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The travel community at your fingertips
Do you feel a buzz on stumbling upon a beautifully curated store or quirky cocktail bar? If so, you’re going to love Bimble, a social travel app designed to help travellers discover great little places all over the world. It works in two ways – use it to explore recommendations from a global community of Bimblers, or to collect your own. So, when you hear about a place you’d like to go to, add it to Bimble. That means no more screenshots, iOS notes, or suggestions jotted on scraps of paper – all easily lost. The clever app will even automatically provide maps, photos and contact details for your picks. It’s travel, but better.
The best way to GO this summer
You’re on the road, spirits high as you head off on a holiday adventure, when disaster strikes. A tail-back, as far as the eye can see. Whether you’re in a hire car in far-off climes, or behind your own wheel, the FOMO you feel is the same as you trundle forward at a snail’s pace. Fortunately, TomTom GO Navigation is here to help. Simply download the app to your phone and you can outsmart summer traffic with alerts to your handset and alternative routes around jams. No mobile connection? Offline maps provide easy turn-by-turn guidance even in data blackspots. And speeding fines? Not with GO Navigation, which remind you of the limit and point out cameras as you drive. In short, it’s the best way to GO this summer.
The reliable (and stylish) Italian chauffeur service
A bad taxi experience can really put a dampener on a trip, whether it’s being overcharged in an unfamiliar destination or ending up in the next town over from your hotel because you don’t really know the roads and can’t speak the language. Those of you who are travelling to Italy, however, need worry no more thanks to Ti Portiamo. Serving Lombardy, Piedmont, Tuscany and Sicily, the chauffeur-driven car rental service allows you to book your journey in advance with a pre-agreed rate that won’t change regardless of detours, traffic or bad weather and the drivers will even help with your luggage.
The speedy charger
If you’re a snap-happy traveller like us, seeing your phone’s battery life deteriorate before your eyes is more than just a mild annoyance – particularly when there are breathtaking sunsets to keep your Instagram followers abreast of. Thanks to OtterBox, feeling powerless is a thing of the past. Stylish and durable, the 15mAh Fast Charge Power Banks give up to 45 hours extra charge for your smartphone, so you’ll no longer miss the moments that matter.
OtterBox power banks, from £26.99
The inexpensive way to get to the heart of Venice
With its rich history and Gothic architecture, Venice is rightly celebrated as one of the world’s favourite tourist destinations. But, as anyone who’s ever visited will tell you, it’s not the easiest place to get around, especially if you’re relying on oft-slow water-buses and expensive private water taxis. Thankfully, private coach operator ATVO runs a variety of routes from its stop outside Venice Marco Polo Airport direct to Venice Piazzale Roma, taking only 20 minutes, as well as to several popular hotel districts and the Mestre railway hub. Best of all, they’re comfy, air-conditioned and conveniently priced.
The hassle-free money solution
www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/card
There’s good reason the Post Office’s Travel Money Card has become an essential addition to any trip abroad. The card can hold up to 23 currencies and is accepted in 36 million locations and 2.1 million ATMs in over 200 countries, wherever the Mastercard Acceptance Mark is displayed. You can benefit from safe and secure contactless payments, while the Post Office Travel app allows you to manage, top up and even freeze your card on the go. It ensures the only money worry you’ll have on your next holiday is what to spend it on first. Click here for more information.
The neck’s big thing
Always fancied having a travel pillow, but didn’t like how clunky and ridiculous they looked? Bullbird, a young startup from Colorado, have solved that problem with a version that style-conscious globetrotters willl love. Their chic, new BR2 model is scientifically calibrated to support your C1-C7 vertebrae, and 80% smaller than a regular neck pillow for discreet stashing. So you can settle in for a snooze, and skip off at your destination feeling refreshed, free from aches and ready to roll.
Bullbird Travel Pillow, £48
The super-powered pal
What do you get if you have an iPad with only one bar of battery, a teenager with a dead mobile phone and a drained work laptop all together in a hotel room with one socket? A very sore head. It’s why you need MyTravelPal. One of the world’s safest and most powerful travel adaptors, it’s capable of powering four devices at once through its AC Outlet and three Smart USB ports, which charge 70% faster than a standard adaptor. New best friend?
MyTravelPal adaptor, from £13.99
The site that helps you unlock the world
Love holidays, but hate paying extra for the nicer things in life? Love Home Swap is just the ticket. Enabling travel-lovers to swap homes in more than 100 countries worldwide, this online platform gives members access to everything from city pads in chic Berlin neighbourhoods to beachfront villas in Bali. Which loosely translates to an all-access pass to living the lifestyle of a local. From swimming pools to mountain-view gardens, the concept opens doors to the most amazing holiday accommodation – at a snip of the price. And with a free two-week trial available for new members, you can start saving pronto.
The free wheeler
For the past 70 years, luggage expert DELSEY PARIS has been in pursuit of the perfect suitcase, fusing tradition with innovation and elegant design with practicality. Its latest range is lighter and better-fitting than ever, with a series of four-wheeled trolley cases that make moving through airports and crowded urban thoroughfares a breeze. Head online today and enjoy a 20% discount for the entire online store using the code DELSEYFLY. Terms apply.
DELSEY PARIS suitcases, from £105
The all-conquering holdall
When it comes to travelling efficiently, size matters, which is why the Weekend Bag from Danish brand Rains makes the perfect companion for your next short-haul sojourn. The 46-litre duffel bag has been designed to fit easily into overhead compartments while carrying everything you need for a weekend break. The bag is constructed from Rains’ signature matte, waterproof fabric, a durable material that comes in a range of smart, Scandi-influenced colourways.
Rains duffel bag, £59
The lightweight champion
They’re designed for convenience and comfort,so it’s no surprise luggage titan Travelpro® is the brand of choice for the professional crews of 90 airlines around the world, not to mention a global community of frequent travellers. Its bestselling collection – the Travelpro® Maxlite® 5 55cm Slim Expandable Carry-on Spinner – is built with ultra-lightweight materials while resisting wear and tear, giving even the most demanding globetrotters peace of mind over their luggage.
Travelpro® carry-on, from £141
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