Bon Voyage! This is such a timely theme for the summer season. France traditionally goes away on holiday during the month of August. In many smaller towns, it’s not unusual to see bakers, butchers, hairdressers, and others with signs on their doors: ‘En vacances jusqu’au …” , ‘on holiday until the …’.
It’s a privilege to be able to get away to travel or go on holiday, and there is an art to it. What to pack, how to find the balance between getting some rest but making the most of each moment.
Our August box is curated on the theme Bon Voyage, and includes items that I always pack when travelling. As usual, we are offering two Boxes for our giveaway, and we hope that the lucky winners enjoy their items this summer.
Entering the giveaway is simple:
Leave a comment below to enter and share one thing you don’t travel without.
For extra chances, head to MFCH Box on Instagram or Facebook and tag a friend on the giveaway post – someone you’d love to share this experience with. I am giving away two Boxes, so there are double the chances to win.
The winners will be announced here and on social media on August 26, 2026.
If you’d rather not wait and want to treat yourself or someone special right away, you can purchase a Box or subscription anytime by clicking HERE. As always, shipping is included – and I am happy to share that from now on, we are also covering all tariffs and import duties. The Box will now arrive at your doorstep, ready to enjoy.
86 comments
I always travel with my felted slippers
I always travel with a small luggage scale !
I always take my small magnifying mirror.
Granola bars
MFCH online address! Never want to miss newsletters, descriptions of escorted trips are my favorites!
I always travel with and use my packing cubes. Using them to organize my belongings assures me I’ll always be able to find what I want/need without tearing my entire luggage apart! Since I’m very UNorganized the packing cubes my my trips so much more pleasant.
I always travel with my picnic kit. Love finding beautiful spots to eat outdoors.
I always travel with a lightweight rain jacket with a hood so I’m prepared for showers and can still enjoy wherever I am!!
I always take a small mending kit – one never knows when a button might fall off. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I always have an emergency pack: photocopy of my passport, extra medication I take every day, universal charger that works in multiple countries and a written list of emergency contact phone numbers in case I lose my phone).
My favorite accessory is a white shawl. It serves as a pillow, a wrap and even hides any stain I might have picked up.
A compression bag that presses down to a much smaller size AND the clothes are not wrinkled upon arrival.
I always pack (in my carry-on) the electrical power converter and plugs with the prongs that fit each country’s outlets that I’m visiting. As a practical Capricorn, it’s not the most fun accessory, but it’s mandatory to keep the phone charged. Why my main checked bag is consistently over-weight is a topic for another day! 🙂
I also travel with the electrical power converters and plugs for the various countries I visit – need to plug in my phone, kindle and CPAP at night. Also, my bag of emergency items, i.e., bandages, cold aides, extra meds, lozenges, etc. And, most importantly, a sleep mask for those rooms with lots of windows letting in street and just city lights!!
Hi Sharon… what a lovely sounding box!
One thing I never travel without is a magnifying mirror. But digestive aid is right up there with the mirror in importance!
I always tuck a few of the individually wrapped Shout it out wipes in my suitcase. It helps with being able to wear something twice with no little spills
Love this fabulous sounding box! I never travel without a pair of thick cozy pair of slipper socks to wear on long flights.
What a fabulous sounding box! I never travel without a thick pair of slipper socks to wear on those long flights.
I always travel with my pill boxes that don’t carry medicine but my earrings and necklaces.
I travel with a travel journal and write down my favorite places and also things I may still want to do.
I also like to take a book have not read and take a little time to read a few chapters in a cute cafe or park
A small flacon of CHANEL No 5 is always close at hand. A slight flick of scent can leave an enigmatic airy trail, no matter where, no matter when.
I always have my passport and my pearls, both essentials, in my estimation.
I always travel with comfortable shoes. I love to walk and explore!! Thank you! Joan
Hello Sharon,
I always travel with a face-misting spray. It’s essential for air travel and a refresher at any time of day, helping me look dewey and not dowdy!
I always travel with my battery backup for cell phone.
Hello! What a wonderful giveaway! I don’t travel without the opportunity to make art — my sketchbook and travel art kit, plus sketchbooks for my four children too!
Never leave home without your sense of adventure, it will come in the most handy! Thanks, Sharon!
My little vintage pocketbook with all my travel plans- just in case my phone dies or gets lost.
My travelling habits have changed over the years, but right now I would not travel without my compression bags. Such a game changer.
My sense of humor and curiosity.
I always travel with an all weather coat!
I always take a portable suitcase scale to make all my “adds” have not put my suitcase weight over the limit!
I love travelling and go once a year to see my daughter and grandchildren who live in Belgium. It is a long journey from NZ but I love travelling and always take gifts for the grandchildren from NZ and of course can’t leave without my passport!
Hope springs eternal. Aways travel with a journal……… to remember the stories.
I love travelling and am fortunate to have my daughter and grandchildren living in Belgium. I’m from NZ so it’s a long journey but I love it. I always make sure I have my passport and of course gifts for the grandchildren from NZ, which is where they were born.
I love all things French and especially love your magazine and books.
