FOR WHEN YOU GET THERE

• Recommended by Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet: a portable GPS ($250-$1,000), an Oregon Scientific clock (which runs either on batteries or electric power and includes clock, radio and barometer, $10-$50).

• Recommended by David Lang, a flight attendant for Delta Airlines: scented room spray (Lang notes that nonsmoking hotel rooms in Europe may not be as smoke-free as nonsmoking rooms in the United States), a white noise machine ($50-$100), a phone charger (universal models, $15), a magnum flashlight ($25).

• Recommended by Amy Ziff, editor-at-large for Travelocity: portable iPod docking and battery ($80), wireless mouse ($20-$150), ultra thin laptop ($500 to $2,500).

FOR ADVENTURE TRAVEL

• Recommended by David Bromham, a guide in East Africa and India who has worked for Abercrombie & Kent: a Polaroid instant camera, so that you can offer snapshots as a way to connect with locals when you are traveling, ($35).

• Recommended by James Samans, author of "Spontaneous Tourism: The Busy Person's Guide to Travel": a handheld water purifier ($130), Panasonic ultrathin travel shaver ($59.99).

• Recommended by Carol Keskitalo, co-owner of Breakaway Adventures: an international cell phone ($169-$279 on cellularabroad.com, includes roaming), telescoping walking stick or trekking poles ($10-$150).