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Outside Magazine, March 2007

Best Trips 2007
Top Travel Innovations
Eight indispensable travel innovations

By Amy Marr


Intro | New, New Places | Classics | Epic Journeys | Big Frontiers | Top Travel Innovations | The Travel Guru | 2007 Trip of the Year Winners

Solio Charger
Solio Universal Hybrid Charger (courtesy, REI)

Singapore's Changi Airport
With some 160 stores, 80 eateries (including a cigar lounge and live jazz bar), a Balinese-style swimming pool, leather "snooze chairs," and massages offered 24/7 at the Rainforest Lounge, there's no rush to claim your bags. changiairport.com

The MLC
Short for "maximum legal carry-on," this handy bag holds up to a week's worth of gear—just enough for hitchhiking through Belize. Tuck away the ergonomic shoulder strap for a presto backpack. Two large compartments separate the clean stuff from the sweaty climbing gear; the coated reflective fabric repels rain. $148; patagonia.com

GreenGlobe.org
Want your trip to be socially sound and eco-friendly? The Green Globe program, launched by the World Travel & Tourism Council, certifies hotels and tour companies that meet top standards for everything from water management to noise control.

FlyerTalk.com
Founded by a frustrated frequent flier, this time-tested site allows users to share info on how to get the most out of their bonus miles, with discussion forums for every major airline, a live chat for last-minute queries, and an option that helps you create a mileage-maximizing itinerary.

Ex Officio Give-N-Go Skivvies
Breathable, lightweight, moisture-wicking, and bacteria-resistant, these boxers and women's bikinis won't let you down. Super comfortable (made of nylon and spandex), they air-dry in a snap. Boxers, $25; bikini briefs, $16; exofficio.com

Solio Universal Hybrid Charger
This groovy solar-power station—the size of a deck of cards, with interchangeable connector tips—offers a one-stop charge for your camera, cell phone, PDA, GPS, and digital audio player. (One hour of sun equals one hour of iPod use.) $100; solio.com

HotelChatter.com
A juicy source of inside information and tips about the good, the bad, and the disgusting. Check out the Hotel Hell stories about not-so-hot spots (like Room 15 at Nevada's Caliente Hot Springs Motel, home to polygamist ceremonies), or skip to the Hotel Heaven tales (which for one woman included sunglasses-cleaning pool boys at the Grand Rotana Resort & Spa in Egypt).

Canon CP730 Selphy Compact Photo Printer
Create personal postcards in 58 seconds with this paperback-size portable printer. It hooks up to any laptop or Canon camera (and some cell phones), churning out 300-dpi, four-by-six color photos on address-ready cards. $150; estore.usa.canon.com



Next Page: Take it from adventure travel trailblazer Richard Bangs: Understanding the world requires immersing yourself in it

 
Intro | New, New Places | Classics | Epic Journeys | Big Frontiers | Top Travel Innovations | The Travel Guru | 2007 Trip of the Year Winners