When a ditty bag won't do
From fine carryalls to cushy beds for canines, great stuff for folks on the go.
1. A wardrobe on wheels.When the sky - or ship or train - is the limit, Tumi's Townhouse Wardrobe Trunk holds it all, without unpacking. The 35-inch-by-201/2-inch-by-11-inch-deep hard case opens to reveal one side with a bar for hanging garments and another with three pull-down drawers for folded clothes, shoes and accessories. In between, a curtain with a zippered pocket holds more items. At your destination, stand the case upright, open wide, and, voilà, you've got a closet and bureau. The trunk can be wheeled or carried by its top or side carry handles.It comes with a combination lock and Tumi's luggage-tracer protection for tracking lost bags. The case is covered in ballistic nylon with leather trim. Such elegance and convenience doesn't come cheap, but, hey, they're worth it.
Townhouse Wardrobe Trunk (item 24062) is $6,995 at www.tumi.com; 1-800-299-8864.
2. For good sports. Eagle Creek has designed a packing system for compartmentalizing gear for different sports or other activities while traveling. The Toy Chest 90 Kit consists of two zippered nylon gear "boxes" and one zippered rubberized "mud box" (for the wettest, messiest stuff) packed inside a water-resistant 30-inch-by-14-inch-by-14-inch zippered Toy Chest duffel. The three internal bags can be neatly separated with collapsible dividers built into the "mother" duffle and held in place by Velcro - or use any of the bags individually. The two gear boxes have mesh tops for air flow and outside slots for identifying contents. The bags have double-zippered, wide-opening tops for easy access, and collapse practically flat.
Toy Chest 90 Kit (20159) is $200. Info: 1-800-874-1048; www.eaglecreek.com.
3. Most-sumptuous travel robe. DreamSacks' full-length silk/cashmere robe is a good excuse for not getting dressed - although the maker suggests you can wear it outside as a kind of long sweater-coat. The silk and soft cashmere is woven into a lightweight wrap with patch pockets and a tie belt made of the same material. The robe takes up practically no space in a suitcase and is available in three sizes in soft pink, bisque or peacock blue. Dry clean only.
Silk/Cashmere Robe (SCR780) is $228 at www.dreamsack.com; 1-800-670-7661.
4. Fido will just love the swank Hammock Seat Cover from Bowsers Pet Products. Covered in soft nylon velvet in four classy color patterns (who could resist houndstooth?), the thick polyester-filled cushion has large flaps that attach via nylon straps to front- and back-seat headrests, providing a hammock effect. The bed can also be used outside the car.
Dog Hammock Seat Cover is $180. To find a store, contact Bowsers Pet Products: 1-877-269-7377, www.bowsers.com.
5. Rosetta Stone language software programs provide a graduated learning system that allows users to interact with "people" speaking to them in the language of choice via CD-ROM or online subscription. The system places the lessons, from beginner to advanced, in real-life situations, and uses beautifully photographs to evoke the destination. The accompanying Audio Companion CD coordinates with the visual interactive lessons to let you continue your lessons on a car CD player or portable audio player. (Gold-medal swimmer Michael Phelps used the Chinese program before the Beijing Olympics.)
Rosetta Stone Language Learning Program is $549 for complete three-level CD-ROM, Audio Companion and headset microphone, at www.rosettastone.com; 1-800-788-0822.