CNN — 

While the concept of traveling carries a thrilling wanderlust vibe, the reality of jet-setting isn’t quite as glamorous. That’s something I experienced firsthand when I traveled nonstop for 15 months, seeing upward of 25 countries spanning six continents.

Yes, the experience was incredible and life-changing. But it also taught me some important lessons about what you actually need on the road — and what you can skip. Like that “Out of Office” sun hat? Great for a photo opp — but definitely not practical when you’re packing light. The one thing you can’t leave home without, however, is a Turkish towel.

This multipurpose wonder item isn’t just great for combating the beach and sand, but it comes in handy no matter what your travel adventures throw at you. After all, if there’s one thing seasoned travelers know best, it’s to expect the unexpected, remain flexible and come prepared.

Here, the 101 on Turkish towels, along with some of our favorite picks:

What is a Turkish towel?

Sometimes referred to as hammam towels or fouta towels, this specific type of towel is composed of Turkish cotton, which is known for having long fibers. While that might not seem important to you, since you have a closet full of towels, Turkish ones are often stronger.

This means they are durable for travel and can serve as a picnic blanket in a park, a protection from the sand on a beach day, and even a way to dry off when your Airbnb didn’t provide towels as promised. They aren’t as soft and cozy as others, but they become more absorbent each time you wash them. And as a bonus, they’re extremely quick to dry. So if you have a 14-hour layover and want to hit the beach in Barcelona, your Turkish towel will be dry by the time you board.

WASHINGTON — Made in America by refugees. It's the first thing you see, in bold print, when you pick up the newest Kin & Care candle. For the two immigrant women behind the product line, it's a badge of honor. 

The candle, which can be found at Olive & Loom, is called "Madam VP" and is supposed to smell like Cherry Blossoms, a staple of any D.C. spring.

The daughter of immigrants, Kamala Harris is the first Black, South Asian woman to become vice president of the United States. It is a trailblazing moment that Kin & Care hopes its candles will play a small part in memorializing. The creators said the candle is intended to "make waves and spark conversation." But it also holds personal meaning for co-owner Ferzan Jaeger. 

"It's symbolic to all of us, especially to me as an immigrant woman, that my daughter someday could be where [Kamala Harris] is."

The candle is a part of Kin & Care's "Icon Collection," which pays tribute to a variety of women, including Maya Angelou, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dolly Parton and Frida Kahlo.

The artwork design was custom commissioned by a local DMV artist, Violet Red Studios, further highlighting a local angle to a moment that will be shared across the nation at Wednesday's inauguration.

"We wanted to release a collection in collaboration with a local artist that we love here in our local DMV area," Jaeger said. "She does portraits of iconic women throughout history, so we decided it was a good idea to make them into candles." 

The candles are said to burn up to 40 hours and are sold online. To learn more about Kin & Care, click here.

What started as one woman’s entrepreneur-minded side hustle of selling Turkish handloom towels and olive oil soaps to other states over the Internet is now a passion project-turned-retail store at North Bethesda’s modern mall Pike & Rose. Named after its two very first products, Olive & Loom is a Mediterranean lifestyle brand featuring a curated selection of home and gift items.

Turkey native and brand owner Ferzan Jaeger had a full-time project management job at NASA when she first created the concept, and kept herself occupied in both worlds until she eventually made the decision to commit fully to growing Olive & Loom. As the store approaches its second anniversary in March, Jaeger talks us through the business struggles of Covid, Olive & Loom’s bright spots, and how this brand has become a full-circle moment of women helping women.

Olive & Loom started as a small endeavor that fulfilled Jaeger’s internal entrepreneurial side, and she worked to get it off the ground from 2016 until the birth of her second child in May 2018. Her maternity leave became a decision-making opportunity for her future.

“I had this growing dissatisfaction with how half-assed I was doing everything,” she says candidly. “Ultimately, the thought of giving up my company was very daunting. So I said, ‘That’s the decision then.’ I can envision myself quitting NASA, but not my company.”

The Pike & Rose store came along in 2019, so the wholesale and retail side came hand in hand as Jaeger wanted to supplement her products with other like-minded brands that prioritized small women-owned businesses.

“It’s a gift/home/lifestyle type of a store with an emphasis on the Mediterranean lifestyle,” she explains. “I’m from Turkey, and we love vibrant colors and the togetherness of big families coming together for dinner. That’s how our products are portrayed and how our business is.”