Nexion Canada's Blog

Typical Pillows on a Couch

 

Make sure that you prepare your credit card or simply enough cash to purchase the products being sold by one of the loveliest French décor shops in San Francisco, named Nest. From handmade quilts and cute pillows to the necessary sleepwear and footwear, you’ll certainly find what you’ve been missing in your home at this San Francisco store.

Learn more about this adorable shop, and don’t hesitate to make your home happy buy buying souvenirs from San Francisco’s Nest. Here’s quick review posted on travel-centered site, called Fodor’s:
 

A cross between a Parisian antiques show and a Jamaican flea market, this cozy store could get even the most monochrome New Yorker excited about color. You can turn up the volume on your SF souvenirs with vibrant handmade quilts, Chan Luu jewelry, Les Indiennes hand-blocked cotton fabrics, and M. Sasek's cheerfully illustrated book This Is San Francisco.
 

So speak with our travel reps today to get more ideas on where to go for your shopping trip in San Francisco!

Photo Credit

A Typical Ceramic Souvenir

 

There’s truly a satisfying feeling to have had bought a little something for your home, especially if this comes from one of your trips.

It doesn’t matter if you want to cheer up your living room, beautify the dinner table or put some pretty color in your bedroom, you’ll surely love what you’ll find once you visit Biordi Art Imports. For six decades, the shop owner has constantly imported handmade collectibles that will surely serve as outstanding souvenirs from your San Francisco trip.

Learn more about the Biordi Art Imports in this overview found in its official website:
 

With shelves lined with brightly hand painted Ceramics, Biordi Art Imports has a museum-like attraction. The secret of Biordi's success is to maintain a clientele with taste and fond appreciation for Italian Renaissance style Maiolica: exquisite objects d'art finely crafted; dinnerware handsomely hand painted; unique decorative accessories and much more. To achieve our goal we always have searched and selected the best artisans from old traditional Maiolica centers of Italy: Deruta, Faenza, Montelupo, Siena, Caltagirone, Castelli, Pesaro, Vietri. Here you will find a dazzling display of unique items, too many to be in our catalog. We also encourage you to regularly browse our website to check for new items, not yet shown in a printed Biordi Catalog.
 

So contact us now to get more tips on where to shop when visiting San Francisco!

Photo Credit

Galaxy Nexus Smartphone

 

You know that you are constantly on your toes when you are waiting for the next travel advice.  

So we recommend some gadgets to be in your carry bags in order for you to have an uninterrupted trip.


1. A Power Splitter
This device is very useful as it makes you charge your gadgets simultaneously.  When you find yourself in a situation when you need to do it all in one time, a power tool in the form of a power splitter does the job.

2. The Smartphone
Multitasking is the name of the game for constant travelers.  While you can bring all gadgets with you, the smartphone is one of the best alternatives there is.  With this handy piece, you can make calls, send messages, surf the Web, and take photos, do video and audio recordings and store information – all with just one click.  

3. A Space Saving Wallet
You can leave behind the bulky ones and stick to a smart alternative – a money clip.  While your passport and other essentials have a place in another compartment, your money and cards can live without being in a big wallet.  Be practical and use this alternative.

4. Noise-Cancelling Earphones
Taking and making phone calls is one part of the travel you cannot do away with.  Having noise-cancelling earphones is a big help.  With this gadget, you extract yourself from the present scenario you are in, to focus on the conversation.  It is a wise business traveler’s choice.

5. Books to Go
Thanks to technology, you don’t have to bring your library with you.  Kindle, iPads and some smartphones have the capacity to store e-books in them.  When the reading needs arise, you can simply flip pages through these gadgets.

Functionality has its purposes, and technology evolves to constantly reinvent the wheel.   
 

Complete the list now, and be ready for your next travel!

Photo Credit

 

Attention travel photographers: Ever want to bring along a tripod on your trip but don’t want to deal with lugging it around?

Welcome to the solution. The Joby GorillaPod is amazingly simple, versatile, and best of all - affordable.

Stick them in the most uneven of terrains; get angles beyond even what a typical tripod could capture. Put you and your loved one in the photo.

Not only are there four different sizes available but there GorillaPods specifically designed for SLR cameras, video cameras, iPhones, and even ones that are magnetized.

They’re small and lightweight so you can pack one along to wherever you want to go, without the noticeable extra burden.

The best part - for amateur and pro photographers alike - is their unique versatility. With extendable and flexible legs, multiple rubberized joints, they can be easily bent around objects for a secure grip. You can attach them to poles, fences, tree branches, rocks or any other natural or man-made objects when you need to give your photos a unique angle.

Prices range from $20 - $60.

 

Whether you're window shopping or picking up some souvenirs, here are some tips for shopping in the city.

