Travel is on the rise, especially for millennials. And why shouldn’t it be? With all the places to see and go, travel offers many appealing adventures. Before you run out the door to catch your ride to the airport, your passport or travel bag may be the first thing you grab – and your sunglasses should be your second. Because let’s face it – the sun is going to be anywhere you travel (assuming you’re not going to Norway in winter – you might be okay to leave your sunglasses at home then), and you don’t want to miss out on seeing the great sights just because you forgot to bring your shades – or because they broke. It may not be a part of your trip-planning process, but it should be, as whether or not you have high quality sunglasses could very well determine how much you enjoy your trip.

Snow and Sand

Most people will naturally prioritize sunglasses on trips to the gorgeous sands of the Caribbean, but it’s also crucial you give them just as much importance when skiing in the Alps or trekking around Alaska. UV rays can actually be a lot stronger in snowy conditions – meaning you’ll not just want to make sure you’re wearing sunglasses, but that they have high UV protection. Polarized lenses (lenses with a filter applied to them) block more of the sun’s rays, meaning your eyes are better taken care of. This is especially important for people with lighter-colored eyes, such as blue or green, as their eyes are more sensitive and at greater risk for damage caused by the sun.

Glare isn’t limited to snow – it applies to the water, too. When you’re on a boat off the Caribbean coast of Colombia, for example, chances are the sun shining down on the ocean will make it too bright to see clearly. And when you finally make it to the hidden-away beaches of Santa Marta, you won’t want to miss clearly seeing those little fishes swimming with you. And when you and your friends come across a random old tank on the beach and want to take a sassy group picture, you don’t want to ruin it by squinting! Or when everything in a shot of you in front of the Eiffel Tower looks amazing…except nobody can see your eyes, because you were squinting when the sun was shining too bright. Don’t let that happen – there’s such an easy solution!

Bottom line: When you’re on an amazing trip, chances are good you’ve spent a lot of time planning for it and shelled out a good amount of money. A high-quality pair of sunglasses will help make sure you enjoy this trip to the max.

Protecting Your Face

UV protection is so important – UV rays from the sun damage the lenses in your eyes, which can lead to cataracts. Surgery is the only way to get rid of this, so by protecting your eyes by consistently wearing your sunglasses, you can think of these guys as preventive medicine. Photokeratitus, aka sunburn for your eyes, is also a very real thing – and often comes from the glare off of snow.

It’s also a fact that the skin around your eyes is more delicate than the skin around the rest of your face – that’s why companies sell eye cream, and why you get bags under your eyes with age. So you need not only a quality skincare regimen to take care of this sensitive area around your eyes – your sunglasses can help, too. With adequate coverage, your glasses will not only help protect your eyes but also the skin around it, working against eye wrinkles. And if you’re an avid traveler, chances are very good you’ll be

out in the sun – a lot – even if it’s just walking through the streets of your next favorite city. Walking is a much better way to get to know the city (and its people!) than always using a car or public transportation, so the right pair of sunglasses can also help you fit in more quickly, almost like local.

Traveling in Style

When you travel, you want to be able to see the sights you came to see, and also you want to look good in the photos you save and send out to friends and family. With the right pair of shades you can do that, and they also make it easier to lazy out by the pool all day. And speaking of the pool, wood frame sunglasses typically float, so you don’t have to worry so much about losing them the next time you’re out by the pool in Belize or on a yacht off the coast of Australia. With all the styles and colors available today, check them out.... You won’t be disappointed!