True motorheads are willing to spend beyond six, seven, or eight figures for the most luxurious car models. Some of the most expensive cars in the world are custom-made, or personalised according to the buyers’ lifestyles. This is what makes these vehicles so exceptional on the road.

Automobiles are truly limitless. The relentless race for speed and engineering brilliance began the moment we stepped into the four-wheeled genius. And we’ve simply been pushing its boundaries ever since. Designed as early tools of utility, this prowess through the generations turned them into luxury novelties. The faster, the grander, and the lesser – this drove the bargain for automobiles higher and higher. Since the world of automobiles has always been limitless, we see mechanical marvels that fetch unimaginable prices.

Below, find some of the most expensive cars in modern-day history. These aren’t necessarily the highest-priced, but they’re the ones that made a mark.

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World’s most expensive cars: Bugatti La Voiture Noire, Rolls-Royce Boat-Tail

Aston Martin DBZ Centenary Edition

We’ve actually been seeing some pretty expensive rides from Aston Martin off late. However, the DBZ Centenary edition is different. Why? Because it comes as a pair. Also because it’s the most expensive AM car ever. This is honestly one of the most unique and beautiful pairings in automobile history. This 6-mil combo pack comprises a DBS GT Zagato which takes inspiration from the original 1960 DB4 GT Zagato and a DBS Superleggera.

Price: USD 7.6 million

Bugatti Centodieci

Limited to just 10 builds, the Bugatti Centodieci is a very special one-off that marks the brand’s 110th anniversary. Based on the Chiron, it harbours its glorious 8.0-litre W16 that’s capable of delivering 1,577 horsepower and an electronically limited top speed of 236 mph. Also, 0-62 mph is achieved in just 2.4 seconds and 0-186 mph in 13.1 seconds. In terms of design, the front fender and headlight are a contemporary take on the EB 110’s headlight ducts.

Price: USD 9 million

Rolls-Royce Sweptail

Until 2019’s Bugatti La Voiture Noir, this Rolls-Royce held the crown of the most expensive cars in the world. The Sweptail was a beacon of bespoke luxury motoring. Every square centimetre of this luxury cruiser is customisable and in pure Sussex opulence. This too was a bespoke project and is a one-of-one. We’re totally loving the sunroof that goes all the way back like that.

Price: USD 12.8 million

SP Automotive Chaos

One of the most expensive cars in the ring, Chaos from the Greek automotive company Spyros Panopoulos was launched in 2021 as the world’s first Ultracar. The speed monster comes with 3,000 horsepower that can reach 100 kph within just 1.8 seconds and the top speed at 499 kph. On top of all these, some parts are made with a 3D printer with materials from aerospace technology.

Price: USD 14.4 million

Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta

Interestingly, this would have been the world’s most expensive car, but it was a custom. The Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta is a truly special automobile. This is because it carries the initials of its creator, Horacio Pagani, in its name, as it was specially built for him. This bespoke masterpiece was the showstopper at Pebble Beach, California in August 2017. This Zonda’s roofless design is absolutely bonkers as it has no option for an attachable or convertible soft or hard top. In charge of the speed department is a 7.3-litre Mercedes-AMG M120 V12 engine.

Price: USD 17 million

Bugatti La Voiture Noire

The holy grail, the pinnacle of automobile extravagance, and an icon for the future, the Bugatti La Voiture Noir was unveiled in 2019 and broke the internet with its price tag of USD 18 million. Its body is made out of carbon fibre, which is what they use on space shuttles. The La Voiture Noir is also an ode to the Type 57 SC Atlantic, a Bugatti icon lost between the Great Wars.

Price: USD 18.68 million

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail

This nearly six-meter-long grand tourer called the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is an absolute treat for nautical enthusiasts, and for those who prefer weekend picnicking by the lake in style. It is the new world’s most expensive car. After its debut, there were rumours that Jay-Z and Beyonce bespoke ordered this USD 28 million land yacht.

