Whether you are going on a safari to Tanzania, a trek to Everest Base Camp, or a Galapagos cruise, these luxury travel gadgets can make your trip much more pleasant.
Translator
The right translator with you can be an invaluable asset if you are traveling abroad. The top-of-the-line translator is worth every penny if it helps you communicate your needs and wants.
Livescribe’s Pulse smartpen can aid with travel phrases in, say, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, German or French. After downloading a language app to the pen, ink a phrase in English on the special paper and you’ll clearly hear (from its speaker) and see (on its little screen) the translation! Or use this little high-tech wonder to keep a multimedia journal. Simply write notes while recording what you say, then upload the audio-synched scrawlings to your computer.
First Class/Business Class Seats
This is particularly true for international flights where you can lay your seat back flat, and you have some space between you and the person snoring next to you.
Membership to an Airline Club (United Club, Admirals Club, etc.)
It is so nice to have a comfortable, quiet place to wait in an airport. Did I mention free snacks, free drinks (even some cocktails), free WiFi, lots of outlets, someone to help change your seat assignments, TV’s, magazines and news papers.
Priority Pass offers access to over 600 airport lounges around the world. Memberships start at just $99/year, and guests can join you in the lounge as well.
Take the Spa with You
Don’t let the airlines stop you from bringing top-of-the-line beauty products. Some luxury toiletry kits include caviar shampoo, potpourri, Evian® facial spray and mint foot scrub.
Kindle or iPad
I used to share books with my travel companions. After reading half the book, I would tear it in half and give someone the first half while I read the second half and vice versa – just to save on space and weight. The ability to read any book you want without having to actually carry a heavy, bulky book – what a concept!
High Quality Luggage
After buying a set of 5 nesting suitcases for $100 and having them fall apart in less than a year, I really appreciate my husband’s Samsonite that he bought 20 years that has certainly taken a licking and has kept on ticking. Wait, I’m mixing metaphors….
Fancy Camera
Every time I go on safari (4 times now), I wish I had a nicer camera and a bigger lens. I finally have the ultimate camera setup, and I just wish I had bought it sooner.
Noise Cancelling Headsets
All I can say is don’t knock it until you try it.
GPS
This is probably just for the technology lovers out there, but it is fun to track where you have been and even do a little Geocaching.
Global Phone
It sure is nice to be able to make phone calls wherever you are and not have to worry about astronomical charges.
Outdoor Wrist Instrument
An all-in-one watch, altimeter, heart rate monitor, barometer, chronograph, thermometer, alarm like the Loft Altiware Series.