This is a shameless plug! But I honestly think you’ll enjoy it. Whether you’re a local looking for something new or a visitor wanting to feel like a local, Secret Seattle lets you in on dozens of secrets around the Emerald City. Create a to-visit list and choose one to visit each week. Also available in Kindle format.

I love journals and notebooks to keep all my thoughts and lists together. I have one notebook just for my work with SATW, and another for home projects. I have another for all my business brainstorming idea, sort of catch all for items that may eventually make to my official to-do calendar. When I fill one up, I start another. I also like having a journal for my big trips - something I can write notes and thoughts in, pate or tape tickets or other ephemera, etc. I may not completely fill these, but each represent a bucket list trip and are shelved in my book case (they're part journal, part scrapbook, I guess). I couldn't find anything that I really liked at a price point that worked (when I go through five or six in a year). So I created my own. This cruise journal is the one I used our family vacation this year; I also have a couple of others (here and here), and have plans to add a few more in 2025. If vacations plans are your future, buy one for everyone traveling and share after the trip.

I’ve been a Kindle user since the original version. Yes, I still love the feel of a book in my hands – I wrote one, I have bookshelves of reference books, and I love getting autographed copies. But I read a lot, and I found myself packing too many books when I traveled. My Kindle helps me lose that excess weight. It also syncs with my library (where I get most of my books) and the Libby app, allowing me to read more and spend less. I recently upgraded to the Oasis version, but think the Paperwhite version is a good starter. It’s waterproof and backlit, and you can adjust the font size for easy reading. Add a pretty cover – I suggest something bright and colorful so you can spot it easily. I have this one.

If you’ve read any travel news this year, you know that luggage issues have gone crazy. Whether bags got misplaced, went missing, or perhaps were stacked up in an airport somewhere, Air Tags have become a lifesaver for many travelers. I keep one in my luggage (whether checked or carry-on) and am reassured knowing where my bag is. I bought these keychain holders so they are easy to attach. We've discovered lots of additional uses for these (so many items tht we seem to misplace), so will be picking up another 4-pack. We've also given these as gifts many times.

If anyone on your gift list needs (wants?) to upgrade their earbuds, these new generation Airpod Pros are terrific. The sound quality is terrific, noise cancellation is a lifesaver on planes, and several of the features help those of us who are hearing impaired (voice isolation on phone calls, intelligent noise control, personalized spatial audio, and active hearing protection). This is a recommended upgrade. I also picked up this leather case for the air pods, making it easy to always find them.

This has been my go-to power bank for several years now. I own several, so I can keep them in various locations - my purse, the car, my carry on bag, and on my desk (for when I can't find the others). I bought some for family members and friends a couople of months ago. These work with USB-A and USB-C.

Great for use at home, but also easy to pack for the road. Makes cooking perfect meats easy while camping. at an AirbnB, or when visiting friends. A great gift for foodies who like to cook while traveling.

I got these as a speaker gift at the Travel Goods Show earliler this year. After wearing them for a couple days, I immediately order another pair for myself (to keep packed in my travel bag), and a pair for Tony. We love them, and wear them around the house instead of slippers or going barefoot. They provide a little extra support that give feet a little bit of pampring, and the grippy sole makes sure I'm not sliding the stairs. All of ours are merino wool - they're washable and temperature regulating.

If you travel for wine, you've probably faced the decision of how to get those precious bottles home with you. You can avoid expensive shipping fees with the wine suitcase. Protect that nectar of the gods in style, without worrying about breakage.

Coalatree’s button-down Switchback shirt is made from recycled material and is lightweight, wrinkle and odor-resistant. Its cooling fabric can help lower body temperature to keep dad cool and has hidden and secure pockets that are perfect when traveling. Tony says this would be easy to dress up or dress down.

This portable, USB-C rechargable blender goes everywhere. Perfect for smoothies or margaritas on a road trip, camping, or at the beach. I use it at home making smoothies, salad dressing, or whipping up batter for pancakes. The unit is self-contained and locks tightly so you can just take the whole thing with you. Add in the drinking lid and you're all set. Easy to pack, clean, and take with you. I use it far more than I thought I would - cordless makes it so easy to use.

