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Steve Thomas

To say that 2020 has been an unusual year would be a gross understatement for each and every one of us. The enforced, unpredictable rolling restrictions on travel and movement have been especially disruptive for those of us who’ve had their wanderlust or travel-related careers put on hold.
Things will hopefully start looking up in 2021. With a subdued and homebound festive season fast approaching, we take a look at five Christmas gift ideas to give the travellers among us a treat and morale boost, to remind our souls and senses what’s waiting for us when borders reopen.
Insta360 One R camera, US$540 for the Twin Edition
Available from insta360.com and Apple stores (also online)

For the wannabe (or even experienced) travel vlogger, filmmaker or photographer, the Insta360 One R is the ultimate all-in-one, affordable image-making machine.
The modular camera system is unlike any other and the most popular Twin Edition comes with a 5.7k, 360 degree camera and an interchangeable 4k module (camera), meaning that in one package you have the best of everything when it comes to capturing both 360-degree and standard, high-resolution videos and photographs.
How the world will celebrate Christmas during Covid-19
There is also the ability to easily create time lapse and time shift hyperlapse (you can alter the speeds throughout a clip) videos from within the accompanying mobile app.
If you’re serious about getting the best image and video quality, then you should opt for the 1-inch sensor model (US$629). With its Leica optics and big sensor (compared with similar cameras), it performs much better in low and contrasting light, and gives a more detailed image.
Should you be looking more in the US$200 region for the means of social media content production, then you could go for the Insta Go, a great pocket-sized, fun 360 camera.

Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
From US$30, available at Victorinox outlets in Hong Kong (victorinox.com)
No traveller should be without an original Swiss Army Knife; even if you’re not on the move, they can be an invaluable asset for everyday life.
These tiny, classic tools come in various sizes and configurations and can last a lifetime. They come with just about everything you would ever need in a knife – from simple blades to saws, nail clippers, scissors, toothpicks, thermometers, bottle openers and corkscrews – all folded into a middle finger-sized package.
Be sure to buy an original: it’s Swiss precision that makes it special.

Nala’s World
From HK$92, available at good bookshops or from kobo.com
One of the most enthralling and heart-warming travel books of 2020, Nala’s World is the true-life tale of a burly young Scotsman named Dean Nicholson, who set off early in 2020 to travel by bicycle around the world only to find himself restricted by the pandemic.
In the mountains between Montenegro and Bosnia, he came across an abandoned kitten, and it was love at first sight. Ever since, the pair have been inseparable, and the cat has travelled through Europe by bike with Nicholson, making for an amazing and unusual journey, which can also be followed on Nicholson’s 1bike1world YouTube channel.
Other notable Asian related travel reads published this year include The Hound From Hanoi (Moire O’Sullivan), The Only Gaijin In The Village (Iain Maloney) and Three Tigers, One Mountain (Michael Booth).

World coffee or tea subscription
From HK$160 for a month, available from beancurious.com/gustocollection.hk/coffeeandtales.com
Fine tea and exotic coffee have become a major part of the travel experience; many people journey to the far corners of the globe in search of legendary brews and to soak up local coffee and tea cultures and traditions.
This ever-growing passion and demand for the best infusions and brews available has led to them now being available through speciality roasters and brewers throughout the cosmopolitan world. It’s now possible to sign up for an appropriately tailored subscription through these distributors and to have the finest and most varied coffee beans and tea leaves delivered directly to your home.
Many are packaged with detailed backstories that tell us about their origins and characteristics, which should help to revive those Covid-dulled travel sensations.

Apple iPad
From HK$2,599, available from Apple stores & retailers or apple.com
It’s hard to imagine that as recently as a decade ago, we travelled without digital devices. The newest generation of iPads are at the pinnacle of modern travel technology, offering functionality and power that could have only been dreamed of a few years ago.
Apple’s iPads have reached the point where they can, in many cases, legitimately replace regular laptops as devices for both business and leisure travel From the iPad mini through to the iPad Pro, with these devices and their apps you can do everything from booking hotel rooms and flights to streaming movies and gaming, or even editing professional level video. With prices for the standard 10.2 inch 32GB model starting at HK$2,599, they are great value. Free engraving is currently on offer, as are decent trade-in prices against older model iPads.
If you’d rather leave the choice of model to the recipient, note that Apple gift cards start at HK$200.


