%)
BYOS (Bring Your Own Sweat)
$38.00 at Lululemon
From my travel gear column in
The Clouds are Alive...with the Sound of Movies
$29.85 US at www.magellans.com
From my travel gear column in
Gear: Luggage Express
$14.95 US at www.trainreaction.com
From my travel gear column in
Gear: A Breath of Fresh in the Air
$20 at www.beautymark.ca
From my travel gear column in
Gear: Grin Envy
$20 at www.tilley.com
From my travel gear column in
Gear: Rest Stop Relief for Moms
$3.99 US for a package of 20 at www.gottagomitts.com
From my travel gear column in
Gear: Tress SOS
$10.50 at LUSH
From my travel gear column in
Gear: Check this Out
$389.97 at www.heys.ca
From my weekly travel gear column in
Gear: Now Hear This
$149 US (Bluetooth version) and $159 US (iPod version) at www.mycyfi.com
From my weekly travel gear column in
Like dry cleaning...for your head.
$8.99 at Zellers.
From my weekly travel gear column in
Not Paying a Princely Sum
The classic double-decker bus drove right past the hordes of tourists and parked itself right there in Buckingham Palace’s front yard. I realize that might seem kind of redneckish. But hey, we’re talking about London’s fanciest home here.
Off the bus clomped a crew of travel journalists, most of whom are not accustomed to wearing heels (myself included).
For two hours only, we were part of the royal court, invited to a special reception with Prince Philip (that bloke who shagged Queen Elizabeth and created the quotable wonder that is Prince Charles) upon the occasion of his 88th birthday.
I was initially excited by the exclusive invitation. Then my thoughts turned to red-light blinking, siren shrieking, run-for-cover terror, as I remembered that, as a travel journalist, I possess the bank account of a travel journalist. My Balenciaga was somewhere around, oh, let’s see...(converting to British pounds here)...ZERO.
However, England’s wealth of cheap and fashionable clothing stores became this Cinderella’s fairy godmother. Some careful hunting produced this outfit, which rang in under $100. In other news, I’m relieved to report I was not arrested by the Buckingham fashion police.
Here’s a breakdown:
Dress, H&M: $40
Sweater, New Look: $30
Hat, Primark: $12
For more on my visit with The Duke of Edinburgh, stay tuned for an upcoming video...
Windbreaker 2009
$138 at Lululemon.
From my weekly travel gear column in
Fine Dining a La Recession
$9.95 U.S. at www.ricksteves.com
From my weekly travel gear column in
Sandman Spray
$16.85 at The Body Shop
From my weekly travel gear column in
Coffee Caddy
$19.85 US at www.magellans.com
From my weekly travel gear column in
The Man in the Khaki Hat
Want to hear about a hat trick? Alex Tilley turned a single hat into a travel wear empire that spans 18 countries and 2,600 stores.
In 1980, Ontario-born Tilley was just an amateur sailor with a thorn in his side: his hat kept hitching a ride in the wind.
So, purely as a hobby, he set about designing his own stay-put headwear.
He teamed up with a milliner, a seamstress and a sail maker. The original Tilley Hat was born and before long other sailors wanted one, too.
Tilley also designed a pair of sailing shorts with a reinforced rear, but those were a bit of a flop. But then a man asked him to create a similar pair of pants - not for sailing, but for travel. From that moment, it was anchor’s aweigh for Tilley Endurables.
Now there are six family-owned Tilley-brand stores in Canada (the flagship store is on Don Mills Road) and the hats come in 30 styles, 9 fabrics, 13 sizes and 24 colours.
The Star recently sat down for a chin wag with the man in the khaki hat. Read More...
Ask the Mask
$30 at www.mytagalongs.com
From my weekly travel gear column in
Operation: Unfrump
By Reb Stevenson
(Photos by Billy Reid)
Fashion: it’s a dirty word amongst “Real” Travellers.
Real Travellers rise above the vanity. Real Travellers pack light. Real Travellers don schlubby khaki shirts as they focus on virtuous things like broadening cultural horizons.
Real Travellers look like crap.
Lest you think I’m judging from the sidelines, let me tell you about the time I alternated between two pairs of pants for six months.
