The SHARP List: Our 2023 Gift Guide for Travel Lovers
Every globetrotter needs a bucket list of dream destinations. But, to ease the headaches of modern air travel, they’ll also need some choice essentials for the road. From a first-class carry-on to a watch made for frequent flyers, here’s what to wrap up for the world-traveller in your life.
Maison Brummell Majorelle Marrakech Hotel
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Neighbouring the Yves Saint Laurent museum in Morocco, the Maison Brummell Majorelle is a must-stay in the Red City. On the ground floor, guests find a Moroccan kitchen specially built for the hotel. Eggshell walls and grey stone floors create an earthy, calming aesthetic to match the city’s rustic air. Thanks to a heated plunge pool and steam bath, there’s no shortage of rest and relaxation. (Price upon request)
Gucci Porter Cabin Plus Trolley
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Before he founded the world-famous fashion house, Guccio Gucci worked as a porter at The Savoy Hotel in London. Upon seeing the opulent luggage of the hotel’s elite clientele, he was inspired to return to Italy and found the leather goods brand that would go on to become one of the most respected names in luxury. This suitcase, created in collaboration with Italian luxury luggage maker FPM Milano, is covered in GUCCI’s iconic GG Supreme canvas. ($4,910)
Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz Worldtimer
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Featuring the reliable AL-255 caliber quartz movement and a 45-month battery life, the Alpina Startimer GMT Worldtimer is a horological marvel. Its 41 millimetre stainless steel case is sleek and shiny, with water-resistance up to 100 metres. The sunray-finished dial pairs with printed Arabic numerals, a 24-city green disk, and a date window at 3 o’clock. Complementing these features is a three-link stainless steel bracelet with a folding buckle. ($1,495)
RIMOWA Never Still Travel Backpack
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To make a sophisticated travel companion, RIMOWA combines durable construction with premium materials like full-grain leather. With two phone pockets and a laptop-sized padded pouch, this backpack ensures that your all-important devices are safe and sound. A second compartment opens flat like a suitcase for wrinkle-free clothing storage. When you’re all packed, the padded shoulder straps make for a comfortable journey. ($2,680)
For further inspiration, here’s a look at last year’s selections…
Air Canada Signature Class
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There’s no doubt that the last few years have left us all with a strong desire to travel, but it taken long for most of us to realize that traveling isn’t always smooth. Upgrade the experience for yourself or others by flying with Air Canada Signature Class, their end-to-end premium experience that removes all of the headaches of air travel and turns them into comforts. (Price Upon Request)
Away Hanging Toiletry Bag
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This hanging toiletry bag, designed by premium luggage brand Away, makes accessing your essential items while out of town a breeze. Three separate hanging compartments, including a smaller removable pouch perfect for liquids, can be hung from a door or shelf with a small metal hook, taking up little space but maximizing storage capacity. ($95)
Plaza Premium Lounge Airport PPL Pass
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Airport travel doesn’t have to be hectic and unpleasant, thanks to Plaza Premium Lounge’s PPL Pass, which offers à la carte access to comfortable, refined and private airport lounges across the world. The PPL Pass allows access to a network of 70 airport lounges, which offer spa services, luxurious showers and changing rooms, refined local cuisine and top shelf cocktails. Passes are available for two, four or six lounge visits and are valid for a year following activation, and use of Plaza Premium Lounges can be booked ahead of time, but walk-ins are also accepted. ($75 – $198 USD)
Louis Vuitton Neo Watch Trunk
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Although you may not have so many occasions in which it becomes necessary to transport up to 20 different watches in a traveling case of such epic proportions, you’ll be glad to know that this magnificent watch trunk from Louis Vuitton also includes a separate, removable carrying case designed to hold three watches for safe transport, making this perhaps the ultimate in watch storage solutions. (Price Upon Request)
Rimowa Essential Carry-On
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The German-designed polycarbonate suitcase by Rimowa is not just a beautiful object to behold — more than allowing you to travel in style, it will allow you to travel in ease, fitting safely in the overhead compartment and allowing you to skip the checked baggage line on takeoff and carousel upon landing. What could be better than that? ($1050)
The House, Great Barrier Reef Luxury Stay
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If it’s an unforgettable adventure you seek, look no further than The House, a new resort on a private peninsula of Lizard Island in Australia, surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef. Its award-winning design, vast open vista views, and the best in food, drink, and service, it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime stay. (Price Upon Request)
PKG Rosedale II Convertible Duffel Garment Bag
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Most frequent travellers will have their luggage system in check, but this duffel sets a new benchmark for packing efficiency. The combination of separate compartments for shoes, a laptop, and pressed garments is especially clever, not to mention its ability to open flat for improved packing organization. This is hands-down the ultimate weekender bag. ($200)
ON Ultralight Packable Weather Jacket
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There’s nothing worse than getting caught out by unpredictable weather, but being prepared doesn’t always align with packing light. This jacket from ON weighs next to nothing and takes up nominal space, yet it can provide the much needed cover from the elements when an unexpected storm pops up. The whole thing packs down to something smaller than a toiletry bag. ($300)
Swims Slide Loafer
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There’s no shortage of good travel shoes out there, but hear us out on this. The selling point of these Slide Loafers — and of Swims in general — is how well they balance casual style and comfort with a product that’s entirely waterproof and washable. Yes, you’ll want that pair of Gucci or Ferragamo loafers too, but if you’re going to be by the beach or pool you don’t need to risk messing up your leathers. ($168)
G-Shock Full Metal GMWB5000GD-1 Watch
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Status symbols aside, there are ample reasons why a G-Shock makes the perfect travel watch, regardless of whether or not its recipient is much of a “watch geek”. The combination of an alarm, timing capability, multiple time zone displays, and incredibly durable construction make any G-Shock perfect for travel. In addition, thefts of luxury watches have been on the rise, so depending on the destination you’ll be safer wearing one of these too. This particular example is part of the brand’s “Full Metal” series, so its not going to feel too light or flimsy if you’re used to proper luxury watches. ($700)
Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano Bank Spinner 53 Carry-On
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So often people default to Rimowa’s aluminum luggage when they think high end, however Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano easily gives the mainstay a run for its money (and yours). These durable aluminum units pair high level craftsmanship with inspiration from vintage trunks, delivering an aesthetic and build quality that’s meant to last a lifetime. ($1,850)
