For the past two years I have recommended travel related gadgets and gifts for those hard to buy on your holiday list. Last year our shopping options were limited by the pandemic and in so much as Amazon will continue to have a place in my heart I am ready to go shopping in person again. When trying to decide what to suggest this year Ken reminded me of our favourite things. So for this Christmas here is a list of our top 5 favourite travel related gifts.
- Foreign Cash or Foreign Currency Pre-Paid Visa
Many folks will default to money or a gift card when they cannot think of anything else to buy for that difficult person on your list. If they have a trip planned in the next year make it a gift of foreign currency. Available through your local bank branch or online, you can order the currency or purchase and load a pre-paid chip and pin protected VISA. I consider this my mad money. I don’t spend it on anything practical but I will use it for a bottle of local wine or original painting from a street vendor.
- The latest edition of your favourite travel guidebook or video
So much has changed in the past two years. If our preferred restaurants or shops have closed here there is a good chance many will also have closed at your choice destination. Hours, accessibility and cost of many popular sites have also changed. Even without the pandemic an up to date travel guide, with a good map, is an excellent gift. One year I got a coupon for the newest edition of the France guidebook from Rick Steves as it hadn’t been published yet. It was like getting the gift a second time when it arrived.
- Light weight but sturdy carry on luggage
When we decided to adopt the “pack light” philosophy the first thing Ken bought for me was a set of carry on luggage. It is durable but light weight, has four wheels for easy manoeuverability, and lots of separate compartments and pouches for easy packing. Teamed up with a back pack sized to go under the seat in front of you, and an easy to pack shoulder bag for day tripping we have all we need to be nimble and ready to go when we travel.
- A tablet loaded with travel related apps
My tablet not only serves as a journal to keep notes while I travel, and a place to store and edit photos and video, but it also gives me access to a number of important links and applications. Download Google Maps and Google Translate. Link to your bank account (password protected of course) so that you can easily access your accounts if needed. Store important documents such as copies of your passport, your flight itinerary, pre-paid tickets for travel or site visits, a copy of your travel insurance policy and contacts, and for as long we need it, our vaccine and health documents. If you have the Kindle app, or whichever one you prefer, you can download books to read on the plane or while relaxing on the ship instead of carrying heavy paperbacks. Even without internet access your tablet will be an invaluable travel companion.
- A portable Global Positioning System (GPS)
If you are renting a vehicle overseas you will need to get an international driver’s license. This can be arranged through your local CAA office for a small fee. More importantly you will need to have a way of getting from Point A to Point B. Our vehicle has a built in GPS so we needed another one to travel with. A newer version also allowed us to download and pre-program way points for our European destinations. New models are small and light and will not take up too much room in your luggage. It will also save you the cost of renting one with your car. Use the equivalent to purchase a good insurance package instead.
Each year we think we have everything we could possibly want or need for travel, and yet every year we find something new. Whether you are new to travel or an experienced explorer, hopefully you will enjoy some of our favourite things this holiday season.
Merry Christmas from At Our Age Travel!