IT’S IN THE BAG

As photo journalists, my husband and I have to cart quite a bit of gear to “get the picture,” and we learned over the years we could only survive by limiting our luggage to one backpack and one carry on each. I’m always on the search for the perfect bag to hold my clothing and travel items, sometimes for up to a month of travel, but always have had to sacrifice style for practicality.

I always loved the look and durability of hard cases, but since there are significant weight restrictions on international flights, I was forced to avoid them—until I discovered Samsonite’s Voltage DLX 20” spinner. This stylish bag weighs in at a mere 6 pounds and offers a slew of features, such as its ease of maneuverability through airports and especially along the narrow aisle of a plane. The roomy interior features a large mesh bag perfect for socks and underwear, as well as a waterproof compartment that prevents toiletry leaks from ruining your clothes (which has happened to me more than once).

An added feature I appreciate (and never had in my older bags) is a USB port integrated into the TSA-approved lock panel. I know this feature will come in handy on those occasions when there are no available charging stations in an airport, which happens more often than one would think. And did I mention that this chic bag also has a cool zippered expander, always a welcome feature when you need to squeeze in a few more items for good measure?

Practicality, durability and good looks to boot—I have a feeling the Voltage will become my best friend as we traipse through the world’s travel destinations in 2020.

VIVA LA FRANCE

While this isn’t a travel item per se, since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, I wanted to share the tradition my husband and I have lived by for years to celebrate that special day of love. Since we both pride ourselves on being gourmet cooks, we enjoy splurging on lobster, filet mignon, or any number of other specialty ingredients for a special occasion. So for Valentine’s Day, we whip up a feast at home to be enjoyed on our dining table, in the glow of our fireplace.

Of course, such a fine meal deserves a fine wine, and our absolute favorite is Moulin de Duhart from one of the most esteemed wineries in the world, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Some day we personally hope to visit the lush vineyards in Southwestern France where our favorite wine is produced (the Lafite vineyards date back to 1234!) but until then, we will savor this exquisite vintage by raising a glass to health and another year of love and happiness!

Viva l’amour.

SHIRT “TALES”

Cruising through Southern Europe in November requires careful packing, which is why I was delighted to add Unbound’s long sleeve merino crew shirt to my husband’s carry on as we sailed the Mediterranean on a recent Viking ocean cruise. This classic shirt served so many purposes during our voyage, both on and off board ship. It provided a welcome warm layer on cold, rainy days, was elegant enough to wear under a jacket at dinner, and even felt comfortable on days when the temps reached the 80s (due to its built in temperature control). It is moisture wicking, odor resistant (only needed to hand wash it a few times on our two-week trip) and doesn’t wrinkle. Despite its many attributes, this shirt is so light it packs beautifully in a small bag, taking up little space and weight -- an important consideration when you travel carry-on only.

And while we are on the subject of indispensable travel items…

SOCK IT TO ME

My husband, probably like most men, never thought twice about the socks he threw into his bag prior to a trip. That changed when a thoughtful friend gave him a gift of Blacksocks, and now he swears by these luxurious, and infinitely comfortable, socks. Headquartered in Zurich, Blacksocks was founded in 1999 with the goal of providing superior quality socks (made in Italy) on an innovative subscription service, still available to this day for those of us who consistently lose a sock and need a replacement.

Two different sock styles took him through our cruise in infinite comfort. He loved the “invisible” sneaker socks made of quality Merino wool, which kept his feet warm during cool days and cool when the temps were higher. For dinners and more formal occasions, he waxed poetic over the comfort provided by his cashmere silk socks, which he pronounced were “pure luxury” on his feet.

THE “EYES” HAVE IT

While I normally don’t write about beauty creams, as the selection out there is mind-boggling, I did have a chance to test out EyeMATRIX by Biotulin recently (which I so needed this fall, as the stress of constant travel coupled with sleepless hours in planes definitely took its toll on my skin). This company, based in Germany, claims that Biotulin is a botanical alternative to Botox and reduces dark circles and bags under the eyes.

I meticulous applied the cream each night during my long travels, and I am convinced that it did its job well. Endorsed by such notables as Jennifer Lopez, Kate Middleton, and Michele Obama, to name a few, I was happy to find an effective eye cream made purely from plants (sative seed oil and other natural ingredients).

Disclaimer: Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and will not receive any future compensation based on sales arising from my recommendations. My goal is to share my favorite travel tips with my followers, in an effort to improve the travel experience for us all.