/ Source: The Associated Press
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
- Recommended by Amy Ziff, Editor-At-Large for Travelocity: 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 Mark and Mimi Comfort, who run the Cruise Holidays booking agency in Kansas City, Mo.: a handheld travel scale for weighing luggage ($10).
- Recommended by James Samans, author of "Spontaneous Tourism: The Busy Person's Guide to Travel": external power for computer notebooks ($65-$600), a 3M Privacy Filter for LCDs ($50-$150).
For flights
- Recommended by David Lang, a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines: a $25 Crown Room Club one-visit pass for long layovers or delays.
- Recommended by Jeff Miller, travel industry consultant/lawyer: an airline gift card, drink coupons ($4 to $5 per drink; minimum purchase required.)
- Recommended by Amy Myers, associate vice president of marketing, Things Remembered: leather ID holders with room for identification, business cards and credit cards ($10), ear buds for iPods and MP3 players ($10-$500).
For cruises
- Recommended by Jeffrey Krudop, manager of Vacation Travel for Carlson Wagonlit in Fort Wayne, Ind.: 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.
For children
- Recommended by Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Editor-in-Chief, WeJustGotBack.com, a family travel Web site: for older kids, a travel journal and digital camera. (Target has digital cameras for under $100).
- Recommended by Carol Weston, author of the Melanie Martin travel diary series: books about the destination ($10-$25), sketchbooks with colored pencils, small stuffed animals, just for the trip.
- Recommended by Carole Terwilliger Meyers, author of "Miles of Smiles: 101 Great Car Games & Activities," 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).
For when you get there
- Recommended by Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet: 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 David Lang, a flight attendant for Delta Airlines: scented room spray (Lang notes that nonsmoking hotel rooms in Europe may not be as smokefree 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 Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large for Travelocity: portable iPod docking and battery ($80), wireless mouse ($20-$150), ultra thin laptop ($500 to $2,500).
For adventure travel
- Recommended by David Bromham, a guide in East Africa and India who has worked for Abercrombie & Kent: a Polaroid instant camera, so that you can offer snapshots as a way to connect with locals when you are traveling, $35).
- Recommended by James Samans, author of "Spontaneous Tourism: The Busy Person's Guide to Travel": a handheld water purifier ($130), Panasonic ultra-thin travel shaver ($59.99).
- Recommended by Carol Keskitalo, co-owner of Breakaway Adventures: an international cell phone ($169-$279 on cellularabroad.com, includes roaming), telescoping walking stick or trekking poles ($10-$150).