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5 tried and tested travel accessories from my latest trip

For those who haven’t seen my ‘tried and tested’ posts on A Luxury Travel Blog before, this is an ongoing series where I give a brief overview of products I have trialled on my travels. On my trip to the ILTM international luxury travel conference in Shanghai this year, I road-tested a few new products, details of which can be found below. Travel wallet from TUMI TUMI is world renowned for its quality luggage but also boasts other items in its range such as toiletry bags, passport cases and travel wallets. This large Ticon zip-around leather travel wallet (measuring 10.25 cm x 20.5 cm x 4.25 cm) is the perfect solution for carrying passports, money and other essentials. For the security conscious, features include Tumi ID Lock™ – a proprietary technology designed to protect personal data encoded on most IDs, credit cards and passports. Any pocket lined with the signature red TICON-patterned lining offers this advanced technology. The ideal travel companion, the wallet comes with no less than five interior compartments, an ID Lock zip pocket, open pockets and 16 card slots. TUMI Ticon travel wallet Bag and tripod from Manfrotto Finding a bag that’s not too big but carries my essential photography kit (camera body and lens, spare lens and battery, filters, data cards and one or two other bits and pieces) is not so easy but I found the medium-sized Advanced Tri Backpack from Manfrotto to be just right for my needs. It comfortably fits with standard carry-on luggage requirements (though cheque the specific details with your particular airline), meaning that you don’t have to be put any of your treasured equipment in the hold and risk it being mis-handled or – worse still – lost.  A lot of thought has clearly been put into this bag – you can easily swing it around from a backpack position to access the items you need, without having to take it off your back. Manfrotto tripod and bag There are straps so that you can externally carry a compact tripod. Again, finding a tripod that’s rigid enough (avoid the many cheaper makes – they invariably don’t give the same rigidity which is essential for long exposure photography) yet still portable can be a challenge, but Manfrotto’s compact lightweight tripod for travel photography (MKBFRA4-BH) is the ideal companion for this bag and is not too weighty for someone who’s regularly on the move. It measures just 40 cm long once in the closed position so won’t take up too much space either. Bag from Toghal This really sturdy cotton tote bag from Toghal was great for carrying the various brochures and flyers I gathered from the ILTM conference that I attended. Strong and thick, it can take a substantial amount of weight without causing any apparent strain on the seams. You could equally use it for shopping at a market perhaps or, with its interpretation of Mbuti designs from the Congo, it wouldn’t look out of place in Africa either. The design has been screen printed so the bag can go in the washing machine at a low temperature. Toghal bag   Luxury candles from The Sitota Collection Like to have something to soothe and relax you when you get to your destination? Inspired by a love of travel The Sitota Collection has an excellent range of luxury candles. Go for the the Petit Excursion Candle Quartet – small and compact, these make the perfect travel companion and yet still have a burn time of 18+ hours.  It also gives you the opportunity to try them all out before buying one of the larger ones with a burn time of 55+ hours. Our recommendation: the Aigyptos scented candle with notes of amber, sandalwood, musk and vanilla, smoothed out and balanced by jasmine, lavender and orange. Infused with essential oils including copaiba, balsam, orange and lavandin. Sitota Collection SHAG shoe bag Got a stinky pair of trainers that you’d prefer to keep away from your main clothes?  Or perhaps you’d just like to carry a pair of flat shoes with you when you’re out in high heels if you know you’re going to have a long walk home afterwards? The slightly unfortunately named SHAG (that’s ‘shoe-bag’, in case you’re wondering) is the ideal solution, keeping your clothes and belongings neatly separated from whatever your shoes having been coming into contact all day. It comes with a convenient carry handle and is made from a water-resistant polyester so can be wiped clean easily if you’ve been traipsing through mud. SHAG

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.

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7 Comments

  1. Sitota candles smell heavenly! Tried to steal my husband’s but he wasn’t having it! Don’t know which variety it was, but loved it. Definitely brings a little luxury along for the trip.

  2. SITOTA collection=Heaven on earth! These candles are delish. I have the one pictured in the blog and can’t get enough of it. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

  3. I’d go for the Manfrotto bag and the candles! Scented candles relaxes me after a long day, it would be great after a long trek while soaked in a tub.

  4. I enjoy the Sitota Collection as well. Someone gave me the petit candles. And you’re right they travel well and make for great ambiance setter where ever you’re at. My favorite is Blue Nile.

  5. Since discovering the SHAG Shoe Bag, I literally can’t pack a bag without my “SHAGGING” my shoes first. They truly are a lifesaver and a must-have.

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