Price: USD 28 million

Rolls-Royce Droptail Amethyst

Rolls-Royce plans to launch four Droptails, each of which are hand made and personalised to the undisclosed buyers. One of them is the Amethyst, which is named after the birthstone of the customer’s son. Adorned all over with different shades of purple, the roadster has a removable hard top and is decked out in Sand Dunes leather on the inside. The even cooler part is that passengers can choose the colour of the ceiling, which is made of electromagnetic glasses.

Price: USD 25 million – USD 30 million

Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail

The world’s most expensive car belongs to the Rolls-Royce’s Droptail family. Inspired by the Black Baccara, or the world’s darkest natural rose, La Rose Noire changes its hue when viewed from different angles, with a hint of red and black. The body exterior is made from steel, aluminium, and carbon fibre. The cabin is composed of 1,603 pieces of black sycamore wood trim veneer that resembles rose petals. As part of the personalised attributes, a custom-designed Audemars Piguet is also set in the dashboard. The vehicle took five years in total to build.

Price: over USD 30 million

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Which is the world’s most expensive car?
The world’s most expensive car right now is Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire valued at around USD 30 million.

Disclaimer: Some listed prices are approximate, estimated, and subject to change.

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This story first appeared here

Related: From Kim Kardashian To Drake, These Celebrities Own The Most Expensive Private Jets

Like the rest of us, luxury travel, luggage and lifestyle brand TUMI is entering this new era of travel with gusto. At a recent pop-up opening in Seoul, where we met Asia’s best footballer and TUMI Crew member Son Heung-Min and previewed their new fall line, we sat down with the head of TUMI Asia Pacific and Middle East, Adam Hershman, to talk about the evolution of travel style, where he loves to visit in our region, and his top tips on what to pack for long and short trips. Read on for the ultimate luggage shopping list, including some gorgeous new designs that’ll have women especially excited. 

People are buying larger suitcases because they’re taking more and longer leisure trips.

Business travelers who had been grounded by you-know-what are upgrading their gear.

As airports and hotels are getting more stylish, travelers are leveling up in what they wear and carry.

Organization is king.

Individualization is queen.

These are some of the key takeaways from a fun conversation I had with Adam Hershman, vice president of TUMI Asia Pacific and Middle East, in Seoul. We were there for the launch of the TUMI Fall 2023 Essentially Beautiful pop-up in Lotte World Mall. In a stunning undulating space, centered on a multi-perspective sculpture by perceptual American artist Michael Murphy, we checked out two new covetable collections, Alpha X and Georgica, and got a sneak peek of the new season’s colors and silhouettes. We also were among the lucky few (oh, you should have heard the cheers) to meet football star Son Heung-Min, captain of Tottenham Hotspur as well as South Korea’s national team. 

If you’re a luggage nerd like us and get turned on by the science behind things like Tegris, the crazy-strong woven material in TUMI Tegra-Lite suitcases, well, Adam says, “it’s going to be an incredible moment when you want to upgrade your travel gear. You’ll go to a Tumi store and see all the options and think, Wow, there’s so much here! It will just really feed the travel fire.”

Here’s what to know about where TUMI is going, and what luggage and accessories you should pack for short and long trips, and the quirky surprises you’ll find in Adam Hershman’s carry-on.

T+L SEA: Who’s the Tumi consumer of today?

Adam Hershman: We’re very inspired by people who are high-achievement minded, and across industries, whether you’re a DJ, an artist, you’re in finance, you’re a journalist – we’re inspired by people who are trying to perfect their craft and are looking to innovate and elevate themselves. We make products for people like this that span all age groups. Travel is something that all generations like to do, and “achievement” is not something that’s unique to Gen Z versus Gen Y.

There may be some ways of communicating that are different, you know, maybe we’ll look to do a collaboration with an e-sports company like Razer or doing advertising on Tik Tok to contour the stories for a younger generation – but the story is the same. We are a global brand, our customers are traveling all over the world, but our HQ is still in New York. And so that’s still our compass for how we navigate product development.

