There’s so much talk about what our dependence on this digital world is doing to trade and talent. There are countless think pieces about how eventually newspapers will cease to exist, that e-books are better than real books, and that no one sends letters anymore. This made me wonder what it means for travel. Some love that their Kindle lets them take 1,000 books on holiday and not have to pay for another suitcase. Others love that websites and travel blogs like this one can give them all the information and research they need before they jet off. But what travel items are still thriving in my world while the digital fans try to throw them off?

1// Money, money, money

People still order travel money. I’ve had situations where my bank card has been rejected because I’m overseas. I’ve even had problems with specific holiday credit cards because I’m abroad. Can someone tell me how that works? So, I make sure I still take paper money with me to avoid any card issues. There are zero charges when you pay with cash, and you can regularly get 0% commission for currency exchange in airports. Compared to credit cards with their interest rates and overseas charges, money means you’re not overspending. You are left with all that annoying change though…

2// Show me the way to…

Hands up if you still buy guidebooks? I do! You can get a lot of information from the internet, but you know with a guidebook that you can carry it around and find new things along your route. Again, the paper doesn’t incur hefty data charges, nor does it time out when you’re in the middle of reading it. It’s less likely to get snatched out of your hands in the street too. I’m yet to find a downloadable mobile guide that’s rich in content and something I can solely use to get me around. Guidebooks are also written with you in mind as you’re there, not as a review for you to check out before you go.

3// The trusty old passport

Even though there’s always talk about passports being upgraded and replaced with smart chips and contactless tech, blah blah blah, they’re not going anywhere. I love when they stamp them at passport control! Until we’re all queuing at immigration to get the barcodes tattooed on our necks scanned, we’re going to need those little blue books to get around.

4// Page turners

I’m firmly in the paperback camp. Nothing beats a battered old book to turn the pages and feel the crisp paper between your fingers. I can’t imagine staring at a screen for hours, terrified of getting the little £300 item anywhere near the pool and freaking out when my sunscreen-soaked hands leave sticky fingerprints all over it. A good holiday read is just better with a book you can hold and then use later as a pillow!