Among new products in Magellan’s summer 2004 travel supplies catalog is “Buzz Off” Insect Shield clothing. It repels mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects without lotion or spray; offers 30+ SPF sun protection, and wicks moisture away from skin for comfort. The protectant lasts through 25 or more machine washings.
Contact Magellan’s, 110 W. Sola St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3007; call 800/962-4943 or visit www.magellans.com.
Dear Globetrotter:
Luggagefree, Inc., ships luggage anywhere in the U.S. as well as to Canada and Europe. The company picks up luggage at a designated time from the traveler’s home or office, wraps it in heavy plastic, ships it to the destination, tracks it along the way and notifies the owner via e-mail, fax or phone when the bags have been delivered. At the end of the stay, it ships the luggage back.
The company ships standard luggage as well as skis, bikes, cribs and other bulky items.
The Deep Water Bath overflow drain cover is absolutely my favorite travel gadget.
I read the subscriber’s recounting of her lost-luggage experience (Dec. ’11, pg. 27). A few years ago, my wife’s bag never showed up after being checked onto a flight to California from Spain via Mexico City. Dealing with the airline was an extended nightmare, beyond just the issues discussed in the subscriber’s letter. I will spare you those details, but I have suggestions that may be useful. My homeowner’s insurance policy covers personal property that is lost outside of the home.
After a 21-day study tour in Israel/Palestine, I went to the Tel Aviv airport on Feb. 10, 2011, for my return flight.
I stay part of the year in Bangkok, Thailand, where I have an apartment. In fall 2010, for the first time, I used a luggage-forwarding service called Luggage Free to send over some of my possessions. It was just household bric-a-brac (clothing, books, DVDs, etc.).
In next month’s column I’ll have the results of your voting for Most Favorite Country.
A travel companion and I took the 11-night cruise “Eastern Mediterranean & Alexandria, Egypt” aboard Costa Cruises’ Costa Deliziosa, Nov. 11-21, 2010. Excluding airfare, and with an “obstructed” ocean-view cabin, we each paid $1,300.
We enjoyed the ports of call we visited and the time to relax, but we were very disappointed with Costa. We’d had a great experience with them on the Costa Concordia in the western Mediterranean in 2006, however it was quite different this time.
When packing, always put shoes in shoe bags. I make my own shoe bags from soft fabric, such as a thin flannel, as the plastic ones do not pack as well. Wipe off shoes, when needed, with wet wads of toilet paper, then dry them with additional sheets of the paper.
For a long trip, carry mothballs in small cloth bags, especially in damp climates, to get rid of mustiness. I usually use them in my shoes. Put them into zip-lock bags until you’re ready to bring them out. Use them, then pitch them as they lose their strength.
GLORIA HELMUTH
Tulsa, OK