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We live in an exciting and wonderful world. No longer are we expected to raise our kids, then sit back on a rocker and wait to grow old. It is a new day. We work hard, invest well, and take full advantage of our lives. There are grand adventures awaiting us and we are answering the call.
More of us are taking advantage of our middle age years to travel and challenge the world. We want to see beyond the lights of a city or the peak of a mountain. We want to lay on sandy beaches that others miss. Sure, we may take a road trip through The Rockies, but you can bet, while we are there, we will visit lesser-known tourist sights and seek out more unusual travel experiences. This is our generation and we are claiming it.
Of course, we do our research. We get an idea of the area we want to see and we look past the offered group tours to facilities and bespoke tours that are ours by design. Traveling with that mindset means we have to be prepared. We take care of our body, and we invest in the best hiking gear so when the opportunity arises, we are ready. There are times when special deals just land at our feet. Those are the times we check on the baggage allowance and use that as our guide as to what we will need. We are always ready with the basics at hand.  We always have ways to do more with less.
When we embrace this “live for the moment” lifestyle, you often improvise. We know that there will be something we don’t have and usually, there is something that will suffice. But there are some travel gadgets that we love so much we always have them in our suitcase or backpack. Here are a few of our favorites.
A compact universal travel adapter is a lifesaver. It fits easily into your luggage and it allows you to charge your electronics no matter where you are. You can pick one up on Amazon for less than £10.00.
These are easy to carry and small when deflated. When you are hiking or traveling and need to rinse out a piece of wet clothing, just inflate a hanger. It holds the item open so it dries faster and you can hang it anywhere. This is one of the must-have travel gadgets, especially if you hike in wet areas.
Yes, you have a flashlight or you use the one on your phone. But what if you are hiking and find yourself on slippery rocks, or trying to climb up a steep walk? What if you need to hold on to something to keep your balance. A head torch is perfect. The lamp is on your forehead and the band keeps it secure. Your light is always illuminating what you are looking at. Ideal for many travel situations.
Free Travel Apps That You Will Really Use
Okay, so this is not a gadget, but it is used on your expensive gadget-friendly smartphone. For travelers going to foreign lands, download the Duolingo app. This app makes it easy to communicate if the conversation goes beyond, “coffee please”. It will also help you learn a language via a free picture id game. You must conquer a level before you advance. It is a great way to brush up on your second language and kill some time at the train station.
Trip Whistle SOS is an app that tells you the emergency numbers when you travel outside your own country. In the UK, 999 is the emergency number. But, there are more than 70 different numbers in 196 countries. You can feel safe knowing the right number to call no matter where you are.
Sunglasses with built-in video recorder
While you are out hiking in the wild or strolling along a beach and you want to capture the view that has opened in front of you, simply turn on your High-quality HD, video recording sunglasses. You capture the moment as you see it and you don’t have to carry a camera or your phone with you.
World’s Smallest Espresso Maker
Maybe the idea of hiking up the side of a snow-covered mountain doesn’t scare you. Maybe exploring a hidden cave behind a massive waterfall is child’s play to you. But, living without espresso will strike fear into your very soul! Minipresso is made by Wacaco. It is billed as the smallest and lightest hand-held espresso machine available. It features an automatic piston, so you can brew anywhere on the planet. You do not need compressed air or electricity and no cartridges. All you need is water and your favorite coffee beans.
There are a lot of travel gadgets out there designed to make your hike or holiday easier and safer. Just remember, what you carry – well, you have to carry! So keep your gear light and only take what you really need or really will use. Before long you will be a pro at living it up anywhere you lay your head.
Thanks to Wendy of  The Blog Frog for sharing her best gadgets. What’s your favourite travel gadget or app? Leave your suggestion in the Comment Box below. (Mine’s already there.)
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Zoe Dawes November 5, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Some very useful gadgets here; especially the portable espresso maker 🙂 My top travel gadget is a very powerful phone charger. I had a small one but it was useless so splashed out on a more expensive but much more effective one. It has TWO USB ports and TWO charging speeds. It even charges my laptop!
Jason Evans November 24, 2017 at 6:58 pm
Those video glasses look pretty cool, though don’t think I’d every use them. Prefer iPhone! My favourite travel gadget is good old fashioned Swiss Army Knife – can’t beat a practical too 😉
Zoe Dawes November 24, 2017 at 10:44 pm
Ah yes, that’s a good one Jason – and no need for batteries!
John Macbeath November 27, 2017 at 12:41 pm
Far too technical for me. I don’t like anything that needs a battery or electrical charging, apart from my phone. Sun hat, sunglasses (without video!), sun cream and a good book, MAYBE a compass and knife – that’s it 🙂
Zoe Dawes November 28, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Ah well, there’s a lot to be said for the simple things in life! Must admit the paraphernalia we have to take along on holiday just to keep these things going could fill another suitcase 😉
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Hi, I’m Zoë; welcome to my quirky world…
QUIRKY TRAVEL is about seeing the world from a different angle, looking at things from all sides, finding the unusual, the interesting, the fascinating. It’s about quality combined with classiness, it’s about being curious about everything and wanting to know more…
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