CEO Packing List: Kirsteene Phelan, Rome2rio

Clothing

1. Long sleeve outwear

This long sleeved, black T-shirt from Uniqlo is often one of the first items CEO Phelan adds to her carry-on. It is lightweight, warm enough to combat chilly cabin air and an easy item to throw over just above anything. In a pinch, it can also double as a towel for your hair.

Tech gadgets and accessories

2. Spare battery pack

Needless to say, this portable accessory is an indispensable companion you wouldn’t want to be caught without when you are travelling or off the grid. With these compact power solutions that are easily rechargeable overnight, there is no need to worry about your draining battery life. So swap your USB cables with a battery pack before your next trip. It’s about time you do away with those tangled cords and additional chargers. Aside from packing a battery pack for her own device, CEO Phelan carries an additional one in her backpack, which is prepared for anyone in the party who forgot theirs.

3. Fitbit

Staying fit and healthy is probably the last thing on your mind as you indulge in the local delicacies of your new destination. Nonetheless, those who do not wish to totally unplug from your fitness routine can turn to this Fitbit wristband, which keeps CEO Phelan motivated on the road and assists her in keeping tabs on the number of steps taken while travelling. At the same time, information provided about her sleeping patterns helps her adjust to a new time zone or sleeping environment. More importantly, it eliminates the hassle of toting exercise equipment during travel.

4. Nuraphones

Getting sufficient sleep on long-haul flights probably feels like an impossible task with the incessant murmurs, scruffling shoes of passers-by, snores of other passengers in the neighbouring seats and the constant drone of the aircraft engines. A pair of noise-cancelling headphones will be your salvation when it comes to blocking out unwanted ambience and enjoying a night of blissful sleep on-board. Despite its unusual design, Nuraphone offers a new level of immersion that you never knew existed. By monitoring otoacoustic emissions, Nuraphones create a customised audio profile for every user, making your aural experience one that’s been fully personalised and tuned to your personal hearing preference.

5. Pre-downloaded podcasts and language apps

Any traveller planning on spending more than a couple of days in a foreign destination ought to devote some time to learning a new language as being able to utter a few friendly phrases goes a long way when you travel. It may seem like immense challenge, but nothing beats full immersion where it is spoken on a daily basis. And the key to opening this treasure chest full of unique cultural experiences and new friendships can be found in DuoLingo and Drop. Beyond sparing time to catch up on learning Italian, CEO Phelan likes to use her travel time listening to Deep Dive podcasts on Overcast about world politics, history and culture.

Travel skincare items

6. LuLuLun sheet masks

It can be easy to neglect your skin as you travel. The long flights, cold weather and insufficient sleep can be stressful to your skin as well. A simple solution to keep your skin clear and fresh would be to put on this LuLuLun mask, in place of your regular extensive skincare routine. They come in separate sachets, so it is easy to pick and pack the different types to suit your needs; be it you’re trying to combat dryness or dullness.

7. Sumou Balm and EO hand sanitizer

They may be small in size, nevertheless, at times such beauty products are worth their weight in gold. CEO Phelan discovered this great balm on her last trip to Japan. Its handy size is useful for keeping skin supple and hydrated on a long flight. The organic hand sanitizer is another great recent find. Unlike other sanitizers, it has a soothing lavender scent and is useful if you want to freshen up but you are not close to amenities.

8. A silk scarf

The same silk scarf that you use to pair with countless different outfits as a great statement accessory has a few surprising beauty benefits. Slip them over your pillow and settle in for a night of restorative beauty sleep. Wake up with frizz-free hair and your face looking soft and radiant; ready to start your day exploring a new place.

Travel necessities

9. Kathmandu Packing cells and Leone tins

There is nothing more satisfying than to know exactly where everything you packed is after unzipping your suitcase. Having such packing accessories help you keep your cosmetics, toiletries and the tiny items you’re most likely to forget organised and spill-proof. Apart from allowing you to pack efficiently, these nifty, little cells can be easily moved into and stacked in your hotel bathroom so you’ll be done packing and ready to move out in no time. Get them in your favourite colours here.

On the other hand, when unpacking after a trip, instead of throwing away your leftover sweet boxes, you can make your packing a little greener by giving them a second life. With a touch of creativity, CEO Phelan took a compact tin candy box and transformed it into a stylish container holding petite jewellery pieces, hair accessories and makeup applicators.

