The new Hobo Tote from TravelSmith is two handbags in one. Pack wallets, digital cameras, cell phones in the mini-purse, and you’ll be able to access those items you use most frequently when you’re dealing at the airport or huffing it on your morning commute. The roomy main tote has organizer pockets and plenty of space for carry-on essentials like books, magazines, water bottles and personal media players. Once you reach your destination, the mini-purse easily detaches from the main bag to become a shoulder bag. Great when you want to leave half your belongings in the hotel and just explore the sites with essentials in hand. And because the straps are detachable, you can use the mini-purse as a casual evening clutch.

The bubble-texture rubber exterior in go-with-anything black makes this bag versatile, as well as durable against the wear and tear, scuff marks and dirt that often mar handbags subjected to frequent travel. Cost: $95.

If there’s one thing in a frequent traveler’s life that is of utmost importance, it’s having a great duffel bag for schlepping your belongings hither and thither. And a great duffel always does two things: a) hold your stuff in a more secure, organized fashion than the average duffel and b) stand up to the traumas of long-haul air travel. The Weathershed Duffel by Patagonia does both. A winner of a 2006 Gear of the Year Award from Outside magazine, the medium-sized roller bag offers the following perks for your gear:

- A extra wide opening so you don’t have to jam belongings in

- A separate compartment for shoes and dirty or wet items you’d like to keep separate

- A divider panel inside the bag that allows you to pack gear in one or two sections

- Reflective lining that makes it easier to see bag contents in dim lighting

And for added durability:

- Welded seams at common stress points on bag’s exterior

- Water repellent finish

- High ground clearance wheels

- A bottom made of ABS impact-resistant foam and plastic

- Strap-free (and snag free) handles

But, friends, here’s the best part: Right now Patagonia is offering the Weathershed Duffel in Sultan Red for $160, down from $325. This would make an eggscellent gift for your favorite travel addict (even if that just happens to be yourself).

The Violet Hour’s Toby Maloney concocts a Whiskey Smash:

Homemade simple syrups and bitters, cold-draft ice, chilled glasses are just the beginning at the Violet Hour, Chicago’s trendiest (and best, many would argue) destination for upscale cocktails.

Since opening last summer, the Wicker Park bar has fast become the kind of place out-of-towners love to visit. Why? Well, there are, of course, things like the menu of old school classics (when was the last time you ordered a Sazerac?), new house creations by vaunted mixologist Toby Maloney and the opulent interiors complete with high-backed chairs and crystal chandeliers.

But there’s another reason visitors to Chicago are putting the Violet Hour on their must-do lists: they want to get in on the conversation. Since owner and nightlife impresario Terry Alexander opened the place, all manner of foodies, travelers and cocktail enthusiasts have braved the long lines and forked over $11 a cocktail just to be able to weigh in with their two cents. And woah, is there ever conversation. Everything from the sluggish lines on Saturday nights and lack of exterior signage to the no-reservations policy and the bartenders’ muddling styles have become topics of great debate in both the traditional and 2.0 media landscapes. All you have to do is Google the venue’s name and “Chicago” to find countless magazine articles, blog posts and comments from folks who’ve gone and since joined the comparison chatter fray.

So whether you go and – like one recent visitor we know – emerge counting the cocktails among the best you’ve ever had or check out the scene and deem it trendier-than-thou, the Violet Hour’s magnetic pull is sure to strike during your next Chi-Town adventure. Don’t be surprised if you end up here.

In the mean time, check out Toby Maloney in action as he makes a Maloney Negroni:

The Violet Hour
1520 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622

Angel Island is simply “the other island,” glimpsed from the ferry to and from Alcatraz. But those who make a special trip to this park in the middle of the San Francisco Bay will be glad they did – especially if they chance to go on a “five-bridge” day, one so clear that observers at the top of the island’s Mt. Livermore can see five bridges traversing the Bay’s waters.

