Travel gift guide: Readers recommend tried-and-true gadgets - San Jose Mercury News |
| Travel gift guide: Readers recommend tried-and-true gadgets - San Jose Mercury News Posted: 26 Nov 2010 04:35 PM PST By Ann Tatko-Peterson WITH THE HOLIDAY shopping season now in full swing, family and friends are hunting up gifts for the travelers on their list. The choices are endless, so we decided to ask some real travelers -- our readers -- to tell us about the tried-and-true gadgets and accessories they have test-run and now pack for every trip. Here are a few of the must-have items they suggested as holiday gift possibilities: Garmin nüvi 275 GPS This 3.5-inch portable navigator has turn-by-turn directions, an integrated FM traffic receiver to help you detour around accidents and road construction, and Bluetooth technology for hands-free calling. Says Roger Lenker of San Pablo: "Loaded with U.S. and European maps, it's a must if you drive around yourself." Cost: $249 Available: Amazon.com, Best Buy and Costco. Baggallini Complete Cosmetic Bag This 20-by-12-by-3-inch microfiber bag features a swivel hook for hanging, two exterior pockets, clear interior pockets and bottle compartments and enough space to fit toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair spray and shaving cream. Says Elizabeth Precour of Vallejo: "When it is open, it will hang on a towel bar in a bathroom so that everything is accessible. We leave it ready to go with everything inside." Cost: $44.95 Available: href='http://www.Baggallini.com'>www.Baggallini.com; also find local retailers listed on the website.Travelon Digital Luggage Scale Handles and a hook pop out with the press of a button on this compact scale with a backlight that changes from blue to red when the bag weighs too much. Says Jackie Wyckoff of Campbell: "With airlines charging exorbitant prices for overweight bags, this is the best investment a savvy traveler can make." Cost: $26.95 Available: www.travelproducts.com and most luggage stores. Antistatic ThermaCheck Fleece Travel Throw No need to use an airline blanket again with this 60-by-40-inch throw blanket from Lands' End. Says Lois Leong Tim of Pinole: "The 100-percent polyester throw is encased in a (16-by-12-inch) sham that turns it into a travel pillow. It is machine washable and comes in delicious colors, including chilipepper, creme brulee and kiwi." Cost: $29.50 Available: Landsend.com. Medicine Bag With Supplies Darshana Kamdar of Concord has the novel idea of putting together small amounts of over-the-counter medicine in a quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag that can be carried on an airplane. She suggests including Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, Tylenol, baby aspirin, bandages, antibiotic cream, a thermometer, small flashlight, hand sanitizer, cough drops and Benadryl. For a ready-made bag, try Minimus Dorm Medicine Chest.Says Kamdar: "It is a life saver, especially when you are in a foreign country and you have a language problem, making it hard to find a local pharmacy." Cost: $24.99 (for Minimus) Available: Drugstores or ebag.com. Folding Footrest Elevate your feet for a long flight with this solid plastic 4-inch-high footstool that folds to 8½ by 4½ inches for traveling. Says Tania Grant of Watsonville: "For short people whose feet barely touch the floor when sitting for long, or who suffer from sciatica, my orthopedic surgeon recommended a footstool. This one easily fits inside your tote or check-in bag." Cost: $24.85 Available: www.Magellans.com. Nikon Binoculars Ever since they brought them to the 1988 Olympic Games, Lina Broydo of Los Altos Hills has packed a pair of quality binoculars that her husband found at an estate sale. The Nikon 10x25 Trailblazer is perfect for traveling -- it's waterproof and only 14.4 ounces. Says Broydo: "With my binoculars the view of Paris from the top of Eiffel Tower is breathtaking and visually detailed. "... Some people don't leave their home without an American Express card, I do not leave my home without my amazing binoculars." Cost: $74.98. Available: www.Binoculars.com, Walmart and Sears. CHI Ionizer From Sound Vitality, this 3-ounce personal ionizer is worn around the neck and emits ions that reportedly offset the magnetic and electric depletion that cause exhaustion, while also killing airborne bacteria. Say Ginger and Bob Good of Saratoga: "Seven years ago an elderly American traveler in Prague was told about CHI (ionizer). Since she had it, she never caught a cold after flying. We bought them, wear them when we fly and don't get sick!" Cost: $119.99 Available: SoundVitality.com. TUGO A half-dozen readers recommended this pliable cup holder, which tightens between the upright handles of a rolling suitcase or bag. It holds any take-away coffee cup or small to medium drink and adjusts to keep the cup upright, even when rolling the bag. Says Rob Johnson of Oakland: "I never had enough hands to juggle my bags, boarding pass and keys -- forget a cup of coffee. Now I slide my Starbucks into TUGO and wheel it anywhere, even on the escalator, without spilling or dropping anything." Cost: $9.95 for the drink holder. Available: www.goodtugo.com. Sarong Adventure traveler Alice Bourget of La Selva Beach calls the sarong she bought in Bali her "indispensable travel tool." You won't have to travel Indonesia to get one, either. Tibet Arts has a multipurpose sarong measuring 64 by 47 inches, made of a cotton-rayon blend and available in nine colors. Says Bourget: "Around the globe this sarong has acted as bathrobe, towel, umbrella, scarf, pillowcase, skirt, dress, veil, sunshade, cushion, changing room, basket, curtain, tablecloth, carry-on bag and blanket. I never travel without it!" Cost: $10.95. Available: www.TibetArts.com or women's apparel retailers. Stowaway Down Pillow The 18-by-14-inch lightweight pillow is filled with goose down and covered by soft polyester fleece on one side and a water-resistant nylon taffeta on the other. It comes with a stuff sack for easy transport in luggage. Says Anne Hayden of Danville: "Due to neck problems, I need a low pillow. This one is extremely soft and very compact." Cost: $19.99 Available: www.llbean.com. Ladies Briefcase on Detachable-Wheels From McKlein USA, the Italian leather briefcase detaches from a wheel and telescope handle system. It comes in six colors, has a front pocket with key lock and ample interior compartments, including a laptop sleeve. It measures 16.75-by-7-by13.75 inches. Says Barbara Baksa of Fremont: "With the wheels attached, I can zip through the airport without wearing out my shoulder. I can detach the wheels if I need something smaller and more maneuverable. And it is so stylish, strangers compliment me on it." Cost: $240. Available: www.mckleinusa.com; also find substantial discounts at Amazon.com. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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