If you are looking for items unique to Amsterdam, avoid Kalverstraat street. The shops are found all over the world, and the merchandise is overpriced.

Instead visit Leidsestraat (a busy Amsterdam street, located between the Place Royale and the Leidseplein), Het Spiegelkwartier (an absolute must for lovers of art, antiques & curios), the Jordaan, or in particular, one of the ‘negen straatjes’ (nine streets).

The most ‘ethnic’ shopping street in Amsterdam is the Javastraat, an older area just outside the city center.

The Fashion & Museum District located in Amsterdam Zuid (close to the Museum district) is considered the chic area for shopping in Amsterdam. Go for some of the finest designer shops in the city, including designer shoes, health and well-being specialists, massage, fashion boutiques, designer interiors, designer florists and specialist shops.

Some helpful guides: 
9 Streets: Amsterdam Shopping Map Guide

Destination Guide Amsterdam - Shopping

Why not visit Amsterdam this spring? Get in touch with us and make it happen. 

Anyone who's visited somewhere like Italy or France knows the dilemma of bringing wine back home. Wrap it in a sweater? Ship it? Stick it in and hope for the best?

Wine bottles aren't the only fragile souvenirs to worry about. I remember when I went to the Andes Mountains in Peru and went nuts over all of the amazing clay pottery and ceramics. On the way home, a few of those pieces ended up in, well, pieces, and since then I've been reluctant to buy anything even somewhat breakable.

Well here's some good news - Kara Murphy of Frommer's Travel just posted a great article: Packing Tips for Wine, Art & Souvenirs. Not only does this article have some good tips but also product reviews and recommendations, and warnings about getting through immigrations and customs. 

Remember!

If you have any questions about your trip - even for packing advice - don't hestitate to contact one of our expert travel consultants. We have years of experience and know-how and can get you where you want to go. 

Ah, the souvenir. Nothing brings you back to those life-affirming moments abroad like some good old-fashioned kitsch. Even if photos are enough memento for you, it’s nice to bring home trinkets as gifts for family and friends. Here’s everything you need to know about finding, buying, and bringing back the best souvenirs during your travels.  **The Hunt**
First off, don’t wait until last minute. I repeat - don’t put this off. You’ll wake up in the airport when you’re rushing through duty-free, wondering if Mom would want a carton of Marlboros. (Hint: She doesn’t.) Make a list of the people you’d like to bring stuff back for, and keep an eye out throughout your trip. If something just screams your sister, grab it right then. Also, make sure you include gifts for yourself and others into your budget. You don’t want to end up skipping meals for snow-globes. Think outside the box when you shop. Variations on basic items with unique or bizarre packaging make for fun (and inexpensive) gifts. Try to buy locally-made, artisan goods. It’s a simple way to support the local industry and take home an authentic cultural keepsake. Shop in markets or other places that locals do. Museum gift shops - though on the more expensive side - usually offer a wide variety of art, books, jewelry, and other items that make for beautiful presents. If you’re traveling with a friend, make a game out of hunting for the best souvenir. Go to a market and split up. Set a price limit and give yourselves 30 minutes. It’s a fun way to find some gems, and you can trade at the end. **Trade Souvenirs**
Whether it’s a t-shirt from your alma mater or baseball cap of your favorite team, stuff with American slogans or brands are unique abroad and make for excellent trading materials. Try to make a trade at a vendor’s stall or somewhere else you can haggle. Offer to switch your shirt out with that of someone you meet. This is a fun way to interact with locals, and either way, you’ll go home with a good story. I've also swapped (inexpensive) jewelry. **On The Cheap**
For yourself, think maps, brochures, visitor guides and other promotional materials. You can often find these for free at tourism offices or museums, and many are beautifully printed on quality paper. I’ve cut pages out of museum guides and framed them for elegant wall decorations. You can also do this with postcards. Other super cheap souvenirs include stamps, coins, and newspapers - even if you don’t speak the language it’s a cool way to wrap your gifts. And if you want to learn the language, newspapers are a terrific place to start. Gifts from nature work too. I once gave someone polished stones I found along a beach that I had brought home and put in a glass jar. Dried flowers, seashells, and plants seeds are other good examples. **Pass the Food**
Remember - everyones like food. And food is everywhere. Bring back your girlfriend chocolates from Belgium, or your mom dried pasta from Italy. When I went to Colombia I made sure I brought back my highly caffeinated Dad some good Colombian coffee beans. Teas and spices work too, and they’re cheap and easy to pack. **Bringing It Back**
Leave some empty room in your suitcase while you’re initially packing; remember, bags are weighed coming back too, so if you’re over the limit you could be looking at some hefty fees. Another idea is to pack an empty suitcase or duffel bag inside your luggage to later remove and fill with souvenirs. However, if you want to stick to your backpack and plan to travel on for a while, ship your souvenirs back. It might even be cheaper than checking another bag.

