Anchorage Daily News

Has the traveler on your Christmas gift list been naughty or nice? It makes a difference when you're looking for the perfect stocking stuffer!

With new fees and baggage limits, travelers are trying to lighten their load. Lynn Staneff at Magellan's, the online travel store, recommends a lightweight, high-tech rolling carry-on bag, such as the 20-inch Hovercraft.

There is an exterior laptop sleeve, as well as all sorts of pockets and straps to help compartmentalize your bag -- and break the habit of checking luggage!

Staneff also likes the "Power Monkey", an ingenious pocket-sized portable power supply for mobile phones, iPods or digi-cams.

If you're worried about drinking the water, consider the "Steripen," which uses ultraviolet light to kill the bad stuff. Fits in your pocket.

Magellan's also has a big selection of high-tech travel clothing, such as travel vests, snappy wrinkle-free blazers and so forth.

Plug in your destination to one of the high-tech Garmin GPS units that fit in your car.

You can rent them at many car rental places, but now you can take one with you. Low-cost units are available at Costco for about $200.

Jessica Myers at Garmin recommends the Model nuvi 255W, with a 4.3-inch screen. \The higher-end models, such as the nuvi 785, features an option to get live traffic, weather and current events through the MSN network (for $50 per year).

Mommy-blogger Debbie Dubrow, based in Seattle, writes about traveling the world with young children on her blog, Deliciousbaby.com.

She has several recommendations for parents on the go including:

• The Quinny Zapp folding stroller. "The Zapp folds up small enough that you can bring it right onboard and stow it in the overhead bin," she writes.

• The Sit-n-Stroll is the perfect stroller for both wheeling around town and sitting your baby in the taxi.

• The Baby Sherpa Diaper Backpack. "Pay attention dads. Not only is this big enough to carry all diapers, toys and sippy cups, it has separate compartments for everything. We especially love the insulated bottle/sippy bag that attaches to the outside, and the large insulated section, perfect for carrying extra formula," writes Dubrow

Both Staneff and Debrow recommended all sorts of accessories to go with your iPod, including noise-canceling headphones.

But Dubrow suggests loading up your iPod Shuffle with baby-friendly music. Then stick the earbuds under baby's hat and let the music lull her into dreamland. Better than listening to the endless pitch from the flight attendants about the Visa card, no?

What's at the top of my list? Well, I just got a Canon camcorder.

It's about the size of a pop-can and shoots "HD" video. So everything on my list is an accessory for that: new filters, a Lowe's backpack to carry all the gear including tripod, battery, extra memory cards -- even my laptop.

Then there is the portable microphone and all sorts of other straps and gizmos.

Oh, there are other favorites on my list too. How about one of those wireless Internet cards?

Faster service means you can get broadband speed anywhere you can get a cell phone signal. Check with your local telecom provider, including ACS or GCI.

Speaking of phones, you should get every traveler on your list one of those nerdy-looking Bluetooth hands-free headphones.

There are limitless possibilities, but the point is that many states, including Washington and California, mandate that you have a hands-free device if you're chatting while driving. Makes sense.

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant. Contact him via his travel blog at www.alaskatravelgram.com.

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