Gifts for Travelers 2009

Christmas is right around the corner and if you're like me, you still have a few gifts to get!  Last-minute shoppers, never fear, a gift-giving list for globetrotters is here!

Gifts for World Travelers

• Netbook :: Smaller than a regular laptop and slightly bigger than a smartphone, these mini computers can easily fit in your purse or carry-on without taking up much space or adding weight. If you're planning on doing more typing or web searching than your fingers can handle on a smartphone, this is an excellent alternative.  Battery life has also improved since their debut 2 years ago. Approx Cost: $300 & up
• World Travel Adapter with USB Charger :: Oh, can this ever come in handy. If you are going to buy just one item, this is it. The World Travel Adapter allows you to plug in electrical items in over 150 different countries and even has a USB charger for iPods, mobile phones and travel speakers. Approx Cost: $15 & up
• Luggage Scale :: To avoid the embarrassment of having to open your suitcase and rearrange your undergarments in front of the entire line-up of others checking into your flight, consider a mini luggage scale.  It beats having to lift your bag on a weight scale. With so many airlines placing more and more weight (and otherwise) restrictions on travelers' luggage, this little travel gadget is one that will be useful for years to come. Approx Cost: $17 & up
• DYI: Health Pack :: Traveling on planes, through time zones and to foreign countries can take a major toll on your body. That is why it's always good to keep a package of health-related items on-hand to prevent and treat any hint of sickness:
  • Vitamin C tablets (or Emergen-c); gum, mints or mini mouth wash to freshen breath; salt to gargle pre and post flight; cold and flu medication...just in case; Tylenol for any unexpected aches and pains; mini Evian spray to re-hydrate your skin; mini deodorant for obvious reasons; wipes or hand sanitizer.
• Sound-Reducing Earphones :: Even if you are lucky enough to get ear buds in-flight, don't bother. These uncomfortable, cheap and made-to-be-thrown-out-after-one-use ear phones are better off left in the flight attendant carts. Noise-reducing earphones are where it's at. Approx Cost: $300 & up
• Kindle :: Since space is a hot commodity whilst jetsetting, having 4 books and 3 magazines in your carry-on just doesn't work. Download your fave books and magazines at home or on-the-go to ONE device with 3G capabilities. Approx Cost: $300 & up
• Flashlight :: Avoid stubbing your toe or bashing your head when you stumble to the bathroom at 4am in an unfamiliar hotel room. Whether you download the flashlight app to your iPhone, use your mobile's screen or carry a mini flashlight, having access to some form of light can help your shins from getting bruised. Approx Cost: $3 & up
• Door Stop Alarm :: There is something to be said for being a cautious while traveling. The door stop alarm is placed under the front door, and if someone tries to enter unannounced, the alarm will go off. Approx Cost: $8 & up
• Trackable Luggage Tag :: I've had my bags lost multiple times and have been lucky enough to get them back, but many people's bags get lost for good. One way to combat this is to get a trackable luggage tag, which features a lifetime lost bag retrieval service to help reunite you with your bag if it's found by a third party. Approx Cost: $12 & up
• Cashmere Travel Throw :: Men and women can benefit from the fashionable and functional uses of a cashmere scarf while traveling. Use as a scarf or make-shift blanket. Approx Cost: $50 & up
• Nail Polish Remover Pads - Rather than 'risking it' with a nail polish remover bottle in your luggage, consider pre-soaked nail polish remover pads. Don't take chances, place the pads in a zip lock. Approx Cost: $3 & up
• Travel Gift Cards :: See more info in this post.

An In-Your-City Christmas Vaca

[trip style = urban + staycation]

Even though this is a travel blog, I don't want to discount the activities one can do in their city over the Christmas Break or in the Winter. Rather than dreaming of the Turks and Caicos, a mini Vacation can be created in your own city. Often when we clear our schedule and  focus on the good times to be had locally, a travel-like escape can be just what the Doctor ordered!

