New Rough Guide Maps The people at Rough Guide color their maps so that they are easily legible under sodium street lights which is quite possibly my favorite map feature! With up dated maps for dozens of cities you can now wander the streets with surety day or night. Plus their weather-proof paper lets you use them with ease in sunshine or rain. Among the latest tiles are: Berlin, Brussels, Los Angeles, Cuba, and Dubai. $8.99-$9.99
Whitelines®, a series of journals from those innovative Swedes, has paper with a slight gray tint to it and lines that are white, not the traditional black. The overall affect is that the writing or drawings on this paper really stand out, plus, when photocopied or faxed, the lines disappear. It’s all very cool. Available in a variety of sizes with pages either lined or squared, spiral bound or not, all with a signature bright white cover. $3.00 - $14.00
Headaches from bustling cities, upset stomachs from new food adventures, blisters from day long walks; the sense of adventure that comes with travel lets us put up with all sorts of minor inconveniences. No longer must we suffer these annoying trivialities! Adventure Medical Kits have put together a Travel Medic First Aid Kit with everything the ailing gadabout may need, from band aids to safety pins, all in a reusable carbon neutral package. $10.95
As Hawaii is one of our - and our customer’s - favorite travel destinations, we are quite excited about a new series of maps on the islands. The Environmental maps of Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island have detailed road information, insets of the major cites and attractions, and recreational information. What makes these maps special however, is their atlas quality with maps of climate, geology, and archeology of the island. As edifying as they are functional these maps are great companions for your trip into paradise. $7.00
Eagle Creek has a new pack - the Twist 22″ One of the first things you notice about the Twist is the attractive color which will just pop out on an airport luggage carousel should you choose to check it. However this wheeled bag has more than style going for it. It is packed with a ton of smart features including a stowable full suspension back pack, all terrain (including cobblestones) wheels, compression straps, and the all important life time warranty. $240.00
Putumayo Presents African Reggae Though Reggae got its start in Kingston Jamaica, much of the genre, from the iconic accented upbeat to the instrumentation, has its roots deep in Africa. This Putumayo CD highlights the best of modern artists from the African continent singing upbeat Reggae themes of unity and love. $15.98
For those familiar with the city of light, and for those looking to escape from the first-timer cliches, Annabel Simms’ book, An Hour From Paris, is the perfect little guide. The approach is fresh: outlining off-the-beaten-path day trips from Paris which are accessible by the RER, the regional transit system. From Renaissance castles to the idyllic countryside, Impressionist palettes to boating excursions, there are many delightful discoveries in this great book. $23.95
Washingtonians love to ski. Although we’re spoiled with good spots, anyone with a love for the sport is eager to search out the next great slope. Footprint’s new guide, Skiing Europe is the perfect companion for downhill aficionados. This full color guide gives you all the information you need to choose the perfect slope, resort, and cafe to warm your hands. Good for all age levels and abilities, this is a straight shooting practical guide. $29.95
