5 Must-Have Items For Savvy Travellers

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Hamilton Beach Club, Hamilton Princess, Bermuda

Savvy travellers know that it’s not just where you’re going, but what gear you’re using, too. What you pack  and how you pack can make all the difference—and offer a seamless, stress-free holiday. So, with that in mind, we present our gifts for savvy travellers.

The best part? We’ve paired travel items with the destinations we’ve visited. These gift ideas are practical and easy on the wallet, with most of them coming in at less than $100.

Click through for our favourite must-have items, then circle back and click on our destinations for more on where to visit.

For the beachcomber: Think Antigua, Anguilla, Jamaica, Bermuda

It’s a lock: Don’t leave your other half behind on lookout duty when the sea calls during your next day at the beach. Instead, stow valuables with Safego, a portable safe made of durable, yet lightweight, ABS plastic that features a heavy-duty combination key lock and flexible steel cable for attaching it to something stationary—including your beach chair. US$40, safego.us

For the sunny snowbird traveller: Think North Carolina, Florida, Mexico, Texas

 

 

Off the Rack: Pack a shirt that can go wherever the day takes you, from hiking to hors d’oeuvres. Mountain Equipment Co-Op’s Overlook men’s button-down offers breathable comfort, moisture-wicking UV40 sun protection and comes in short sleeves ($56) or long sleeves ($65). Try it in this fun palm print or one of three classic solids. www.mec.ca

For the active, short-haul holiday type: Think taking a picnic along up to Mont Royal in Montreal, a weekend at Viamede Resort in the Kawarthas, a road trip anywhere in Canada, or a Via Rail journey

 

Carry on: Doing double the double-duty, this Annex Duffle Bag weighs next to nothing, is water-resistant and, when you want them, padded shoulder straps untuck from the back panel. And, in a chic heather moss or eclipse grey (shown here), the convertible carryall is a stylish travel companion for him and for her. $65, www.mec.ca

For those that go “Bleisure”—mixing business with pleasure: Think India, Great BritainSouth Africa, Ireland

Editors’ tip: Keep it all organized—and your unmentionables separate from your workout gear—with the help of mesh packing cubes from Austin House. $30 for a set of 3, www.amazon.ca

For the shopaholic who needs extra luggage space: Think Hong Kong, Dubai, and the tax-free bargains in Louisiana

 

Case study: At 7.9 pounds and with four 360-degree spinning wheels that make rolling the case effortless, the Maxlite 3 from TravelPro suits our frequent-flyer tendencies. But it’s the handle that really has us. The contour grip is soft on stiff joints. Then we noticed the pilot was rolling the carry-on size as he boarded. ‘Nuff said. Expandable spinner, $525, Hudson’s Bay, www.thebay.com