NEW YORK -- What's the best travel bag out there? What's the must-have gadget for travelers?
AP Travel asked seven people who travel for a living -- from Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler to the chief executive officers of Norwegian Cruise Line and Marriott hotels -- what they can't leave home without. Their answers may be of interest if you're looking for Christmas gift ideas for people who love to travel -- or if you want to treat yourself.
Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan: Sheehan travels so much that he's rarely in one place long enough to actually plug a charger into a wall. So he relies on portable chargers to keep his devices charged on the go. Mophie has a number of universal external battery chargers that can recharge cellphones, iPods, iPads and other electronics when their batteries run out. Mophie has just launched a powerstation plus product with built-in cables.
Frommer's Guidebook founder Arthur Frommer: Frommer says he can't travel anywhere without a laptop that has a keyboard; he writes so much that a tablet just won't do. His "indispensable choice" is the "ultra-cheap, ultra-light" Acer Chromebook. You can find one for less than $200, so it "doesn't present the anxiety of loss or theft that a thousand-dollar MacBook Air would." Chromebooks are designed for use with Wi-Fi, with most data stored in the cloud, but Frommer says that isn't a problem in his travels because Wi-Fi is "so ubiquitous around the world that you are seldom without it."
Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler: Wheeler often recommends a fold-up bag, "something that you can carry along for those occasions when unexpected shopping, gifts, whatever, overloads your usual bag." But lately he's suggesting a refinement on the concept: a fold-up daypack like the Eagle Creek packable daypack. Wheeler is working on a new book that he bills as an update on Paul Theroux's classic The Great Railway Bazaar, but instead of taking trains across continents, Wheeler is traveling entirely on low-cost air carriers. On many of these airlines, you're allowed only one carry-on, so he squirrels the fold-up daypack into the larger carry-on, then hauls it out for daily use while in the destination.
Marriott CEO Arne M. Sorenson: Sorenson needs an adapter that not only works with different voltage systems and outlets around the world but also has more than one USB charging port. Walkabout Travel Gear sells a universal adapter that not only boasts of working with every voltage system "on the planet" but also has two USB power ports and can support high-powered devices like iPhones and iPads.
Yahoo travel editor Paula Froelich: Froelich, who chronicles her frequent trips in online videos and at ABroadAbroad.com, tried out a lot of bags before settling on her favorite: Rimowa Salsa Deluxe. "It's the most perfect luggage," she said. "It's lots of money and worth every cent. I did my research and this was perfect." Salsa Deluxe options range in price from $450 to $895. They're made of lightweight but durable polycarbonate, with a trademarked Multiwheel system, an extendable telescopic handle and an add-a-bag holder built into the case shell.
Travel Channel's Hotel Impossible host Anthony Melchiorri: Melchiorri never knows what he'll need "traveling all over the country, in all different climates and circumstances." His go-to bag is a leather Tumi wheeled briefcase: "The bag allows me to pack almost anything I may need on the road."
The Insatiable Traveler blogger Susan Portnoy: Portnoy, whose interests range from photographic African safaris to cool places around the United States like Brooklyn Bridge Park, has a few must-haves that also make great stocking stuffers. Among them: the Mini Cree LED Flashlight Torch, compact but with a powerful, adjustable beam and a clip so she can attach it to her bag or belt; the soft, warm Cabeau Fold 'n Go blanket with portable case, which she also uses for back support on long flights, not being a fan of neck pillows; and Coleman Toilet Paper Campers, which stay neat in their own plastic carrying cases, fit in a pocket or small bag, and last much longer than a tissue pack, whether you have a runny nose or are roughing it in wild places.
Travel on 12/07/2014