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Monday, December 14, 2015

More Holiday Gifts for Your Favorite Traveler

It's getting down to the wire. If you are still searching for that perfect gift for the jet setter on your shopping list, here are a few original ideas. For more information, here I am on WJLA-TV in Washington describing the goods.


The AquaVault

It's happened to all of us. You're at the beach and you want to take a dip. But you have your car keys, and your iPhone, and other valuables to boot. What's a flip flop-clad gal/guy to do? Well, if she/he has an AquaVault, stuff can be safely stored in a lockbox while you hit the waves.

The AquaVault is basically a safe that attaches to a beach chair, a beach umbrella or other fixed objects. If it sounds familiar,  that's because it guest-starred on Shark Tank earlier this year. Sharp Shark Daymond John invested. If you want to invest in one, it's available on Amazon.com for $49.99. 

MeCam

The MeCam is the mini-me of GoPro and its ilk. Weighing in at one ounce and two inches in diameter, the MeCam takes pictures while being pinned to clothing or a backpack. The device can even shoot in low light.  This very 007 item is priced at $69.99. 


Alphaheat Battery Powered Heated Mittens

Alphaheat Mittens keep your mitts warm on the ski slopes or in a dog sled! Powered by an AA battery pack, these one-size-fits-most hand warmers can heat up to 120 degrees and can hold the charge for up to eight hours. They are available from The Warming Store for $49.99.







Bombata Bags

There are hundreds of cases available for iPads and laptops. But if  the jet setter on your list is the stylish short, a Bombata Bag might be the bomb. The Italian-designed line features leather-like vinyl in colors ranging from hot pink and lime green to more muted hues of blue, yellow and red. The MicroTablet briefcase goes for $55, while the Maxi bags start at $75.
Doppio Maxi Bombata Bag for 17 inch laptop


NapAnywhere

NapAnywhere is a new twist on the old neck rest.  In fact, it was a winner of the 2014 Product Innovation Award at the International Travel Goods Show. If you literally feel like nodding off, this flexible wedge can be molded to fit between the side of your head and your shoulder. It's held in place while you nod off with a strap that adjusts across your body. 
NapAnywhere costs $59.99 and comes in a range of colors, including hot pink, lime, cobalt, crimson and basic black.

Cloudz On-Hand Pillow


Cloudz hands travelers yet another take on the travel pillow. The On-Hand Pillow actually has multiple uses. You can stick your paw inside and cradle your head comfortably while sitting in the window seat. Or you can stick it behind the back for lumbar support.  The outer shell is super-cozy, while the inside, filled with microbeads, blends support and softness. It's available on Amazon for $15.99. 


Weego


How about a battery pack that not only charges your mobile devices, but your car as well? Weego is a pocket-size jump starter battery pack that can do it all. You can give juice to the main power pack at home or in your car (cables included), and then throw Weego in your glove compartment for those times when something in your car is in need of a charge. There's even a built-in flashlight. There are three Weego models, ranging in price from $99.99 to $289 (depending on type of engine you need to charge). Easy-to-follow-instruction are included, as are jumper cables. For the holidays, Weego is including an extra compact rechargeable battery pack with all purchases, a $19.99 value. For a store locator, visit www.myweego.com.






Thursday, December 10, 2015

9 Things to Know About Martinique

1. Martinique is located in the Caribbean's Lower Antilles, between Dominica and St. Lucia.



2. No point on the island is more than 12 kilometers from the shore.



3. Ooh-la-la, it's French. Officially, Martinique is an overseas department of France.



4. Ooh-la-la, that means the locals speak mostly French, although Creole is also commonly spoken here. However, English is on the upswing, as the tourism bureau is encouraging more locals to learn English. 



5. That's because Martinique is suddenly receiving an influx of tourists from the United States. Cruise visits have jumped in the past few years, and this winter, East Coasters will be discovering the island big time.



6. That's because Norwegian Air is now flying non-stop flights from New York (JFK), Boston and Washington (the latter via BWI Airport) to Fort-de-France. Winter fares start as low as $79 one-way. That includes airfare and taxes, but you will pay extra for things like checked bags and water. Still....


7. The Euro is the currency here. And with the Euro almost on par with the dollar, that means Martinique, beyond the airfare, will be a bargain this winter.


8. Napoleon's main squeeze, Josephine, was born in Martinique. Folks here have mixed feelings about her, as this headless statue insinuates.



9. Local produce includes breadfruit, cacao, bananas, mango, sweet potato,guava, and passion fruit. Oh, and rum, if we can count rum as produce.



For more information, and awe-inspiring video, check out my most recent Let's Talk Live television segment.

More posts to follow soon.

Monday, December 7, 2015

The Gadget Guru: More Nifty Product for Travelers on the Go

Hope everyone caught my recent appearance on Great Day Washington. If not, here's the link. 

These are some of the innovative travel gadgets and gizmos we discussed. For more, see this post.


The AquaVault

It's happened to all of us. You're at the beach and you want to take a dip. But you have your car keys, and your iPhone, and other valuables to boot. What's a flip flop-clad gal/guy to do? Well, if she/he has an AquaVault, stuff can be safely stored in a lockbox while you hit the waves.

The AquaVault is basically a safe that attaches to a beach chair, a beach umbrella or other fixed objects. If it sounds familiar,  that's because it guest-starred on Shark Tank earlier this year. Sharp Shark Daymond John invested. If you want to invest in one, it's available on Amazon.com for $49.99. 

Knirp's Travel Umbrella
Umbrellas of a different sort are sold by Knirps. This X1 Pod is an umbrella that fits inside a sunglass case, making it easy to throw into a carry-on bag or even a purse. 

Where to Buy: For a store locator, go to www.knirps-usa.com.  List price is $49.95 

NapAnywhere

NapAnywhere is a new twist on the old neck rest.  In fact, it was a winner of the 2014 Product Innovation Award at the International Travel Goods Show. If you literally feel like nodding off, this flexible wedge can be molded to fit between the side of your head and your shoulder. It's held in place while you nod off with a strap that adjusts across your body. 
Where to Buy: www.napanywhere.net for $59.99. Colors include hot pink, lime, cobalt, crimson and black.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

#TravelToppers

Greetings to all. Do you want travel advice from the pros? Do you have travel advice to share? Please join me as I host #TravelToppers on Thursday, December 3 at 1 PM Eastern Time/6 PM London Time on Twitter. The discussion this month focuses on Presents & Predictions.

I'm tweeting as @dailysuitcase

Here are the questions.

Presents:

1. What's the best gift to give your favorite traveler?

2. What's on your travel gift wish list?



3. Present at the airport without presents?  What do you purchase as last-minute gifts?



Predictions:

Q4: Which country or continent will see the largest tourism increases in 2016? Why?

A giraffe bellies up to a watering hole in Namibia
Vietnam's Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site

Chile's Easter Island is one of the
most remote places on earth

Q5: What U.S. city will experience the largest tourism increases in 2016? Why?

San Francisco


Chicago









Q6: Which country will experience the largest decreases in tourism numbers in 2016? Why?

Istanbul, Turkey



Jerusalem, Israel
Paris, France
Beijing, China
Moscow, Russia




Q7: What will be the hottest tourism trend in 2016?