Games
An array of ‘travel’ versions of popular games promises to keep you entertained – though playing Operation on a rocking train or turbulent flight might be a pointless exercise. Other options are more suitable for long trips in confined spaces.
DesignGo Travel Playing Cards are made from tough, non-tear plastic – virtually waterproof and pretty much indestructible.
Backpacker is a card game that pits your on-the-road nous against fellow travellers – visit as many countries as possible without falling foul of sickness or bureaucracy.
The Travelproof gameboard bandana is a simple but brilliant idea – you can wrap it round your head when it’s scorching out, or stick it on the train table to whup your mates at backgammon, draughts or chess.
Gizmos
Digital readers (also called e-books) have been a surprisingly long time coming. The Sony Reader is one of the UK’s first – Amazon’s much-hyped Kindle has recently been released – and holds up to 160 books, readable on its ‘digital ink’ LCD screen.
MP3 and portable DVD players are popular; if you’re using one, consider Kathmandu noise reduction headphones, with technology to block the ambient rumble of aircraft cabins and train carriages.
Travel journals
Moleskine notebooks – the choice of Bruce Chatwin and Ernest Hemingway – are the classic travel journals: pocket-sized soft-cover notebooks.
Pillow power
A cornucopia of cushions and pillows promises an end to stiff necks and bruised bottoms on long journeys. JetRest is a unique L-shaped cushion that reduces head-lolling and the resulting stiff neck; it’s not inflatable but not too bulky, and extremely comfortable.
Jetsleeper is another one-off, a self-expanding pillow with straps that attach to airline seat headrest and armrest, again preventing lolling. It’s not for the self conscious, but works well and packs down small.
Of the horseshoe-shaped neck cushions, notable are: Eagle Creek Comfort Plus Neck Pillow – excellent support but rather large when deflated; LifeVenture Microbean Neck Pillow – less supportive and quite bulky, but very soft and comfortable; LifeVenture Cotton & Fleece Inflatable Neck Pillow – an eminently packable, small, lightweight option; DesignGo Aroma Snoozer – fairly basic inflatable neck pillow with built-in aromatherapy dispensers; lavender essential oil supplied.
Eurohike Adventurer Pillow is a lightweight regular pillow with HealthGuard anti-bug treatment to reduce whiffs and bug attacks. Ajungilak Air Pillow is an ergonomically shaped inflatable pillow with a fleecy cover; it’s featherlight and packs down small, but it’s hugely comfortable.
Chill-out zone
Fancy a nap? Try The JetRest moulded eye mask, Eagle Creek Comfort Plus Eye Shade or Kathmandu deluxe eye mask, with vents to prevent sticky eyes.
Zone out with DesignGo Quiet Zone attenuated ear plugs, which help block out both room/cabin noise and snoring. Eagle Creek Earplanes are silicon inserts that help reduce the pain caused by changes in air pressure in aircraft cabins.
LifeVenture anti-DVT socks are designed to reduce the risk of thrombosis on long journeys, while DesignGo Acustraps press on points in the wrists to reduce travel sickness.
Wanderlust always takes:
"Cuticura antibacterial hand gel – if you’re on a train for 24 hours in India, anything that improves hygiene is a boon! I also take ginger snaps to combat travel sickness on bumpy flights.” Sarah Baxter, deputy editor
“Wet wipes – great for 30-second showers on long train journeys.” Mel Batt, former art editor.
“Nytol (herbal sleep tablets) to help drop off on long flights.” Danny Callaghan, finance director.
“I can’t imagine a long trip without music! Pack a charger, such as a powermonkey or
a Freeloader, to top up MP3 player batteries en route." Paul Bloomfield, former commercial editor.
AND Games we love...
“Pass the Pigs – not so good for planes, but if you can bag a train with a reasonable-sized table they’re great, and completely portable. An alternative is Corx – similar idea but with a pair of specially tailored corks.” Anna Webber, assistant editor.
“Yahtzee – basically poker with dice. If you’re like me, it can get very competitive!” Simon Ward, former web editor.
“Uno – a great little card game with an added dimension; incredibly addictive.” Sarah Kiernan, former sub editor.
“Bananagrams – a bit like Scrabble, but with anagrams and no board.” Dan Linstead, editor.
“Cut out pictures and adverts from magazines to make your own personalised versions of Top Trumps – invent categories: perfumes, cars, cleaning products, whatever. Use your imagination!” Sarah Baxter, deputy editor.
