I believe I was ahead of the curve on realizing the convenience of a bag similar to this one from Hammacher Schlemmer. Back in the 1970s, I found a old and well-worn canvas camera/photographer’s bag at a flea market. It had lots of small and handy zip and side pockets for passports, wallets, sunglasses, sinus medicine, etc. All items you need to keep handy – especially when flying.

This latest version of a Organized Traveler’s Carry On is a supple leather carry-on holding travel essentials while not being cumbersome. The accessible pockets and tiered sleeves keep tickets and credit cards at the ready, and the large inner compartment is lined with nylon. Padding protects cameras and other small electronics. With adjustable shoulder strap, padded handle, brushed nickel hardware, and self-mending zippers.

Style available in Brown or Black.

What’s to stop you from planning a trip to London this year?

The London Pass is a sightseeing card which gives holders FREE ENTRY to over 55 sights and tourist attractions in London.
Simply pay the one-time price for the London Pass of your choice, (there are 4 durations to choose from) and then enter as many of the tourist attractions included on the pass as you wish, without paying anything else!

5% off All Orders of London Pass Tickets

Some of the most popular attractions which can be visited free with the London Pass are the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, Windsor Castle, London Zoo, the London Aquarium, and Shakespeare’s Globe – to name but a few.

The London Pass is an ideal addition to a family holiday, romantic weekend or group trip – in fact, anyone who is travelling to London can enjoy and benefit from the pass. Customer survey results show that over 95% of London Pass users are more than satisfied and would recommend the pass to others.

This year will be an exciting one for the United Kingdom:

There’s the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Held from June 2 – 5, 2012.

Or the London 2012 Olympics from 27 July to 12 August 2012.

And there are a few other corners of the UK you just might want to see…but you’ll need a place to stay. You can build your own “UK cottages” portfolio right here and begin to plan your Summer 2012 travel!

+ Premium (All States) – Wednesday, 12/21 3:00 p.m. EST
+ Express (All States) – Thursday, 12/22 3:00 p.m. EST

The Dingle Peninsula Fishing Sweater

The Machine Washable Irish Aran Sweater

The Side Opening Bison Leather Weekender

The Organized Traveler’s Carry On

But here’s a great idea for travelers, history buffs, and fans of Andrew Jackson – all in one place! I know there are quite a few of you (like myself) since the Andrew Jackson “Traveling with American Presidents” page is one of the most popular on this blog!

Jackson’s Hermitage Museum in Nashville, Tennessee has a nice little museum store – and you can order gifts online.

I would hurry if you’re hoping for Christmas 2011 gifts, like the baskets linked below, but this is also a great travel destination idea for 2012. I’ve been to the Hermitage – the house and grounds are spectacular. You also have the vibrant city of Nashville nearby.

Happy shopping – time is running out!

Tennessee Gift Basket
Good Morning Basket

~ You can order quickly and easily online
~ You can have the parcel shipped to wherever you are going
~ The gift won’t have to be carried on a plane or in a car
~ You won’t have to wrap this gift

Even better, spend $50 and receive 20% off – good through December 18th only. No code required!

And a free, quick, and easy crab appetizer recipe!

Crab Meltaways Appetizer Recipe: Courtesy of The Crab Place

1 pound fresh crab meat
½ pound butter, softened
1 jar Old English sharp cheese spread
2 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon seasoned salt
English muffins

Mix together the butter and the cheese until blended. Add the salts and mayonnaise. Stir in the crab meat.

Cut each English muffin half into quarters.

Put a teaspoon of the crab mixture on each quarter.

Put the quarters under the broiler until light brown.

Buy your Fresh Crab Meat online.

Visit The Crab Place for all your crab meat needs…

Seafood Gift Certificates
Seafood Gift Cards

Check back through the site for some other great gift basket ideas.

Outdoor clothing, gear for campers and hikers or hunters or skiers, and over 1,000 unique items for anyone who loves to stay on the move.

Get an Extra 20% Off at Sierra Trading Post. Valid 12/8/2011 to 1/4/2012. Use code: ALDEC1

Name brands at great prices!

Savings below for everyone – book now!

~ Vacation Package Exclusive Coupon – OV60. Get $60 off using coupon.

~ Find Boxing Day Travel Deals and Cheap Airfare on OneTravel.

~ Guaranteed Low Fares for New Year’s Flights.

~ Save Big on Last Minute Airfares. Get up to $25 Off with Promo Code LM15.

FREE SHIPPING DAY!

This year it will be Friday, December 16. Read here for further info…

Not only do you not have to carry it to give later at your holiday destination, its “ingredients” have a travel-focus – this one for men.

This travel luxuries for men gift basket contains:

~ Couto Tootpaste from Portugal
~ Abbaye de Flavigny Mint Flavored mints
~ Borotalco Talcum Powder
~ Lightfoot regular soap (pine)
~ Omega Razor
~ Omega Shaving Brush
~ Omega Shaving Soap in pot
~ Epi de Provence Ocean Scented Lotion

These are not items found in any local drugstore! And all are full-size products, not samples.

Order any of the gift baskets online and if you’re heading out for Christmas Day, know that these gifts will be delivered on time – without you having to carry them through airport “security.” This is a great way to make the gift-giving portion of the Christmas holiday as stress-free as possible. Your purchase may even qualify for free shipping…just click the link below for more details…

Anyone who loves a good piece of toast with jam will appreciate your gift of this heavenly creation composed of 6 best selling Andresey Jams.

Each jar is better than the next with flavors such as:

~ Apple Pear Walnut
~ Morello Cherries
~ Wild Strawberries
~ Apricot Almond
~ 4 fruit mix

A Berard Olive wood jam spreader and jam spoon, presented in a Provence bread basket makes this a thoughtful and elegant gift.

There are hundreds of gourmet and specialty food items available from Touch of Europe from countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland and more…with Free Shipping on all orders over $50.

Let’s see the airlines top that!

Work, work, work…that is all many of us seem to do these days.

If you’ve worked in information technology as I have, you’ll know that non-retail employers often plan computer and software upgrades over holidays when internal employee computer usage is slow to none. I’ve had more than one holiday season shortened to the point of only the actual holiday “day” being away from work.

You can use this to your advantage if work tends to interfere with holiday planning.

Reward yourself with a long weekend. This is a great time to choose bed and breakfast accommodations. You’ll likely find a little extra personal attention and pampering – often available at short notice – and in almost every destination you can imagine.

Plan your trip right before or right after the traditional holiday dates. I’ve found some great deals at bed and breakfast inns – because I’m not looking to stay on their busiest nights of the year. B&B owners usually do a fantastic job of decorating their inns for the holiday – Christmas trees, roaring fireplaces, great (often homemade) food…

I can still partake of the festivities the week after Christmas or the week before. It’s hard to feel sorry for yourself for having a work-shortened holiday when you plan this kind of escape! Here are a few special deals for the 2011 holiday season…

Get a FREE $50 B&B Gift Card!

Bed and Breakfast Holiday Deal Center – Free Shipping on Every Order!

Shop for International Bed and Breakfasts on BedandBreakfast.com