My husband and I are taking our 2nd trip together to Europe this April. After deciding we would just give small gifts and save for the trip... he changed the rules. Now we are going to give one another "travel" gifts... so, what are your recommendations? We don't need electric adapters, know about ziplock bags...any ideas?

I LOVE my Eagle Creek Pack-it folders. I'm short, so the small 15" is my favorite. I can put at least 2 prs. of long pants, 4-5 shirts, and a couple of tees and it makes a nice little packet and I find my clothes don't wrinkle.<BR><BR>I have given them to all my friends and they love them, too. They cost about $20 for the small, I think.

He can give you a pashmina shawl. You can use it instead of the yucky blanket the airlines uses, they can be folded into a tiny square and put away if you don't use it, they can be used with a coat if really cold or instead of a coat if it is mild..everyone in Europe wears them or a variation of them. He could buy you a good purse just right for wearing across your chest with enough pockets to put glasses,maps,pills,kleenex,and all those things you must carry when traveling.Gloves,it is still chilly in some European cities in April.You can give him, really soft socks,gloves,a scarf, both of you might like the little travel pillows for planes and lumpy hotel beds. How about a digital camera so you can record every day of your trip? I could go on, but I guess I will try not to wear out my welcomeC

YES YES YES ,cdf..my pashmina is the best travel accesory I have ever had!Use it on plane, instead of those nasty hotel blankets, if it's colder or warmer than I expected! I love that thing!!!

Do you have your money belts yet? Those are a necessity... A lead-lined pouch for the undeveloped film you carry?...One of those braided stretch lines that you hang your laundered socks and undies on to dry?...A little travel journal to jot down your thoughts, feelings, notes about things you have seen?...

The best travel accessory after a pashmina is a pair or cashmere socks for the plane ride and drafty hotel rooms.

For a samll gift, plastic zip lock travel bags for packing. You can use the regular kitchen ones for light items like women's lingerie, but for heavier items like jackets , coats and men's undrwear the one made specifically for travel are much stronger. You'll be amazed how much space they save

Danna,<BR><BR>How about a dinner at an outlandish restaurant in Europe that you might not otherwise do? Or theater tickets with excellent seats? How about splurging on an expensive hotel for a night or two? Would make great memories...<BR><BR>Happy travels...

Wow--pashminas at Costco? Anybody know a price? I couldn't think of traveling without mine! How about a hooded raincoat that packs up into its own shoulder purse? You can use this instead of the yucky airline pillow.

Your husband would appreciate a travel pack of wet wipes for good hygeine in those countries that offer only the bidet--or less!

<BR>Thanks! Keep 'em coming! Many thanks! I'm printing off all the ideas. I know this should help alot of folks!

OOOOh, nothing like cashmere socks on a raw cold day! I got my husband cashmere socks and flannel boxer shorts one year, he said it was his warmest, coziest winter and I have my pashmina .those cute hats that Burberry sells for rain, I also like the idea of a night in a good restaurant, something memorable..

What a great post! Another handy item is a travel alarm clock that also has the temperature. I love the pashmina and cashmere socks idea!!<BR><BR>Sue

I like the idea of splurge meals or hotels at your destination.<BR><BR>Do you have all the travel guides you want/need? How about a Marling Menumaster, or a picture book (the kind the stays on your coffee table) of your destination, or historical books or novels set at your destination. I have a page-a-day calendar of Italy that I love.<BR><BR>Items for picnic lunches - a kitchen towel to put food on, plastic bags for food, Swiss army knife for opening wine and cutting cheese, some plastic cups (or buy those on your vacation).

Saw the pashminas in Costco in NJ on Saturday-- they were 59.99. Appeared to be relatively nice.

Silk pillowcase to cover the plane pillow (don't forget to take it when you deboard); a very comfy sleep mask; itty bitty booklight (I have a halogen one that is also a flashlight); a totebag that rolls/folds up into its own pouch (excellent for shopping expeditions); lightweight travel umbrella (Totes makes one that weighs almost nothing); medium weight solid wool sweater (pullover for him, for her either a pullover or a cardigan - the kind that buttons up to the neck); lavender candle, sachet or mist (lavender is supposed to induce sleep; all I know is that anyone of those things will get rid of hotelitosis); a really nice travel journal, like bound in leather.

A really good leather passport and airline ticket portfolio. I'm not talking about a billfold wallet here. Rather one that is oversize and holds the travel essentials with room for your boarding pass, confirmation letters, a pen holder and a MESH see through pocket for your passport so that when you open the wallet you're not frantically searching for your passport. I've used one for years and I always love it everytime I pull it out at the airline counter. They're so practical.<BR><BR>After the wallet and the cashmere socks comes the Mini Filofax. Stocked with a weekly calendar to fill in those flight times and confirmation numbers, an address section (for all the postcards home), a mini fold-out map of the world with time zones, and a calculator for converting those restaurant meals.

I just discovered a pair of reading glasses this weekend (at Steinmart) that are super skinny - less than 1" from top to bottom. They slide into their own carrying case, which looks like a long lipstick tube. Love 'em! Takes up no space whatsoever.

Someone else mentioned the itty bitty book light. I just bought one for my husband as a Christmas gift. We are budget travellers usually and like to read at night. Sometimes lighting is poor at the hotels - one person gets a light while the other doesn't, that kind of thing. <BR><BR>For his birthday in September, I got him a set of tiny little travel speakers at the Sony store. He's a gadget guy and already has the little CD machine (to download and play music - I don't know what it's called). The speakers fold up into a small square, so now we can both listen to the music he's recorded. They were about $75 CDN, I think.

What about the personal hygiene product organizer sold by LL Bean. They come in several sizes and can hang from a hook, shower rod or clothes rod. They are perfect for keeping toiletries together. I keep mine packed with travel size items all the time. It makes overnight trips a breeze. They are also godsends for the extremely small bathroom one encounters and the places you will only be spending one night in.