Do your loved ones adore camping out? Are they fans of hitting the road to wherever, or flying off on a whim? Do they favor playing on the beach with kids, or discovering that hot new, albeit, dimly lit restaurant in the City? These seven new travel tools will help friends and family of all ages and travel styles get the best out of any getaway.
This Holiday Gift Guide first appeared in print in Newsday's Nov. 22nd 2015 Travel Section, and can be found online here.
1. Biaggi Zipsack. This ingenious lightweight, spacious four-wheel "spinner" luggage folds to the size of a small briefcase when not in use. The 22" Zipsack can hold a week's worth of clothing, pulls easily with enclosed strap, and comes in hot new colors. It's an invaluable travel essential for your favorite globetrotter, especially one who's low on space. $70, biaggi.com
2. Solar Media Player. A mobile solar charger, power bank and speakers for your smart phone all in one, the Solar Media Player is both highly functional and easy to use. Water and sand resistant, it's perfect for the sunny beach (where you can charge rather than drain your phone's battery) or camping. $50.
3. ThinOptics. What do you get for the Boomer who has everything? Something practical, sleek and really cool. ThinOptics are reading glasses that fit in a credit-card sized case that adheres to the back of your cell phone, and comfortably clamps to the bridge of your nose. You will never misplace those menu readers again. $24.95, thinoptics.com
4. Cube by Enevu. This little waterproof personal light is only 2" square, but packs a punch in deep darkness. Backpack ready; it also has a color-changing mode that turns any hotel room into a dreamy, romantic space. $29.90, enevu.com
5. Airframe Portable Car Mount. This device solves the problem of having to balance your mobile phone on your lap to read GPS directions. The Airframe grips the phone and locks it into the car's air vent - at the optimal angle for viewing - and releases easily. A must-have for road-trippers of all ages. $25, Kenu.com
6. Packable Pails. These full sized collapsible beach pails solve the problem of hauling bulky sand containers to the beach. Available in 4 fun colors including pink, blue, yellow and orange, the very sturdy pails store flat and take up very little room. $15 with $6 shipping cost. Packablepails.com
7. Girl Trunks. Guys have it easy. They can hike, kayak, and sun-surf in their swimwear, and never need to change before or after taking a plunge. Thanks to Girl Trunks - swim shorts and halter swim tops for females - women can share in this serendipitous approach to adventure. Trunks $79, Tops $59, girltrunks.com.