up! Drank the whole thing mid-flight? Ask a flight attendant to pour some water in there instead of in their plastic disposable cups! Having a reusable water bottle has saved me from feeling parched onboard when you’re waiting for that drink cart to make its way to your seat. Some flights only bring the drink cart by once! In those instances, it’s best to be ready and have a full water bottle 🙂

6 - Travel neck pillow and eye sleep mask

Ready for a nap? If you’re like me, you planned to take the earliest flight known to man, meaning you’re probably exhausted before you even get to your destination! I’ve found an eye sleep mask helps block out enough light to take a great in-flight nap, and having a perfect neck pillow helps avoid that embarrassing neck bob we all do when starting to fall asleep, and keeps your neck comfortable while you are asleep! 

But even if you don’t plan to snooze during a flight, I’ve found it to be a major relief to have a neck pillow around my neck so I can relax. Maybe it’s just me and my giraffe neck, but it always tends to feel strained after a couple of hours of sitting on a plane, which tends to put me in a less-than-ideal mood. If not for my neck, I also often use the neck pillow as lumbar support since the seats also don’t support my tall torso. Sometimes being tall has its disadvantages. Will airplanes someday, just maybe, offer lumbar support? One could only wish.

7 - Snacks

I am always feeling snackie! Did you know you can bring snacks (including homemade!) onto a plane? I question this every time I’m planning a trip, and finally started remembering, which has drastically reduced my travel spend! My favorite snacks to bring are Annie’s Friends Bunny Grahams, crackers, and almonds. OMG, I almost forgot to add gum. Your seatmate(s) will thank you. Or you’ll thank yourself when you find out you’re stuck sitting next to someone for six hours who literally must have just eaten a raw onion before stepping on to the plane. Woof.

8 - Lotion

My favorite item to have on-hand (ha, get it?) and in-flight is hand lotion! Nothing makes my hands feel worse than being on an airplane. My friend Taylor gifted me the First Aid Beauty “Ultra Repair Cream” lotion a couple of years ago for Christmas and I have not stopped purchasing it every time it runs out. My favorite is the two ounce tube as it’s conveniently TSA-friendly and fits in the small upper-pocket of my personal item backpack. I apply this lotion probably 4-5 times throughout a flight to ensure my hands stay nice and don’t crack from that dry recycled plane air.

9 - lip moisturizer

Like my hands, my lips tend to constantly feel drier when I’m flying somewhere. Jack Black’s “Intense Therapy Lip Balm” is my absolute favorite. It’s so hydrating, I don’t feel like I need to re-apply every few minutes! It also has SPF 25, making it one of the strongest SPF lip balms around and is super versatile for on the plane and in my purse for visiting even the sunniest of places.

10 - eye drops

The theme here for the last three items is dryness. Is there anything worse than feeling all sorts of dried out and not being able to do anything about it? The last item for hydration is eye drops. I hate dry, itchy eyes from that recycled plane air blowing in your direction all flight. I bring the Target brand (Up & Up) eye drops with me on every flight—it’s easy to just drop some of the solution in before take off and again mid-flight to ensure your eyes don’t get irritated.

A bonus, late addition, thanks to Sarah for the reminder to have – hand sanitizer! This doesn’t really need explaining. With how germy planes are, you want to prevent from getting sick! Another bonus essential in my bag I forgot to add in my original publication, are packets of Emergen-C. Along with hand sanitizer, Emergen-C is in my bag just to ensure that recycled air doesn’t get me sick! Have you ever gotten a cold (or worse *cringes*) from being on an airplane? It’s the worst.

If you’re ever questioning what you can bring onboard, don’t hesitate to Tweet @TSA or download the app on your phone and search items there 🙂

What are some of your favorite items to have in-flight? Share in the comments below!
Gift Ideas, Lists, Tips and Tricks

2019 Adventurer’s Holiday Gift Guide

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Does anyone else struggle with finding the right thing to buy friends and family members for a present? Or is it just me? 

I feel like whenever the November month rolls around, my brain begins to fill with anxiety as to what to get people, whether it will be good enough, or will they even use it?! What about what to get those people who just don’t want anything? As a couple who just wants to live in the moment and enjoy “experiences” rather than “things,” the “I don’t want anything” couple is us. And we do apologize to those who feel like they need to buy us things! 

But, if you’re someone who loves giving gifts: With the season of giving coming soon, Eric and I wanted to share some gift ideas for those adventurous folks who just don’t want anything! 

