Laura Ratliff

Senior Editorial Director

In a little over a week, I'll be heading off for my most ambitious trip since the pandemic began: a Kenyan safari with Abercrombie & Kent, including a stay at the brand-new Sanctuary Tambarare, a luxe lodge set within the 90,000-acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the Big Five—including the last two northern white rhinos on earth.

While the trip itself is sure to be exciting, packing for such an adventure is no small feat. Luckily, it couldn't have come at a better time—my departure is almost perfectly timed to this week's Amazon Prime Day sale, taking place on July 12 and 13, letting me stock up on a few necessities for such a big journey.

The deep discounts span hundreds of products from top brands (this Samsonite luggage set is a steal!), making it a prime time, pun intended, to gear up for summer trips and beyond. As for my safari packing list, I've already added a few items to my cart that should serve me well: a long-overdue upgrade of my Kindle, a LifeStraw water bottle, and a packable puffer jacket for chilly early mornings or nighttime game drives.

What's on your Prime Day shopping list?

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Destination of the Day

Mumbai, India

Mumbai, the city of dreams, is India's financial capital and home to the Bollywood movie industry. Once comprising seven sparsely inhabited islands, the city has evolved over the centuries into a complex mix of skyscrapers and swanky shopping malls, Victorian Gothic-style and Art Deco architecture, and age-old infrastructure such as the dhobi-ghat (a massive, manual open-air laundry that was set up in 1890 to service the city's English and Parsi immigrants). While the city is known more for its designer shops and malls than its markets, if you're after a bargain, you won't be disappointed. Meanwhile, talented young Indian chefs have been transforming the dining scene with their trailblazing experiments in formats and flavors, leaving gourmands delighted with the restaurant offerings. Can't decide how to spend your trip? These two-day and one-week Mumbai itineraries will help you get started planning.

Vacation Like a Pro

Try to visit Mumbai during the annual Ganesh festival, particularly on the last day when all the idols are immersed, for an unforgettable experience.

Sharell Cook
Contributing Writer

Your Packing List

If you're traveling during Mumbai's wet season (June through September), you'll want an umbrella, raincoat, waterproof footwear, knee-length pants in dark colors, and fabrics that dry easily. This monsoon season packing list for India provides a comprehensive list.

During summer (March through May) and the post-monsoon period (October and November), stick to light cotton and loose clothing. Dress standards are relatively liberal in Mumbai, so women can wear sleeveless tops and men can wear shorts. Don't forget insect repellant!

As always in India, it's important not to drink the water in Mumbai. Consider bringing a personal water filter in cases where bottled water is not readily available.

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Get Inspired

In charming Bavaria sits one of the most famous castles in the world, Neuschwanstein, which is perhaps most famous for serving as the inspiration for the castle in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty." Built in 1869 by King Ludwig II, it was constructed as a fantastic private summer retreat, complete with flush toilets, heating, and scenes from German composer Richard Wagner's operas depicted in the interior. Unfortunately, the king never got to enjoy the castle, as he mysteriously drowned in nearby Lake Starnberg before it was complete.

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