The two unusual souvenirs you should always buy on holiday, according to a woman who has travelled the world
A SEASONED traveller has revealed the two items you should always buy on holiday.
Historian and TV presenter Bettany Hughes, 56, has made a name for herself as an expert on ancient times and as an in-demand lecturer and author of a stack of best-selling books.
She is also a globetrotter, clocking up around 75,000 miles in the air every year.
Due to having spent so much time travelling around the world she has learned a thing or two and recently shared her top tips and hacks.
One of her more unusual recommendations was to always buy a scarf and a pot of honey, wherever you go.
Ms Hughes told Bloomberg: “If anybody knows my programmes, I always have basically a suitcase full of scarves.
“I found that wherever you travel, they’re a sunshade, they can wipe sweat, they can keep you warm, and they can work as a tourniquet if you get into trouble.”
Over the years she’s picked up a whole collection from bazaars in India, souks in Istanbul and Albanian villages.
While she said they’re certainly “not Hermès” they do have their “own authenticity and honesty to them.”
As for honey, she says she has an “archaeological collection” of pots in her kitchen which are on a side wall.
Her collection is so extensive that she will never get through her supplies in her lifetime and admitted she brings some back from every single location she has been to.
Ms Hughes also advised to never forget you are a guest in someone else’s country and you need to respect your host.
Whenever filming, even if it is just with your mobile, make sure you have permission.
Not necessarily legal permission but “buy-in” from the people you are with.
She said: “Make eye contact, make friends. Always say, ‘Is it OK if I take a photo?’”
On one occasion while filming on the Jordanian-Lebanese border, she and her crew sat down at a café which was full of Hezbollah, which she said could have been “very sticky”.
But because they took the time to explain what was going on, that they were doing something on the god of war, Mars, it was ok to carry on.
Another hack she recommended was to pack two suitcases, even if you have to pay the excess.
Hand luggage rules for UK airlines
We’ve rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when booking their most basic fare.
Ryanair
One personal bag measuring no more than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm
EasyJet
One personal bag measuring no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
Jet2
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm weighing up to 10kg
TUI
One personal item that its underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm weighing up to 10kg
British Airways
One personal bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm 25cm weighing up to 23kg
Virgin Atlantic
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg
Ms Hughes says she fills them with identical things in each one, just in case one gets lost.
That way you still have clothes that will see you through.
She revealed she made a “schoolgirl error” last October while travelling to Trieste, Italy, for a public lecture.
The one time she thought she would only take one bag was the time the airline lost it, leaving her stuck without any clothes or makeup.
Fortunately, though it did turn up four or five weeks later.
Meanwhile, these are some of the best packing hacks for travellers.
And this is how to use a pillow to increase the amount of luggage you can bring.