After years of traveling across six continents, photographing destinations, and testing countless travel products, I’ve narrowed down the gear and services I actually rely on. If it’s on this page, it’s because I’ve personally used it or genuinely recommend it after extensive research.
🏆 MY TOP 5 ESSENTIALS
The gear and travel tools I never leave home without.
If I could only recommend five travel resources, these would be them. They’ve saved me time, money, stress, or all three, and they’ve earned a permanent place in my travel kit.
1️⃣ TOURS & EXPERIENCES – VIATOR
From snorkeling in French Polynesia to Grand Canyon adventures, Viator has helped me find memorable experiences around the world.
2️⃣ LUGGAGE – LEVEL8
I’ve tested a lot of luggage. This brand wins—hands down. Lightweight, stylish, durable, and that wide handle? Game changer.
3️⃣ TRACKING BELONGINGS – AIRTAGS
I thought they were overhyped—until AirTags saved my sanity during multi-leg flights & ferry rides with a checked bag full of supplements. Now I use one in every bag.
4️⃣ BOOKING HOTELS & RENTALS
I compare prices before every trip, but Booking.com consistently gives me one of the best combinations of selection, flexibility, and value.
5️⃣ STAYING CONNECTED: GIGSKY ESIM
Gone are the days of hunting for airport SIM cards. I activate my eSIM before takeoff so I have data the moment I land, without searching for Wi-Fi or a local phone shop.
👇 Explore More Travel Resources by Category
Browse by category below, or jump straight to the travel resource you’re looking for.
✈️ 🧳 Planning Your Trip
These are the websites and services I personally use to plan nearly every trip, from finding flights and hotels to booking tours, travel insurance, and staying connected abroad.
✈️🌎 Featured Guide:
Best International Travel Insurance (Real-World Picks + What I Use)
Read my review here:
📱 Travel Tech
These are the travel gadgets that have made the biggest difference on my trips. Many of them are small enough to toss in a backpack but save time, stress and frustration on the road.
✈️🌎 Featured Guide:
GigSky vs. Airalo: Which eSIM Is Better for International Travel?
Read my review here:
🎒🧳 Packing Favorites
I’ve refined my packing list over years of travel. These are the items I reach for again and again because they simply work.
✈️📸 Bring the Journey Home 🌍🧳
Explore my travel shop for photography prints, travel accessories, and travel-inspired gifts designed from my adventures around the world.
✈️🌎 Featured Guide:
15 Best Travel Backpacks That Open Like Suitcases (For Every Budget + Accessories)
Read my review here:
📸 Travel Photography Gear
One of the questions I get asked most is, “What’s the best camera for travel?”
The truth is, there isn’t one. The best camera depends on your budget, experience level, and the type of photography you enjoy.
Throughout Mukikapup’s Travels, you’ll find camera recommendations for all kinds of photography, from landscapes and wildlife to surfing, winter adventures, and beginner travel photography. I also include guides for different budgets, so whether you’re looking for an affordable starter camera or something more advanced, there’s a guide to help you choose.
That said, don’t feel like you need an expensive camera to capture amazing memories. Some of my favorite travel photos have been taken with my iPhone, proving that great travel photography is more about creativity than expensive equipment. The best camera is the one you’ll actually carry and enjoy using.
Below are the photography accessories and tech that I personally use and recommend.
Check out even more photo gear on the photography page!
✈️🌎 Featured Guide:
The Best Intermediate-Level Cameras For Travel Photography
Read my review here:
👩💻Blogging Resources
If you’re building a travel blog of your own, these are the tools I use behind the scenes to keep Mukikapup’s Travels running.
LyricalHost: I use Lyrical for my website hosting, and they’re the absolute best with customer service, site speed and more! Use the code MUKI10 for 10% off your first hosting plan payment.
WordPress: I use WordPress.org to make and design my website.
Adobe Creative Suite: I use Lightroom and Photoshop to edit photos, plus other programs for logo and graphic design and video editing.
Canva: I use Canva to make quick, simple graphics for my site.