Eight luxury travel essentials
Don’t leave home without The Week’s list of perfect holiday accessories
There’s no doubt about it, this year has been brutal for domestic and international travel.
However, if you are lucky enough to book an escape in the UK or abroad, be sure to treat yourself to some accessories.
Here’s our pick of the luxury travel essentials that you should take on your trip.
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Luggage: Tumi Merge short trip expandable case
If there is one piece of travel kit you need above all others, it is a good suitcase – and they don’t come much better than Tumi.
Over the decades, the New Jersey-based brand has built a reputation for making sturdy luggage in stylish designs. Collaborators over the years have included everyone from artist Anish Kapoor to Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati.
The brand’s most icon suitcase is probably the 19 Degree, with its beautiful rippled aluminium chassis, but for something that truly stands out in the crowd, go for the beautiful blue camo Merge.
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Designed to appeal to both business and leisure travellers – the brand’s target “bleisure” market, it is soft and lightweight but sturdy enough for long adventures. Also, amid a sea of black luggage, the Merge’s chic camouflage print makes it instantly recognisable on the baggage carousel. Easily one of the coolest bags on the market – it is no wonder Lenny and Zoe Kravitz are Tumi’s current brand ambassadors.
£595; tumi.com
Jacket: Graphene-X Alpha Series
Unless you are the kind of traveller who brings seven suitcases, large sports equipment, plus a separate shoe bag and hat box on your overseas or domestic jaunts then chances are you will be aiming to pack the kinds of clothes that are multipurpose, stylish, and tough enough to take a bit of wear and tear. The Alpha Series Jacket fits the bill perfectly.
Constructed from three layers of graphene - an incredibly strong material that’s reputed to be 200 times stronger than steel - this well-cut jacket will squash down to fit in even the smallest of weekender bags, while also being comfortable enough for everyday wear. It is also waterproof, antibacterial, and even anti-UV. An ideal jacket for your adventures.
£266; graphene-x.com
Toiletries: Aesop Departure Travel Kit
This compact kit includes seven travel-sized essentials. The blue chamomile facial hydrating masque and immediate moisture facial hydrosol will ensure you arrive at your destination feeling fresh-faced, while the resurrection rinse-free hand wash and aromatique hand balm will leave your hands feeling clean and soft.
There is also a lip cream, toothpaste and mouthwash, all the perfect size to carry in your hand luggage.
£45; aesop.com
Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM3
Sony’s over-ear headphones are lighter, more comfortable and more effective at cancelling out noise than any previous version.
The famed tech firm says the WH-1000XM3 takes listeners “even deeper into silence” using advanced noise cancelling technology such as adaptive sound control, and the convenience of smart features including quick attention, voice assistant compatibility and touch control.
£329; sony.co.uk
Sleep: Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Eye Mask
A price tag of £250 for a sleep mask might come across as a little - no pun intended - eye-watering to many, but the Intrecciato is well worth it.
This cotton-lined mask provides “pitch-black darkness”, according to Bottega Veneta, which adds that with this addition to your travel inventory you “need not worry about how you look while sleeping”, such is its sheer elegance.
£250; bottegaveneta.com
Sunglasses: Chopard Imperiale
“Set with tiny, sparkling jewels and tiny golden enamel studs, these elegant sunglasses are simply exquisite,” writes design brand Chopard of its Imperiale range. And it is not wrong; this timeless design, with textured gold and smokey gradient lenses, is gorgeous.
With the Imperiale, Chopard serves up a decidedly feminine take on the classic oversized style, with retro-tinged detailing on the temples offering wearers a glamorous, sparklingly chic look.
£555; chopard.com
Tech: PogoCam
The PogoCam from PogoTec is undoubtedly the next big thing for tech-loving travellers - a tiny camera that magnetically clips onto any kind of eyewear for hands-free video and photo capture. A GoPro for people who aren’t keen on wearing a silly helmet.
The device itself, according to the PogoTec website, stores half a dozen 30-second HD videos or 100 photos, while its Bluetooth-enabled case can hold 90 minutes’ worth of video and up to 16,000 photos.
$99 (£75.95); pogocam.biz
Wallet: Blaxton Jurney wallet
This fantastically stylish travel wallet features a variety of named dividers for passports, tickets, currency and boarding pass, making it nearly impossible to misplace those vital documents as you zip around the world.
With genuine leather, push button locks and a flapover design - along with editions available in cognac, dark brown and dark blue - practical travelling never looked so trendy.
£28; amazon.co.uk