I have a comfy tech set up at my desk at home that includes two monitors. It's a comfortable and efficient way to work, but it hasn't translated to working on the road with my laptop. Until I tried out this portable monitor. It's as close to replicating my home set up as I've found, and this plug-and-play second monitor is worth the extra weight (just under two pounds) in my carry-on when I have to work on the road.

I enjoy discovering new flavors and tastes when I travel, and love when I can recreate those flavors at home. Chef Mareya Ibrahim embarked on a transformative journey back to her native Egypt after 23 years. The trip rekindled her connection to her roots and also inspired her to create this functional spice blend. That means it tastes great and is also good for you. At the heart of the blend is the black cumin seed, revered as the "blessing seed" by the Pharaohs for its longevity and therapeutic benefits. It's the closest I'm going to get to Egypt for awhile. Also a great feature,  1% of all proceeds go back to the farmers in Egypt who cultivate this remarkable seed.

o matter well prepared we are, there's always that moment when we both need to charge devices. A power strip can solve the problem for you and your traveling companions. If you're at a meeting or conference, plugging in and letting others have space to charge is sure to make you the event VIP. There are lots of options on size, style, and number/type of plugs-ins. This is the one I have.

We received this all-in-one travel adapter in a gift bag at a travel show, and we've used it in Europe, Asia, and on a couple cruises. The adapter is equipped with four different plug types, and has three USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports. It's had us covered for all our international travels. Pick up a couple, just in cases you leave one behind (not that we've every done that).

Compete with Friends and Family: Prove who is the most travel-savvy by buying, bartering, and risking your way to various destinations. We played this on a family trip and it was a lot of fun. Great gift for a playful traveler.

These adorable hand-painted ornaments are made in Poland and are available in numerous destinations. I picked Paris as it's one of my favorite cities. There are other collections equally charming, including traditional holiday themes, pets, and universities.

I've been on the hunt for a stylish, durable, and functional carry-on bag. I currently have my eye on this one, as I like the bult in front compartment. Sized for domestic and international travel, it looks roomy enough to hold what I need. I still worry about the weight, though, (7.8 lbs), so haven't completely made up my mind. Also comes in a larger checked bag size.

I'm a recent convert to body oils after our cruise in Tahiti. This travel friendly set is right-sized for TSA specifications, comes in an adorable travel pouch, and has three bottles of hydrating goodness. Travel is so hard on our skin - changing climates, brutal dryness from flights, and our own neglect. Treat yourself!

In a simple, elegant, and reusable crate, constructed out of Maine reclaimed wood, this gift package includes Dean’s hot fudge and award-winning Maine sea salt caramel sauces (each 9 oz jars). Enjoy with ice cream, waffles, apples, berries, pretzels, and anything else you can think of - delish!

Travel in Style. Most first aid kits look so clinical—upgrade your small first aid kit for travel to a fashionable one that fits into a suitcase, diaper bag, purse, or backpack. Handy for roadtrips, flights, or to keep in the car. You never know when a minor emergency will arise, and this first aid kid is both practical and fun. Great for kids and adults.

Perfect for a road trip, or even a trip to the grocery store for that matter, when you need to remove fog and condensation from your windows or mirror.

These come in a six-pack and fold up small enough to tuck into a purse, carry-on, or toss in a glove box or trunk. Perfect for travel when shopping at a local market. Pack enough to share with your fellow travelers; they'll thank you.

I don't travel with a lot of jewelry (pretty much none at all), but saw a friend using this and thought it was perfect for those who do. Would also work well to hold various other small items.

As a chronic allergy sufferer, these throat lozenges come in handy on a plane, or anywhere in public. In the post-Covid era, any coughing or clearing of a throat is guaranteed to generate side-eyes, When I'm taking decongestants, nasal spray, and combatting post-nasal drip, coughing is inevitable. Add in dry airplane air and it can be miserable. Honees helps me out big time. I've always got some in my purse and a larger bag stays packed in my carryon. I like this original flavor, but there is also a honey lemon. These make a good stocking stuffer.

