5 tried and tested travel accessories from my latest trip

On our latest family trip, we visited Sani Resort in Greece, just a short drive from Thessaloniki and one of only a handful of resorts in the area that remains open through to the end of October – perfect for those of us seeking a little winter sun in the October half term week! On that trip, we got to trial a range of items, details of which follow below:

Jasmine from Krimson Klover

My wife loves her new Jasmine garment from Colorado-based Krimson Klover. Made with 100% merino wool, not only was it a lovely fit and super-cosy for those cooler evenings that you experience in Greece in late October, but it also has a flattering drape neck providing some added warmth and comfort. She has it in aubergine, but you can also get it in oat, grey, charcoal and black.

Logitech Ultrathin keyboard

When it comes to doing some work on the move, the iPad takes some beating as far as portability is concerned. However, where it scores on portability, it perhaps lacks a little in usability as anyone who has tried to type anything extensive will know. This is where the Logitech Ultrathin keyboard comes in – it’s slim and adds a little protection to your screen when in the closed position, but more importantly it’s super-easy to link your iPad to it (via Bluetooth) and – hey presto – you then have a proper keyboard to type on, and any lengthy typing tasks suddenly become that much easier.

3D Collection tote bag from Justine Red

Justine Red is a young brand that crafts bags and matching accessories with innovative, quality materials and this bag from their 3D Collection is no exception. Made from an exclusive, resistant rubber fabric with a 3D geometric pattern, this tote bag is a signature piece that really captures the light and was just perfect for the beach, yet is versatile enough to be used at work or when on the move. It comes with a soft caramel nappa leather handle to give it a stylish look and, like all Justine Red bags, is Made in France, reflecting the spirit of a true Parisian lifestyle.

Slinks

One of the drawbacks of airline luggage restrictions – particularly for the ladies – is that you can only take so many pairs of shoes with you. Well, that’s all changed with Slinks who design and make beautiful footwear that is just perfect for travel because you can switch the tops and bases to make an almost endless number of combinations. With just two bases such as a flat shoe and a wedge, and, say, four different toppers – all of which would take up very little space in your luggage – you suddenly have, in effect, 8 different pairs of footwear. Not only that, but these are beautifully crafted and perfect for a luxury warm weather break. Make sure you look at their website to see the full range.

Luggage from Kipling

Our children outgrew their beloved Trunki cases some years ago and new luggage for them has been long overdue.  Now they just love their Kipling bags! They each have the Teagans small-wheeled duffle – one in tango red and one in mineral blue so there is no mistaking whose is whose. Small enough to take as cabin luggage but big enough to get a reasonable amount in, they are a lovely size, and great quality with easy-to-access pockets, soft-grip handles and easy-rolling wheels. And what’s more, they even come with a fun Kipling monkey… what more could you ask? The perfect item for chilren who are ready for the responsibility of carrying their own luggage.