Quick - Small pre-trip birthday present for Mom!
 

My mother and I are heading to Paris a week from Thursday. Her b-day is on Thanksgiving. Any thoughts on an inexpensive, practical travel related gift for our trip (I'll buy her something nice when we get there). I was thinking of a photo album to put our photos in when we get back. any other ideas (that I can buy tomorrow!). thanks

Hi, Sally,<BR><BR>A few thoughts:<BR><BR>1) a journal in which to record her trip notes (if she's into doing so)<BR><BR>2) a book (fiction or non-fiction) on the destination that she can read prior to or en route (&quot;From Paris to the Moon&quot; by Adam Gopnick or the Traveler's Tales collection of stories on Paris)<BR><BR>3) more practical: a money belt<BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR><BR>John H.

I gave my mom a travel bag (purse) before she went to London for the first time this year. It has all kinds of pockets and zippers for all the things one needs. She said it was perfect:)<BR>

I've seen advertised some new travel document holder things that look sort of useful. These are meant to hold mainly your boarding pass and ID handy in one pocket-size pouch, which usually seems to have a neck strap. This is just to keep things handy while lining up for the plane, etc, and are not meant to be security measures like a money belt. I think Samsonite makes a nice one. These are sometimes called document holders or something. Here is a web page of such stuff and has one by &quot;Travelon&quot;<BR>http://www.etravelergear.com/travcaspouc.html<BR><BR>I also like to travel with a very small portable radio transistor, with ear plugs, of course. These are pretty cheap nowadays, if you get just a portable radio (no tape player, etc), and smaller than a deck of cards. I enjoy listening to the radio when waiting in airports and it's also nice to listen to local radio sometimes in other countries. If you like classical music, you can almost always find a station for that, in any case. This wouldn't be necessary if someone were taking a portable tape player which always includes an AM/FM radio but many people are trying to travel lightly now and don't. YOu can't use it while in flight, of course, but it's one thing I don't leave home without.

A good map of Paris marked with where you'll be staying.<BR><BR>Also, someone on this site mentioned a website that sells silk scarves that are a map of Paris (or London) The site is http://mapscarves.com. Probably couldn't get it in time but thought it was a neat idea.

hi sally...this may sound a bit strange but what about a pedometer? it's cheap (usually under $20 and that comes with extra features like an FM radio, pulse meter, calorie counter(!)) and definitely practical since you can use it when you're back home too. And it's readily available at any electronic store or your local radio shack... <BR><BR>You'll surely be doing a lot of walking in paris...that way you'll feel better about eating that extra pastry in your favorite French bakery!<BR>

A good airplane novel. Something light with a good story that helps pass the time. Or a novel set in Paris. Preferably, a novel that is set in Paris and is a good airplane read!

Sally, depending on your Mom's health, and not particularly travel related, but I bought my Mom a cane right before we left. Came in very handy - she needed it!

thanks for all the ideas. other than paris to the moon (which I have already lent her) any ideas for a good, Paris setting airplane book. something light and fun. I know she has already read Le Divorce but something along those lines would be great.

Shanna, if my daughter bought me a cane before a trip to Paris I'd whack her over the head with it!

Still haven't found a present for mom and not much time left. I like the book idea but need to find a good engrossing novel for the plane. I think Paris to the Moon is too choppy. Each of the chapters is a different piece from the New Yorker so Gopnik sort of repeats himself each time. I am looking for the paris equivalent of an Ian Pears or Michael Dibdin mystery. any thoughts????

A copy of &quot;A Moveable Feast&quot; by Ernest Hemmingway. A great book about Paris during the 20s, and worth a read for people visiting Paris.

Le Divorce and its followup Le Mariage (I think Le Divorce is better, though). Interesting, contemporary novel(s) with amusing, somewhat tart insights on the cultural differences (and similarities) between middle/upper middle class Americans and French, esp. Parisians. <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

Yes, thank you. She has read Le Divorce and Le Mariage. they were both enjoyable. any other suggestions?