1) Tied for FIRST: A parks gift card! The (US) National Park Service has gift cards that can be used on annual passes, gear, or park entrance fees. You could also purchase your state’s parks gift card (i.e. a Minnesota State Parks gift card) that would similarly cover camping, gear, and entrance fees where applicable. We LOVE the parks, and appreciate being able to view magnificent nature while learning some history. Don’t hesitate to check out your local, regional, or national park’s websites for more info and to compare which gift card is best for your adventurer. 

1) Tied for FIRST: A Hot Spot! Everyone loves a good WiFi connection. Did you know that with a Skyroam Solis hot spot you can have WiFi almost anywhere? To receive this device as a gift would be amazing. Then your traveler, for just $9 per day or $6 per month, could have WiFi in 130 countries! (As of November 2019, at least.) I have used a WiFi device like this in the past, and absolutely LOVED it. This particular device is on my wish list too. You can even have up to 10 devices being used at once! After doing the math, it saved my sister and I at least $50 in just a week and a half–money that we were able to use on food and experiences instead of paying an international phone bill. 

3)  Packing cubes! The single best way to pack your backpack, suitcase, or duffel. We have two types of packing cubes: regular, and compression. We have been using the regular (typical, zip-closure cube shape) packing cubes for years, and love those. The compression packing cubes, on the other hand? GAME. CHANGER. First, you zip your items in to close the packing cube, then you zip a second zipper that compresses the items into an even smaller space! These are 100% ideal for packing, whether you’re a backpacker or checked-bag traveler. If you haven’t tried packing cubes before, they will change your life. They are the best gift for those who love to travel!

4) Outlet adapter. Specifically, an international outlet adapter with lots of plug in options. We have the Saunorch Universal International Travel Power Adapter (can be found on Amazon), and it is amazing. Not only is it great for the obvious international travel where the outlets are different than here in the United States (i.e. we used it in Europe and South America), but it was also super helpful to have on our cruise! At least on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, they have one US outlet and one European outlet, so it was awesome to be able to use this adapter with its USB ports and charge our phones at the same time. 

5) A microfiber or Turkish towel. These types of towels are quick to dry, oh so soft, and super absorbent. They also are really thin, making them the perfect packable travel towel. We bring ours on every trip we go on, and I find them to be the perfect towel for drying my hair too. I wouldn’t go on another trip without one!

6) Wool socks. No explanation needed. Every adventurer loves a good pair of wool socks. Winter wool socks. Summer wool socks. Any kind of wool socks. Our favorite brands are SmartWool and Duluth Trading Company!

7) Inflatable outdoor couch. We received the Pouch Couch as a Christmas gift and love it. It’s a permanent resident of our RV, and is awesome to have at our campsite for lounging around after a great hike. Note you’ll have to keep it away from your campfire embers, so it’s best to be used during the daylight hours. 

8) A solar powered charging bank. We have the Hiluckey brand, and it’s been awesome! We wall charge it when we can because, like all solar items, that method is faster than charging with the sun. But it’s been so amazing to be able to strap it to our backpack or have it lying on the picnic table to charge when an outlet isn’t available. This charging bank also has a few USB ports so you can charge a couple devices at the same time. It’s great to have this charging our cell phones while we’re sleeping or just relaxing.

9) SteriPEN! Eric and I have one of these, and it was a godsend on our Peru trip! You get somewhere around 3,000 uses just from one bulb! There are many different types of SteriPENs, so be sure to check out all of your options. We have the SteriPEN Ultra. The only downfall (if there is one) of the SteriPEN is that the water tastes a little different after using, but that can easily be fixed by flavor packets (or Emergen-C for that extra immunity boost). 

10) Last, but not least, food! Food is always a great idea as a gift for someone who just doesn’t want anything. Or for those who are always on the go! This could include anything from a gift basket filled with food, or some snacks to munch on while out on adventures, or freeze-dried foods for backpacking! If you really aren’t sure which type of food to give, you could always use the backup plan of a gift card to the local grocery store. 

International, Reviews, Tips and Tricks

Using Flybus in Iceland: How to Plus A Mini Review

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In January 2019, my sister and I spent 48 hours in Iceland on our way home to Minnesota, USA from an extended stopover from Oslo, Norway. Before heading out on this trip, I booked the Flybus to and from the hotel we stayed at, which was the Icelandair Hotel Marina.

