Fill your stockings with these travel accessories

 

Socking Stuffers

 

Tiny is the theme this year in travel as airlines cut-back on luggage allowances and carry-on’s become almost obsolete. Even worse is the restriction on liquids that now appears to be destined to remain.

Remember when they said they would take it off? Right. Well what are you going to do about your shampoo? And the soap you need so you don’t have to do laundry?

Well that’s why we have The Harbourmaster on the first floor of the Washington Mall in Hamilton. All the tiny little stocking stuffers to make your travel easy are there.

Like this tiny Woolite soap. Wash your underwear, clean-off the stain on your shirt and basically keep clean with the help of this light-weight and accessible soap.

 

Woolite soap for just $6.50

 

But perhaps you want to bring your own soap? Or that traveling family and friend does? Well have no fear, The Harbourmaster is here:

 

refillable Travel Tube for just $13.50

 

There’s is nothing quite like carrying more than one bag. You know, one for your clothes and then one for a possible day trip. You don’t want to do it!!! So why would you when The Harbourmaster has a convenient day bag that wraps into the size of your hand?

You wouldn’t:

 

Eagle Creek Day Pack with super comfortable straps for $55

 

The best laid plans, however, can go astray when you are traveling. The last thing you want to do though is lose your money. Without money…..well let’s not think about it.

Which is exactly why The Harbourmaster has thought about it for you. With a variety of coin purses and belts with secret compartments, owner Sheilagh Robertson has thought about all of your travel security needs.

 

A range of coin purses from $18.75 to $26.00

 

Check out these belts:

 

Belt with hidden money pouch on the inseam is $26

 

Just make sure you stay in touch while you’re away! We’d hate to have to bug you for a postcard. To help you with your addresses, of course The Harbourmaster has a tiny, leather address book waiting for you.

 

Scully leather Address Book for $26

Need more stocking stuffer ideas? Well you can visit The Harbourmaster store in the Washington Mall in Hamilton, Bermuda or come-back here next week!

 

Don’t travel with a bad back!

Fully equipped backpack!

Comfy backstraps and waist strap for support

I’m sorry. I’m sorry, but it’s time. It’s the worst time. It’s the end of your fleeting freedom and days without  a care. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I have to whisper those three dreaded words for you school-age kids…..Back to School. Ugh, I know.

But there is a silver lining. The best part of the season and outfits (bathing suits for uniforms) changing? Well I’m a geek and I always enjoyed this – buying the new school stuff. The new pens, pencils, notebooks and most importantly?! The bag!

So for The Harbourmaster’s Travel Tip Tuesday’s Sheilagh Robertson, store owner, suggests taking some time in her Washington Mall store (near the Washington Alley entrance, ground floor) to figure out what works best for your back!

Tuesday’s tip: “August is a busy time as children of all ages look for the perfect “book bag”. For many this means a new backpack and parents should make sure they purchase a backpack that is the appropriate size for the age of the child and not too large as carrying too much weight can cause back problems.

High Sierra Backpacks in The Harbourmaster

“For older students with laptops, big binders and heavy books look for backpacks that have padded straps, and waist straps that help support the weight.”

Like the High Sierra Backpacks above. The grey backpack is able to carry a laptop, cell phone, water bottle, MP3 player and even has a strap to help support the bag around your waste. It will run you about $110 while the pink backpack above with run you abut $36 and is a light weight alternative.

These Land Backpacks are another alternative for sizes and high-end backpacks with the leather bag offering a more compact sized bag for $60. While going for the green will be $89.

Or perhaps you’re going to college? Or maybe you have a friend/daughter/son/niece/nephew going to University? What do they need? Why not help organize them? I can personally attest to the help of one of these organizers for everything from my college years to my trip around the world. They hold everything from visas to foreign currency….everything!

Passport holder and identification organizer

Tuesday’s Tips for the College bound? Going away to college is a major expense and practical gifts such as a passport case to keep travel documents and student visas secure are most appreciated. Gift certificates that can be used to purchase luggage are also welcome.

