A Decade of the Best Travel Innovations: My Top 5 Picks

For Budget Travel's 10th-anniversary issue back in 2008, we polled our readers about their picks for the 10 Best Travel Innovations of the past decade (give or take). Surprisingly, the roller bag emerged as the winner.

As this decade wraps up, it only seems fitting for me to share my own Top 5 picks.

5. The roller bag -- it's hard to believe that the wheelie only became popular in the last decade or so. Companies like Samsonite, Eagle Creek, and Timbuk2 are constantly improving their lines: the latest lightweight options are easier to handle, and the Rollerblade-like wheels glide silently.

4. Google -- From Google Maps to Street View, you can suss out the neighborhood where your hotel or vacation rental is located before committing.

3. User-generated reviews -- TripAdvisor heralded an era where every opinion counts, if you don't mind wading through every gripe and every superlative: is it really the best? You be the judge, and then tell everyone about it.

2. Digital cameras -- I once only shot film; those days are over. Now you can pick up an entry-level digital SLR like the Nikon D3000 for about $600, which is the same that I paid for the Nikon Coolpix S4 point-and-shoot back in 2006.

1. Cell phones/smartphones -- Remember the days of buying prepaid calling cards, or being punctual? If you said you'd meet someone outside the Louvre at 2 p.m., you had to be there. Now you can call or text if you're running behind, which frees you up to embrace spontaneity just a little more: "I know we said the Louvre, but I just stumbled on the cutest cafe. Meet me here instead?" The iPhone alone has revolutionized the way we travel. As long as I can connect to GPS and Yelp reviews, I can show up in a new city with very little advance planning. And then I can tell everyone about my discoveries along the way.

Here's to another decade of innovation!

Photo: Nikon

More Self-Service Kiosks At Airports, Please

It's been a rough week for air travel. First, a blizzard blew through the East Coast and Midwest, canceling hundreds of flights. Now a thwarted terrorist attack aboard Detroit-bound Northwest Flight 253 on Christmas Day has renewed interest in (and criticism of) airport security.

In the past three weeks, I've been in and out of four airports. And not that I'm counting or anything, but that's two delayed flights, one canceled flight, and several phone calls to get rebooked. Not horrible, all things considered.

Maybe it's because I've spent too much time at JFK lately, but I'm now intrigued by self-service kiosks from companies like Best Buy and Sephora. I used to wonder who would be suckered into buying anything from those kiosks. But with increased security measures on the way, I know I'll be looking to leave more things at home, even if it means having to buy items after the checkpoint or at my final destination.

The Sephora kiosk, for example, sells this Philosophy travel-size set for $35, the same that you'd pay at a Sephora store or at Sephora.com.

I hope to see more affordable brands roll out similar self-service kiosks in airports. Better yet, I'd love to buy travel-size toothpaste and contact lens solution from an airport kiosk one day.



Photos: Amy Chen

Matching Luggage: Tacky or Classy?

Whenever I'm waiting at an airport, I play a game that I like to call Luggage Spotting. You see, I have an unhealthy obsession with luggage. I drool over wheelie bags the same way other girls collect designer handbags. Never mind that my Samsonite has survived more than 10 years of abuse—in the event it finally gives out, I want to be prepared with a replacement.

So I survey other people's luggage at airports, taking note of duffels, spinners, carry-ons, and totes that seem to be doing the trick. I also empathize with people who struggle with bags that always tip over. And I confess that I dream of having enough closet space to warrant one day investing in new pieces, preferably a matching set.

That dream (hey, don't knock my dream) screeched to a halt last weekend when I saw this guy at JFK with a set of matching Tumi luggage. A bit tacky, no? Not unlike perfume or jewelry, a little Tumi can go a long way...

Photo: Amy Chen

Up in the Air? Try on the Ground

If this is what holiday travel is going to look like, good luck to us all.

I've just returned from a quick weekend trip to San Francisco. It's been a while since I've experienced such a horrible breakdown in the system, but my return flight was, in a word, hellish. I spent four long hours at SFO before boarding the plane at 1:30 a.m. PST. The flight itself, thanks to strong tailwinds, was a miraculous 4.5-hour jaunt — so my cross-country trip basically took as long as the time I spent at the airport. Call me crazy, but that's just unacceptable.

