It’s 88ºF with 71% humidity right now in Granada, Nicaragua, where my husband, Hank, and I are spending the winter.

With weather forecasts back home showing snow and freezing temps, I couldn’t be happier to be hanging out in a hot place. 

It’s been a month since we arrived and I’d looked forward to supplementing my travel wardrobe here, but clothing choices in Nicaragua are surprisingly limited. So, I’m grateful to have packed the Horny Toad Oblique Skirt, which has turned out to be perfect for daily wear. 

Aside from one Russian-style faux-fur cap that I’m rarely feeling cheeky enough to wear, unless it’s raining or snowing I’m not much of a hat wear kind of girl. But, I’m forever thankful to that strong Santa Fe sun for providing the inspiration behind what’s now my number-one, hot-weather travel essential - the Helen Kaminski Raffia Classic 5 braided hat. 

Favorite feature: Whether I’m hiking windy mountaintop trails or sailing the high seas, thanks to built-in adjustable string sizing, this hat stays snug. 

Not-so-favorite feature: The Classic 5 comes with a black-and-white polka dot hatband that’s just a little too prim for my not-so-proper taste. So I jazz it up a bit by purchasing fun, colorful hatbands wherever my travels take me. 

Bottom line: Handcrafted from 100% Raffia that lasts forever and can be rolled for easy packing, this is the perfect hat for any sunny getaway.

Part of the Helen Kaminski Raffia Braid collection, the Classic 5 is available for purchase at www.HelenKaminski.com. Suggested retail price; $165. 

As a freelance writer/photographer specializing in travel, every trip is a blend of work and play. So, when an assignment took me to South West England for a walking tour, I needed more than a backpack. I wanted a multipurpose bag that could double as a carryon laptop and camera bag en route to England, and lightweight trail pack once I’d landed. 

Enter the Osprey Momentum 26. Originally designed with the bicycle commuter in mind, it also offers a savvy alternative for active adventure travel. Specifically it is:

Waterproof. This was England afterall and in a sudden downpour I needed to know that my camera equipment would be protected. On the trail, the neon yellow built-in raincover performed beautifully, keeping contents dry while assuring I was highly visible in even the most inclement weather. 

TSA-sized. For air travel, I wanted a pack that fit easily into the overhead compartment and had ample space for travel necessities, laptop computer, and camera equipment. Once there, it needed to transition easily to the needs of the walk’s daily activities. The momentum’s dedicated laptop sleeve, padded top and side travel handles, stowable harness and hipbelt, and top-load access made it a perfect choice. 

Quality designed. I see no reason to compromise quality or comfort for travel convenience.

I chose these Sanita sandals because I thought they’d be a cute and comfy way to add a little punch of color to my tried-and-true travel classics. 

Now that I’ve been wearing them non-stop for two months—ahhhh!—life is good. I love the breathable footbed, the 30% recycled outsoles, and airport-security-friendly slide-on design.

At home, or on the road, they look great with everything from skinny jeans and summer capris, to flowy skirts and casual dresses. 

I’m forever on the lookout for clothing that’s not only figure flattering, versatile, and über comfortable, but that also packs down to nothing, breathes well, is machine-washable and doesn’t need ironing. 

Enter Icebreaker’s Superfine Villa Dress, a lightweight merino wool classic that moves easily across seasons and continents. Perfect for travelling and packing light.

During a recent adventure yacht cruise in Mexico’s Sea of Cortes, the superfine merino fabric of this dress was ideally suited to the desert climate: keeping me cool in the heat of the day, and warm at night. Add leggings and a wrap, and I’m as comfortable in Alaska as Baja. 

As I write this review, I’m in the process of packing for a year (or two) of nomadic exploration in Central and South America; an endeavor that requires me to fit only my most essential goods and gadgets into one checked bag, one carry-on and one laptop/camera bag. Be assured - this dress WILL be in my bag.  

Available at www.Icebreaker.com as well as the Travel Store at EllenBarone.com powered by Amazon. Suggested retail price: $110.00. 

SCOTTEVEST/SeV,  maker of my favorite travel vest, has announced  a whole new lineup of stylish choices for wearable carry-on clothing. Now you can beat the system, save on baggage fees AND look good doing it. NICE!

One of the newest designs is the Women’s Trench, a stylish trench coat with 18 travel-friendly pockets available in four colors.  Taking cues from SCOTTEVEST’s female fans, the product was developed after repeated requests from SeV customers for a women’s equivalent of the popular SeV Carry-On Coat™.  LOVE THIS!

In the pocket of my travel vest, I carry reusable shopping bags. 

In my camera backpack, is a laptop sleeve. 

In my carryon, travels an Eddie Bauer small duffel. 

Lightweight and durable, I find the multi-purpose duffle to be the perfect stowaway. 

Favorite feature: The water-repellent duffel stuff sack works great as an extra interior section for wet towels or dirty hiking shoes.

Not-so-favorite feature: I’m stumped. Short of solar powered iPod ports, Eddie Bauer seems to have thought of everything from the perfectly positioned grab-and-go side handles, to the side pocket deep enough for gym shoes, and interior mesh top, great for see-thru access to toiletries. 

Bottom line: Whether I’m returning home with a few too many souvenirs, hitting the gym, or needing to slim-down my carryon weight for small plane island hopping, the small duffel saves the day. 

Available at www.EddieBauer.com as well as the Travel Essentials section of the Travel Store at EllenBarone.com powered by Amazon. Suggested retail price: $49.50

Throw in $8 blanket fees, $45 carry-on charges, and $25+ for checked luggage, and there’s no question that less is more.

But packing light hasn’t always been my forte. Until recently I was a one checked bag, one carry-on and one personal item, kind of girl. 

Enter Eagle Creek’s Tarmac 22, the perfect carry-on solution for travelers, like me, who are looking to lighten their load.

The ease and efficiency of this bag has made me a true carry-on only convert. 

Favorite feature: The built-in shoe, toiletries, and dirty laundry compartments help to keep things organized. Gone is the chaos that repeated packing and unpacking once resulted in. 

Not-so-favorite feature: I wish the exterior front pockets were deep enough to accommodate a laptop. I’d also like to see the addition of an exterior back pocket big enough for a paperback or travel document holder. 

Bottom line: The Eagle Creek Tarmac 22 is my bag of choice for carry-on only air travel. 

Available at www.EagleCreek.com as well as the Adventure Traveler section of the Travel Store at EllenBarone.com powered by Amazon. Suggested retail price: $285.00

FYI - See also Eagle Creek’s Hovercraft Upright 22”, currently my husband Hank’s bag of choice. Product comparison below:

The Eagle Creek Hovercraft Upright 22 is available at EagleCreek.com and The Travel Store at EllenBarone.com powered by Amazon. Suggested retail price: $250.00.

Favorite feature: Love the roomy female fit, fun color choices, spacious pockets, and the fact that it layers well, even over a Patagonia down sweater. 

Not-so-favorite feature: It isn’t quite as breathable as I’d hoped. Could turn out to be uncomfortably warm for tropical explorations. Will keep you posted.

Bottom line: From sea kayaking to glacier hikes, light drizzle to heavy downpours, this jacket/pant combo said H2No^® to Alaska’s liquid sunshine.

Patagonia Rain Shadow Rainwear: Jacket:$179.00 suggested retail price; Pants $149.00: www.Patagonia.com Also available at The Travel Store at EllenBarone.com powered by Amazon: Women’s: Jacket; Pants : Men’s: Jacket; Pants