While nothing quite helps keep their passports up-to-immigration standards like the covers and passport holders available at The Harbourmaster.

Why not help the College student who will most certainly be traveling longer and further than before? Why not help them keep their things organized and their passports clean with these handy leather covers from The Harbourmaster?

The run from $30 for the passport holder to $59 for the passport organizer. Check them out at The Harbourmaster (on the ground floor of the Washington Mall near the entrance to Washington Alley)!

Check out The Harbourmaster on the ground floor of the Washington Mall

She’s got baggage

But luckily, Sheilagh Robertson’s is the traveling kind! That’s because Mrs. Robertson is the owner of what was Bermuda’s first specialty luggage and leather goods store.

Her 35-years of business have produced, everything from the wacky – a student with 14 bags to go to college – to the informative – travel tips such as travel with an extra, empty duffel bag for additional shopping.

But while her opening was a first for Bermuda, her 35-years have made her almost one of the last – one of the last original shops in the Island’s capital – Hamilton.

How has this little, leather and luggage mecca survive? Mrs. Robertson says it is based on what she provides.

Mrs. Robertson said: “My aim at The Harbourmaster was to provide a selection of high-quality luggage and leather goods that were durable, well-designed and at a more moderate price than the high-end designer brands that are featured in all the fashion magazines.

The Harbourmaster in the Washington Mall

“The Harbourmaster was the first specialty luggage and leather goods store in Bermuda and even now there are very few stores anywhere that offer the same degree of quality and choice that we do.

“Over the years our merchandise mix has evolved. When we opened we carried luggage and leather goods manufactured in Canada, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Colombia, and the USA . Many of the manufacturers that we did business with were small family owned companies.

“Many of these companies no longer exist as they were sold as owners have retired and the younger generation have sold out. In recent years most of the manufacturing side of the industry has moved to China and many of the smaller brands are now owned by large conglomerates.

“It is much harder for a new small business to compete in today’s world which is dominated by Wal-Mart, “big box” stores, and large chains  in the USA. Today everything is accessible from everywhere on the internet,provided the customer is willing to pay the price.

“We have stayed in business by continuing to focus on  high quality merchandise and good customer service. We want our customers to enjoy their shopping experience and be able to buy items that will suit their needs.”

Inside The Harbourmaster - bags for all your travels!

What has impacted her business? What else…the airlines. These traveling tons of tin have limited the space and size of luggage much to the chagrin of the avid luggage expert.

While Mrs. Robertson still finds her line of leather goods from Colombia (not the college; the country) flying-off her shelves, Kipling has also crept into the limelight.

Land line from Colombia

She said: “Our best-selling leather goods line is from Land, a company based in Colombia South America. We have sold their products for 34 of our 35 years and many of our customers still use items that they purchased from us years ago.

“Our best-selling luggage line is Kipling-especially now that the airlines have severely restricted baggage weight allowances.  It is light-weight, well-made and features lots of fashion colours and styles in addition to the core colours.

“The reduction in weight limit from 70 lbs to 50 lbs means that most customers are looking for lighter luggage  so that they can pack more weight but avoid paying overweight fees.

“Most of the top quality luggage brands suitcases tend to be heavier because the component parts and fabrics are heavier, stronger and more durable.  Now all the top manufacturers are looking for new materials and ways of manufacturing that will reduce weight without compromising the quality.”

Sheilagh’s tip: “For frequent travelers it is still better to buy a well-made suitcase and to pack smarter.”

Want more tips? Well check-in here every Tuesday for the best way to get to college, cruise or generally pack for Cup Match.

So what are you waiting for? Oh directions….sure well: Drive to Hamilton, Bermuda. Walk into the Washington Mall (on the first floor) via the alley. The Harbourmaster is there on your right! Enjoy!!!

Adios Amigos and Bon Voyage with your new gear!