beat the brochure

Technology has taken over every aspect of our lives and made it more convenient, more accessible – and with every smaller model released – more portable too. So it’s no wonder that when travelling, a time when you have to pack all of your most convenient and needed items into just one suitcase, electronics that are made to help you during every stage of your journey, and the latest electronics aren’t hard to find.

iPad

Thin, light, powerful – it’s no wonder so many people are snapping up Apple’s tablet and packing it carefully amongst their belongings. Able to fit into the stingiest of baggage allowances, with the right apps downloaded your iPad could become your favourite travel companion before, during and after the holiday. Before you go, you’ve got apps from major airlines such as British Airways that will have your flight info and boarding pass ready at the touch of the screen. You’ve also got the TripAdvisor app that’ll let you know which hotels, restaurants and attractions are a go do or a no go. When you’re there, you can download the Google translator that can actually translate live from speech then read it back to you – perfect for discreetly learning some phrases to save embarrassment. In fact there is no much an Apple iPad can’t help you with when abroad!

Headphones

There’s nothing worse than spending so much time before travelling compiling the best holiday playlist only to spend the whole trip listening to it through tinny, pound shop headphones. Don’t ever skimp on headphones for travelling, if you’ve spent a good hundred on your actual MP3 Player then you shouldn’t be spending just a couple of quid to listen to it. Noise-cancelling headphones are the best things to have, especially over-ear, as they’ll stop all irritating noises getting in and let you get the most from the soundtrack to your travels.

Camera

In my experience, it’s always best to have two cameras. One amazing SLR that will get the perfect shot of any beautiful view you point it at and one decent, cheaper and much more durable digital camera that you don’t mind possibly getting damaged by some sand, water or a drop to the floor if you are partying hard on cheap Tenerife holidays or anywhere else for that matter! Plenty of digital cameras are even made to be durable to such environmental hazards and are worth shelling out for if you’re going on an adventure holiday or even if you’re just a little clumsy!

Portable DVD Player

Even I have the horrible memories of those awful, heavy ‘portable’ players from just a few years back but times have changed and all portable players on the market are sleek, functional and easy to travel with – they’ll not only keep kids occupied but yourself as well. These are most useful on the plane, especially if you’re flying long-haul, and the film selection is particularly awful but are also good whilst travelling to different destinations on cheap holidays abroad. Especially if you’re in need of some entertainment whilst on a long coach journey to your next city or when you’ve booked a really cheap hotel that came with just the dust imprint of where you guess a TV would have been.

What electronics couldn’t you dream of leaving home without? Tell us in the comments section below.