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This traveler’s favorite gifts
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There’s nothing better than finding the perfect gift for each terrific person on my holiday shopping list. I look for items I use all of the time or would love to own myself. For anyone who enjoys driving and exploring new places, there’s nothing better than the GPS. I know that many people have GPS capabilities in their cars, but I love the Magellan handheld and portable GPS, for under $100. It’s amazing and so terrific to use while driving, walking, or double-checking taxi drivers around the world who pretend they don’t speak English and start showing you all the sights to pile up the mileage rather than taking you directly to your hotel.
Travelers need multi-purpose communication systems, and there’s the super gift of
the iPhone 3GS which also has GPS applications, the Web, games with 3D graphics, telephone, e-mail, banking, and texting. Every trip I take I have more gadgets with me than ever before, which creates another problem – the electric outlet.
Voltaic Systems has created the perfect solution: backpacks with embedded solar panels. Lightweight, tough, and waterproof, the styling is hip and futuristic in silver, orange, green or black, and range in price from $199 – 499, depending upon the model. Solar energy is collected and stored in the battery pack and generates enough power to run common laptop adaptors or a USB charger.
Travelers need to pack and dress in layers of clothing to provide cool, comfortable or warm comfort and there are many great items in every price range including hats, gloves, Cami layers, microfiber shirts, cotton and silk turtlenecks, and a variety of fleece wear.
Here are a few great stocking stuffers and must have’s. Noise cancellation headphones are worth their weight in gold on trains, planes, and with shared accommodations. The Timex Expedition watch is a favorite for under $50. I wear a silk travel pouch around my neck with my credit card, passport, and money safe and secure, Smart Socks on my feet for comfort, and keep a blowup travel pillow handy for naps on the go.
For great gifts under $20, every traveler needs a journal to keep track of where you go, what you do, and what you want to remember and a guest book to keep track of all of the people you meet along the way.
And don’t forget a few of the gifts that keep on giving and don’t cost anything. Give of yourself through volunteering locally or plan a volunteer vacation to visit new places, connect with others, and give back. Happy holidays, happy trails.
Sheryl Kayne’s IMMERSION TRAVEL USA: THE BEST & MOST MEANINGFUL VOLUNTEERING, LIVING & LEARNING EXCURSIONS (Countryman Press, 2009), is The Society of American Travel Writers Foundation’s Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award Winner in the best travel guidebook 2009 category. Her book, VOLUNTEER VACATIONS ACROSS AMERICA appeared on Amazon.com’s list of best new travel books. Check them out at www.ImmersionTraveler.com or Amazon.com.
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