Travel Trappings :: Camping

[trip style = camping]

I have friends who are serious and talented campers, and I'm not sure how this is possible, but even their dog is good at camping! They make camping into a five-star eco experience with fresh-caught gourmet meals, custom-made camping accouterments and a reno'd camper.  All in all, they make it look easy. But for those of us who aren't as handy in the wilderness, here are a few over-the-top, yet fabulous camping aids to bring your next call of the wild experince from 1 to 3-stars without having to give up and go the nearest motel!

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Travel Trappings for Camping Coleman Blender Smoothie at sunrise anyone? Margaritas at midnight? Who knew that you could turn a night at the campsite into Margaritaville? This rechargeable and portable blender makes 48 ounces of your favourite frozen concoctions in approx 30 seconds. Your site will be the talk of the town.  Just don't forget the tequila, but that may cause you to forget quiet hours.  Find it for $65usd.

Inflate-a-Potty I'm not gonna lie, I really want this. It would make camping so much better! This inflatable, adult-size potty is a lifesaver in so many ways, but namely when you don't want to deliriously get up in the middle of the night, stumble over tent poles and pee on yourself (by accident). Using the inflatable commode in your tent is so much better than stumbling to the campsite washroom at 2am! What's even better is the description on the website: "take the clean, safe potty anywhere, fit it into your pocket, tote bag, backpack, purse, glove or boat compartment, etc..." It would be too easy to comment on this statement. Find it for $22usd.

Camp Chef Camping Outdoor Oven This 'little gem' is for when you're camping, but don't really want to be, so you bring everything but the kitchen sink. Owners of this 3,500 BTU, propane-powered oven, would say campfires are for sissies as they prepare their chocolate soufflés. In addition, it sports two 5,300 BTU matchless igniter range burners for boiling...whatever you boil in the wild. Find it for $175usd.

Enjoy the long weekend---whether you're staying in town or hittin' the road! Safe Travels.

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Travel Trends :: Cases, Kits & Bags

You probably don't even know you need---okay want---these little travel helpers, but these smart looking and intelligent cases, kits and bags will make you wonder how you lived without them!

{For our third Travel Beauty Month contest, win some fab travel-sized Tarte make-up by engaging with our Facebook group.  Details Here. Contest ends end-of-day tomorrow!}

Cases, Kits & Bags Little Medic Kit The Little Medic Kit is big enough to help with booboos and small enough to fit in your suitcase. This 32-piece travel first aid kit measures just under 4" high/wide and just under 2" thick, and includes assorted size band-aids, sterile pads, tape and antiseptic wipes. Find it online for $10.

Everywhere Global Bag I can't count the amount of times I've gone somewhere and come home with an extra bag, the collection under my bed is getting ridiculous! That's why I love the Everywhere Bag because it starts mini and ends big. Just throw the folded and zipped pouch in your suitcase. If you over-shop, no worries, it expands into a 24" X 15.25" X 8" zipped bag that can be gate-checked! Find it online for $42.

Zip Case This clear, waterproof, vinyl case is meant to replace the easily tearing zip-lock bags you use when stowing your toiletries in your carry-on. This durable bag will also save you---and the environment---from buying stock in zip-locks (SC Johnson). Find it online for $8.

Wet Suit Bag This is not a bag for the wetsuit you wore surfing, but rather  a mini, specially treated, anti-mildew pouch for your wet bathing suit. Perfect for when you just can't say goodbye to 'Aruba' and have to take one more ocean dip before flying home. We've all been there. Find it online for $18.

Wine Skin I covered wine transport options like this a few months ago while doing a Travel and Wine Transport post, but this wine skin is cheaper and more compact!  Win, win. These bubble wrap-enforced plastic skins with sticky seals are only meant for one-time use, but unless you've got an overly aggressive baggage handler, I think you can get away with multi-use!  Find it online for $9.85, two per package.

*all prices quoted in USD.

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Light as a Feather

[trip style = packing light]

Light luggage is so hot right now.

Seriously though, not only has luggage become more feather-like for ease and simplicity, but also in response to the continuous shrinkage of airline weight allowance.

Sub-O-G One line of luggage leaving all others in the dust is International Traveller's Sub-0-G rolling suitcases--the world's lightest suitcases.  Their smallest 21" upright carry-on (20.5" x 14.4" x 7.6") weighs a mere 4.84lbs, compared to 8-12lbs for most other "light" suitcases!  This size fits in most airlines' overhead bins and allows 20lbs of packing weight if you adhere to the 25lb carry-on weight restriction observed by most airlines.  The cost isn't heavy either, I saw the carry-on sized bag on sale for $69 Canadian dollars in Vancouver.  On the web the price varies.

Verdict - To Buy or Not to Buy I love the World's Lightest Sub-O-G line of suitcases, yet the feather-like nature of the bag comes with pros and cons. The 21" carry-on suitcase (referenced and shown above) is light and fairly enduring for self-use. Would I check this bag? No. Even though the bag is made using a fiberglass structure, aircraft material and durable nylon; I would not trust it with most airlines' checked baggage handling procedures--or lack thereof.

All in all, I love the concept and innovation and would recommend the 21" upright bag for carry-on use, but would not recommend the 24" or 28" upright suitcases because the sizes are not carry-on friendly and would have to be put under the plane. For now, I will stick with my hard-shell suitcase anytime I check a bag.

Travel and Wine Transport

I can't count the amount of times I've wanted to bring back wine from Europe, South America or the US and given up.  With a lack of wine transporting solutions at my fingertips, I wasn't about to risk wrapping a Bordeaux in my newly-purchased sweater and hoping it wouldn't get jostled and explode in my bag. No thanks.

Then I read about the eco-friendly VinniBag, and got very excited. Debuting in early March at the Travel Goods Association Show, this inflatable wine bottle protector allows you to bring home your prized bottle of wine (or balsamic, or olive oil, or an awkward travel purchase) knowing it will arrive secure and intact.

VinniBag - $24.95 - reusable travel bag - inflatable air chambers that protect and insulate wine bottles, other liquids, and fragile items - designed to provide superior protection against impact and leakage - stores flat, rolled or folded when not in use

Other Options - three-bottle italian leather tote ($99.95) - styrofoam wine containers ($4.20 - min qty 5) - some people--even wine writers--swear by putting wine in a sock, wrapping in a used t-shirt, putting in the laundry bag provided by the hotel and placing in a secure place in their suitcase - go old-school and bring bubble-wrap and tape with you (and still wrap in a bag for good measure) - use the cardboard box provided by the wine shop or winery and pack it in a secure place in your suitcase

Carry-on liquid restrictions and checked-bag weight restrictions do not make wine transport easy, but we soldier on because savoring that hard-to-come-by Pinot once you're home makes transporting it all worth while.