Top 10 Can’t Travel Withouts
Chris’ personal picks from places in the world that he has visited.
Tilley: Quite simply, the perfect travel clothes. Easy to pack. Easy to wash. Tough and practical. They also look good. I have Tilley’s from top to toe - and even underneath - when I travel. Their iconic hats are the crowning glory for any Tilley Man (or Woman), but my favourite bit is the secret pockets they design into many of their items.
AccessMyID: This is a simple but effective way of minimizing the hassle of losing your documents on a trip: you can upload and securely store important documents and profiles online so that you have immediate - and ongoing - access to your vital information. It puts your mind at rest and allows you to travel without thinking, ‘what if?’
Frommer’s Guides: My first choice in destination guides. I use the travel guide books when I’m travelling and the website at www.Frommers.com when I am researching. They have an unerring knack of hitting the right balance between travelling on the cheap and vacationing in style: their consistency is astonishing.
Passport, Ticket, Money: Sounds obvious, but this is my travelling mantra: PTM. If you know where your passport, ticket and money are at all times, no trip will become a disaster. And always have back-ups for all three: AccessMyID for passports, a separate note of your ticket reference number and a Tilley secret pocket stash of cash!
Sony Headphones: There are times on long flights when you just want to block out the rest of the world: my Sony noise-cancelling headphones allow me to do exactly that. For through-the-night flights, matched up with eye shades, I find undisturbed slumber easily. They are also infinitely superior to airline headphones for in-flight films.
Samsonite Luggage: Whether it’s a big roller case for longer trips or a spacious cabin bag for shorter journeys, I have been flying with Samsonite luggage for over twenty years. My current model is the Sahora range, which combine durability with stylishness and feature four spinner wheels for upright rolling in multiple directions.
Dawgs: If I am headed for a southbound destination, I always take a pair of Beach Dawgs with me. These casual resort shoes are soft, comfortable and practical. They mirror the shape of my foot, so they are stable to walk in and best of all, they are incredibly light so they add virtually no weight to the luggage.
RBC Travel Insurance: Never, ever, travel without good travel insurance coverage. Either you will spoil your trip by worrying about “what if’s”, or you will be entirely unprepared for the travel disaster when it happens. As I travel frequently, I have RBC Travel Insurance’s Annual Plan: simple, cost-effective and comprehensive.
Canon Digital Rebel: Everyone wants to capture unique travel moments and as a travel journalist, it’s even more important for me to use a camera that I can rely upon. I use a Canon Digital Rebel because what I see through the viewfinder is what I get in my image. Lightweight, versatile and intuitive: it’s my perfect camera.
Smile: Travel is fun: it’s a joy and a privilege. And the best way to start any journey is with a smile. As I close my front door behind me, I allow myself to muse over the delights that I will enjoy on my trip. And as I travel, a smile unlocks doors and experiences that I would otherwise miss. Never leave home without one!