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✈︎ $30 Travel Bags That Actually Work + Two Places You Need to Visit in Southeast Asia

Some trips are messy.

Author

Allie Rockwell
January 20, 2026

Good morning ☀️ from Booked It On Points: A curated collection of travel tips and personal stories by me, Geo→ because you’re meant to experience meaningful travel no matter life’s constraints 👊🏽

🎒 I Tested $1 Vacuum Seal Bags vs $89 Bags (Spoiler: You Don't Need the Expensive Ones)

I spent way too much time on Amazon testing everything from $1 bags to $89 premium ones to figure out which actually work.

The $1 Roll Bags ($12.99 for 12-pack) – These transparent roll-up bags need no pump. You stuff them, roll them, and the one-way valve pushes the air out. We've had ours for 2 years and they work exactly the same as day one. Perfect for stuffed animals and soft items.

The $2.50 Workhorses ($30 for 12 bags + pump) – These are our go-to. We've moved multiple times this year, and each family member stuffs one or two of these completely full, then compresses them into our carry-ons. The trick? Fold your clothes neatly first. If you just stuff them in, you'll end up with a wrinkled mess with balls and clumps. Also, mold the bag into your suitcase while the air is being sucked out.

The $89 Premium Bag (Sanmark) – Made from 900D ballistic nylon. Will probably outlast you. Great shape, premium zipper, converts to a backpack. But here's the truth: it doesn't compress any better than the $30 bags.

Bottom line: The $30 bags are the sweet spot. They work just as well as the expensive ones, and you get 12 of them. Save your money.

✈︎ Travel Story

🇯🇵 We Made It to Japan (And Two Places You Need to Pin on Your Map)

✈︎ Travel Story

We're here. After five weeks bouncing through Turkey, Italy, Thailand, and Vietnam, we finally landed in Japan. The kids are unpacked, we've got our routine down, and we're settling in for three months of exploration. But before I dive into ramen reviews and train system deep-dives, I need to tell you about two places that completely surprised us.

Chiang Mai, Thailand – Pin this right now. Seriously, open Google Maps and drop a pin. This city has everything: temples that don't feel like tourist traps, night markets where you can actually eat well for under $5, and coffee shops that would compete with anything in Brooklyn. We found this tiny spot where locals were making khao soi every morning, and it became our daily ritual. The kids loved the elephant sanctuary, we loved the pace of life, and nobody felt rushed or like we were just checking boxes.

Ninh Binh, Vietnam – If you've seen photos of Halong Bay and thought "that looks beautiful but also like a floating traffic jam," this is your answer. It's got the same dramatic limestone karsts and rice paddies, but without the cruise ships crashing into each other. We rented bikes for a day, rode through the countryside, and the kids kept saying it felt like we were in a movie. It's not a hidden gem anymore, but it's not overrun either—that sweet spot every traveler is chasing.

Now we're in Japan for the next three months. I cannot wait to show you what we discover here. The food culture, the train system that actually works, the vending machines on every corner selling hot coffee and cold beer—all of it. This is going to be good. Stay tuned.

✈️ Airfare to Europe is CHEAP Right Now: Summer fares to Europe are down 14% compared to last year. International flights are down about 10% overall, with long-haul routes to Europe and Asia especially low. If you've been thinking about that "big trip," this is your window. Book now for travel through March 2026. Eastern Europe is having a moment—big trip energy without the big price tag. CNN's breakdown on 2026 travel trends

🌍 CNN's 20 Places to Visit in 2026: Adelaide, Australia is getting its first-ever direct flights from the U.S., making it way more accessible. Aragon, Spain will be in the path of 2026's total solar eclipse. Bahrain is getting a wave of new luxury hotels. Philadelphia is going all-out for America's 250th birthday. If you're looking for your next destination and want something outside the usual suspects, check out the full list.

🏨 Bali Considering New Entry Requirements: Indonesia is floating the idea of financial verification for tourists entering Bali—basically proving you can afford your trip before they let you in. It's part of their push for "quality tourism" with minimum spending requirements and visitor quotas. Nothing's finalized yet, but if Bali is on your list, keep an eye on this. Details on the proposed changes

🎿 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan: If you're a sports person and happen to be in Europe in February 2026, the Winter Olympics kick off in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Book early, set price alerts, and consider flying into a nearby city and traveling in from there to save money.

That's it for this week. We're settling into our new spot in Japan, and I'm already planning the content we'll create here. Expect ramen rankings, train travel tips, and probably way too many vending machine stories.

If you have Japan ideas, destinations or places to eat hit reply and let us know! We would love to hear about any and all insider tips. Thank you for being here!

Allie & Geo