The Flybus is a convenient idea because it’s a simple way to get from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavik city without having to utilize a taxi, ride share service, or find your own way. Their marketing mentions it’s only a 45 minute bus ride from Keflavík International Airport to the city of Reykjavik, which makes it an attractive mode of transportation. While this is true to get into the city, it actually took about two hours for us to get to our hotel.

NOTE: This post is to ensure you are informed of how the current process of using this service works, so as to avoid any surprises or inconveniences that my sister and I encountered on our trip.

The ride is, yes, actually (technically) 45 minutes from the airport to the main bus station for Reykjavik Excursions, who partners with Flybus. From the main bus station, you are then given a color-coded card and asked to walk to the parking lot on the other side of the building (not a far walk at all) and find your respective bus. Unfortunately for us, we were given the incorrect color card, which brought us on a more “scenic route,” if you will.

For preparedness reasons, here are 10 steps for how to go about being transported from KEF to your hotel, and information I wish I had prior to our trip:

  1. Arrive at KEF and follow signs to “Exit to Iceland”
    1. You may need to declare items in customs prior to exiting this portion of the airport
    2. If you don’t know if you need to declare your items, it never hurts to ask 🙂
  2. Once through customs, follow signs to Flybus/busses
  3. With your email confirmation (either electronic or printed), head to the Flybus/Reykjavik Excursions counter. NOTE: There are two Flybus/Reykjavik Excursions desks—one is more dedicated to the Blue Lagoon; feel free to use this desk if you want to go to the Blue Lagoon before heading into Reykjavik.
    1. Once at the counter, the agent will scan your electronic/printed email confirmation and give you a color card to use once you get to the Reykjavik Excursions/Flybus main bus station.
  4. Head to any of the Flybus busses just outside the doors of the desk, and proceed to give your larger/carryon size luggage to the handler, who will put your luggage under the bus.
  5. Hop onto the bus and find a seat. The bus driver will look at your email confirmation here as well.
  6. When the bus is completely full (meaning, every seat is taken), you will set off on your 45 minute journey to the beautiful city of Reykjavik. Next stop: the main bus station.
  7. You arrive at the Reykjavik Excursions/Flybus main bus station: exit the bus, grab your luggage and meet inside the station.
  8. Go to the counter with your email confirmation (again, either electronic or printed is okay), receive your physical ticket, and proceed to the other side of the bus station and hop on the transfer bus with the matching color to the color card you were given at KEF (note: these busses are smaller).
  9. Double-check with the bus driver that you are on the correct bus as it could be possible that you were given the incorrect color card (this happened to us and added time to our transfer).
  10. Hang out on the transfer bus until you reach your destination. Transfer busses take around 15-45 minutes to drop everyone off. This timeframe changes depending on how many people are on the bus/how many people are at different hotels or hostels.

While this transfer and extra time wasn’t a massive problem, it was pretty inconvenient to NOT have been made aware of this prior to arrival. Which is why I’m bringing it up to you! Had we known it was going to be two hours from pick up to drop off, we would have planned to eat a meal before leaving the airport or pack snacks (we finished our other snacks already on the plane), but since we thought it would only be a 45 minute bus ride, we were definitely not as prepared. Please also note that the coach busses (either before your transfer busses or after, depending on if you’re heading to or from the airport), for understandable reasons, wait to leave until they are completely full. This would have been helpful to know for planning and timing purposes as well.

Overall, the service itself is so awesome, as there are few other options to get to Reykjavik from KEF. It was nice to be able to book online and reserve our seats prior to arriving. My biggest and really only issue with Flybus was the lack of explanation of process: making it sound like you get brought directly from KEF to your accommodations, which, yes, is the 45 minute ride. However, they fail to point out that the 45 minute ride starts after a long wait to get the bus filled up, and then you’re brought to a bus hub, where you then wait, get reassigned to a new bus, and then ride with a bunch of new people to maybe be dropped of first out of the group, last out of the group, or somewhere in the middle–all which takes an extensive amount of extra time. Transparency was key here, and was just missed by the company. Otherwise, I would highly rate this company and its service.

How to, Lists, Tips and Tricks

How to Pack for a Surprise Weekend Getaway in 5 easy Steps

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In April, Eric told me to take a few specific days off in September so we could go on an anniversary trip—a mystery location. He told me to pack my bags for a long weekend, but didn’t tell me where we were going. Could you imagine my anxiety? I LOVE planning trips! But I knew I was in good hands. Though I knew the weekend’s activities were being taken care of, I was still stressing about one thing—packing!

