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Travel in Style
Oh, how we yearn for the age of stylish travel. The fact that most of us never experienced it is beside the by. We've all seen the pictures of Elle Macpherson and Liz Hurley emerging from transatlantic flights looking amazing, knowing that we have emerged looking like we've walked the whole way, in the rain. So, we can't promise these will transform you into Liz H, but they might make the whole experience slightly more enjoyable.
Stylish Carry Ons and Luggage - from overnight to overland
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Start a weekend away in style with this gorgeous yet stylishly practical weekender in soft grain leather. The zip top means you can get to everything easily, and it's beautifully lined in red grosgrain, so stylish inside and out. The handles are padded, so they won't cut into your hands if someone else hasn't offered to carry it. And its vital statistics will pass most airlines cabin baggage dimensions so you can just pack this for a glamorous city break and not wait it out at the luggage carousel at the other end. Perfect!
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Perhaps you've had it with lugging bags, and prefer to swish through the airport with your case rolling along behind you? You need Cellini, who were apparently the originators of lightweight luggage. And that could be so, as their bags seem to have everything. The C8 Medium Carry On is small enough to go in the overhead locker, yet has a tardis-like capacity for getting everything in. With separate areas for shoes and toiletries, you should be on your way in no time at all.
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I always longed to be the sort of woman who was organised enough to pack a vanity case and, perhaps, if I'd had one as perfect as this one from Lulu Guinness then I might have been! Plenty of elastic pockets inside for stowing everything you're likely to need, and a removable mirror for those quick checks that you haven't got spinach in your teeth. Not that I can imagine women who have this much style ever get spinach in their teeth. Not very practical for flying anywhere, but perfect for grown-up weekends away somewhere delightful!
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If you wanted to find the most luxurious luggage, then I would head over to Pickett, for the most beautiful leather luggage. The D Bag has it all for me: style, elegance, enough room for plenty of outfits and butter soft leather. Of course it's not cheap, but it should last you for ever and even get better looking with age and fabulous travels. Although I probably wouldn't let Ryan Air near it. It would make a fabulous, special gift for any woman, particularly with a couple of tickets tucked inside it to somewhere amazing.
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Getting organised - the extras that make it easier
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Okay, you might think that a snazzy passport cover can't make life easier. Well, have you ever tried searching for your passport in a dark handbag in a hurry? So, give it a bit more standout, like with this amazing vivid blue cover from Tabitha. In soft leather with a butterfly print lining, it will give your travels a touch of glamour and style from the word go. Don't forget to take your passport out its cover before you get to passport control, it'll make the inspectors so much happier.
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Maybe you'd prefer everything in one place? Well, this travel wallet from Lola gives you the perfect spot to keep your passport, tickets, important phone numbers etc all together, and looking sleek and stylish. The raspberry leather has the benefit of being instantly spottable in your handbag (unless everything else inside is raspberry red, in which case this is possibly not for you). It should have you speeding through check ins and passport control to get your holiday underway.
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We love the idea of Packits - fourteen savvy, reusable packing checklists for different occasions from weekends away, hot holidays to skiing, even one for festivals and camping. Much easier to tick it off than think about it each time, and never again get there and realise you've forgotten something really vital. These act as great reminders, and there's a set available for the men too. The lists are laminated so you can use them again and again. No more scrappy lists!
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If you've not gone for the option of getting everything in the overhead locker, then you need your case to stand out at the carousel. And preferably not for being the one that's sprung open to show off your lingerie collection to the world. Go for high vis with these distinctive luggage straps, which come in a wide variety of colours. Which is a good thing, otherwise the bags will still all look the same!
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Beauty on board - or how not to emerge looking like the beast
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You can arrive looking dog rough or beauty buff with a little advance prep. In these times of luggage restrictions though you need to pare down your beauty products and so give the gift of minis to ensure a beautiful trip. We love Liz Earle skincare, whether we're on the ground or in the air, and this starter kit has everything you need in flight friendly proportions to give your skin the best chance of arriving in great condition. The Cleanse & Polish hot cloth routine is a joy on flights, makes you feel better even in economy!
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The eye area in particular can show the rigours of travel, not to mention lack of sleep caused by the man snoring three rows in front. We recommend a great eye gel, to lather on during the flight, and to top up about 15 minutes before coming into land, so you arrive looking refreshed and bright eyed. They don't call it the red eye flight for nothing! We like the Recovery Gel from Elemis, which is gentle and cooling, not to mention like a long drink for parched skin.
