Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Globetrotter
Whether an armchair traveler or a passport-wielding travel junkie, here are the latest essentials for those who love a good escape.
—Liz Doyle, Amanda Hoffstrom, Jason Oliver Nixon and Mackenzie Waddick
Ultrafine Cashmere Travel Set by Vivre
Make that coach seat feel like first class during your next trans-Atlantic flight. Cozy up to Vivre’s superfine cashmere jersey travel set, including a knit throw, silk-lined eye patch and pillowcase, which doubles as a carry pouch. Sweet dreams, globetrotters.
Ultrafine Cashmere Travel Set by Vivre, $495.
Photo courtesy of Vivre
Chicago City Neighborhood Poster by Ork
Whether it be the windy city or the city of brotherly love, show off a little hometown pride! A perfect gift for those just fleeing the nest or a gift for your own home-, each 22-by-28-inch poster is handmade by artist Jenny Beorkrem and available in several colors. Other cities include Brooklyn; San Francisco; Washington, D.C. and Seattle.
Chicago City Neighborhood Poster by Ork, $35.
Photo courtesy of Ork Posters
Agenda by Louis Vuitton
Keep your travel plans and social agenda in check with an agenda that will make others envious. Inspired by Vuitton’s original steamer trunks with screen-printed labels on the iconic Damier canvas, the sturdy agenda can be used from year to year with refills and additional inserts, which are sold separately.
Agenda by Louis Vuitton, $340.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton
Zagat Guide: Americas Top Restaurants 2010
A great stocking stuffer for the business traveler, the Zagat guide offers more than 1,500 top-rated restaurants around the U.S. Dapperly bound in leather, the guide is organized alphabetically by geographic region, making it easy to find ratings for the best food, décor, service and cost of hotspots in and around 45 U.S. cities.
Zagat Guide: Americas Top Restaurants 2010, $25.95
Photo courtesy of Zagat Survey, LLC
Mr and Mrs Smith Hotel Collection: The Global Shortlist
Get a little armchair eye candy, whether searching for your next romantic retreat or dreaming of that quaint chateau where you spent last Christmas. This coffee-table book from lauded travel website mrandmrssmith.com showcases a selection of stylish boutique hotels around the world. Find tips on the best room to book and where to grab a bite to eat with reviews of charming Tuscan villas to luxurious jungle lodges in Belize. Bonus: An exclusive BlackSmith membership card inside The Global Shortlist gives access to upgrades and discounts at recommended hotels when booked online or through a Smith travel expert.
Mr and Mrs Smith Hotel Collection: The Global Shortlist (Publisher: Spy Publishing), $24.95.
Photo courtesy of Spy Publishing
NFT London 2010 Guidebook by Not For Tourists
Like the name says, these are not your average guidebooks for tourists—rather, it is an insider manual for locals looking to explore their own cities. But tourists, don’t be deterred, NFT books are perfect for those wanting to go off the beaten path and explore where they are visiting. The books offer maps, listings of restaurants and nightlife, commentary on sports stadiums and more. London is the first international title for NFT with 600 pages of everything you need to know, such as where to find the best Indian food along Brick Lane quicker than you can say “Bob’s your uncle.” Several metro areas in the U.S. are also available, including New York, Boston, San Francisco and Philadelphia.
NFT London 2010 Guidebook by Not For Tourists, $16.99
Photo courtesy of Not For Tourists
TOTALe by Rosetta Stone
Parlez-vous français? Habla usted Espanol? Sprechen sie Deutsche? No? Not to worry, learn a new language in no time with Rosetta Stone’s new TOTALe system. Offered fully online, participate in live, real-time guided sessions with a native-speaking coach, and practice your skills with other students in an online community. Choose from 24 languages including French, Spanish, German, Italian, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese.
TOTALe by Rosetta Stone, $999.
Photo courtesy of Rosetta Stone
Boarding Pak by Flight 001
Although most travel pouches scream TOURIST, the Boarding Pak from Flight 001 offers a more humble approach. A perfect accessory for any international traveler, the pack organizes passports, photo IDs and boarding passes into labeled pockets. The lightweight nylon pouch can also hold other travel essentials including keys, currency and cell phones. Opt to wear it traditionally around your neck or messenger style, or simply use it to organize your new
YSL Roady bag so as not to disrupt your jet-setting style.
Boarding Pak by Flight 001, $26.
Photo courtesy of Flight 001
Luggage by T. Anthony
Iconic luggage purveyor T. Anthony has you traveling in the lap of luxury this holiday season. The Alligator Calf Wheeled One Suiter and Gladstone Bag come adorned with charming flourishes such as polished hardware and steamer trunk influences. Interior zip pockets will keep all of your belongings organized, whether you’re traveling abroad for business or escaping to an exotic locale for a weekend getaway.
Luggage by T. Anthony, the two pictured are $1,400 and $1,900—the whole collection is priced from $295 to $1,900.
Photo courtesy of T. Anthony
New York CityPass
Perfect for travelers (and even locals) looking to explore the cultural jtems that lay at their fingertips. This pocket-sized booklet is your guide to some of the most popular and famous attractions in New York City—at a fraction off the price. Peruse the collections at MOMA, check out the view from the top of the Empire State Building, or visit the gateway to America at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island—for 44-percent less than if you purchased admission tickets separately. Book includes six admission tickets, which are valid for nine days, a map, transportation directions and much more. Other CityPass destinations include Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Toronto, Hollywood, Boston and Philadelphia.
New York CityPass, $79.
Image courtesy of © 2008 Vasily Goosieff, CityPass, Inc.