Occasionally, I wind up with more stuff coming home than when I set out. I picked up this small folding travel bag as an extra – a bag that I could slip into my luggage and have if I needed it on the return trip. I pack soft stuff in this bag, so it's light to carry. The bag is waterproof, so it works well for damp items by the pool as well. Keep one in the car, it's great for road trips, and surprisingly durable (I've had this fuschia one for over two years and it still looks great).

These are great for traveling, especially when you need to keep you phone handy and your hand(s) free. Juggling a DSLR and phone camera? You can easily swap back and forth instead of digging into a pocket. I love it for spots where I worry about dropping my phone, yet want to stretch to take a photo. Convenient, adjustable crossbody length, anti-theft design, and will work in any full-coverage phone case. Tony's phone slid of a counter and into a sewer earlier this year and he's starting to use it more. We've purchased these for family members when we're traveling, and I've started to use it most of the time (even when I'm not traveling) as it's so convenient.

We each have one of the mini backpacks, and have purchased them as gifts for friends as well. Exterior compartment locks closed, and has RFID block features, so it's perfect for keeping a wallet or money handy. Roomy interior, with side pocket, makes it a perfect choice for day tripping around home or while traveling.

If you travel with Pokemon Go players, this can come in handy and help get their noses out of their devices. The small wearable device connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth low power, allowing players to enjoy the game on the move without looking at their smartphone. For iPhone only. We both have one of these as we play with younger family members, and love getting "gifts" to send them when we travel.

This is the wine tasting journal that I'm currently using. It's book bound, has a strap to keep it secure, and a ribbon to serve as a bookmark. It's small enough to keep in my purse and has prompts for basic details. It's a great gift for friends who enjoy wine tasting when they travel. Or for yourself. I 'll be buying another one for 2025.

These have become my go-to for warm weather packing as their lightweight and comfy. And they have pockets. Paired with a tshirt or crop top, they're perfect for a cruise, and can be dresssed up or down with accessories. I have these in four different colors.

I've picked up a few of these dresses for warm weather travel. Perfect on a cruise, throw on a jacket if you need a quasi-business look, and keep a sweater handy for evening. Packs with no wrinkles, launders easily, kits of patterns and solid colors, and I love the pockets. Since Seattle's summer season is short, affordable options are a priority. Although these are inexpensive, they've held up for a couple of years and still look great. I don't have a warm weather destination on my calendar - yet - so these will go in the spare closet until I need them again.

We've used a version of powered toothbrush at home for a long time, but it was always difficult to travel with it. Not so with this one. The charge lasts for at least two weeks (that's how long I've had one with me when traveling and there was still a charge) and the easy carrying case protects it. The charging and sanitizing base sits on our bathroom counter.

We often enjoy attending a sporting event while traveling, and Tony has been known to select a destination based on a being able to attend a baseball game. These zippered bags are approved to be used where regulations require clear bags such as sporting events, concerts, college stadiums, etc. If friends travel to attend events, this is an easy gift (and fill it with some memorabilia if you'd like, this book about baseball stadiums is a good start).

This is always in my carryon and I slather it on anytime I'm on a plane. Dry airplane air means my skin needs all the help it can get, and this mask helps me out. It's not really a mask, more of a moisturizing treatment, I;ve tried it in three flavors - berry, mango, and vanilla. One stays in my carry on until it's ready to be replaced, and the other is in my desk drawer. I keep their companion product, Glowy Lip Balm in my purse (I'm currently using berry).

If you don't need heavy duty winter wear, but do need something that will keep you warm in chilly weather AND is easy to pack, this puffer jackert is perfect. I use it all the time in Seattle weather (I have it in maroon). It is fully lined, quilted, water resistant, and insulated, Rolls up easy for packing. It's warm enough for Pacific Northwest fall, but not for a brutal icy winter day., but thoses heavier jackets don't have this packability. Very reasonably priced, so buys gifts for the whole family for you fall/winter vacation.