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Don't forget your hair, which deserves an extra treat too. We were a bit sceptical about a night cream for your hair, but having woken up to less parched looking, silky tresses, we're sold on the Umberto Giannini Overnight Moisture Balm. You'll have to decant it to take it on the plane, but it'll be worth it. It's like a concentrated repair treatment in a tube, so take the tube in your case as sun-parched hair will also thank you for running this through your hair.
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There's no point arriving looking gorgeous if you smell like an old skunk. Travel toothbrush and paste? Check. Breath mints? Check. Fragrance? Well, if you've not succumbed at duty free, or don't want to risk something that will spill, then solid fragrance is ideal. You could summon up exotic holidays with Shanghaijava in Ginger and Coconut, or we love Carthusia's Aria Di Capri, for its floral notes like a warm, gentle breeze blowing over the island.
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Bring your own comfort, or how to make even Travel Lodge feel like the Ritz
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Airplane blankets. Hmm, full of static, very synthetic and been around the world more times than Richard Branson. Bring your own version with a cashmere shawl, which is light, warm, beautiful and doubles up as a wrap against tropical evening chills once you arrive. If you really want to surprise the love of your life with an amazing gift for your travels, then Pure's Travel Set includes the shawl, an eye mask, socks, and pillow case, all in cashmere, along with a little pillow. Pure perfection.
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Not so sure about where you're staying? Well no need to suffer dodgy bed linen when you can very easily transport your own bit of luxury. This silk sleeping bag liner fold ups to practically nothing, and you can slip it into the bed where you're staying and know what you're sleeping on! If you're somewhere really tropical, then this will be more than warm on its own. You could also add in your own compact pillow as well.
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Fragrance can transform grotty places into at least better smelling places, but also they might look slightly better by candlelight! We love these organic candles from Natural Magic, which look lovely but could also help your mood too, thanks to different natural aromatherapy blends. There's one each to help you relax, feel revitalised, destress and one to inspire you. Sounds blissful. We also like Knackered Cow Relaxing Candles from Cowshed, which should see you off into a gentle sleep. Just don't forget to blow them out first!
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For those who have not taken the pledge, then a glass of champagne adds glamour to wherever you are. For travelling, these mini bottles of Piper Heidseick are perfect. The set has four mini bottles, and you can choose either to decant them into whatever glasses are in your room, or feel extra decadent and sip them through the straws provided. If you really want to push the boat out, then order the Veuve Cliquot Traveller, although it will take up a lot more room in your luggage. Probably best for drive yourself type trips.
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Special people, places and remembering them
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If you're off on a special trip, then you might want to write your own travel journal, to record the things you see and experience, the great places you discover like the little bistro, the amazing jewellers, the secret little beach...So for memories this special, how about a travel journal from Smythson? These are beautifully made but very lightweight, and incredibly beautiful. No less beautiful, but slightly more affordable, we also adore the notebooks from Bombus, which they will cover in maps of the place, country or continent of your choice.
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If I'm travelling without the family, then I'm never without some photos of them, and so something like this travel frame would be great. Perfect for doting mums or adoring wives, this frame from Pia Jewellery keeps your photos safe as well as displaying them beautifully once you get there. Of course, if you're looking for a more high-tec version, then you should get a digital photo viewer key ring, which will hold up to 60 different photos.
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In this age of instant access to info, you might think the travel guidebook is dead. Well, possibly, but we still like the evenings spent thumbing through a book and dreaming of the trip ahead. For something special, that would make a great treat to yourself, or a beautiful gift, we would choose one of the titles from Little Cream Book. Choose from Romance, Goodwill, Cool Destinations or even Golf, for the inside information gathered by people in the know. Not only do they have great insight into some amazing places, they look pretty special too!
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Music can bring back memories, or provide the soundtrack to new ones, and the advent of the iPod has made travelling with your own music so much easier. If you want to share the music, then we like these waterproof iPod speakers, which are compact enough for travelling, and robust enough to cope with pretty much most conditions. Before you go, you might want to try downloading some music that's appropriate to where you're off too, or even a travel guide and walking tour. Although probably best not to try the walking tours with the speakers in tow!
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Need some more ideas on where to head off to? Check out our perfect retreats and weekend ideas. For all the accessories that could possibly be needed, our guide is just a click away, not to mention the best gifts of beauty you can find!
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