Travel can be tough on families — between knowing what to pack, weather putting a wrench in your plans, getting hangry from limited options and not having enough time in between connections to grab food — these four new products can keep you sane on your next journey:
Travel-Inspired Umbrellas from La Bella Umbrella
Photo: La Bella Umbrella
April showers bring May flowers, but they can also be a pain for travelers. The solution? A vibrant umbrella that’s utilitarian and a great travel accessory. The makers of La Bella Umbrella are known for colorful and fun designs, from sushi pieces to French dogs and slices of citrus. They also have designs of places around the world, including the Eiffel Tower, Budapest’s Parliament Building, the Taj Mahal, Japanese temples and cherry blossoms and the canals of Venice. The company features four umbrella types: automatic, manual, stick (with a large coverage area) and reverse, opening away from you, instead of toward, to keep you dry as you get into the car. They all tout windproof ribs made of flexible fiberglass that won’t snap in the wind; high-quality stitching to prevent ribs from detaching from the fabric; handles coated in rubber that won’t get sticky; and 300-thread count Pongee fabric. Travel umbrellas start at $30.
This new versatile shoe for men and women can take you from day to evening, and easily folds up into a suitcase, carry-on or backpack. Vegan-friendly and ultra-lightweight (you might not even know you are wearing them), the shoe’s wide toe box gives extra room for travel-weary feet and toes to breathe and avoid getting all jammed up. And zero-drop technology will keep your spine in line and your back feeling great no matter how far the day takes you. Lems Chukka Corduroy are available in three colors: green kush, moon dust and space jelly, for $120 a pair.
DOLOMITE. Photo: Ombraz
Engaging in outdoor activities like jet-skiing, boating, rock-climbing and zip lining comes with the concern of losing your sunglasses. Ombraz is a minimalist, armless sunglasses option equipped with polarized Zeiss optics that attaches to an adjustable cord to keep them secure and comfortable. You can throw a pair in a pocket or backpack and not worry about them, keep them on for hours without getting a headache and even wear them under a helmet. In addition, the glasses are completely carbon negative and the company plants 20 trees for every pair sold. Glasses start at $140 with free shipping and a lifetime warranty.
Photo: Ombraz
Photo: Old Trapper
Beef jerky and similar products are the perfect protein-packed food to stash on long trips — they are shelf-stable, require no refrigeration and keep for a long time after opening. Old Trapper meat snacks are handcrafted from the most savory and highest-quality proteins, delivering a take-anywhere, healthy, low-calorie snack or meal replacement. They contain only lean meat, quality seasonings, real wood-fired smoke and a hands-on manufacturing method. Try beef jerky, beef steak slices or stick meat in flavors like traditional, peppered, teriyaki or hot & spicy, beginning at $24.
Read This Next
Coping with Lost Luggage on a Family Trip
Travel Tips
Sep 4, 2026#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Sep 11, 2026Turn Kids into Outdoor Enthusiasts in Fort Wayne, Indiana
It can be hard to get kids away from screens, but Fort Wayne makes things a bit easier. Indiana’s second-largest city has plenty of low-key, approachable and accessible activities perfect for people, especially kids, who aren’t used to getting outdoors to have fun. This makes it an ideal beginner’s destination for families with kids of all ages who want to get outside and experience nature together.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Cruises
Sep 11, 2026Norwegian Cruise Line’s Bahamas Waterpark Officially Opens
Family travelers onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship to the line’s private Bahamas island, Great Stirrup Cay, can now experience all-new Great Tides Waterpark. The waterpark debut marks one of the largest enhancements to the island in the company’s history.
Destinations / North America
Sep 10, 2026Where Can You Best Spot Turtles on Florida’s Space Coast?
Have a turtle lover in the family? Head to Florida’s Space Coast before the end of the season. Every late summer, family travelers from all over head to the Space Coast to witness one of nature’s most incredible wildlife displays — endangered sea turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests and making their way to the Atlantic Ocean.
Sponsored Content
Celebrating 25 Years of The Peninsula Chicago
June marked The Peninsula Chicago’s 25th anniversary, commemorating a quarter century for the hotel as a pillar of luxury on North Michigan Avenue.
Destinations / Europe
Sep 10, 20264 Light Festivals to Experience in Europe This Fall
Technology brought a new dimension to Europe’s traditional fall festivals and inspired new ones. From Portugal to Croatia, cities use light, contemporary art and technology to transform public spaces with immersive 3-D light-art shows and illuminated art installations. Add one of these cities to your fall itinerary and your family will see Europe in a new light (literally).
ShareThis