7 travel gadgets to enhance your vacation

Your long-awaited travel plans will be greatly improved if you are well-equipped with the right travel gadgets. I have compiled a list of some gadgets that are sure to fill your downtime and enhance your wow time!

1. iPod; Carrying an iPod loaded with a variety of your favorite music can add a personal touch to unfamiliar territory. It can be comforting, and this comfort extends to helping a person relax at night. Many people have mild to moderate difficulty sleeping in strange places. Also, iPod speakers are very small, portable and wireless and can allow you to play your music in your room, on the beach or by the pool etc. An iPod armband is another stylish accessory that will come in handy.

2. An electronic hammock; This device complements any of your small devices that need to be charged. This hammock sits just below an electrical outlet by attaching it to the plug itself and supports your electronic product to ensure it doesn’t hang precariously or sit on the floor at risk of getting wet or stepped on.

3. Indestructible travel cases; Carrying your electronics with you at all times and also keeping them safe and dry is easier than ever with the Pelican Micro Case series of water and crush resistant cases. There’s even a bleeder valve to equalize the pressure!

4. Nintendo DS, Game Boy, PlayStation portable; These three products are portable game consoles. Although marketed to teenagers, many adults also own and play these game consoles. There are hundreds of games to choose from and the DS has features like PictoChat and 2 player capability. These features allow more than one user with their own console to participate in the same activity or game. These players are wirelessly connected through a system-to-system wireless connection. Therefore, the 2 player feature only requires one of the players to have the game inserted into their DS. PictoChat allows simple input of keyboard text and written text/pictures to be exchanged by up to 16 people.

5. Educational computer software; Educational computer software is great for kids when they have some downtime, whether it’s in the hotel, in the car, or on the plane. This activity is attractive and playful as well as intellectual. Obviously, it is necessary to bring your laptop. WiFi is available in most hotels and in several restaurants and travel service areas. Using the WiFi connection will allow you to check the weather, get directions and phone numbers, and search for local attractions.

6. The 150-Country Auto-Sensing Travel Adapter & Converter: A compact, lightweight device that automatically detects incoming voltage, converts it to 120 volt AC power, and provides plug adaptation for over 150 countries in Europe, Africa , Asia, the Americas and the Caribbean, and Australia. The plug configures to fit a variety of international plugs and has a built-in USB port that lets you leave chargers for cell phones, digital cameras, iPods, and other devices at home. The device also allows simultaneous AC and USB connection to charge two devices at once.

7.Voltaic backpack; The Voltaic backpack is a solar powered backpack. This stylish accessory will power every one of your devices (except your laptop) as long as there’s daylight. It is also a stylish bag to take on any trip. Specifics include;

• 4 watts of solar power: From three strong, lightweight and waterproof solar panels

• 4-6 hours of direct sunlight produces enough charge to fully charge a typical cell phone
• Drums Included: 4400 mAh 3.6 volt lithium ion battery with 3 voltage settings for storing solar energy

• When it’s not in the sun, the battery can be charged using the AC Travel Charger or DC Car Charger, making it just as useful on the grid as it is off.
• 11 standard adapters for easy connections to common mobile phones and universal sockets

• Includes a car charger plug and USB adapter so you can always use a standard charger for your device
• Note: It is not designed to charge laptops; however, it will charge cell phones, satellite phones, PDAs, GPS, iPods, cameras, and most other handheld electronic devices.

Technology allows us to enhance our long-awaited travel plans by equipping ourselves with very cool gadgets. I’m sure the list items I’ve compiled will enhance your vacation!