Rick Steves, the guru behind the popular Europe Through the Back Door franchise, puts a lot of miles on his bags.  So who better to design a carry-all that's roomy enough to hold almost a week's worth of gear yet weighs less than 3 pounds.  Personally road tested by us, we can attest it's both sturdy and secure, and is stain- and water-resistant to boot.

 

Coming fall 2008 to a retailer near you is this handy rolling laptop carrier that won't make you squirm next time you have to go through airport security. One of only five designs approved by the TSA in a recent test of prototype bags, Pathfinder's new Compubrief has three zippered main compartments, the first of which opens at a 90-degree angle.  So instead of having to take your laptop completely out of your bag and placing it in a bin, you can just unzip, lay the bag flat, and slide  it on through.

Looking for a gift for the traveler who has everything?  Consider these snappy bag tags that will spice up their journey with sayings like "Are we there yet" and "Who are you calling an old bag?" The tags' bold colors and shapes also help make it easy for them to pick their suitcase out of the crowd at the carousel.

We don't like to think about it, but occasionally bad stuff happens when you're on the road--one of them being having your bag stolen. That likely won't be an issue with Pacsafe's anti-theft travel gear, like this chic messenger bag, which comes with slash-proof straps, tamperproof zippers, and snatch-proof anchors you can safely attach to the nearest fixed object.

People always extol the virtues of wearing a comfortable walking shoe when traveling. Well, there's perhaps no more comfortable shoe than those in this Italian-made line, which claim to offer the benefits of going shoeless. Better yet, their 3mm puncture-resistant soles protect your feet yet are flexible enough to fold in half, making Vivo's perfect for packing.

 

Ladies, you'll have it made in the shade with this beautiful blouse from Columbia's new line of clothes with built-in sunscreen. Called Omni-Shade, the garments are pretreated with UPF 50 protection that effectively blocks 98 percent of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.  Their ventilated weaves and moisture wicking also assist with cooling and breathability.

 

Okay, cashmere is a little pricey, but there's nothing like it for comfort when you're stuck on a plane or motorcoach for hours on end. And this fashionable men's V-neck comes in a multitude of colors and is both wrinkle- and stain-resistant, so that, like you, it travels exceptionally well.

Don't ask us how it works, but this new high-def digital camcorder, due out in August 2008, has a smile-detection feature that automatically takes 7.6 MP stills whenever a smile is detected. With a supplied 4GB memory stick, you can record 85 minutes of footage or upgrade to a 16GB stick with just under six hours of footage.

Can't travel without your iPod?  Or your iPhone? This solar-powered charger captures the sun's rays to give you juice for things like digital cameras and MP3 players when there are no plugs to be found. It folds up nicely, too, so it doesn't take up much room in your gear.

Like to take along a book when you travel but tired of lugging it around? Check out this handy portable reading device from the folks at Amazon, who know a little something about books. It features a quite-readable 6-inch diagonal display, and at 10.3 ounces, weighs less than your average paperback. Plus, its wireless delivery system uses the same 3G network as advanced cellphones, so you'll never have to locate a hotspot.

There's nothing remotely techy about this product, but we couldn't help but include it, because we all know there are germs out there--from the hotel sink to the steering wheel on your rental car. Luckily, these convenient one-step wipes not only clean and sanitize, but also provide ongoing protection from recontamination. Let's face it, while you're on an trip is no time to get sick.

 

This faux laptop for the preschool set will keep their active minds--and hands--occupied with its silly characters, cool mazes, and fun games, all while quietly teaching them about letters and phonics.

 

Another great item to have on hand when you're on the road with the kiddos are these blow-up bed rails, which turn any ordinary hotel bed into a safe sleeping spot.  All BedBugz have child-friendly patterns and washable covers.

 

This, the world's first ride-on suitcase, not only makes traveling fun for the wee ones, but lets them push themselves along or be towed by an adult when their little feetsies get tired (don't worry, parents, it has stabilizers to prevent tipping). Inside, it's got room enough for a few toys, games, and clothes, along with their favorite teddy bear. And kids have their pick of several fun colors.