It’s great to take a vacation at least once a year, especially if you work hard most of the time and like the idea of getting some rest. If you’re like most people, you’re probably not going to seclude yourself in the mountains for an off-grid retreat, so bringing technology with you will be a must. The only question is, what will you take and what will you leave behind?
This article will help you weigh the pros and cons of taking (or leaving) certain tech gadgets on your next vacation.
- Take your iPad
Out of all the tech gadgets you own, your iPad will be the most useful on your vacation. It’s a nice way to access the internet without having to drag around a big laptop. You can use it for things like email, but you’ll also probably want to use it for watching movies, checking out YouTube videos, and scrolling through social media.
When you have a tablet, you can catch Wi-Fi from a local café if you choose to venture out, or you can get a specific Wi-Fi plan for your tablet from a local service provider before you go on vacation. Just make sure to protect your iPad with a case that has been proven to prevent cracked screens and camera lenses.
- Leave your laptop behind
Hopefully, you’re taking a vacation to leave your work behind, so it’s a good idea to leave your laptop at home to avoid the temptation of working. Work can wait. It’s different if you’re the only person who can handle certain tasks, but don’t bring your laptop and act like it’s just another day at the office.
Give yourself a break and leave your work tools behind. Spend time relaxing and enjoy your vacation.
- Take your smartphone
Of course, you’ll want to bring your smartphone so you have access to all of your important apps, like your bank account and other things. It’s also useful for scanning your boarding passes, navigating routes, taking photos, and finding good places to eat. However, you might want to consider getting a burner phone to avoid any problems if your phone is lost or stolen. It will be much harder to recover a lost or stolen phone on vacation.
There’s also a greater chance of losing your phone while on vacation if you spend time in a hotel, by a pool, or visit local attractions. Phones are small and easy to misplace. Even if you have travel insurance that will cover your device, you’ll still be out of luck without a device and the inconvenience will be frustrating.
- Leave your smart watch at home
Smart watches are fun, but do you really need yours on vacation? Chances are, you’ll have a better time if you leave it at home. Try not to be glued to screens constantly on your vacation. Give yourself the chance to get more rest and enjoy the world around you instead of looking at a screen all day.
- Bring your video game console
If you’re able to pack it easily, bring your favorite video game console so you can play some games. If video games are your go-to form of stress relief, or if you just really enjoy playing games, you may as well bring them with you on vacation.
- Don’t bring your good chargers
There is a high likelihood of your chargers getting lost on your vacation. Phone chargers are the number one item left behind in hotel rooms. In just one year, two hotels in the UK said guests left behind 42,000 chargers.
If you have certain chargers that you like more than others, perhaps because the cords are longer or they’re more flexible, leave those behind. Bring chargers you won’t mind losing if you forget them in your hotel.
Chargers aren’t expensive to replace, but you’ll be inconvenienced for a while until you can get a replacement. If you rely on the specific characteristics of your chargers, especially length, it’s not worth the risk.
If you can afford it, buy a second charger for every device you plan to take with you on vacation so you have nothing to worry about.
Travel light, but don’t deprive yourself
Traveling light is beneficial because you don’t have to drag a lot of stuff around. However, don’t leave everything behind. Take the minimum technology you need to enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