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Photography

Five Christmas 2020 gift ideas for the frustrated traveller, from an Apple iPad to a good book

You may not be able to travel at the moment and your Christmas may be a quiet one, so why not get some travel-related gifts. Photo: Shutterstock

Victorinox Swiss Army Knife.[FEATURES] Photo / Handout

Coffee beans

Nala's World by Dean Nicholson

Woman hand holding iPad Pro IOS 14 with phone call widget on the home screen. iPad Pro was created and developed by the Apple inc.[FEATURES] Photo: Shutterstock

Insta360 One R camera.[FEATURES] Photo / Handout

Hong Kong experts warn of Christmas Covid-19 rush, predict citywide vaccine coverage by 2022 ‘if lucky’

People wearing protective masks maintain social distancing while standing in line at a community testing centre in Hong Kong. Photo: Bloomberg

Commuters wearing facemasks walk in Tsim Sha Tsui, amid the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in Hong Kong. 06DEC20 SCMP / Winson Wong

Despite Covid-19 travel bans, the Northern Lights were still a possibility for our editor this Christmas – thanks to The Peninsula Hong Kong’s new Nordic-inspired staycation package

The Peninsula launches its “Festive World – A Nordic Inspiration” package. Photos: Getty Images, The Peninsula

The bedroom was transformed into a Nordic winter scene. Photo: Jacqueline Tsang

Seeing the Northern Lights is an activity that's top on my bucket list. Photo: Getty Images

The restored 1934 vintage Rolls-Royce has been modified by Martin Oxley, the hotel’s fleet vehicle manager, to suit today’s needs and tastes. Photo: The Peninsula

The Peninsula's room set-up for the Festive World - A Nordic Inspiration package. Photo: Jacqueline Tsang

We pass several of the hotel’s famous Rolls-Royce Phantoms in Brewster Green and stop in front of a restored 1934 vintage Rolls-Royce. Photo: The Peninsula

The Peninsula's hot chocolate and cheese fondue at Chesa. Photo: Jacqueline Tsang

The teepee in the corner of the room was aglow with small tealights. Photo: Jacqueline Tsang

Christmas dining during Covid-19 might be a quieter affair – but there’s still these 13 new Hong Kong restaurants and festive menus to try

Sharing plates at Nissa la Bella – one of several new openings in Hong Kong this winter, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Nissa la Bella

Wagyu cuts. Photo: Yakiniku Ushida

Teppanyaki lobster in signature sauce. Photo: T8

Truffle crema rooibos tea. Photo: Golden Diamond Truffle

Group shot. Photo: Nissa la Bella

Marumi Pork Bijin Shabu Shabu.  Photo: Tsukada Nojo

The 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Charity Campaign. Photo: Forks & Spoons

M9 Australian Rib Eye Round, Baby Carrots & Madeira Jus.  Photo: Beef Bar

Peking duck. Photo: Duckee

Beetroot & Lemongrass Soup. Photo: Ma

Claypot crab with rice rolls. Photo: Moon Palace

Warm Poached Prawn. Photo: Etna

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Travellers you know may not have got away recently because of the pandemic, but things may change next year
Any one of these Christmas gifts will help get them in the mood for a trip, or boost their mood while they wait to get away



The traveller in your family may be stuck at home, but they are looking forward to 2021. These gifts will get them ready for their next trip, or make them feel better while they wait for flights to start up.


Asia travel

Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

Tourism

Christmas

Five Christmas 2020 gift ideas for the frustrated traveller, from an Apple iPad to a good book

Travellers you know may not have got away recently because of the pandemic, but things may change next year Any one of these Christmas gifts will help get them in the mood for a trip, or boost their mood while they wait to get away

Travellers you know may not have got away recently because of the pandemic, but things may change next year

Any one of these Christmas gifts will help get them in the mood for a trip, or boost their mood while they wait to get away