Ideas: [each item below sounds much better if you add "& hot chocolate"]

• ice skating/hockey outdoors - on a lake, river or an open-air rink in the city
• tobogganing
• snowshoeing
• christmas bake-a-thon
• shopping and eating out
• play tourist for a day, visit sites and take pics as if you were visiting
• spa day
• movie and popcorn day/night
• theater night -- seeing what's playing on the local stage
• making a gourmet meal at home and invite friends to share it
• throw a theme party
• games night
• cozy-up on the couch, drink your favourite tea or coffee and read in front of the fire
• find a spot to have an outdoor fire and do a winter wiener and marshmallow roast
• go on a day trip to a local town or fun spot
• last but definitely not least: helping the homeless through a local organization or by getting some friends and family together to make sandwiches and hand them out

Give the Gift of Travel this Christmas

Avoid giving "stuff" this Christmas, and give an "experience." Stuff is sooooo out, experiences are sooooooo in. Stuff sits around; experiences cause you to get out!

Travel experiences are not often something people think of gifting, but they are easy to give as well as appreciated by sun-seekers and adventurers alike.

Here are some travel experiences you can give this Christmas: Fairmont Gift Card How it works:

• pick up a gift card at any fairmont location
• use it toward a stay, at any restaurant within any fairmont
• PLUS, from today until December 20th, the Fairmont Southhampton in Bermuda is offering a $99/night sale.  I don't know about you, but if I got this gift for Christmas, it would be something I NEVER forget!

Your Airline Miles How it works:

• login to the airline with whom you have the points you wish to gift
• navigate [or search] transfer or giving miles
• as an example, here's how to transfer and give away miles with Alaska Airlines.  Alaska is having a big sale for bookings between some of their fave Canadian and US destinations.
• if you are feeling like you want to give away more miles you can also give to charities

Travel Agencies How it works:

• contact your travel agency
• see if they have a gift certificate option (some do, but unfortunately don't advertise it)
• [make sure their business is stable so you won't lose your money in 6 months]
• buy the travel gift certificate in your preferred denomination
• example

More Advent/Christmas 2009 Travel Deals

[trip style :: ski + all inclusive]

Further to our December 1st post about 2009 Advent travel deals, here are a few more hand-picked travel opportunities that have come across our desk:

Ski Whistler Blackcomb - Voted the Top Resort in North America year-over-year and home of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler Blackcomb still has a lot of availability over Christmas, as well as pre and post Olympics. With a record base in November and snow continuing to fall in December, why wouldn't you want to visit this winter wonderland? Here is the latest according to their newsletter: Book a pre-Olympic stay by January 31, 2010 and you'll also enjoy one of the best deals we've offered in years... 3 NIGHTS LODGING. 2 DAY LIFT TICKET. JUST $115 PER PERSON, PER NIGHT. Plus, Book now and you'll also receive a FREE lift ticket you can come back and use anytime before May 24.

Sun Sandals - popular with honeymooners and those seeking a couples getaway, Sandals is slowing creeping away from their '90s glory and upgrading many of their resorts into modern times.  As with many companies, some of their resorts are better than others [which i will write about in a later post].  With the biggest sale of any resort company listed here, until tonight, they are offering up to 65% off and up to 3 nights free.

Secrets Resorts - this small group of super all-inclusive resorts sits at the toward the top end of the spectrum. Their current limited-time holiday offer is: Book now and save up to 35%. Their current winter offer is: Book now to receive savings up to 55% at Secrets Resorts & Spas and $200 in resort coupons!

Club Med - with 80 resorts in 30 destinations worldwide, one of the pioneers in all-inclusive travel is offering some pretty sweet Christmas savings at: Turkoise, Turks & Caicos [12/19 to 12/26/09] and Sandpiper, Florida [12/19 to 12/28/09]. 3 nights: $349/adult, $180/child* 4 nights: $449/adult, $240/child* 5 nights: $549/adult, $300/child* 6 nights: $649/adult, $360/child*

Snowbirds Rejoice :: Westjet Flies Non-Stop To Kauai

[trip style = sun + beach]

Recently I went to Maui for an extended weekend.  I thought about going to Kauai, but didn't because there was no direct flight out of YVR and Hawaiian Airlines, my preferred Hawaii-bound airline, did not fly there direct.  Even though I like to travel, I hate to fly, which is why I LOVE direct flights.