Never underestimate the power of quality footwear.

The wrong shoes will not only spoil a trip but can cause long-term health problems to boot. Whether you’re hiking along the Appalachian Trail or sightseeing in Rome, wearing comfortable, well-made shoes can make all the difference.

Here’s how to put your best foot forward on your next trip.

Hiking Boots
Quality boots are the key to a good hiking experience. Today’s boots are much lighter, reducing the drag on every step you take while still providing support.

The investment in a good pair is well worth it. Your regular athletic or street sneakers probably won’t hold up during the trip and will cause unnecessary aches and pains in your feet.

As pointed out by BestHikingBoots.com, “your long term health and hiking enjoyment is at stake.” Their website is dedicated to helping you find the best hiking boots out there for you. REI is another sporting goods company with many customer-reviewed options to browse through and an article about How to Choose Hiking Boots.

As we mentioned in our Beginner’s Guide to Camping Anywhere article, don’t buy your boots right before your trip. Break them in starting with short walks and work your way up to longer ones.

Wear them for about a week so you know where they rub and if you need insoles. This also gives them time to conform to the shape of your foot and be more comfortable.

After spending a day crammed in your hiking boots - no matter how good they are - your feet are going to need a break, which is why you should always bring …

Flip-Flops
Whether you’ve been walking in hiking boots or sneakers, it’s nice to switch to flip-flops in the evening to let your feet breathe and relax. It also gives you the chance to dry off your shoes if they got wet.

Flip-flops are lightweight and thin, so they take up almost no space in your bag. They’re also super cheap - look at all these options from Old Navy under $5.

If you’re staying at a hostel it’s a good idea to bring a pair to wear in the shower. They’re also good if you’re going to be stopping near a beach or lake.

Dress Shoes Even the most low-maintenance of travelers are likely to venture into a nicer restaurant (or two) where a pair of athletic sneakers just won’t cut it.

Let’s say you meet some crazy fun Europeans in a hostel who invite you out for a night on the town and all you have are heavy hiking boots - you might not even be able to get into most places.

For the sake of space and weight however, whatever shoes you bring should have utility beyond a single occasion. Luckily there are plenty of options for both guys and gals:

Ladies: Some of you might brave heels (kudos) but for the rest a pair of dressy sandals are perfect. Find a pair that are comfy enough to sight-see during the day and plenty chic for a fancy evening.

I like these Bass Elastic Sandals from Urban Outfitters ($30) and these cute embellished sandals with padded soles from Target ($10).

I also recommend the Kork Ease brand. Since 1958 this collection of cool but super comfortable shoes have been widely popular among women. They’re a splurge (+/- $130) but a solid investment - they look designer and customers report them as the most comfortable shoes.

Fellows: A pair of nice sneakers is usually fine. Not big white athletic ones but a sleeker pair that you can transform from daytime sightseeing into nighttime partying without any hassle.

I like the Vans Rata Vulc Sneaker ($45) - they’ve been reviewed as comfortable and lightweight, and are available in a bunch of colors. The Zig-Zag Chukka Boots ($28) are a steal - light, comfy and stylish to boot.

Sneakers
Sneakers may not be the best option for serious hiking, but for most other travel adventures they’re perfectly fine. When I travel, I wear my sneaks on the plane, and pack a pair of flip-flops and dressy sandals and I’m good to go for a week or two.

Keen Austins are reportedly very comfy and their darker colors can make them pass as a dressier alternative. I also really like the Teva brand. Waterproof, sturdy and lightweight, these are perfect adventure sneakers (and sandals) if I ever saw them.

One tip: If your sneakers get worn out during your trip, leave them behind at the end to make space in your bags for souvenirs. Throw them out or donate them. Same for flip-flops.

Comfy Alternatives
Birkenstocks somehow got a bad rep. I think it’s a little unfair though because not only are these shoes super comfortable to walk around in (they mold to your feet) but the designs have gotten a lot more sophisticated over the past few years.

Crocs are another alternative shoe brand popular for their extreme comfort and practicality. I however, recommend their more attractive, sleeker cousin, Natives. I just got a pair of these myself and they are easy to wear but feel modern and cool.

Positive World Travel is the creation of the Australian, globetrotting couple, Anthony Milotic and Elise Reeks. Their website focuses on long-term travel as a lifestyle, and they post videos, photos and articles about their experiences.

Most recently, Elise did a Travel Gear Review of the Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink.

Click here for the full article.

“It is an eco-friendly way to do washing while you are overseas and is a great product for camping. This portable kitchen sink means you can wash your dishes and cutlery without polluting surrounding water sources.”