When visitors arrive in Ayala Cove (ferry companies and schedules), they stroll past the Cove Cantina, which started offering Segway Tours this year. You can also hop on a tram for a one-hour ride around the island. Many visitors bring bikes to ride, while others choose to spend their entire time enjoying the lawn and picnic tables in front of the stately white building that houses the Visitor’s Center.

For an easy jaunt that still rewards with gorgeous views, head west from the cove and follow the trail that begins behind the Visitor’s Center. Along the way, you’ll spot the ADA campsite pictured here. It’s one of the best on the island (total of nine, Angel Island camping information). Because of the site’s ADA status, you can’t reserve the site in advance unless you qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act. But it often goes unreserved, so the park makes this site available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re interested, reserve another site and check for this one’s availability at the camper kiosk in the cove when you get off the ferry.

About a mile in, walk or picnic among what remains of Camp Reynolds (also known as the West Garrison), a military outpost that dates back to the Civil War. The soldiers lived in the barracks (the white buildings along the left), while the higher ranking officials occupied the building closest to the water.

Of course, one of the best reasons to go to Angel Island has to be million-dollar views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay and the surrounding skylines (you can see Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Sausalito and Tiburon depending on where you are on the island. There are 13 miles of trails on the island, but the paved perimeter road is about five miles – easily doable on foot in the space of an afternoon.

For more information about Angel Island, visit Angel Island State Park (good general visitor information) and Angel Island.org (more historical information).

Celebrity Travel News 11.23.07

Backseat Britney

First, folks, the bad news. Britney Spears didn’t do anything outrageous this week. In fact, she actually did something smart and responsible. She let someone else drive her and her sons around Los Angeles. I am sure the feet on several paparazzi breathed a sigh of relief at that news.

But the semi-responsible Brit sighting leads us to our question of the week: why is Britney Spears always at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills? I mean, it’s a great hotel and all, but why does she need to be there multiple times a week, every week. The girl lives in Malibu.

Anyway, you can watch her rolling through the parking lot – this time in the backseat with her kids – in this video from x17.

Brad Bails with Blond

Now that we’ve got that burning question out of the way, we can move on to what is, for better or for worse, the week’s biggest celebrity travel news. Brad Pitt reportedly left a post-premier party for wife Angelina Jolie’s new film Beowulf and headed to the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel with – gasp – a blond and some other unidentified person. Though no one has proof or even vaguely convincing circumstantial evidence to back this up, the rumor is that Brad flirted with the aforementioned blonde, Angie got upset and Brad left with the other woman and was seen exiting the hotel around 4 am.

Pissed Off at the Polo Lounge

David Hasselhoff is back in the blogs after reportedly causing a stink at the Beverly Hills Hotel restaurant the Polo Lounge last week. Though everyone in Hasselhoff’s camp denies the rumors, onlookers say they saw Hasselhoff get huffy and storm out of the lunch after complaining to his agent about all the crap jobs he’s been getting recently. You know, it’s probably completely his agent’s fault. ‘Cause I’m sure the shirtless, drunken hamburger incident had nothing to do with it.

Meanwhile…

On Tuesday, Lindsay Lohan was spotted exiting a Ritz Carlton in Manhattan. We’re not sure whether the hotel is question was the Ritz Carlton Battery Park
or the Ritz Carlton New York Central Park. In fact, all we can really confirm is that she stood on a Ritz Carlton rug and has really long fake blond hair that we hate and wish she would leave alone because her red hair was so much prettier.

Also on Tuesday, Tara Reid reminded everyone that she still exists. Proving that not every celebrity cares what she looks like in public, a frumpy Tara Reid flashed the paps with her thong at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday.

Virgin America’s Secret

If there were any doubt that Virgin America is vying for the title of sexiest airline, this should put it to rest.

Here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving - wherever you are and however you choose to celebrate. We’ve got a lot of things to be thankful for this year. The most recent of which is yesterday’s mention of the TravelPost.com Airport Wireless Internet Guide in Daily Candy’s travel section. Thanks for the shout out, guys.

Today we’ll be off dosing ourselves on tryptophan, baking rolls, finishing the sweet potato brulee and drinking good wine. Check back tomorrow for your regular weekly helping of celebrity travel news. Until then, have a safe and happy holiday.

Insider It Gear 11.21.07

Pack It Up, Pack It In

Now here’s one good-looking (imagine Derek Zoolander saying that two-word phrase, and it’s a lot funnier) travel case. The Excursion Gadget Organizer from Red Envelope aims to tame the raging mess of cords and adapters and handheld devices swimming in the bottom of carry-ons and handbags. But unlike many similar options, this one says, yeah, I organized my cords and I can pull off a Burberry scarf. Or something like that. Available in brown leather, the case features a tan canvas interior with two zippered pockets and an outside plaque that can be monogrammed. Cost: $45.

Slopes, Camera, Action

Show all those pansies back at the ski lodge how the hardcore do a little thing called shredding with the Oregon Scientific ATC-2k Waterproof Action Camera from Sharper Image. The hands-free video camera mounts on helmets, handlebars and other strategic spots and records up to 90 minutes using an SD media card (gotta buy that baby separately). Edit your footage on either a Mac or PC, upload to YouTube and just wait for the ladies to start knocking at your door. Cost: $129.95

Get a Grip on Those Drips

Move over juice box, there’s a new sheriff in town. Perfect for traveling parents with babes in arms, WaddaJuice comes in this nifty spill-proof bottle designed to keep kids from dribbling all over creation. And this ain’t no shady “juice product.” It’s 100 percent juice and filtered water. So keeping your kid clean doesn’t have to involve pumping him with extra sugar and preservatives. Flavors include apple, cranberry, grape, fruit punch and wild berry. Cost: $12.99 for 12

Proper Identification

Well, you can’t make jokes anywhere else in the airport these days, so you might as well make them on your luggage. Here’s how: Pick up a pack of Funny Luggage Tags from Pulchritude’s etsy shop at a bargain basement price. Tie one onto your bag. Let the games begin. Even better – there are 12 tags in each order. Great as little stocking stuffers or replacements when yours gets mangled by angry baggage handlers. Cost: $3

The 2007 Thanksgiving travel period is supposed to be so bad this year that even the Pres has taken notice and opened restricted military airspace for commercial airplanes traveling up and down the busy East Coast flight corridor. For its part, the TSA has promised to open up as many security lines as it can and put more screeners on duty.

As much as we like to look on the bright side (at least you’re not at work, right?), we’re not gonna lie. Getting to and from your Turkey Day destination this week might be a wee bit hectic. In fact, you might as well count on wanting to kill someone at least once during your travels. That way, you’11 be pleasantly surprised if everything goes according to plan.

We’ve put together some tried-and-true tips to help you during your travels. They’re simple. And they work:

1. Have a zen moment. Sometime before you strike out for the airport, take a moment to level with yourself and your traveling companions. Admit that the next few hours of your life are likely to be marred by too many people trying to get too many places in too little time. And know that you’re going to be in the thick of it. And someone on the plane near you is probably going to have noxious body odor or an annoying voice or an elbow that keeps creeping into your precious personal space. Ponder these realities. Then take a deep breath, exhale and just get to it. Sometimes, preparing yourself mentally for the mayhem can make all the difference. Or at least, that’s what we keep telling ourselves.

2. Go online before you leave. It may seem like a pedestrian point in this day and age, but use the power of the Internet before you head to the airport. You can check-in, check flight status, upgrade to exit row seats, check traffic reports and make off-airport parking reservations before you leave the house.

3. Get there early. Just do it. Just this once. Through Sunday, plan to arrive at the airport no later than an hour and a half before domestic flights.

4. Be your own Wolfgang Puck. Don’t rely on the airline or the airport to feed you. A week ago, I was shocked to find only one kind of nasty pre-packaged sandwich in the airport terminal in which I happened to be waiting. I was really surprised – but yeah, there was only one option. And it was beyond foul. Bringing travel-friendly snacks can be a lifesaver during the holiday travel season – especially if you have kids. Here are of my favorite snacks that travel well:

- Crackers and cheese
- Apples, grapes and nuts
- Sandwiches with the lettuce and tomato packed separately
- Cold pizza (seriously, what else tastes as good at room temperature?)

