Technology Accessories for Travel Blogging

You guys should all know by now that in August I’m going on a special holiday: a cruise! If you’ve not heard about it yet, you must be new here (hiya, nice to have ya!) as I’ve not stopped going on it since we booked it this time last year. We’re going to be sailing for 7 nights and we’re stopping off at 6 different locations across the Western Mediterranean. I’m beyond excited and as it’s such a special holiday, I want to make sure that I am blogging my memories the whole time… So, in the run up to my big adventure, I’ve been testing out the best technology accessories to help you blog whilst travelling. Here are my top picks.

The first thing I’ve chosen is an absolutely essential and something I couldn’t imagine going on holiday without; a whole host of back-up plugs, alternative cables and travel converters. I always make sure I have a fair few travel adapters in my bag ready for my jollies, but sometimes plug sockets are limited in hotel rooms, campsites or even your mate’s-auntie’s-room-where-you’ve-managed-to-kip-on-the-sofa-for-a-few-nights.

For cruise ships especially, there is usually only one plug for you to use, which is why you need to make the most of space. For this, I would recommend picking something up like the Olixar Power Up Kit 4-in-1 Charging Pack*. This is a smart little travel pack. It includes: a mains adapter with 4 different USB slots (and let’s face it, USB cables attached to pretty much anything); 4 different travel adapters (the main ones you will need for travelling to most common holiday hotspots); a power bank for charging on the go; and two retractable spare USB charging cables. Plus, it all comes neatly tidied away in a hard-case, zipped-up pack of loveliness ready for throwing in your suitcase. It’s honestly all you could need for charging your iPad, tablet, phone, camera, iPod, and pretty much anything else on your holidays!

If you’re only going for a weekend away, and perhaps don’t need SO many chargers and cables in your travel bag, go for something a little prettier. This portable powerbank by Trendz* makes a lovely yet practical gift – great for charging your phone on the go (it has a USB port, so could really be used to charge pretty much anyway!) it’s also pretty nice to have on display, with it’s floral PU leather floral case, it won’t look out of place in your beach bag!

My next essential travel essential has taken the UK market by storm this year and isn’t news at all – but it really is a blogger-must have… The selfie stick, of course! Arms just don’t cut it any more for the getting a selfie as JUST the right angle, and let’s face it, asking strangers to take photos of you and your boyf on the beach can be a little awkward (and risky!).

My weapon of choice is the Olixar Selfie Smart Pole*; I’ve tried others, and this one works for me as it fits with a range of my own devices. As well as my phone, I have a digital camera that I like to take on days out, and the adjustable frame on this selfie stick means it fits both; a feature that most don’t have. It also includes a bluetooth button that let’s you snap away comfortably from just holding the handle, allowing you to get the perfect pout just at the right time. 

And what’s the best way to capture the memories taken on your selfie stick? No, not sharing them to Instagram (which you can definitely do as well!), but by printing them. Yeah, printing’s back in fashion and it’s a great way to make sure you don’t lose some of your favourite travel memories.

If, like me, you’re going on a special holiday, try printing on the go with a device such as the LG Pocket Printer*; it can quite literally fit in your pocket! This nifty little thing is so light and takes up way less space in my suitcase than my DSLR camera, making it perfect for collecting special memories as you go along. Choose carefully and print off your most special nights, making this tiny polaroid-esque pictures perfect for scrap-booking, giving to your new holiday beau or just composing cutesy blog pictures with. Like me, and my picture taken on my new selfie stick. Swish!

I’ve been researching cruise ship portrooms for months now (can you tell I’m excited?) and another few things I’ve discovered that cruise ship rooms lack are DVD players, radios and CD players. Which is fine, I get it, I’m going to be spending minimal time in my room and maximum time exploring the West Med shores and catching some rays on deck. However, if like me you enjoy listening to some tunes whilst getting ready for your day out exploring or putting your face on ready for holiday cocktails, I’d recommend taking along a pair of travel speakers.

These Olixar ToughBeats Outdoor Speakers* are great for travelling – they’re bluetooth and wireless so don’t need any troublesome wireless to connect to your MP3 player, keeping your packing down and room space tidy. If, like me, you like to do a little bit of business whilst you’re away (can’t neglect the blog, can I?) then they also facilitate hands-free calls, working as an add-on to your phone and allowing a speaker-phone function. This is ideal if you’re looking to catch up with things back home when you’re on a long car journey – or, you know, just laying out in the sun. One doesn’t have to lift a finger on holiday!

So kittens, those are my top tips for blogging whilst travelling. If you aren’t looking to blog on your holiday this year, or just don’t fancy taking all your technology away with you this summer, you might enjoy my blog post offering advice on how to blog whilst you’re on the go, a post suitable for short breaks, or simply if you travel a lot with work.