A scarf is one of the unsung heroes in the travel world. Wrap it around your next for a little extra warmth, tie in on the handle of a purse or backpack, cover your head or shoulders in a place of worship, or dress up otherwise casual attire. I have this large scarf in a few colors and it's lightweight enough to take up minimal room in luggage. These are lightweight - if you're looking for something heavier, try this one.

I was a late convert to packing cubes, but once I started using them, I became so much more efficient in how I pack for a trip. There are lots of philosophies about how to use them best, and I experimented a bit to come up with what works for me (a combo of roll and fold). Now I can’t imagine packing without them. They keep me organized and help me avoid overpacking. Get a different color for every family member. Great gifts for a girlfriends' getaway, wedding party gfits, etc.

I bought these small squeeze-top pouches to keep varous currencies separate. They worked great when I was juggling Euros in one, Romanian leu in another, and Hungarian forint in another. I've bought extras (they come in a pack of four) to hand out to traveling companions for keeping receipts, tickets, coins, etc., protected and safe.

I can't tell you how many times we've had to turn around from our trip to the airport because we can't remember if we shut the garage door. New construction generally has these installed as part of a smart home kit, However, webuilt our home long before the smart era, so needed an after market option. This is simple and does the trick. And while we still don't remember if we shut the garage door, now we can look at the app for confirmation.

We picked up a couple of these duffels for quick overnight and weekend trips. Perfect for car trips, family visits, or simple overnights. I'm not giving up my roller luggage for longer trips, but these are perfect for short ones. Made of waterproof durable waxed canvas, this has become a staple in our luggage wardrobe.

No more worrying about ridiculously high-priced international phone plans with an e-Sim. We've used these on four continents without problems. They come in country-specific or regional plans. I used a country specific plan for my Douro River cruise, and a regional plan for cruising in the Caribbean. Prices are super cheap - use promo code MARYJO1833 for even more savings (an additional $3.00 off).

I have my favorite water bottles for home use, but they don't fit in the car cup holder. Two big things going for this one - the handle and the straw. I've tried a number of knock offs, but have not been happy with those choices. This is now back on my wish list.

If wine lovers are on your gift list, this decorate barrel for saving corks is a perfect gift. We bring home corks from wines we try while traveling, as well as adding one from our sipping at home. It's a nice way to save some memories. This size easily fits on a counter or shelf. We have the large version (here) in our wine cellar as a table.

We picked these up for our Alaska cruise on Celebrity. We printed out our boarding tags, folder them up, and securely attached with these tags. No more worrying about the tags being ripped or town when attached with tape of staples. Sizes are available for most major cruise lines.

It was also time to replace our ratty luggage tags. They had a good run, but were getting torn, dirty, and would soon fall off. We bought these brightly colored initial bag tags for everyone on a family trip. I like the steel loop; it feels sturdy and it stays on.

This one is on my wish list. Since I'm always cold, this seems like an attractive solution for car trips and weekend getaways.

Mosquitos look at me as if I were Sunday brunch. Since I'm particularly sensitive to bites, I usually wear long sleeves and pants when I'm in an environment where I'm at risk. I've started packing these simple flex bands as well. So far, so good.

This has become my new red-eye flight outfit. It's soft and comfy, easy to change into and out of (for the business class flights that offer inflight pajamas), and loose fitting enought for sleeping. I have it in black, since I don't want to worry about spills, but it comes in lots of colors. While I opt for comfort and practicality over fashion, these skates the edge of both at an affordable price that I don't need to worry about travel mishaps.

I backed a Vessi Kickstarter campaign when they first launches, and have purchased a couple of additional pair as they added new styles. These are great for travel because they can span a variety of weather conditions. That means you won't have to pack more shoes. They are lightweight, temperature regulating, and made with 100% waterproof technology. Machine washable, too. I have my eye on a high top pair for winter.