5. Know the rules. In the last few years, airlines have made lots of little changes to rules governing checked bags. Most charge fairly high fees for overweight bags and passengers checking more than two bags. Many airlines won’t check bags in after a specified cut-off time. Be sure to know the rules and restrictions that apply to you and your travel companions.

6. Pack essentials in a small carry-on. Using a small carry-on (not a large one that will be subject to mandatory checking if the airplane you’re on runs out of overhead space before you have a chance to board) to stow medicine, phone chargers, computer power cords, a toothbrush and other essentials is one of the smartest things you can do. Running out of battery power while you’re stranded in the airport or arriving at your destination only to find your luggage hasn’t made it can put a major wrench in your plans.

7. Distract thyself. Whether you’re driving three hours to grandma’s house or flying cross-country, never underestimate the power of an enticing distraction. Stop by the bookstore for a new book you’ve been dying to read, create a new iPod playlist (or 12), bring a stack of note cards and start your holiday greetings, knit up a storm. We don’t care. Just figure out something to keep your mind occupied during long periods of downtime.

8. Take care of yourself. Down an Airborne tablet before you go. Wash your hands like a crazy person. Drink water like a fish. Stand up and stretch. Circle your ankles. Bring a pack of tissues and some Tylenol. Do whatever you can to stay healthy and avoid the colds and sniffles that hit so many travelers after a long flight.

9. Dress the part. Wear clothing that will cut time in the security line and remain comfortable throughout your trip. Remember that belts, shoes and outerwear have to come off before you clear security. Slip-on shoes are ideal. Take a sweater or extra layer on the plane – you never know what cabin temperatures are going to be like.

10. Don’t blame the innocent. Now this one’s obviously less for travelers and more for the common good. Blaming employees when planes get delayed, flights get canceled, storms strike, hotels run out of rooms or traffic jams gum up the works really only accomplishes two things: it pisses the employees off and make them less likely to help you. Neither are beneficial to you. Being nice won’t work miracles, but masking your surly attitude can help. And it’ll save you from getting booted from the plane or out of a rebooking line.

And now for the final last minute Thanksgiving hotel package of the day. After much hunting, we found a great spot that still has availability: the Samoset Resort on the Ocean in Rockport, Maine. First opened in 1889, this coastal resort is a well known golfing destination that’s home to the ESPN Golf School of Northern New England. Other diversions include the health club with its 30′ x 50′ indoor pool, gorgeous grounds and ample activities for kids.

The Samoset Resort Thanksgiving Package includes two nights’ accommodations, breakfast for two each morning, Thanksgiving dinner for two and activities like kids’ crafting sessions (pinecone picture frames, anyone?), an adult pastry class, a live turkey display and cupcake decorating. Following a $3 million renovation project completed earlier this year, the 178-room hotel offers rooms with new furnishings, flat screen TVs, free wi-fi and private balconies or terraces. The hotel still has queen oceanview and king oceanview rooms available. Rates start at $189 and go up to $209/night.

At the Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa just outside of Scottsdale, AZ, you could begin Thanksgiving this year with a breakfast horseback ride, continue with mid-morning tennis instruction before settling in for a traditional Thanksgiving meal with prix fixe menus at resort restaurants The Latilla and The Palo Verde. On Friday, the festivities continue with a tennis doubles round-robin in the morning, midday children’s arts and crafts and an afternoon walk with the resort’s resident geologist to uncover the history of the rocks surrounding the property. Or you could just say screw it and go to the Golden Door Spa. You certainly won’t have a problem being thankful there.

When we checked today, you could still book a casita room for $319/night. These are the most basic rooms at the resort, but still offer wood-burning fireplaces, oversized tubs, private patios, robes and slippers, Egyptian cotton sheets and separate sleeping and sitting areas.