Christmas presents for travellers and home bodies
For the road-tripper or the staycationer, these presents are perfect.
Acqua di Colonia Rosa Novella, 100ml, $198
Perhaps the most summery rose eau-de-cologne ever, the fragrance of rosa centifolia is blended with soft notes of oregano and pepper in this new release from Santa Maria Novella. It’s floral, citrus and woody and comes with a separate spray for splash or spritz options. For a light everyday option, T+I recommends Santa Maria Novella’s rose water (500ml; $81), also available in sweet orange blossom.
Navman Micam Explore, $499
Towing a boat, driving an SUV or headed off the beaten track? Navman’s new MiCam Explore fits discreetly onto a dashboard and works regardless of mobile coverage. It has a 17.78cm “pinch and zoom” screen, magnetic windscreen mount, full HD dashcam recording plus GPS navigation, including off-road maps and routes that suit the size of your vehicle. For city use, there’s instant traffic updates, ADAS warnings and SOS breakdown alerts.
Fizztopia gift boxes, from $80
The recently launched online drinks store Fizztopia offers “best in class” singles or boxes of craft beers, ciders, sparkling and table wines plus non-alcoholic options such as Melbourne’s NON brand. The emphasis is on products from small businesses, family producers and growers, plus party favourites like White Claw Hard Seltzer, a lightly sparkling, low-sugar summer sip in fruity flavours such as ruby grapefruit and natural lime. A “boutique box” of three top French champagnes (pictured) is $270; free nationwide shipping for orders over $120.
Cire Trudon Gloria Candle, 270g, $145
If there’s one candle to make Christmas super-festive, it’s the new Gloria scent from Cire Trudon, a medley of Indonesian patchouli, Haitian vetiver, warm spices, cedarwood, Italian lemon and Brazilian orange. In a handmade varnished glass vessel decorated with gold leaf and packaged in a bright red box, the long-lasting candles also come in 800g ($449), plus a Nazareth fragrance of cinnamon, clove and a trio of citrus notes. Free delivery for orders over $100.
Flower: Exploring the World in Bloom, Phaidon, $79.95
This big beauty of a book is as intriguing as it is lavish. Compiled by an expert team across 352 pages, and with an intro by Anna Pavord, author of The Tulip, there are more than 300 images of flowers and floral motifs depicted across history, science, art and culture. The range includes still life compositions, ikebana arrangements, botanical illustrations, jewellery and decorative arts, and a focus on artists and designers who’ve used blooms, from full roses to delicate cherry blossoms, in myriad contrasting ways in their work. The book is from Phaidon’s Explorer series and is a stablemate to the equally sumptuous Plant: Exploring the Botanical World (2016). From bookstores nationally.
Qantas Care Kits, from $69
Qantas has had huge success this year with sales via its online store of in-flight pyjamas, toiletries pouches, even stocked bar carts and a line of flying kangaroo-branded apparel by Australian designer Martin Grant. The latest lure is a range of six Care Kits. T+I likes the sound of the Qantas Business Air Care Kit ($79; pictured) stocked with two business class amenity kits and Li’tya 100ml shampoo and 100ml conditioner. The Australian Indigenous beauty and hair brand is usually featured for passenger use in the airline’s international premium lounges. Frequent flyer points can be used for purchases. Sounds like a good air day.
Nordic Rooms Christmas Ornaments, 6-pack, $55
Scandinavian simplicity comes with a hint of sparkle in these delicate paper Christmas ornaments. The brand was founded in 2014 by Helene and Anders Gabrielsson, who have lived in Australia long-term but obviously still pine for the pared-down aesthetic of their Swedish homeland. The decorations come in a range of sophisticated, sedate colours in the shape of onions, hearts, trees, spheres and jewels. Clothing and furniture are also available on the website.
Belkin three-in-one wireless charger, $199.99
Loyal Apple customers will like this charging station, which allows the user to power up three of the tech giant’s devices at the same time. The 7.5W wireless charging pad is compatible with most lightweight cases on everything from the iPhone 8 to the latest models. The adjacent magnetic module will refuel an Apple Watch, while AirPods can be placed on the 5W pad to charge. An LED light indicates when devices are charging correctly.
Oliver James Designer Lilos, $US750-$875 ($1030-$1200)
Give holidaying at home by the pool a dose of style this summer with designer lilos from new brand Oliver James. The brainchild of Hong Kong-based Oliver James Micklewright, the floating lounges were born of a desire to re-create his childhood vacations spent swimming in the south of France. The UV-resistant, fabric-covered lilos are durable and machine washable and come with a USB rechargeable pump and linen bag. Available in neutral and nautical colours; international shipping in five to seven business days; 84cm x 160cm x 18cm.