The low point was Rome. Sleek Italian women graced any old sidewalk with the style prowess of Iman on the catwalk while I clomped around in hiking shoes and droopy cargo pants that - after two months of continuous wear – were starting to serve as a scrapbook of souvenir stains from my trip.
Even the men looked prettier than me. Ouch.
Then again, nobody wants to be that ditzy fashionista who packs a wardrobe-on-wheels for one night of camping.
Practicality counts. Hidden compartments, zip-off sleeves and quick-drying fabrics are beneficial.
But the fundamental problem with purpose-made travel clothing is that it usually makes you look like you’re either on safari or kayaking.
However, there’s good news: nowadays travel togs can be both flattering and functional. You just need to know where to look and how to pack. Read More...
Jet Pack Mentality
$79.99 at Capital City Luggage (1337 Wellington Street West in Ottawa) or online at www.lugtravel.com
From my weekly travel gear column in
Pillow Fight!
BY REB STEVENSON
What's the most frustrating thing about plane travel? It's not the delays. It's not passengers who don't wipe the basin as a courtesy. And it's not that awful chicken wrap that appears on all of Air Canada's flights nowadays.
It's the sleep. Or, more accurately, the lack thereof. Ever since my very first flight (a red eye), I've envied those gifted sleepers who doze off during the safety demonstration and wake up refreshed upon touchdown.
My attempts to do the same end up in whiplash and embarrassing drool art on my T-shirt. So I embarked on a quest to find the best travel pillow, testing each of them on a real flight. Here are the results.
Description: It's the classic horseshoe travel pillow that everyone defaults to at the airport.
Cost: $19.85 U.S. at www.magellans.com
Pros: Cheap. Snuggly fabric. Inflatable so you can easily store it in your carry-on.
Cons: Unnatural angle means a big pain in the neck.
Verdict: You're really lucky if the horseshoe works for you.
Description: A pillow that looks like a cervical collar.
Cost: $27.85 U.S. from www.magellans.com
Pros: Prevents your head from bobbing in any direction. Deflates and stows in a pocket-sized pouch.
Cons: You appear to have suffered through a terrible accident.
Verdict: Surprisingly effective.
Description: A 2-in-1 blanket and pillow. When the blanket comes out, the case becomes a cover for the inflatable pillow.
Cost: $28 at Chapters or online at www.lugtravel.com
Pros: Ultra soft. Blanket makes airline-issued covers look like rags.
Cons: Pillow is a simple square and offers none of the neck-cradling you crave.
Verdict: Might suffice for a nap-on-the-go if you can prostrate yourself somewhere (ie: the airport, if not the aisle of the plane itself).
Description: A small foam device that wedges between your neck and the seat.
Cost: $19.85 U.S. at www.magellans.com
Pros: Handy clip fastens the pillow to your bag.
Cons: It's awkward and stiff, and everybody asks why you're bringing a free weight on the plane.
Verdict: Dumb dumbbell.
Description: A long, vertical pillow that tethers to the seatback and seatbelt.
Cost: $29.99 at www.travelrest.net
Pros: Innovative design provides support for your head at a natural angle. Deflates and rolls up into a small scroll.
Cons: Switching sides is a big ordeal.
Verdict: Easier to sink into than the other options.
And the winner is ...
Komfort Kollar, because it eliminates the dreaded forward head-bob. Also, if worn in the waiting lounge and accompanied by self-pitying moans, you may score priority boarding.
Paws and Take a Deep Breath
$34.95 US at www.yogapaws.com
From my weekly travel gear column in
Pack This! But if you don't, Bring This!
$7.00 US at www.knockknockstuff.com
$39 US at www.urbanaid.com
From my weekly travel gear column in
Wino Forever
From $9.85 to $14.85 US at www.magellans.com
From my weekly travel gear column in
Best New Gear of '08
What it is: A compact, cell-phone shaped video camera that records 60 minutes of digital footage. A built-in USB arm connects the gadget directly to your computer, which means one less wire in your frightening “techsessories” drawer.
Why it makes the list: It’s super portable, cheap enough to abuse and the single red button (record, duh) eliminates a lot of confusion. Watch out, YouTube, granny’s got a Flip!
What it costs: $159.99
Where to get it: Future Shop, Best Buy and Wal-Mart
What it is: An inflatable travel pillow that’s shaped like an extended comma. Sling the tether cord over the seat back on an airplane or car and cuddle the cushion.
Why it makes the list: The typical horseshoe travel pillow still leaves you feeling like your head is forming a right angle with your torso. This innovative device keeps your noggin upright. Bonus: when deflated it takes up minimal space in your luggage.
What it costs: $29.99
Where to get it: Capital City Luggage, 1337 Wellington Street West
What it is: Tap into that big ball o’ burning gas and power up cameras, cell phones, mp3 players and GPS devices on the road. One hour of sun yields 20 minutes of talk time or 50 minutes of music on your iPod.
Why it makes the list: Flashpacking (tech-laden backpacking) is cool, and that “Morocco On Foot” blog is lookin’ mighty fine. But, sadly, hauling a ten-pound adapter supply through the Sahara is no mirage.
What it costs: $101 (yes you read that right, they just couldn’t shave off that extra dollar)
Where to get it: Mountain Equipment Co-Op
What it is: The world’s smallest portable luggage scale, its digital display measures up to 110 lbs.
Why it makes the list: Because weight loss is always in. Especially when airlines are getting stricter with baggage allowances, you’re traveling to that S&M conference, and the clerk is asking you to remove weighty items from your bag as impatient co-travelers in the queue rubberneck.
What it costs: $30
Where to get it: Ottawa Leather Goods, 179 Sparks Street
Let it Snow(Flake)
$59.00 at Steve’s Music (www.stevesmusic.com)
From my weekly travel gear column in
Hazelmail
It’s January. You’re sun worshipping in Mexico. Your mission is to make friends and family back at home feel as crappy as possible.
You need the right postcard.
No faded pic of burritos and sombreros is gonna cut it. Here’s the ultimate way to arouse envy and loathing: Hazelmail, a new online postcard generator that allows you to upload your own picture, write a message and –with a click of the mouse – mail the masterpiece. Artistic possibilities abound…ie: a you/me split screen juxtaposition (snap of the recipient scraping ice from a windshield, you being basted in oil by the Mexican male model squad).
$1.50 US at www.hazelmail.com
From my weekly travel gear column in
Those Heaving Bosoms Could be Yours
Enter the Personalized Romance Novel, the perfect gift for that travel-obsessed couple that dreams of ravishing one another abroad. Choose from 24 pre-formatted stories (a historical high seas fling, a Tahitian tryst and a New Orleans Mardi Gras grope are amongst the offerings), decide on the rating (“wild” or “mild), input 26 personal details about the relationship, upload a photo and presto: a sizzling memento of the trip that never was…or the inspiration for the trip that is to be. $49.95-$119.95 US at www.yournovel.com
From my weekly travel gear column in
A Standing Innovation
Available online at www.femalefreedom.ca
From my weekly travel gear column in
Gear Bonanza
In any case, here is the sum of my Ottawa Citizen travel gizmo column from the past month:
I know what you’re thinking, snobby bookworm: baggage allowances these days really flip the bird at traditional old tomes. The last time you tried to haul your library of hardcover classics onto the plane, you were read the riot act. What the Dickens?! Well, if you can’t beat them, get the jetBook. The handheld digital device is smaller than a paperback but holds 1,000 books (40 classics are pre-installed, you can download the rest online) and the battery lasts for 20 hours. Font size is adjustable to accommodate “experienced” eyes. jetBook also supports non-literary files like photos and MP3’s, in case you want to slum it with the plebs for a few minutes.
$349 US at www.magellans.com
They say black goes with everything. Unfortunately, on a luggage carousel it coordinates a little too well with everyone else’s bags. If you find yourself feebly thinking: “I’m pretty sure mine had three zippers…” you may have scored yourself a strangers’ dirty laundry grab bag.
Want to say: “you’re it!” with complete confidence? Then play tag!
Set your stuff apart with a funky new luggage tag. There are loads of options to choose from, including bees, cats, leopard prints, etc.
Failing that, just tie a pair of threadbare undies to the handle. That should get the point across, too.
L’il Lewis Animal Tags $14.99
Amazing Accessories Cat Tag $6.99
Belle Hop Fashion Luggage Tag $2.25
All at Capital City Luggage (1337 Wellington Street West).
Nobody likes to be looked square in the eye and told point-blank that they’re overweight. But this happens all too often at the airport check-in desk. And sometimes there isn’t even enough time for an impromptu garage sale. Shed this weighty issue by assessing your bags with the xScale by Heys. The world’s smallest portable luggage scale, its digital display measures up to 110 lbs so you can spare yourself the embarrassment of publicly extracting questionable goods from your bag. What were you thinking, bringing that pet rock, anyway?
$30 at Ottawa Leather Goods, Ottawa Leather Goods (179 Sparks Street)
In Rembrandt’s day, the self-portrait was a respectable work of art. Today your average self-portrait is achieved by turning a crappy point-and-shoot inward and–too often -succeeding only in immortalizing a distorted chunk of arm. But a stroke of brilliance from a Toronto inventor means no more severed foreheads, distorted schnozes and the like. It’s called Quik Pod: a handheld, extendible tripod that gives you that extra space you need to get the perfect “look, we posed at the Eiffel Tower!” shot. A built-in mirror helps you compose your image. Extra bonus: no more asking photographically-challenged strangers to take your pic.
$24.99 US at www.quikpod.com. Also available at Black’s Photography.
FROM MY WEEKLY TRAVEL GEAR COLUMN IN
Up, Up and Away!
Goodbye Kensington Market, hello Kensington Palace!
Today marks the first day of my two-month travel writing blitz through England. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be rambling through the South Downs near Brighton, wading up to my eyeballs in manure as I partake of the WWOOF scheme on four organic farms and getting third degree burns at England’s largest bonfire night celebration on the fifth of November.
While I’m writing mostly for publication, I intend to keep this blog updated with little snippets, photos and videos. Plus, while a newspaper is equipped with sensible editors, a blog provides the opportunity to swear, be crass and overindulge in pathetic navel gazing that nobody cares about.
As I am about to board my British Airways flight to Heathrow, I thought I’d riff a little on FLIGHT WARDROBE.
First of all, anyone who wears jeans on a long-haul flight is a lunatic. Or maybe some people have a penchant for deep crease marks in their groin.
Here are my long-haul flight fashion tips:
1) Wear the most comfortable pants you can find. Lululemon has never failed me (see above).
2) Forget underwear. You don’t sleep in it in your bed, so you won’t feel comfortable trying to snooze in it on the plane, either (but sshhhh...keep this detail to yourself, this is not an ice breaker to use on a seat mate).
3) Layer! Layer! Layer! Today I am wearing a tank top, a short-sleeved hoodie and a jacket. Planes are notoriously chilly.
4) Open-toed shoes: are you crazy? (I’m staring at a dude with exposed piggies as we speak. Guaranteed that halfway through the flight he’s shivering and swathing his popsicle toes in the airline-issued blanket).
5) Sweater vests: a must if you’re on Stephen Harper’s campaign jet.
Flip Service
You thought it would be cool if your vaycay in The Holy City coincided with a music festival. But - by golly – you’ve really lucked out: it’s the second coming of Christ! What’s running through your mind? The possibility of eternal damnation? Mild surprise because he’s sporting a stylish goatee instead of a full beard?
No – you’re thinking: “how fast can I get this on YouTube?”
Savvy techie travelers whip out a Flip Ultra Video camera. Lightweight and shaped like a cell phone, The Flip records 60 minutes of high quality digital footage. A minimal number of buttons means no Spielberg talents required. The best part: a built-in USB arm so you can quickly upload your video before Jesus uploads you to heaven.
Comes in black or green and is available for $158.64 at Wal-Mart or online at www.theflip.com
FROM MY WEEKLY TRAVEL GEAR COLUMN IN
YES! This product has been tested and approved by REB
One Night Stand
Packing for a sleepover was a cinch when you were under 12: pajamas, fresh undies and enough sour candy to make your tongue bleed was sufficient. As an adult, the plot thickens. Even for just one night, you need a bag that can accommodate your dentures, knitting supplies and toupee! Luckily, there is an answer: The Lug Puddle Jumper Overnight Bag. An ideal size for a short jaunt, it’s laden with separate compartments, including a nifty nook that keeps your dirty orthotics (or running shoes, if you’ve still got your knees) isolated from the rest of your junk. It comes in a dazzling array of hues and, bonus: Lug is Canadian!
$75 online at www.lugtravel.com
FROM MY WEEKLY TRAVEL GEAR COLUMN IN
YES! This product has been tested and approved by REB