It’s so hard to pack for a weekend without knowing what the activities will be, let alone the CLIMATE. So, what do you do—how do you pack?

I will preface this post by saying I was told if the weather was going to be extreme (i.e. snowy vs. a heat wave), but wasn’t told if it would be chilly vs. beachy. I could have asked more questions, but I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could pack appropriately and try to move past my packing anxiety.

Step 1: Just breathe.

I know that picking out clothes and packing is the single most important thing to prep for a trip, but sometimes you just need to do things blind, and that’s okay.

Step 2: Start from the top

Without knowing what the climate will be, it’s best to start with tops, which I personally feel are the most stressful part of outfit planning. Or getting ready for the day even at home.

I went with two lightweight, long sleeved tops to be my staple items of the weekend. Not knowing if I’ll be at a beach or colder, windy weather, I thought this might be the most neutral option. Lightweight, long sleeved tops can not only be dressed up or down, but can also be layered to accommodate almost any type of weather.

Two short-sleeved tops were also brought along. These are perfect for warmer temperatures! Shorter-sleeved tops (i.e. a fitted cap-sleeved top or a simple t-shirt) are the perfect item to layer! You can wear a cute jacket, a sweatshirt, or a shawl over these if you are in cooler temps, or wear them without layers for warmer temps.

Step 3: The bottoms

This step was probably the easiest one for me. I’m pretty comfortable in jeans in almost any weather, but still wanted something lighter just in case we were going somewhere warmer. I opted to stick with a light-denim colored pair of jeans and a pair of capris should it have been a warmer day.

Jeans and capris are great because they can be dressed up or down. Jeans also work with nearly any type of weather. Jeans and capri pants also work with any top or shoe type. For this trip, I opted for a skinny jean, and a straight-cut capri pant.

Some of my packing anxiety went down also when I layed out both pairs of pants and all tops on my floor to make sure they would all match each other. Mixing and matching saves room in your luggage and allows for more outfit choices with less actual items of clothing.

Step 4: Accessories

Though I don’t accessorize my outfits too much, I do have two staple accessories that I never travel without: a scarf and shoes.

Fashion scarves are great in any weather and climate. Not only do they look good, but they are also great for creating shade or keeping warm. I packed a larger, medium-weight scarf that can be worn with multiple styles around my neck or even as a shawl around my shoulders when untied. The scarf I brought this trip was earthy shades of blues, greens, and tans. I’ve brought scarves of varying colors (i.e. shades of purple, green, white, etc.) on previous trips, but wanted to go with more neutrally colors since I wasn’t sure where I was traveling.

There are also really great infinity scarves out there that have a special pocket in them to conceal your passport, wallet, phone, or anything that is needing to be hidden. While I don’t yet have one, I am really excited about the Speakeasy Travel Supply scarves and am hoping to buy one soon.

Shoes! My favorite thing to have and my least favorite thing to pack. They are always so bulky and difficult to fit in any bag! This is why picking the perfect shoes are so important. For this trip, I brought my black, lightweight Nike Tanjuns and a pair of Sanuk Yoga Sling 2 sandals. I feel like I could walk for days in either of these shoes (though probably not recommended—maybe get some real hiking boots for that 😉 winky face). Plus, these Nikes and Sanuks work with the previously-mentioned outfits, regardless of which I was wearing that day. Woohoo!

Speaking of, does anyone have any tips on how to pack shoes better? I just wrap them up so the bottoms don’t touch the rest of my clothes and use them as storage as best as I can, but I feel like there’s gotta be a better way…

Step 5: Miscellaneous Items

Since I wasn’t sure where we were going, I probably definitely packed more than what was needed in the miscellaneous category. Here’s a list of a few random items I brought with juuuust in case.

  • Swimsuit
  • Lightweight gloves – i.e. small “one-size” knit vs. full-on winter
  • Passport – we flew within the continental United States, so I could have left my passport at home and brought my passport card instead
  • Lightweight jacket
  • Baseball cap – but with the Timberwolves logo-basketball 😇
  • Sunscreen! If you’re like me, you will sun burn even in the snow…
  • Camera

So where did we end up? Boston, Massachusetts! It was chillier, but beautiful and so amazing! Highly recommend visiting Fenway Park and taking in the town’s rich history. We even spent one day in Salem. In love!

What would you pack for a mystery weekend getaway?