Two Good Co Good Night’s Sleep Gift Pack, $329
The gift of giving is multiplied with these sleep packs from Sydney-based Two Good Co. It employs women affected by domestic violence and homelessness to produce its range of candles, Christmas cakes and ham glazes. Not only does each pack bring pleasure to the recipient but two women in a shelter will also receive a single pack (minus the candle, for safety reasons). Five per cent of sales go back to the charity. Included in the sleep packs are two Mulberry silk eye masks, two Mulberry silk pillowcases, and a Maison Balzac scented spray and mini candle.
DJI Mini 2 Drone, $749
Get a fresh perspective on your Australian road trip with this compact drone camera, which captures 4K video and 12MP still images from a distance of up to 10km. This little powerhouse, which weighs just 249 grams, has an automatic takeoff function and can reach altitudes of 4000m, while the “return to home” capability brings it back. It features a 3-axis motorised gimbal and can handle winds of up to 38km/h, making for super-smooth footage. Synchronises with DJI Fly app; battery life is 30 minutes.
Sony wireless noise-cancelling headphones, WH-1000XM4, $499
Released in August, this fourth generation of Sony’s acclaimed headphones are ideal for long-haul flights, when such things are back on the agenda. They deliver high-resolution audio, with the option of blocking or enabling ambient sound, and also pausing playback when you speak. Lightweight, with super-soft ear pads, they come in a compact travel case. Battery life is 30 hours; available in black or silver.
FAB FOUR
Books to keep the passion for travel alive:
Celebrating Australia’s Magnificent Wildlife
By Daryl Dickson
What a gorgeous album for lovers of our natural environment. Australian conservationist and wildlife artist Daryl Dickson’s studio and home are on the edge of the Kirrama Range in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area of far north Queensland. The rainforest and surroundings provide a welcome haven for “an astonishing array of animals”, including endangered mahogany gliders. Dickson works in watercolours, pencil, pastels and acrylics, and her beautiful illustrations cover creatures feathered and furred, from the double-eyed fig parrot on the cover to the handsomely spotted northern quoll, plus native flora, little red flying foxes and dainty tree frogs. She includes information on habitat and animal behaviour, and part of the book’s sales goes to nature conservation societies. Exisle Publishing, $55. Signed and numbered collector’s edition with leatherette cover, $199.99.
Rivers: The Lifeblood of Australia
By Ian Hoskins
Divided into 10 categories of waterways, this scholarly homage to our rivers blends lessons of history and legends with purpose and prosperity and more than a jot of environmental controversy. The expected big names are here, from the Murray to the Franklin, but it’s enthralling to dip, as it were, into the lesser-known, such as the South and East Alligator rivers in Kakadu, swarmed by magpie geese in season, pooling into billabongs and rising into “dramatic stone plateau country”. Hoskins, a historian, observes this Northern Territory region is one of both flux and permanence. “In this landscape of rivers, wetlands and flood plains it seems that everything changes except the rocks.” The Ord, Snowy, Clarence and Molonglo are among other waterways featured, and the beautiful images alone provide impetus to get out, grab an oar and explore. NLA Publishing, $49.99.
Ultimate Campsites Australia
By Penny Watson
Many of us are old enough to recall when camping simply meant pitching your own tent, boiling the billy and keeping an eye out for snakes and spiders. But now there’s glamping with khaki-suited butlers, plunge pools and super-comfy bedding. Penny Watson, however, prefers the true dinkum thing and covers 75 options across the land in this practical guide, which features plenty of how, where, when and why info plus maps, local attractions and a checklist of what to take (including hammer and tongs). A quirky place to pitch up? How about Starview Primitive Campsite at Broken Hill, set in a wildflower-filled nature reserve, complete with a cultural trail and permanent collection of 12 sandstone sculptures? Or bed amid grapevines and pastoral splendour at Bellwether Winery in South Australia’s Coonawarra where six bell tents await plus a further six DIY camping sites. Hardie Grant Travel, $39.99. Pre-order now for release this month.
New Map France
By Herbert Ypma
This French follow-up to New Map Italy was released in March, just in time for the land of chateaus and croissants to recede from our immediate holiday plans. But the content, touted as “unforgettable experiences for the discerning traveller”, is timeless. Ypma, who created the 1990s Hip Hotels series of books on desirable lodgings, has a keen eye for what’s hot and happening so his advice is usually on the money. Let’s presume his accommodation choices in France, from provincial manors and converted farmhouses to extravagant castles, are awaiting a tourism rebound, and that the 40-room Hotel Therese, “a stone’s throw” from Palais-Royale in Paris, is as charming a boutique bolthole as ever. At the other end of the scale is the 194-room Hotel Dieu in Marseilles. Originally a hospital that attended to victims of the bubonic plague in 1348, it’s a five-star restoration masterpiece that could perhaps claim fresh resonance in our 2020 year of the pandemic. Thames & Hudson, $59.99.