Scan This Travel Writer

The next time you are zip lining in Costa Rica or dancing the night away in New York and you want to exchange business cards – but you don’t have one on you – show your wrist band with your personalized QR code and voila! your contact information is transferred to their smart-phone.

Mobile Business Card

The standard business card serves its purpose when it comes to meetings, but today’s high tech, mobile connected era is always looking for the next best thing. Much the way Bump helps smart-phone users exchange contact information,  Skanz uses QR codes to capture and share users’ online presence.

The New York-based Skanz allows users to convey all their online details through a QR code. I went to the Skanz site and entered the contact and social networking information I wanted to share. A QR code was generated, allowing me to affix a decal to the back of my mobile phone or I could purchase a smartphone cover or wristband with my unique QR code on it. Either way, users may  scan each other’s QR codes with a free accompanying app for instant access to relevant information.

Don’t expect your QR code reader to perform well with dark lighting or moving wristbands. We needed to move inside for better lighting to successfully scan the QR code on my bracelet.  The wristband certainly served as an icebreaker for starting a conversation!

Social media fans may follow QR Skanz on Twitter or friend them on Facebook.  For all things travel related, follow travel expert Nancy D. Brown on Twitter.

Create your own QR code

Personal Skanzsite = free. Skanz bands $9.99 per band, available in a rainbow of colors.  iPhone cases with your personal Skanz code on the back $19.99. Skanz decals for your school ID card, computer, iPad case, anywhere it sticks – $5.00 per decal.

Related Post:

Urbandillo Hobo Bag – Travel Gear Review

Top photo courtesy of David Lytle, Frommers.com Editorial Director. Skanz supplied me with this wristband for a travel gear review.

These travel underwear have secret pockets to hold your money and passport

Stocking Stuffers

Lights, Camera…Travel by Andrew McCarthy and Don George

On-the-road tales from screen storytellers, published by Lonely Planet. $14.99 suggested retail.

ShowOffs – reusable travel bags that pass airport security while looking fashionable. Each single order comes with one quart-sized bag, one gallon-sized bag, three refillable bottles and bonus bags. $14,99 suggested retail.

Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale is a portable, lightweight travel accessory with 110 lb. capacity . $19.95 suggested retail.

Travel underwear with secret pockets from The Clever Travel Companion. $29.90 suggested retail.

Take me out to the ball game with Gameday Expert

Travel Destination Gifts

Gameday Expert – Sports experience

Gameday Expert puts sports professionals such as former umpire Ed Montague or pitcher Bill Laskey together with you (and up to 20 guests) to watch a game.  Whether you are in field-level seats or a suite, your Gameday Expert will share what it’s like to be on the field, explaining players’ strengths and weaknesses and sharing behind-the-scenes stories.

My baseball loving cousin LOVED the experience. $1,500 for three, including seats/gifts/autographs

Contact: Gameday Expert (408) 832-1999 http://www.gamedayexpert.com

King Pacific Lodge – Eco Adventure in Canadian Rainforest

For the traveler who has done it all – King Pacific Lodge is the big ticket item. It will take three planes to get to Princess Royal Island, located in the Great Bear Rainforest on the west coast of British Columbia – but this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’ll stay at King Pacific Lodge, a floating luxury barge and experience Canada at its finest. $5,400 pp 3 nights, including air/activities/meals. (I like it because I was able to see the Kermode spirit bear – a pure white, black bear.)

Contact: King Pacific Lodge (888) 592-5464  http://www.kingpacificlodge.com

For the Horse Lover

Triple Creek Ranch

She likes horseback riding. He likes fishing. They both like Relais & Châteaux quality resorts. This is the ideal Montana hideaway. (I liked it because they offered four day Klicks for Chicks horseback riding adventure with gourmet food and a soft bed at night!)