While waiting for the plane to show up, I asked for–and was given—an upgrade to a seat with extra legroom (a $40 value). As the hours ticked by, I repeatedly asked the gate agent what other compensation could be given. The airline employees were firm in saying that due to weather delays, it was out of JetBlue's control. By this time, it was after midnight. I asked for water and restaurant vouchers. An employee fetched a case of bottled water, but said that all the airport restaurants were closed so any vouchers they could offer wouldn't help. I was then told that there was a ground delay at JFK so the incoming flight had sat on the tarmac for two hours. Somehow that information didn't comfort me much. If the weather on the East Coast was truly that atrocious, I wonder why JetBlue's flight to Boston took off on time. Note: I've contacted JetBlue, the FAA, and JFK airport to double-check that there was in fact a ground delay at JFK airport. No one has confirmed that yet.

I think my breaking point came when the JetBlue gate agent told me that she has worked for the airline for 5 years. "If you're flying to New York in the winter, you should expect delays," she said. Maybe she was trying to commiserate but somehow that response seems inadequate, especially since it hasn't even snowed yet. Does that mean that airlines should only operate seasonal service in the summer?

As for my next trip, I think I might pack an old bed sheet or something so at least I'll have something clean to spread on the floor as I join other stranded travelers on the ground.

Photo: Amy Chen

The Best Airport Gift Shop

Of all the retail stores in all the airports, my hands-down favorite is Muji to Go, an outpost of the Japanese home goods store that displays minimalism at its best. Located in JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at JFK, the shop opened last fall and is packed with affordable last-minute gift ideas.

If you can’t leave New York without some Big Apple paraphernalia, the store carries black-and-white cloth handkerchiefs imprinted with a city map ($8.50).

You’ll also spot simple but cute travel clocks and foldable cardboard speakers, as well as the usual travel accessories (socks, neck pillows) to help make the trip home a little bit more bearable. Yes, you could load up at other airport gift shops, but for the most part, you’ll walk away from this store with something you can use long after the vacation stupor wears off.

I’m hooked on the stationery and office supplies—other than the rainbow of gel-ink pens, I keep buying the recycled-paper notebooks ($3.50). I find that the blank pages are just right for taping in ticket stubs and other travel mementos.

Photo: Amy Chen

Aboard the World's Largest Cruise Ship: Oasis of the Seas

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Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has finally set sail on its maiden voyage.

The seven-night Royal Caribbean cruise left Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 5 and stops in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau, Bahamas before heading back to Florida.

With seven distinct neighborhoods, including the Boardwalk and Central Park, the ship actually feels more intimate than it is. Still, with up to 6,296 passengers on board, it's like a small town.

December sailings still have availability; inside cabins start at $1,529. In 2010, cabins start at $1,100. oasisoftheseas.com.

Photos: Amy Chen

Travel Gift Guide: Map on a Necklace

Keep your vacation memories close with this handmade sterling silver pendant (etsy.com, $42). The Florida-based designer can customize the map to frame the destination of your choice. She also recycles vintage maps to make cufflinks, earrings, rings, and coasters. Order by Dec. 10 for Christmas delivery; add $5 for engraving.

To find other travel-related gift ideas, just search for "travel" on Etsy.com, the eBay for handmade crafts.

Photo: etsy.com

Best Travel Gift for Kids

If you're looking for a gift that's a bit more low-tech, I'm all about these building blocks from Muji. I first discovered this clothing-and-housewares chain when I lived in London six years ago, and was thrilled when it expanded to New York last year.

Befitting its cosmopolitan name, the City in a Bag ($14) is a set of wooden blocks that each represent the skylines of London, Paris, New York, and Tokyo. After all, no one is ever too young to start learning about the London Eye, Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, or Tokyo Tower.

Photo: Muji

The Ultimate Travel Gift Guide

Skip the frivolous presents this year and give something that's actually useful. For example, I handpicked this Lego digital camera (digiblue.com, $50) because the three-megapixel camera is sturdy enough even for the biggest kids. Who says practical gifts can’t be thoughtful and fun?

The 12 other products in this guide are sure to cover any traveler’s wish list, including your own.

See gift guide and slide show

Photo: Budget Travel (Levi Brown)

Winter Getaways

This morning, I went on ABC News Now to share some of this winter's best deals and destinations. How does Jamaica, Las Vegas, Colorado, India, or Tahiti sound to you? Each deal can be found at BudgetTravel.com, where you can also find the exclusive promo code for booking.

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Photo: abcnews.go.com/abcnewsnow/

What Not to Pack for the Holidays

The votes are in. Carry-on bags are still the way to go.

To get the most out of your carry-on, here are some basic reminders:

1. Don’t wrap Christmas presents. TSA officers reserve the right to snoop, even if it means tearing open your exquisitely wrapped gift. Besides, the wrapping paper and fancy bows will just get crushed while in transit. Sometimes I’ll pack gift bags and tissue paper in case the present needs to be ready when I land.

2. Skip the gourmet gift basket. The increasingly ridiculous list of prohibited items includes jams, jellies, maple syrup, salsa, sauces, oils and vinegars, etc... TSA advises that you check those items in your bag, ship them ahead, or just leave them at home. Poor Harry and David.

Even though I try to stay on top of the latest TSA rules, a checkpoint officer once stopped me, screened my bag again, and then searched it. Turns out a candle in my bag looked like a jar of jam. Happy Holidays indeed.

3. Oh, and just to round out the list of banned stuff, no snowglobes. If you're trying to avoid checking a bag, looks like you'll have to find another cheesy souvenir.

Holiday Travel: Navigating Airport Security

Getting through security is stressful. When it comes down to it, though, going through security is actually pretty simple -- so why does it always seem so chaotic?

I've developed a relatively straightforward routine that works, oh, about 90 percent of the time. I chalk the 10 percent failure rate up to overzealous TSA agents who are just doing their jobs.

1. Tuck your hat, gloves, and scarf into your carry-on bag.

2. Remove your heavy coat (no use struggling with it when it's your turn and there are dozens of people behind you who are just waiting for a reason to go ballistic).

3. Prep your shoes for quick removal: I prefer to unzip my boots ahead of time or at least loosen the laces.

4. Get out your ID and boarding pass. After the ID check, I immediately slide it into the back pocket of my jeans. (I've seen too many people leave their ID in a tray on the conveyor belt). When going through the metal detector, you have to show the boarding pass again so make sure you hang on to it -- don't leave the pass in the bin with the rest of your stuff. Admit it, you groan whenever someone forgets and has to backtrack.

5. Take out your Ziploc bag with toiletries (always 3 ounces or less, please!)

Whenever possible, seek out the black-diamond lane for expert travelers.

Once you're through security, put your driver's license back in your wallet. You won't need it again unless you order a rum and coke on the plane and get carded.

Holiday Travel: Should you check your bags?

CNN reports that this holiday season, air travelers may clog the overhead bins with more carry-on bags. If you've been on a plane recently, you already know that claiming the storage space above your seat is like something out of the Amazing Race.

It does seem that airports are now trying to enforce the airline limitations of one carry-on and one personal item. When I flew to San Francisco two weeks ago, I was stopped even before I could show my I.D. at the security checkpoint line. "Will that bag fit in the overhead bin?" an airport worker asked, suspiciously eyeing my bulging Eagle Creek backpack. Even after explaining that the outer removable pack was stuffed with magazines that I'd read and discard before boarding, I actually had to place my backpack into the luggage sizer to prove that it would in fact fit in the overhead bin (just like it has ever since I bought it a few years ago).

Unfortunately, the woman behind me wasn't so lucky -- she had a rolling suitcase, a purse, and a tote. "But they let me through at SFO," she wailed. The JFK airport worker stood firm and made the woman go back and check the extra bag (for a fee, of course).

So what should you do with your luggage when traveling during the holidays? Cast your vote here.

Photo: Eagle Creek via Buy.com

Indestructible Gear?

With all the travel gear out there, how can you believe the outrageous claims of durability? For the September 2009 issue, Budget Travel staffers took supposedly invincible gear (a drop-proof laptop bag, windproof umbrella, waterproof-pocket shorts, spill-proof mug) and pushed them to the max.

The Challenge: Can this Senz windproof umbrella ($50) live up to its name? The umbrella's sleek design promises to withstand winds of up to 40 mph.

The Test: I unfurled the umbrella on the Staten Island Ferry, at Top of the Rock, and in a moving Mini Cooper convertible. See the results here. Keep in mind that if you ever find yourself battling 40 mph gales, you should probably ditch the umbrella and go inside—a tropical storm has a minimum wind speed of 39 mph.

The World's Best New Affordable Hotels

Armed with a team of freelance writers, I scoured the globe for the best hotels that were a) less than two years old and b) had a sense of intimacy or personality. From San Francisco to South Africa, we whittled the list down to 31 properties, plus four hotel chains with style (no corporate clones here). Check out the winners at Best New Boutique Hotels under $150.
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