This is why I'm SO excited that as of Dec 16, 2009 Westjet will be starting direct service from Vancouver to Kauai twice weekly. To my knowledge, other than Westjet, there are no direct flights from YVR to LIH out of Vancouver, but Alaska Airlines does fly to LIH direct from SEA.

Here are some sample costs & dates for the Westjet Non-Stop Service: Depart Dec 30 - Returning Jan 9: $1010/per person Depart Jan 2 - Returning Jan 9: $915/per person

Here are a few top lux hotels for Lihue, Kauai, according to Frommers: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (tel. 800/55-HYATT): This Art Deco beach hotel recalls Hawaii in the 1920s -- before the Crash -- when gentlemen in blue blazers and ladies in summer frocks came to the islands to learn to surf and play the ukulele. The Hyatt's architecture and location on the sunny side of Kauai make this the island's best hotel. The beach is a bit too rough for swimming, but the saltwater swimming pool is the biggest on the island. An old-fashioned reading room by the sea houses club chairs, billiards, and a bar well stocked with cognac and port. Golf, horseback riding, and the shops of Koloa, a plantation town offering numerous boutiques, are nearby diversions.

Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club (tel. 800/220-2925): Water is found everywhere throughout this resort: lagoons, waterfalls, fountains, a 5-acre circular swimming pool (some 26,000 sq. ft., the largest on the island), and a terrific stretch of beach. The lagoons are home to six islands that serve as an exotic minizoo, which still lends an air of fantasy to the place and, along with the enormous pool and children's program, makes the resort popular with families.

Sheraton Kauai Resort (tel. 800/782-9488): This modern Sheraton (since 1997) has the feeling of Old Hawaii and a dynamite location on one of Kauai's best beaches. It features buildings on both the ocean side and the mountain side of the road. The horseshoe-shaped, Polynesian-style lobby has shell chandeliers dangling from the ceiling. You have a choice of three buildings: one nestled in tropical gardens with koi-filled ponds; one facing the palm-fringed, white-sand beach (our favorite); and one looking across green grass to the ocean, with great sunset views. The rooms overlook either the tropical gardens or the rolling surf.

Princeville Resort Kauai (tel. 800/826-4400): This palace of green marble and sparkling chandeliers recalls Hawaii's monarchy period of the 19th century. It's set in one of the most remarkable locations in the world, on a cliff between the crystal-blue waters of Hanalei Bay and steepled mountains. You arrive on the ninth floor and go down to the beach. Opulent rooms with magnificent views and all the activities of Princeville and Hanalei make this one of Hawaii's finest resorts.

Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa (tel. 800/OUTRIGGER): The lap of luxury, this $200-million condominium project on 13 acres (between the historic towns of Wailua and Kapaa) is located right on the beach within walking distance to restaurants, shops, and recreational activities. The resort, which opened in 2007, has hotel rooms, as well as 1-and 2-bedroom units. Each unit is furnished with top-of-the-line materials like granite countertops; stainless steel appliances by Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Fisher/Paykel; double dishwasher; full-size Whirlpool washer and dryer; whirlpool bathtub in the master bathroom; and 37-inch flatscreen TVs in the living room and bedrooms. The resort features a long list of amenities like complimentary high-speed Internet access, a 4,000-square-foot Aveda spa, fitness center, and a 300,000-gallon heated saltwater fantasy pool, with flowing river, garden, dual serpentine waterslides, sand-bottom children's pool, and three sand-bottom whirlpool tubs.

Trip Advisor's Top Kauai Picks: 1. Koa Kea Hotel & Resort 2. The Villas at Poipu Kai 3. Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy 4. Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort 5. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa

Off-the-beach things to do in Kauai...