Contact: Triple Creek Ranch (800) 654-2943 http://www.triplecreekranch.com

Kigo Edge footwear - travel gear gift idea

Travel Gear Gift Ideas

Kigo Footwear – Packs flat as a pancake

Designed for the barefoot lifestyle, Kigo footwear offers stylish minimalist shoes that are good for the body and for the Earth. (I like them because they pack flat as a pancake, yet offer footwear protection in and out of the water.) $69.99

Contact: Kigo Footwear http://www.kigofootwear.com

Sanuk Footwear – Funky travel shoes

Connect with your inner surfer with Sanuk beach and surf sandals. This Southern California-based company offers distinctively designed food wear for the global outdoor community. Taking its name from the Thai word for fun, Sanuk combines funk and function. (I like the shoes because they slide off easily going through airport security.) Donny Sanuk $60.

Contact: Sanuk (877) 412-7467 http://www.sanuk.com

Selk bag – Gumby meets sleeping bag

Making its debut in the U.S. market in August of 2008, the Selk’bag is marketed as an innovative sleepwear system. I call it Gumby meets sleeping bag, because it is a sleeping bag with arms, legs and feet. You can actually walk or dance in this bag! (My daughter dancing in the Selk bag http://youtu.be/j2dIIjKUHpg) Adult Selk bag $99.

Contact: Selk’bag Sleepwear System (888) 745-4774 http://www.selkbagusa.com

Are you shopping for a traveler this holiday season? What’s on your shopping list?

Related Post:

Travel Gift Guide – Gifts for the Traveler

Holiday Gift Ideas Passports with Purpose

Imagine where you could go for $10

Want to know what it’s like to be waited on at an all-inclusive resort in Los Cabos, Mexico? Perhaps you’d prefer to go horseback riding in the Cariboo region of Canada followed with a Thai massage in the afternoon? Imagine if you had a chance at either of these prizes and it only cost you $10 bucks?  That’s right – $10 dollars. Last year someone won a seven day Norwegian Coastal Voyage for two aboard the Hurtigruten ship for $10.  Any of these travel prizes could be yours with some luck at a raffle and a $10 donation to Passports with Purpose.

Passports with Purpose is celebrating their fourth year of fund raising for a cause. I’m pleased to say that this Uptake Lodging Editor and What a Trip travel blogger has supported Passports with Purpose from the start and I continue to be involved in 2011.

Last year we raised $58,132. in support of Land for Tilers’ Freedom or LAFTI, an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Dalit (untouchable) population in India.

This year, more than 100 travel bloggers from around the world will participate in Passports with Purpose 2011.

Together, with your support, we plan to build two libraries in Zambia, Africa. This year, we’re supporting Room to Read.

Passport with Purpose Prizes

To see a list of prizes on the Passports With Purpose website. Each donated prize will link back to a full description of the prizes on the blogger’s website.

Your purchase of a $10 raffle ticket will help support Passports with Purpose and ultimately build two libraries in Africa. For each $10 in donations that you make  to Room to Read, you will will be entered to win a prize (or prizes) of your choice. The fundraiser begins on November 30th and closes on December 16, 2011. All proceeds go directly to Room to Read.

Secrets Marquis Los Cabos

Secrets Marquis Los Cabos is donating three nights/four days in a Junior Suite with ocean view for two, in addition to dinner for two with one bottle of Marquis wine.  Additionally, Luxury Avenue is donating a private shopping tour of Luxury Avenue with a welcome bag and $1,000 peso gift card (value of approximately $85 USD depending on the exchange rate when redeemed.)
The suggested retail value of this Secrets Marquis Los Cabos package is $2,085. Thank you Secrets Marquis Los Cabos and Luxury Avenue for your generous donation.  Read my review of Marquis Los Cabos.

Echo Valley Ranch and Spa

Echo Valley Ranch and Spa is donating a three night/four day Experience Package. The suggested retail value of this Echo Valley Ranch and Spa package is $5,100 Canadian dollars with all fees/taxes. Thank you Echo Valley Ranch and Spa for your $5,100 Canadian dollar donation. Read my review of Echo Valley Ranch and Spa here.

Article written by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip