This year, give gear
Looking for a holiday gift for someone who loves to travel?
Here are some recommendations from experts across the travel industry, from cruise specialists and Web site editors, to Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler and Delta flight attendant David Lang. (Retail prices may vary.)
For the trip
“Bose noise-canceling headphones ($300-$350); a pure pashmina shawl ($75-$100); a 55-hour iPod Battery Extender ($80); Peace of Mind On-the-spot relief (lotion) from Origins ($10). (Recommended by Amy Ziff, editor-at-large for Travelocity.)
“A handheld travel scale for weighing luggage ($10). (Recommended by Mark and Mimi Comfort, who run the Cruise Holidays booking agency in Kansas City, Mo.)
“External power for computer notebooks ($65-$600); a 3M Privacy Filter for LCDs ($50-$150). (Recommended by James Samans, author of “Spontaneous Tourism: The Busy Person’s Guide to Travel.”)
For flights
“A $25 Delta Crown Room Club one-visit pass for long layovers or delays. (Recommended by David Lang, a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines.)
“An airline gift card; drink coupons ($4 to $5 per drink; minimum purchase required). (Recommended by Jeff Miller, travel industry consultant/lawyer.)
“Leather ID holders with room for identification, business cards and credit cards ($10); ear buds for iPods and MP3 players ($10-$500). (Recommended by Amy Myers, associate vice president of marketing, Things Remembered.)
For cruises
“High-magnitude binoculars ($500); water-repellent luggage ($25-$300); arrange for a cruise line to decorate your gift recipients’ cabin or serve a bottle of wine at dinner. (Recommended by Jeffrey Krudop, manager of Vacation Travel for Carlson Wagonlit in Fort Wayne, Ind.)
For when you get there
“A portable GPS ($250-$1,000); an Oregon Scientific clock (which runs either on batteries or electric power and includes clock, radio and barometer, $10-$50). (Recommended by Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet.)
“Scented room spray (nonsmoking hotel rooms in Europe may not be as smoke-free as nonsmoking rooms in the U.S.); a white noise machine ($50-$100); a phone charger (universal models, $15); a magnum flashlight ($25). (Recommended by David Lang.)
“Portable iPod docking and battery ($80); wireless mouse ($20-$150); ultra-thin laptop ($500 to $2,500). (Recommended by Amy Ziff.)
For children
“For older kids, a travel journal and digital camera (you can find digital cameras for under $100). (Recommended by Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, editor-in-chief, WeJustGotBack.com, a family travel Web site.)
“Books about the destination ($10-$25); sketchbooks with colored pencils; small stuffed animals, just for the trip. (Recommended by Carol Weston, author of the Melanie Martin travel diary series.)
“A wall-sized map of the world with pushpins to mark the places the child has visited ($20-$100); a beginner’s origami booklet with paper ($5-$10). (Recommended by Carole Terwilliger Meyers, author of “Miles of Smiles: 101 Great Car Games & Activities.”)
For adventure travel
“A Polaroid instant camera, so you can offer snapshots as a way to connect with locals when you are traveling, $35. (Recommended by David Bromham, a guide in East Africa and India who has worked for Abercrombie & Kent.)
“A handheld water purifier ($130); Panasonic ultra-thin travel shaver ($59.99). (Recommended by James Samans.)
“An international cell phone ($169-$279 on cellularabroad.com, includes roaming); telescoping walking stick or trekking poles ($10-$150). (Recommended by Carol Keskitalo, co-owner of Breakaway Adventures.)