10. A small notepad, pencil and pencil sharpener

Meeting people is probably the best gift of travel. CEO Phelan, who is never short of a recommendation for a shop, restaurant or art gallery for anyone in need, can’t do without a notepad and a set of pencils. The writing materials are not only essential for passing on information, but also helps to impart a memorable impression with a handwritten recommendation, adding some personal touch to her interactions in this digital age. On top of that, she uses Ogani notepad for jotting down some fleeting thoughts during the evening or reminders of promises she made during conversations with others.

A chat with CEO Kirsteene Phelan

Trip101: How often do you have to travel for work, and where do you most often travel to?
Kirsteene: I usually travel 2 -3 times a year for work and 1-2 times per year for pleasure. From Melbourne, most journeys I want to take are very long - at least 8 hours. I travel mostly to the US and Europe plus Asia when I can.

Trip101: Which is your favorite travel destination and why?
Kirsteene: Italy is a personal favourite and especially Rome which never fails to make me remember what it is to be alive. On my last trip to Italy, I visited the stone city of Matera and it was magical. I’m also very fond of Vietnam and Japan.

Trip101: Name three destinations and/or activities on your travel bucket list.
Kirsteene: To visit James Turrell’s new artwork, the Roden Crater in North Arizona. It is not finished yet but I will visit as soon as it is open to the public. I have visited other light installation works by Turrell in Japan and Australia and would like to see as many as possible.

To sail the Lipari Islands of Sicily. A friend recently did this and it looks like a dream come true with beautiful landscapes atop jewels seas.

Recently I’ve added the desire to see the southern lights (Aurora Australis) to my list. They are not as well known as the Aurora Borealis but from what I’ve read and seen they are just as unmissable. The Aurora Australis can be seen from Tasmania and is just as stunning.

Trip101: Besides travelling for work, what do you travel for?
Kirsteene: I travel to explore world history, in particular, the history of the ancient world. I also like to taste new food, especially street food so I invest a lot of time in exploring this pleasure. Art is important to me and I will seek out contemporary galleries and exhibitions and have travelled to specific locations such as the Setouchi Islands to experience certain pieces. I collect vintage sunglasses so flea markets and junk shops are a beacon for me and I will plan my trips around weekend markets, especially in Japan and Europe. Lastly, I like to explore the water - snorkelling and boating are fun but I’m also happy jumping off rocks into clear seas full of life.

Trip101: What’s your ideal “off-day” like?
Kirsteene: In a major hub, I would visit a gallery, try to find a flea market and eat some local street food. In a seaside area, I would try to experience a boat trip or find a place where I can do a shore dive or snorkel.

Trip101: If you couldn’t travel by an airplane, would you rather take a railway train, bus or a ferry?
Kirsteene: Ferries are one of my favourite ways to travel. The cabins are very comfortable for overnight journeys and you can save on accommodation by taking advantage of the regular night ferries that criss-cross Europe. Trains are another great pick as they are easier to board than a plane, have roomy seats, and often refreshments. For both ferry and rail, I like having the freedom to move around during the journey and enjoy my surrounds.

Trip101: Favourite book or movie?
Kirsteene: My favourite show about travel is Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown. We have truly lost a wonderful advocate for travel as an educator and eye-opener. When I travel I try to match what I read to my location. For example, I read Elena Ferrante’s Neopolitan series while in southern Italy, James Baldwin’s Another Country while in New York City and Graham Greene’s The Quiet American while in Vietnam. I find this a great way to really envelop your senses in the experience of a place when you travel.

About Kirsteene Phelan

She describes herself as a multipotentialite, having pursued her passions in teaching, creative works and last but not least, travelling. Besides serving as the acting CEO of Rome2rio, a comprehensive global trip planner that helps you get from one location to another across global boundaries, CEO Phelan is a member of the Programming Advisory Board of Pause Fest, which is the world’s leading creativity-infused business event. Furthermore, she takes up the role of being a Sessional Instructor of the General Assembly that aims to transform careers and teams through dynamic courses of coding, data, design and business and is the Co-Director of JobHack.org, a non-profit organisation, created to empower the young unemployed with the practical skills of entrepreneurship and to tackle global youth unemployment.