Expert Advice

A backpacker’s viral TikTok reveals four items she deeply regretted not packing on a six-month trip – and why travellers keep making the same mistake.

A holidaymaker’s worst nightmare – aside from a cancelled flight – is realising they’ve forgotten to pack something important. One backpacker has gone viral on TikTok after revealing four items she deeply regretted not taking on a six-month trip across Asia.

Dill, an adventurer with more than 11,000 followers and 1.5 million likes, has spent months travelling between countries. But she admitted her packing mistakes in a recent video that has racked up thousands of views and sparked plenty of discussion.

Packing light has become a major trend among travellers, especially backpackers. According to a 2023 survey by Statista, around 40 per cent of holidaymakers aim to travel with carry-on luggage only to save money and avoid hassle.

That often means tough choices about what to bring, and what to leave behind. Here are four items she says she wishes she’d packed, after they caused repeated frustration during her travels.

Jean shorts

Obviously this one depends on the type of holiday you’re packing for. After all, there’s not a chance jean shorts would be of much use in places with colder climates like Iceland and Switzerland.

Nevertheless, Dill admitted one of her biggest regrets was not taking her favourite pair. She wished she had them “two or three times a week”.

Clothing comfort plays a huge role in travel satisfaction, with research from Condé Nast Traveler suggesting packing versatile clothing reduces travel stress. In warmer climates, staple items like shorts can be worn repeatedly, making them more valuable than expected.

Headphones

Another item Dill missed utilising during her Asian adventure was a reliable pair of wired earphones. After relying on Bluetooth and buying a low-quality replacement abroad, she struggled with poor sound and audio issues.

Tech experts at CNET say wired headphones are often more reliable for travel, particularly when it comes to battery-free use and consistent audio quality. This can also be crucial during long journeys or remote trips where charging options are limited.

Journal

Dill also regretted bringing a journal that was too small. She said limited space meant she couldn’t properly document her experiences, leaving pages feeling incomplete.

Travel psychology research shows that journaling can enhance memory and emotional processing during trips, helping people retain experiences more vividly. A larger journal allows for more detailed reflections and creativity.

iPad

Last but not least, it appears an iPad was one of Dill’s biggest missed opportunities during her holidays. Perfect for those who enjoy unwinding with shows or videos on-the-go, she says it’s worth bringing if you own one already.

Streaming habits remain a key part of downtime, with Ofcom reporting that over 70% of UK adults regularly watch streaming content. Having a device like an iPad can make long flights and quiet evenings far more enjoyable.

An On the Beach travel influencer has shared recommendations for holidaymakers

People booking holidays after payday could benefit from a travel expert’s destination tips. A travel influencer has shared six holiday trends he predicts for March and April, and the knowledge could benefit anyone looking for a ‘cheap city break’ in the coming weeks.

The tips were highlighted in a video shared by Rob Brooks, a travel enthusiast and influencer with the travel company On The Beach. Rob is well-known for posting budget-friendly travel advice, hotel reviews, and holiday tips for his 114k TikTok followers, where he goes by the username @Robonthebeach.

In a new video shared this week, the travel lover shared ‘six holiday trends’ he is ‘predicting for payday’. In the clip, Rob explained: “If I got paid today and I had seven days to book a holiday, this is exactly what I’d be doing.

“I’m Rob, I work in travel, and I spend my days deep in holiday data, what people are searching, what people are booking, what’s getting sneakily cheaper. And these are my payday predictions as a holiday expert, and more importantly, exactly how I’d use them.”

First, Rob predicted that city breaks will soar in popularity this year. He said: “Short trips are crazy popular in 2026, and I’m seeing loads of demand because people want a quick break without burning loads of annual leave. And when flights price dynamically, weekends get expensive really fast.

“So midweek is currently where the value sits on city breaks. And if I was booking one right now, I’d be looking at a midweek break in Prague, Lisbon or Barcelona. I’d try and line them up with a May bank holiday so you can stretch your time off without paying peak prices.”

Moving on, the travel enthusiast said Turkey ‘will see a surge of bookings.’ He said: “You’re getting five-star all-inclusive holidays for the same prices that you’d pay for three-star elsewhere. And interestingly, according to the data, the longer the transfer, the cheaper the holiday.”

As for when you want to book your trip, the holiday expert suggested May. Rob told viewers: “May is a perfect crossover for holidays, and I’m seeing some pretty nuts prices in some destinations where the weather is already properly warm.

“Airlines and hotels haven’t quite pushed up the prices yet in line with peak demand, but that demand is now starting to build. So if I was booking today I would lock in a holiday in May in somewhere like Morocco or Egypt, Tunisia or Turkey because they’re hot, reliable and still really good value before summer kicks in.”

Sharing another tip, Rob added that all-inclusive holidays are proving popular. For his next prediction, the influencer said: “Last-minute bookings will spike. There’s a real wait and see behaviour with holidaymakers right now.”

He continued: “People are watching prices then jumping in to book as soon as they drop. And when airlines and hotels need to fill seats and rooms close to departure, that’s when prices on package holidays suddenly start to dip. If I were going for pure value, I would actually wait and book about seven days before departure, possibly even later than that. It’s risky. But when it works, it really works. I should say, please, only do this if you’re prepared and in a position to take that risk.”

Concluding his video, Rob added that he thinks people will treat themselves more this payday. “There’s definitely a bit of a go on then mindset in the UK right now, and I personally think it might be tied to the cost of living creeping up again cause people know prices are only going one way, so they’re locking in the good prices now before they go up. So if I were booking this week, I’d probably stretch my budget a little bit to book a better hotel or a nicer room and lock it in before prices inevitably climb over the next few weeks.”