What's in Our Travel Bag
The Fully Mediterranean team's favorite podcasts, books, and travel companions for summer adventures.
Whether you’re headed to the airport, packing up the car for a road trip, or simply enjoying a slower summer weekend, we all have those little things that make traveling more enjoyable.
Around the Fully Mediterranean team, we started talking about what always comes with us when we travel. The answers weren’t all the same, but one thing we noticed was that we all love finding ways to stay curious. A great podcast can make a long drive fly by. A good book can turn a delayed flight into something you actually look forward to. Even a quick brain game while waiting at the gate can keep your mind engaged.
Curiosity is one of the simplest ways we can continue learning throughout life, and lifelong learning has been linked to better cognitive health and healthy aging. Summer doesn’t have to mean pressing pause on your brain. Sometimes it just looks a little different than the rest of the year.
So, for a little fun, I asked everyone on the Fully Mediterranean team to share a few of their favorite travel companions. Along with a few of my own favorites, you’ll also find recommendations from Gabby, our dietitian, and Mia, our intern. Whether you’re looking to learn something new, get inspired, solve a mystery, or simply escape into a great story, we hope you discover something new to pack on your next adventure.
Podcasts
Whether you're looking to learn something new, get inspired, or simply make the miles go by a little faster, podcasts have become one of our favorite travel companions. Here are a few we keep coming back to.
For the Curious Learner
Huberman Lab
“I always come away having learned something new. It’s one of my favorite podcasts for understanding the science behind health in a practical way.”
Science Vs
“Whenever a new health trend pops up, I love hearing what the research actually says before forming an opinion.”
TED Talks Daily
"These episodes are short enough to fit into a walk or a quick drive, and I almost always learn something unexpected."
Hidden Brain
"This podcast has a way of making everyday thoughts and behaviors feel fascinating."
For a Little Inspiration
Abiding Together Podcast
“If you're looking for something uplifting, this podcast feels like a conversation with friends who point you back to faith, hope, and purpose.”
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
“I enjoy listening to the conversations on long drives. They always leave me with a different perspective.”
The Mel Robbins Podcast
“I appreciate how practical her advice is. I usually finish an episode with one small takeaway I can actually use."
The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
"The guests are incredibly interesting, and I like hearing the conversations that happen beyond the headlines."
For a Little More Happiness
Office Hours with Arthur Brooks
"Harvard professor Arthur Brooks blends science, practical wisdom, and engaging conversations to explore what it really means to live a happier, more meaningful life."
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
“I like that it’s grounded in research while still offering practical ideas for everyday life.”
For the True Crime Fan
Crime Junkie
"This is one of our favorite road trip podcasts. It's the kind of show where one episode usually turns into two."
I Survived
"The stories are powerful and inspiring. It's a reminder of just how resilient people can be."
Books & Audiobooks
Whether you prefer turning pages or pressing play, books and audiobooks are some of our favorite travel companions. From beach reads and thrillers to personal growth and fantasy, here are a few we've been enjoying lately.
For the Beach Reader
Beach Read by Emily Henry
“An easy book to get lost in and one I always recommend for vacation."
Funny Story by Emily Henry
"Lighthearted, funny, and the kind of book that's hard to put down once you get started."
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
"If you're looking for a nostalgic summer read, this one definitely captures that feeling."
For the Thriller Lover
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
"Every time I thought I knew what was coming next, the story surprised me."
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
"I kept telling myself, 'Just one more chapter,' until I realized I'd stayed up way too late."
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
"The less you know before starting this one, the better."
For Escaping Into Another World
A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
"It took me a little while to understand all the hype, but once I did, I couldn't stop reading."
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
"A series with great characters and enough twists to keep you wanting the next book."
For Personal Growth
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur Brooks
“A meaningful read for anyone interested in healthy aging, lifelong purpose, and redefining what success looks like over time."
Atomic Habits by James Clear
"One of those books I find myself recommending over and over because the ideas are simple, practical, and easy to apply."
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
"A simple concept that really made me think differently about what I can and can't control."
Travel Favorites We Never Leave Home Without
No matter where we're headed, there are a few tried-and-true essentials that always seem to find their way into our bags. From staying hydrated to packing snacks, these are a few of our favorite travel companions. (P.S. We've linked our favorites if you'd like to check them out!)
Staying hydrated is so much easier when your water bottle is always within reach. The Owala FreeSip is leakproof, keeps water cold for hours, and has become one of our favorite travel essentials.
Blue Diamond Lightly Salted Almonds
Portable, satisfying, and packed with healthy fats and protein, these low-sodium almonds are an easy snack to toss in your carry-on or backpack. They help keep us fueled between meals without relying on airport snacks. One serving contains just 40 mg of sodium while providing 6 g of protein.
A convenient, grab-and-go snack made with simple ingredients like egg whites, nuts, and dates. Their smaller size makes them easy to pack for travel, keep in your bag, or enjoy between meals when you need a quick snack with a little protein to help keep you going.
Whether we're packing fruit, veggies, trail mix, or leftovers, these reusable silicone bags make traveling a little easier while helping cut down on single-use plastic.
If you've ever stepped off a flight with dry lips, you know why this made our list. We love using it before a flight or overnight while traveling to keep lips feeling hydrated.
Biodance Collagen Peptide Eye Patches
One of my favorite travel and self-care essentials. They help hydrate and refresh the under-eye area, making them perfect after a long flight, an early morning, or whenever your eyes need a little extra TLC. I like keeping a pack in the fridge for an extra cooling, depuffing effect.
CROWN AFAIR The Mini Air Dry Hair Set
Travel-friendly haircare duo designed to help enhance your hair's natural texture without the need for heat styling. It's an easy option to toss in your bag for weekends away or vacations when you want a simple routine that leaves your hair feeling soft, manageable, and ready to air dry.
Touchland Hand Sanitizer Spray
A compact hand sanitizer that fits easily into a purse, backpack, or carry-on. It provides a quick way to freshen your hands while traveling, running errands, or spending time on the go, and the sleek, refillable-style design makes it easy to keep within reach.
Kitsch Weighted Satin Sleep Mask
A soft, gently weighted sleep mask designed to help block out light and create a more relaxing sleep environment. The satin fabric feels comfortable against the skin, making it a great addition to your nighttime routine or an easy travel companion for long flights, road trips, or hotel stays.
A simple, wired headphone option that's easy to keep in your travel bag, backpack, or carry-on. They're great for listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or music on the go, and because they don't need to be charged, they're a reliable backup for flights, road trips, or long travel days.
A roomy, lightweight tote that's perfect for beach days, poolside afternoons, or carrying your travel essentials. Available in three sizes, I switch between the medium and large depending on the trip. With plenty of space for towels, sunscreen, snacks, and a good book, it's an easy grab-and-go bag for summer adventures.
Stay Curious This Summer
Before we wrap up, there's one more travel favorite we'd encourage you to pack this summer: curiosity. One of the best things we can do for our brains is to keep learning. Research suggests that staying mentally active through activities like reading, puzzles, games, and learning new skills may help support cognitive health as we age.
If you have a few extra minutes while waiting at the airport, riding in the car, or relaxing by the pool, try one of these brain-friendly favorites:
No matter where this summer takes you, we hope you find a little time to stay curious, learn something new, and enjoy the journey along the way.
Now it’s your turn! We’d love to hear what’s in your travel bag. What’s a podcast you always recommend, a book you couldn’t put down, or a travel essential you never leave home without? Leave your favorites in the comments. We can’t wait to add a few new recommendations to our own lists!