EDGE Holiday Gift Guide :: The traveler
Some of the most difficult people to buy gifts for are frequent travelers- I know because I am one. They’re not home much, often go to fabulous destinations and bring back amazing and unique things, and are oftentimes less interested in a lot of "stuff," because it weighs them down or collects dust at home (I’m a big exception to this last one...). That said, there are plenty of products out there designed to make a traveler’s life easier, either while he or she is on the road, or after arriving back home.
Travel Editor Jason Salzenstein and the entire EDGE travel team has searched high and low for treats for travelers. Here are our favorites; great gifts guaranteed to please!
For him
As a travel editor my luggage is subjected to a lot of abuse; not only at the hands of the TSA thugs, the number of miles traveled, and trips in and out of a plane, but also being hauled around from one hotel to another as I check out which accommodations are worthy of being written up in EDGE. I also don’t believe in packing light, and often come home with gifts and other purchases that I prefer to arrive in one piece. For all of these reasons, I’ve relied on TITAN for the last few years for stress-free travel (at least when it comes to luggage- dealing with TSA is another matter...).
I’ve been using TITAN’s 360 Four series of hard-sided suitcases for years and love them. They have an unbelievably strong polycarbonate shell that provides incredible protection without adding weight, and all four wheels of the ’rollies’ rotate 360-degrees, so pushing, pulling, and maneuvering heavy bags is never a problem. The new Diamond Edition luggage is even better because they’re virtually scratch proof thanks to the unique diamond-pattern exterior. Like the originals, they come with TSA approved locks and are covered under TITAN’s famous "No Matter What" lifetime warranty. They also happen to be some of the most beautiful suitcases in the industry, and trust me, that’s important.
Check out the entire 360 Four Diamond Edition collection- as well as TITAN’s entire range- at www.TITANluggageUSA.com TITAN luggage is sold at www.Ebags.com, www.LuggageOnline.com and www.Luggage.com
For her
From Kimpton Style and Japanese designer Hideo Wakamatsu comes this incredibly beautiful and modern luggage, perfect for divas who insist on traveling in style. The bright, whimsical design on the outside is matched by a strong ABS shell and silent-rolling wheels, making these trolleys as practical and sturdy as they are stylish.
The Blossom Travel Trolley is available in a 20" carry-on ($220) and a 25" checked trolley ($280). Together, they make a fabulous ensemble. Best of all, the proceeds from the sale of this luggage goes to support Dress for Success Worldwide.
Available at www.KimptonStyle.com
... and quickly!
Thanks to the ridiculous and ineffective rules that our wonderful government (and my friends at TSA) have established to give infrequent travelers a false sense of security, getting from check-in to the gate at most airports is about as fun as passing a kidney stone the size of George Bush’s stupidity. Anything that shortens the security process- or makes it easier- is a godsend, which is why we like Clear.
Clear is a "fast pass" for airport security. It’s not yet perfect- currently there are a few companies offering similar services, each one with their own network of participating airports- but it’s a big first step, and should improve quickly as more people sign-on and the guys in charge of "security" start to pull their heads out of their asses. Clear members go through an easy pre-screening security process that involves having your picture taken (for your card), taking digital images of your fingerprints, a retinal scan, and background check. (If you’re bitching about your constitutional right to freedom and worried about privacy right now, you need to get over it and consider what you’re hiding...)
About two weeks later you’ll receive your Clear Card, which lets you access the designated Clear security fastlanes at the airport, currently available at 20 major airports, with more coming soon. After glancing over at the long security line that you’ll be bypassing, Clear members simply insert their card into the kiosk, verify their fingerprint or iris image (which is SUPER cool!), and are assisted through the Clear lane (in less than four minutes) with the help of dedicated attendants and concierges. The time saved over standing in the regular security line alone (not to mention having to deal with listening to everyone standing in that line) makes the $199 one-year membership well worth it. (Multi-year memberships are also available, at reduced costs.)
Trust me when I say that this will be a gift well appreciated and well remembered. In fact, I’d be surprised if your lucky recipient didn’t thank you throughout the year, and offer to take you to dinner or buy you drinks frequently for saving him or her from one of the biggest headaches of travel.
Clear Gift Cards- including a Virtual Gift Card via email- are available at www.FlyClear.com