I never travel without several scarves!
I love you magazine and wonderful books. I never travel without silk scarves!
I always travel with sunscreen and red lipstick!
During my 81 years, I have traveled the world. What’s in my suitcase, it’s not glamorous but essential. A tennis ball. Placed between me and the wall or the floor, I can roll around to relieve sore muscles. It works until I can get a massage!
My husband : )
I always travel with thoughts of home.
I always travel with my personal custom made cross body bag. It has secret pockets, hidden zippers and other custom features which I designed for ease of use and security. Besides all that, they weigh next to nothing and are gorgeous!
I always travel with my sleep pillow, for long flights.
Bonjour,I like to travel with several scarves. They pack light and can change the look of an outfit with little effort.
I always photocopy every one of my documents.
I never travel without a smile and a sense of adventure, I find both go a long way to having an enjoyable trip!
I always travel with Laverder wands to keep my suitcase smelling fresh and extra wands to give away, either to a traveling companion or new frriend!
Hi…I never travel without comfortable shoes!
I always travel with an extra foldable carry on in case I run out of room in my suitcase when going home.
I always travel with a box of “night & day cold and flu” tablets. I’ve learnt that buying these without a script overseas is all but impossible, so I bring some with me – just in case I pick up a bug on my travels.
I always tuck a lightweight, over-sized cashmere scarf into my tote bag. Its uses are endless, e.g., something to keep me warm on the airplane; an emergency headscarf during unexpected showers; a chic accessory to brighten up a basic outfit, etc.
Honestly, I always travel with way too much (to be prepared and just in case)…maybe someday I’ll get better at it!
Thank you for this chance to win this box! It sounds lovely! I never travel without my white terrycloth washcloths that was the first thing I bought on my first trip to Paris. I was surprised to learn that my little boutique hotel did not provide washcloths – they told me that was the norm – so I never take for granted that they will be provided! And it’s also my little memory/security blanket!
I always travel with my slippers and extra books in case I can’t sleep in unfamiliar surroundings.
I travel with my camera (not the one on my phone ) and full curiosity on the adventure ahead!
an extra pair of eyeglasses and sunglasses, both prescription and extra set of hearing aids. Don’t want to miss out on anything while traveling!
I never travel without my mugwort [Artemisia vulgaris] dream pillow–I scrunch it, tuck it under my regular pillow–and dream the night away, no matter where I lay my head♥
My homemade spice and salt mix and my silk pillowcase!
I always travel with a small zippered case with first aid items and other small needs. This came in handy when In Brugge and my sister scraped her leg and I had all the items in that case to take care of it until we could get to a pharmacy and find bandages.
Pat Lodge
Trying to take less jewelry, always take a pair of silver/gold earrings that works with every outfit.
I discovered packing cubes!!!!
I always travel with moisturizer with sun protection.
I never leave home without a needlepoint project. Better than a book for filling time.
I always travel with my RFID travel safe wallet and a small over the shoulder hand bag that can be concealed easily. Safety first.
I never travel without my hiking boots. Because there’s nothing better than exploring a new area.
I never travel without my hiking boots because there’s nothing better than exploring a new place.
I always travel with moisturizer that includes sunscreen, doing double duty.
I always try to travel with a smile, an extra commitment to patience, and my packing cubes! They each help to make the day go a little smoother.
A little extra room in my suitcase—for memories I haven’t made yet
Love MFCH! Your Advent Calendar is on my wish list
I always travel with my tech pouch and sound machine
I always travel with my packing cubes..helps organize my clothes better and allows me to even pack more
My speedo vanquish 2 swimming goggles!
I always bring a small night light !!
My comment is .. pls contact me I would so like to visit you !
Carolyn
In AR
Hi Sharon,
I always keep my suitcase packed with many of the same things others have mentioned—from photocopies and packing cubes to a sewing kit and a rainbreaker—and for each trip, I tuck in a few small gifts for the generous people I’m sure to meet.
Sharon, I share relevant MFCH articles with friends traveling to wonderful French destinations. A great way to promote this special publication!
For travels I always pack a small notepad and pen to capture locations and experiences of a day to add to my electronic vacation photo albums.
My favourite French perfume to freshen myself and my room and a sense of adventure
i always travel with my crystals . Some are for sleep, some are for enjoyment. They come through for a lovely travel experience.!!!!
I always pack a few scarves; they are so versatile! Also, packing cubes help my luggage stay organized!
I always travel with my Saint Christopher medal-Saint of the Traveler which my husband of 54 years gave me in the 8th grade many years ago~ we have traveled the world together
I always travel with chargers for hearing aids, iPhone, iPad and toothbrush.
Mignon
Thank you for this opportunity! When I travel, I always bring a good book and a small, portable luggage scale in my carry on if traveling internationally.
I always bring washcloths and an extra bag for goodies purchased.
I never leave home without my Kindle! As an avid reader, Ive been known to devour more than a book a day. I can’t possibly carry enough books in my luggage, so my Kindle assures that I will never run out of reading material, no matter how long I’m away.
Never travel without my contacts, glasses and a book. 😉