The Utterly Inessential Travel Shopping List: Everything you need for winter sun or hitting the slopes
Last week's Country Life showed you all the best places to travel for a holiday now that the summer is over, from swimming with horses in Montego Bay to curling up in a chalet in Courmayeur. Now that you've booked your trip, Alexandra Fraser shows you all the things which may make your journey a little bit easier, a little bit more luxurious and a little bit utterly inessential.

Summer is over, which can only mean one thing: we're all already searching for the next place to jet off to, thus avoiding the inevitable office drafts and morning commutes in the dark.
Country Life magazine has helpfully rounded up the top five ski chalets to visit this year, as well as teaching us the wonders of swimming with horses and exploring Australia's Great Ocean Road.
And so, in turn, here are a few little things which could help you glide to your next bucket list destination on angel wings.
Or, you know. You could take a boat.
The perfect bag
I ask a lot from my suitcase. I ask that it be hard-cased (you can never be too careful), I ask that it have wheels which make pulling it onto a plane as easy as possible and I ask that it have a fairly distinctive colour to stop anyone else picking it up at a conveyer belt (believe me, it happens, and it happens to me).
An expansion panel wouldn't go amiss.
Luckily, Briggs & Riley have produced one such dream bag, perfect for a mini-break or a carry-on for an international flight. Sleek and gorgeous, it's actually a hard-side with an expandable section, something which proves very useful in the airport when you discover you've forgotten to pick up sweets for the office.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
International Carry-On Expandable Spinner, £449 from John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com
For those pesky plane drafts...
The last thing you want on holiday is a cold, especially if you're going somewhere warm. This cheerful, cosy jumper had a cowl neck to keep out even the most persistent of airplane drafts, leaving you blanket-cosy and perfectly warm for your entire flight.
It also had thumb holes, if you're looking for a new office jumper to keep your palms toasty!
Haribow Hope Pastel Rainbow Hoodie in Navy, £49 from Hari and the Gang, www.hariandthegang.co.uk
Noise-cancelling magic
Another one for a long plane journey, these wonderfully comfortable earphones have up to 6 hours of battery life, plus three more charges in their handy egg-like charging case.
Don't worry, they wont fall out of your ears unless you plan on dancing down the aisle.
TRACK Air+, £179, from Libratone, www.libratone.com
For a sip on the slopes
Drinking and skiing is never a good idea (unless it's a blue slope down from après-ski to your chalet), but taking a warm hot chocolate to the top of a slope and enjoying the views is the perfect way to soak in the fact that you're not sat behind a desk.
Cartridge Travel Cup Set with 10 cups, £80 from Oliver Brown, www.oliverbrown.org.uk
For the skiing globe-trotter
A Globe-Trotter case is already an easy spot in the first class cabin of an airplane. This beautiful piece, part of their 1970s-inspired St Moritz collection, is even more special.
Born from a collaboration with Leo Trippi, the luxury travel company in operation since 1882, it's safe to say that this is the perfect gift for someone who loves their skis more than their best friend's new puppy.
Leo Trippi x Globe-Trotter Bespoke Ski Case (Inspired by Leo Trippi’s uniquely crafted alpine experiences), from £8,500, available to order through the Globe-Trotter Bespoke Service team at store@globe-trotter.com.
For that Australian getaway
And finally, nothing says 'I'm seeking out winter sun' like a comfortable linen shirt.
Credit: Sarah Groves
The Utterly Inessential Beach Shopping List: From ocean-inspired drinks to a Dragon paddleboard for the entire family to enjoy
Bored of being in the office? Well, this weekend is your chance to drop everything and jump on a train
Bucket List inspiration: A long weekend in Morocco
Credit: setouchitrip.com
Bucket List Inspiration: The most beautiful gardens from all over the world
11 of the world's most stunning must-visit gardens, from vineyards in America to shrunken miniatures in Japan.
Bucket List inspiration: The golden beaches, towering jungle and incredible wildlife of Sri Lanka
Credit: www.setouchitrip.com
Bucket List inspiration: Okunoshima, the small island in Japan occupied by hundreds of adorable bunnies
Rabbit Island is a well-kept secret along the Japanese coastline, providing sanctuary for hundreds of wild rabbits and an exciting
Bucket List inspiration: A remote, secluded private island just for you and 47 of your closest friends
-
If the future of Ferrari is electric vehicles, then it is our future too
It's widely believed that Ferrari will unveil its first electric car this year. It's the signal that the internal combustion era is coming to an end.
By James Fisher Published
-
Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villa
Ignore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
By James Fisher Published
-
Seven perfect Christmas gifts for people who just love beautiful, functional things
William Morris famously said to have nothing in your house that you don't know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. These things do their best to hit both targets.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Christmas gift ideas for men
From fathers to brothers to lovers, we run through some smart ideas for Christmas presents for the men in your life.
By Country Life Published
-
Perfect Father’s Day gifts for dads who deserve it
There are many ways to show your dad that you love and appreciate him. There's breakfast in bed, an offer to mow the lawn, a big hug and the offer of the last biscuit. Or you could just buy him something that he definitely doesn't need, but we're pretty sure he'll want.
By Amie-Elizabeth White Published
-
The Utterly Inessential Wimbledon Shopping List
We've rounded up all the utterly inessential products — posh tennis gear, in other words — that you absolutely do not need to enjoy Wimbledon, but would probably fancy having anyway.
By Country Life Published
-
The Utterly Inessential Mother's Day list: 16 gifts guaranteed to either surprise or delight
Is your mum the sort who's happiest with what she knows — or one who loves a surprise?
By Toby Keel Published
-
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Supercharged home Wi-Fi, smart headphones and a mobile phone literally anyone can use
Our Utterly Inessential Shopping List returns with some technology that is far cleverer than we are.
By Toby Keel Published
-
The best weekend bags and finest holdalls that (rather a lot of) money can buy
Going somewhere nice? You might be soon, so here's Hetty Lintell with her pick of the finest holdalls and best weekend bags you can buy.
By Hetty Lintell Published
-
Best smart speakers for non-techie people: What to expect, what you'll love and what doesn't work
Smart speakers are no longer the preserve of tech geeks and millennials — these handy speakers are, and (as we'll discover) particularly handy for those living in the countryside. We've looked at some of the main contenders to see which one comes out on top: Google Nest Audio, Amazon Echo Studio, the Apple HomePod Mini, and the Audio Pro G10.
By Toby Keel Published