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The Secret to Enjoying Travel Again
Somewhere along the way, travel became hard work.
Between packing, planning, booking transport and making sure everyone has what they need, it's easy to arrive at the airport already exhausted. Yet travel remains one of life's greatest pleasures. The trick, I've discovered, is removing as many decisions and inconveniences as possible before you leave
The easiest way to enjoy your journey is to reduce decision-making, travel with versatile tops and bottoms, and carry accessories that work harder. After years of travelling with children, work trips and family holidays, I've learned that comfort, practicality and beauty matter far more than having lots of things. And actually ‘lots of things’ means ‘lots of things to carry around’, which of course makes the whole thing feel even less fun!
Why Travel Feels More Stressful Than It Should
I don't think it's the travelling that exhausts us. It's the hundreds of tiny decisions that come beforehand. What should everyone pack? What do I wear on the plane? Which bag should I take? Have we forgotten anything? By the time we leave, we've already spent days making choices.
Yet travel is still one of the very best ways to inhabit a different way of life for a while, an escape and a delicious taste of romantic exotic ‘otherness’. I usually leave exhausted but return rested, inspired and with a new appreciation for our home environment.
A Philosophy: Slow Travel Starts Before You Arrive
How can we make it easier? I long for a return to the halcyon days of 1920's travel when everything was slower but also more comfortable. Trains in India are a little reminder of this. They are noisy and busy but also calming – you must surrender yourself to the train, and watch the chaos (perhaps sipping your chai) and eventually you’ll arrive. Perhaps it’s no different in Heathrow and in the car parking queue, just a little less sunshine and vibrancy, and more Starbucks than pottery cups.
What I Look For in Travel Clothing
We all want to know what the best outfit formula for travelling is. For me, it comes down to three things: comfort, versatility and softness (non negotiable if I'm sitting for hours, which I hate!). Personally, working out what to wear and carry while I travel used to take up an inordinate amount of my brainpower before I left. Over time I've settled on a simple formula: soft layers in a single tonal palette, mine are cream, green, brown but I envy those who have navy and black as options in their - that would make it so easy to find basics! So it's a vest, a shirt or sweater, comfortable leggings or relaxed trousers, and one additional breathable layer for changing temperatures. Everything works together, nothing feels restrictive, and I never have to think about it.
I want my layers to work while I am away and to be warm but not bulky. I want to look put together but not dull, and above everything else I must be completely totally and utterly comfortable, not just warm and stylish.
What Makes the Perfect Travel Bag
Travel accessories should earn their place, too.
The bag I carry through security and onto the plane must:
· Have space for an unknown number of items (always more than when you left home!)
· Close securely against pickpockets
· Fit a water bottle, travel pillow and book
· Include a dedicated passport pocket
· Work equally well on a plane, train or day trip while I'm there
· Be comfortable enough to carry all day
My washbags should look pretty but be functional. They mustn’t get wet or dirty if anything spills, I should be able to wash them and use them again and they should work hard while I am away, doing double duty on outings for snacks, electricals, sun cream, travellers cheques, sunglasses, or kids’ shells and souvenirs which need to be kept safe.
Why We Created The Amber Hour
We created The Amber Hour because we couldn't find pieces that combined practicality, craftsmanship and beauty in one place. We wanted the things we carried and wore while travelling to feel as thoughtful as the journeys themselves. Whether it's a quilted jacket for the plane that becomes your evening layer at your destination, a block-printed tote, beautifully made voile pyjamas or a trio of washbags that makes you smile every time you open your suitcase, these are pieces designed to earn their place year after year because they help you enjoy the journey itself. They are gorgeous to touch, and have been made with love and care, by hand, from start to finish.
It’s time that travel felt lighter, easier and more joyful. If the pieces you carry can help make that happen, then they've done their job. Happy travels!
My Essential Travel Packing Principles
1. Pack fewer pieces than you think you need.
2. Choose layers instead of bulky clothing.
3. Stick to a simple colour palette but never forget to add joyous prints which tone well.
4. Carry one bag that does multiple jobs.
5. Prioritise comfort over perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Comfortable Travel
Q: What should I wear on a long journey?
A: Choose breathable soft layers that can adapt to different temperatures and allow unrestricted movement.
Q: What should be in a travel bag?
A: A good travel bag should have secure compartments, room for essentials, be easy to close against pickpockets and be soft and comfortable to carry.
Q: How can I make travelling less stressful?
A: Simplify your packing, reduce unnecessary choices and focus on pieces that work in multiple situations.