Travel Stuff We Love
Frequently, we are asked to try out a product to see if we think our readers will find the item practical, fun, or useful in some way. There have been several items that we tried and put aside. I’d rather not write a review of something I am just not that crazy about. So, without further adieu, here’s my current list of Travel Stuff we Love.
Be Practical
X-mini Capsule speakers
The X-mini speakers are surprisingly good; not tinny or cheap sounding as one might expect from such a small size. They pack up nicely into a tiny pouch, and are perfect for traveling. They’re a great complement to an iphone or ipad when hanging out on the hotel deck, or on a picnic. And, the X-mini Capsule speakers are great quality for the money.
Outsmart Pickpockets
My husband tried these chinos on a couple of recent trips and found them to be comfortable, stylish and of high quality 100% cotton fabric. We also liked that they wash up well, with no ironing necessary. The great part about Barca Clothing pants is the hidden zipper pockets on the front and back right side, making it virtually impossible for a pickpocket to get at anything stored in these pockets. The back zipper pocket is quite deep; just perfect for your passport. You can carry your cash and credit cards in the front pocket, feeling secure that no-one can get at them except you. The pants and shorts are made in the USA and run very true to size. Here is a little video you can view to see how the special Barca pockets work. You can order directly from their website.
Refresh on board
I love my Evian spray mist. The air in planes is extremely dry, so several times while in-flight, I take out my Evian mister and give myself a refreshing break. You won’t believe how great you feel after just one little spray. Apply a little moisturizer and you are good to go for another few hours. This product is available at cosmetic counters in most department stores.
Love your pet
Sturdi Products Dog and Cat Carriers
We tried out the Single Car-Go pet carrier with our mini-poodle, Taffy, and found it to be great. We love the pop-up feature, which allows you to easily store the carrier and then assemble it in seconds for the trip. The carrier fits nicely in the back seat and is secured by the car’s seat-belt. You can then easily remove it from the car and use it as a night-crate in the hotel. Light weight,with lots of mesh for visibility and air-flow, this is a real winner. Sturdi Products offer lots more than Car-go carriers; take a look at their site for pet shelters, exhibitor essentials and accessories.
Be Inspired
We love a good travel story and recently received a copy of Irene Butler’s travel memoir, Treking the Globe With Mostly Gentle Footsteps. It certainly fit the bill. Irene and her husband, both newly-retired, took off on a year-long trip around the world – twelve countries in twelve months. They traveled on a strict budget, determined to explore the globe spending the same amount of money as they would if staying home, but with the motto, “we are not here to suffer”. They did splurge on occasion, had a great time and stayed on budget. Following the Butlers through rough patches as well as the smooth sailing, the reader learns of their philosophy about travel, how they coped, as well as great travel tips for their own next travel adventure.
Great Listening
Sitting in those cramped seats on those long plane rides to Europe (no, we don’t travel first class), I enjoy taking our Ipod and listening to some soothing music to help me sleep, or some music evocative of where we’re going. That’s why I love Putumayo World Music which seems to produce so many CDs that I love. The Yoga music is relaxing while other CDs, such as, Paris, Espana or Italian Cafe, put me in the right frame of mind for my next adventure.
Written by Terri Fogarty for EuropeUpClose.com
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