Our family is planning to travel to Italy (Rome, Florence and Venice) and Paris in May/June 2016. I'm trying to think of some good themed Christmas Presents that would be useful on the trip. Maps and Guidebooks or other books are obvious (but specific options?) .. maybe language learning.. and what about other generally useful travel items or anything that would be particularly good for Italy or France? We are in early 60's but our daughter is 22. Any and all ideas welcome and appreciated.
Posted by
420 posts
DK Eyewitness travel guide - nice gift because it has nice pictures, but use Rick Steves books for actual information
iPod touch or iPod nano
Kindle
Pacsafe bag cross body bag
Rick Steves Civita tote
Digital camera
20-21 inch carry on
Polar water bottle
LL Bean personal organizer toiletry bag (medium)
Posted by
franktown, colorado
2252 posts
Packing cubes.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
This isn't about saving money (although it does) but being able to have a picnic with local foods in a memory fixing location. For sure a picnic kit. Cheap felt backed table cloth (Cut down by half), Knifes/forks/spoons + one extra for serving of heavy duty plastic (like for camping - got ours at REI). 4 sturdy plastic plates (one for serving), plastic tumblers (wine tastes just as good in them, well, ok, not as good but still good). Ziplock bags (varying sizes) and two or three plastic containers (for leftover cheese, olives etc.) My sister and I had antipasti and wine every late afternoon in Rome, Florence and Venice in our hotel room (be TIDY!!!). Rested our tootsies, showered and went out for dinner. Great way to try new foods pretty much risk free. Do wrap this stuff up in Christmas paper of course! Both my sons (now in their mid 30's) still talk of a picnic we had in Paris 20 years ago.
Posted by
3430 posts
How about some Euros? Then you can anticipate spending them on your trip!
Posted by
Orange Park, Fl
985 posts
Something that I used daily was a coin purse. Most of my pants don't have pockets and I carried my bills down in the zippered part of my Travelon purse. Having a coin purse made it easier for me to use up little coins on later purchases.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Copy of Europe Through Back Door, if you don't already have it.
Agree about packing cubes -- love mine! And coin purses.
Regarding suitcases -- before you buy, read up on the many choices (rolling/ backpack/ duffle/ size /weight ) and see what each person would prefer.
Happy shopping! !
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9200 posts
Money Belts. Then you don't need an expensive, heavy, over the top security, Pac-Safe bag.
DVD movies that feature those cities.
Posted by
Ohio
2154 posts
Hi K,
How about a toiletry kit - https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/classic-toiletry-kit, or plug adapters https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/european-power-adapter? Hope you have a great trip!
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2690 posts
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
What about small day bags for each person. We have used Baggallini's messenger bag for many trips. Hubby likes it in black and I use the beige one (would like a different color, but that's what he bought me.....lol). They are currently on sale. Here's a link
[http://www.baggallini.com/best-sellers/messenger-bagg/MES160-BG.html#start=9][1]
Currently on sale for $38.46
They also have some nice backpack type bags and cross-body purse type bags if you'd prefer. They clean easily and have lasted many years!
We have also used Rick's original convertible bags (more than 40 trips over 25+ years). I know the bags have changed a bit, but the 'store' on this site is worth checking out, as they are currently putting LOTS of things on sale.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14649 posts
I like the laminated Streetwise maps for Paris and Venice. Florence, if you are staying near the city center, is doable with the map you can get at your hotel reception. They usually have a pad of maps they tear off for you and will mark the location of your hotel.
If your daughter has an iPad Mini, I suggest getting the RS guides (Paris and Italy) in the e-format as they are much easier to carry around. I did not like the guidebooks on the Kindle I used to have but since it died and I got the iPad Mini I ~really~ liked having the guide book with me on it. I like the pictures in the DK guides but they are way too heavy for me to carry on a trip and they are too nice to tear out sections. If you don't go with the e-guide, the RS guides are easy to tear out the sections for Florence and Venice to cut down on your weight.
For you (pardon me for assuming the Mom is writing!!) and your daughter, do either of you wear scarves? Take at least 1 as you will likely buy more there. It may be too early to know what your wardrobe colors will be, but if you do and can find a scarf that ties in the colors that would be a terrific gift!
I also really, really got use out of the Eddie Bauer Travex wallet during my last trip. I wore it on the plane and had my passport in it as I did not want to move it to my moneybelt until after I passed thru Passport control in my arrival city. After that I used it on many days as my purse as it would fit under my raincoat (was rainy when I traveled) and would hold my iPhone, day money, chapstick and kleenex. Not big enough for a map so only used it when I was in a familiar city and knew where I was going.
I also use one of these colorful cubes for my electronics chargers. I leave it on my bedside table and don't put it in my suitcase until all cords and adapters are accounted for.
BTW, have no connection to Eddie Bauer, I just have an outlet nearby and got great prices on these products. I think I wound up getting the wallet for $4.50. I have also seen the Travelon cubes at TJMaxx at good prices.
Do you have waterproof jackets? Not water repellent, waterproof. I've needed it in Italy in May! I usually travel with a Marmot Precip or this past fall with a longer length Eddie Bauer rain coat.
Second the idea of money belts for all!
Posted by
Andover, MA, USA
559 posts
Hi,
You've gotten some good suggestions so far!
This euro coin sorter is my new favorite accessory. I picked up a similar one in Brussels this summer from a different manufacturer.
(unfortunately, it looks like it can't be delivered by Christmas).
I would pick this over coin purse (I had also bought one of those in Brussels, before I found this). Since the coins are already sorted, it makes it super easy to pay for stuff quickly. Plus, sometimes if I have a stopover in an British airport, I also have pound coins in my wallet too. This way I don't mix them up.
Have fun on your trip. :)
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
What about finding specialty day tours that focus closely to an interest of your spouse or daughter? Something you might not otherwise do on the trip.
And as far as language instruction goes – I've been using Duolingo, which is free on the Internet, and I like it better than CD-based programs I've paid for. I particularly like that it remembers my mistakes and provides additional practice in those areas. And since it is on my smart phone, I can take it with me when I travel. I suggest looking at that before you buy a language program.