Awesome Travel

Gear Tags are Matador’s weatherproof version of luggage tags. Their straps are made from Hypalon rubber, making them waterproof, dustproof, tear-resistant, and impact-resistant. Their writing surface works with most pens, though Matador recommends using a permanent fine-tip marker like a Sharpie. Each pack comes with two Gear Tags.

Proof’s 72-Hour Merino Travel Pant promises to ward off water and odors for up to 3 days, not just when you forget to wash it. Its Merino wool blend fabric and a water-repellent finish will keep you feeling and smelling fresh even in harsh outdoor environments. The gusseted crotch and back zip pocket make them more dependable for traveling light.

Do you often find yourself buying a helmet? Jokes aside, these retro helmet bags from Japanese brand Post O’Alls do have more space than most packable bags, with two buttoned front pockets along with the zipped main compartment. We love the iridescent navy and khaki variants, but there’s also a more discreet black.

Some of Conan O’Brien’s funniest shows were the ones where he traveled to different countries. On his new series, the comedian and talk show host visits fans around the planet and embarrasses them by defiling their local traditions. Along the way, Conan stops in Norway, Thailand, Ireland, and Argentina. It debuts 4.18.24 on Max.

Bring the scents of the outdoors in with these incense cones from Good & Well Supply Co. The collection is inspired by places you might stop on the great American road trip, including National Parks and lodges. For example, Yellowstone smells like vetiver, pine needle, and sandalwood, and The Lookout Lake Lodge combines sea salt, sand dunes, and cedar.

Air travel poses some challenges when it comes to carrying gear and toiletries. In this episode of Everyday Carry’s Carried Away podcast, hosts Bernard and Mikey chat about what you can or can’t bring through TSA checkpoints. Along the way they talk about their travel load-outs and suggest some alternatives to pocket knives and other prohibited tools.

Royal Caribbean launched the gargantuan Icon of the Seas, an over-the-top, maximalist combo of mega ship/floating city for 7,600 passengers. It’s so huge that cruisers will forget they’re on a boat. The cherry on top is Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six thrill rides covering 17,000 square feet.

For a decade, Vlogger Tom Scott has entertained and educated us with his science and travel videos. 10 years to the day since his first YouTube clip, he’s decided to take a well-deserved hiatus. His final weekly video – at least for now – is a humble explanation of his reasons for slowing down and a celebration of the incredible experiences he’s shared with us.

The Bottle Flight offers a great way to travel with small amounts of spirits. The TSA-friendly carry case comes with four 3 oz. bottles for carrying liquids. Each bottle has a protective silicone sleeve, measurement indicators, and a labeling window. The case is padded for extra safety and can hold a pair of cigars in place of two of its bottles.

Tired of emptying out your entire travel kit to find what you’re looking for? The Woosh toiletry bag solves that problem by keeping everything neat and organized. It has multiple pockets, two detachable shower boards, a waterproof pocket, and opens 180º to provide quick access to your grooming, styling, and hygiene essentials.

Out of space in your suitcase? This lightweight carry-on is perfect for toiletries, gadgets, power cords, and other small gear. Airportag made it look like a flight data recorder, so you might get some strange looks going through the TSA checkpoint. The bag measures 12.4″ x 7.2″ x 3.1″ and is made from waterproof polyester with a waterproof zipper.

This amazing scene played out in Turkey’s Cappadocia region. Watch as mountain bikers Nikolaj Juhlsen Rasmussen and Korbinian Engstler ride along a gorgeous stretch of trails on hilly terrain as dozens of hot air balloons float in the skies above. The POV footage was captured with the Insta360 Ace Pro action camera with photography by Luke Maximo Bell.

Come along for a ride on a cogwheel train that takes passengers to the top of Switzerland’s Mount Pilatus. The first-person footage from Switzerland is Life will make you feel like you’re riding along with the conductor as you ascend to the alpine summit. Watch it in 4K full-screen with headphones for maximum effect.

Track your travels around the U.S. National Parks with this laser-cut wood map from SeeYouOnTheTrail. Each park is marked on the map with a cutout of an evergreen tree. Once you visit the park, pop in one of the green trees to say you were there. The map measures 16.5″ wide x 10″ tall and also comes in colorful sunrise and woodland hues editions.

The guys at Airportag sell some of the best gifts for travelers. Among their wares is an extensive collection of travel journals. The hardcover journals feature imagery inspired by baggage tags, boarding passes, airport codes, diagrams, passport stamps, and some humorous designs. Available in 4″ x 6″ and 6″ x 8.5″ sizes.

Nomadix celebrates America’s National Parks and monuments with their “Only Towel You Need.” The towel holds up to four times its weight in water yet dries four times faster than regular cotton terry towels. The outdoor-friendly towel resists sand and pet hair, too. It measures 72.5″ L x 30″ W and is made from 90% post-consumer recycled polyester.

Knock Knock makes all kinds of fun and useful checklist notepads. The Road Trip edition of their Pack This! list covers everything you should have in the car before you hit the road, from hand sanitizer to a first aid kit to games for the kids. And yes, you should always have spare oil, coolant, and jumper cables.

Take a ride on Switzerland’s Gelmerbahn – an open-air funicular that sends passengers along a 3,373-foot-long route with a maximum 106% grade. DJ Hammers Trains captured this smooth 60 fps 4K time-lapse footage to speed up the 8-minute journey. And if that’s not enough, there’s an even steeper funicular with a 110% grade.

Mexico City is one of the world’s most dog-friendly cities, especially the charming Condesa neighborhood, where dogs outnumber people. At the pet-loving hotel Andaz Mexico City Condesa, canines live it up at the Rooftop Beer Garden & Canine Club. The indoor/outdoor hangout on the second-floor terrace caters to dogs and their humans.

This handy travel accessory from Maxpedition Gear gives you a place to keep your phone, wallet, keys, eyeglasses, and other small accessories, so you know exactly where they are. It lays flat when not in use and snaps together at its corners or edges to form a tray or taco-shaped storage compartment.

Filmmakers Páraic and Kevin McGloughlin created this brief visual love letter to New York City. By editing together hundreds of still frames they shot while in the city, they managed to boil down the essence of the Big Apple into a 51-second short film. We’d love to see them do this with every city they visit.

The Smithsonian Channel takes us near Shanghai, China, where what was once a rock quarry has been transformed into an extravagant luxury resort. Architect Martin Jochman of JADE+QA designed the structure that appears to be just two stories when approaching from the top, but is actually a 16-story tower that blends into the rocks.

Luckies of London and Suck UK teamed up to create this unique tabletop globe for travel enthusiasts. It features a scratch-off gold layer that lets you gradually reveal the locations you’ve visited around our planet. It includes US and Australian state and Canadian province and territory lines and is available in 5.5″ and  8″ diameters.