Traveling Monday: Scents for a summer road trip

I’m heading down the highway for a few days at the beach so I will be out of touch for a bit. My destination doesn’t offer much in the way of sniffing, so I’ll have to bring my own. But thinking of that long, often-monotonous drive, I wonder: What are the best scents for a summer road trip?

It needs to be a fragrance that works well in the enclosed space of a vehicle, is easygoing (for the passengers’ sakes) and makes you feel good – especially important if you’re the primary driver. And while we’re in vacation mode: What to pack in your purse or suitcase? Just in case you don’t have any good sniffing at your destination or you don’t find any souvenir scents along the way.

road trip 2 If I were going to a perfume-rich location such as London, Paris, NYC, L.A. or Chicago, I wouldn’t pack a thing and would roll through the city, happily testing scents with abandon as I went.

However, for my lovely, but perfume-pedestrian road trip, I’ve rounded up the refreshing Annick Goutal’s Hadrien and the slightly more exotic Nuits d’Hadrien, Kai, Calyx, Christian Dior’s Escale a Portofino, and perhaps something else that skews beachy.

I’m also debating bringing a dab of Carnal Flower for dining out in the evening. Tell me, all you brave souls — would it be a bit too much in the Florida heat and humidity? So many of you say it really blooms then, but I’m a little bit timid. 🙂

Anyway, what are your best fragrances for a road trip or any kind of travel?

P.S. Just noticed that one of my above-mentioned faves, Kai, is now available at Nordstrom (online at least, not sure about stores). Yay! And they have had Diptyque for quite some time now, so double yay!

  • Britt says:

    I adore Clinique “Happy”. It offers an aroma that isn’t to strong and if you have passengers on your journey they will be sure to appreciate that. 🙂 I also enjoy VS “love spell” the jasmine and peach fragrance really sets the mood right.

  • Suzanne says:

    I think Carnal Flower is wicked good in the heat, Ann. Do you think maybe the April Aromatics Jasmina might be nice for your trip? It’s very uplifting! Another good one would be Guerlain Lys Soleia, though I can’t remember if you have that one or not.

    At any rate, here’s wishing you a wonderful time!!

  • Farouche says:

    As many have already said, decants and samples are the way to go while traveling. However, I will be bringing two full bottles with me on my upcoming trip to Cape Cod, as they were given to me by my daughters. Yuzu Rouge was a present from my older daughter, and PdN’s L’Eau Chic was given by my younger daughter. They are both great summer fragrances, and my husband might want to borrow L’Eau Chic, as it’s a true unisex and reminiscent of a man’s cologne. All that geranium!

  • Dina C. says:

    I’m also headed to a beach vacation in about a week, and these are my summer favorites: Escale a Portofino, Kai, Guerlain Cologne du 68, Vetiver pour Elle, Cristalle eau Verte. I’ve also been sampling a bunch of heliotrope-centered goodies thanks to the kindness of some Fairy Godmothers of Scent this month. I like to take little decants and samples when I travel, even by car, cause that way I can take lots of things without using up a lot of room. Have a great trip! Safe travels! 🙂

  • jilliecat says:

    Yay for Calyx Ann! I remember wearing this on a really long, hot coach trip and it made me feel fresh all journey long. And fellow travellers asked for a spritz when we had “comfort” breaks! Bon voyage.

  • Portia says:

    Take Ubar Ann, and LDDM, they worked beautifully in India.
    Whatever you take, have a great time.
    Portia xx

  • perfume rich location in United american, who can tell all.

  • Carnal Flower blooms in the heat and humidity but…guess what? It also disappears pretty quickly~ Serious. World Serious. Feel free to wear it – it doesn’t get overwhelming and the menthol is a really nice cooling underpinning. Then it goes away. Alas.

  • eldarwen22 says:

    When traveling, I only pack decants. Usually, it’s the current formulations. I would be beside myself if I took a vintage Mitsouko, Deneuve, or vintage no 22 and the decant broke or leaked. Same with any one of my full bottle Amouages. I say take the Carnal Flower and wear it, I’m the freak that will wear Patou Joy in heat and humidity even though my mom said it smells like roses and cat pee. Or take Amouage Lyric woman, that really blooms in heat.

    • FeralJasmine says:

      Second the motion on Lyric Woman, which I am really enjoying in our unusually hot summer. Some other great big whites, like Fracas parfum and Velvet Gardenia, are beautiful on hot evenings if dabbed. Have a lovely trip.

  • Tiara says:

    I don’t know about Carnal Flower but Songes is amazing in the Florida heat and humidity. The jasmine just takes off. I adore Escale a Portofino but wish it wasn’t so fleeting. It’s here and then gone in a flash.

    Hope you have a wonderful time — and dry weather!

  • Caroline says:

    Your road trip picks sound perfect–the only one I haven’t tried is Nuits d’Hadrian. Must sample before it’s reformulated…
    Definitely include the Carnal Flower–the coconut accent is perfect for FL. Sometimes find that all the a/c tends to eat up scents.
    Have a lovely vacation!