T+L SEA: And so how is the story contoured for the Asian market?

Adam Hershman: When you look at Asia or the Middle East, you know, you’re talking about places that just have different demographics. Places like Vietnam or Saudi Arabia have some of the youngest population percentages on the planet. Now, we’re not changing our brand persona, or brand DNA to accommodate that. Rather, we create products that are relevant to who those people are.

Sometimes there are silhouettes that’ll be more relevant in Asia, versus other countries. In Indonesia, there’s a strong clutch business, as an example of unique ways people prefer to carry things around. In the Middle East also the clutch business is strong – because of the attire, it goes well with that.

We occasionally develop relevant products that are specific to certain markets or certain tastes. Historically we’ve done this kind of thing in Japan. We have a collection there called Jarvis, which is a bit more tailored for the Japanese local market. We made a briefcase in a special size to accommodate a typical lunchbox that the white-collar manager or business leader would bring to work.

But the Japanese customer is also traveling to New York, also traveling to Paris. That’s the nature of our business! So often products can end up becoming part of our main line anyway.

T+L SEA: Where are your three favorite places to travel in Asia-Pacific, and why?

Adam Hershman: My No. 1 place to go is anywhere with my family. I always like to explore with my family. I’ll get in trouble if I don’t say that!

For vacation, I’d go with Bali. I got married in Bali 10 years ago. I tend to be a fairly active person, I love the water. Bali has beaches, diving, sailing, swimming, snorkeling. And of course a very rich culture and some terrific cuisine.

From Hong Kong, where I live, a quick getaway is great in Bangkok. Love the food, love taking cooking classes there. I am, as I told you, a coconut curry…

T+L SEA: …right, master. You’re a coconut curry master!

Adam Hershman: Haha, Yeah.

I also love going to South Korea; I do a lot of shopping in South Korea. There is a very creative design community. It’s very culturally relevant, to actual culture creation, not just in Asia but globally as well. So it’s always inspiring. Every time I come back, there’s something new, there’s a new trend. I’m always like, “Oh, what’s that? What’s going to be the department store that I don’t know about?” The standards here are very high. The attention to detail is very high. Everyone’s inspired, everyone’s participating, I love it.

I like golfing here too. 

T+L SEA: What do you always pack in your carry-on? 

Adam Hershman: I have packing cubes like crazy, and I have shoe bags as well. I have a special charger pack that opens into three pieces. It’s quite small; a little bit bigger than my iPhone. But you can charge Apple Watch, air pods, and phone all at the same time. So instead of having to carry a zillion cords, you just carry this one thing. I bought it in an Apple Store. 

I have an Alpha Bravo Esports Pro Large Backpack, that I use when I travel, where I put my travel wallet, the pouch for my laptop, sleeve for my iPad, more cords, everything. Everything has a home. 

I also carry extra toothbrushes. More than four. 

T+L SEA: Wait, what. What do you need four of them for?

Adam Hershman: If I go on a long flight, I want to always be able to brush my teeth. And if I have a colleague with me, I want to be able to share. Usually I have one or two in my travel kit and then I’ll have one or two more in my backpack just in case.

I bring my pajamas on long flights. And I actually have the special compression airline socks.

T+L SEA: What should I pack on a weekend beach hop?

Adam Hershman: If you’re a hard case person, I’m going to steer you towards the 19 Degree International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On – with expansion, for if you want to go shopping and bring back some extra stuff.

If you’re more of a soft-side suitcase person and a slightly lighter packer, there’s the Voyageur Oxford Compact Carry-On.

With a Voyageur Celina backpack you can be hands-free. Put a Just in Case tote inside that – it’s a nice tote to bring to the beach or the pool or just around town, it folds up into its own pocket pouch, and you might need it if you’re bringing more home from the trip than you left with.

If you’re not a backpack person, the Alpha Carry All Tote is a perfect solution. There’s a secret compartment in the bottom where in normal life I put my used gym clothes, but you could pack your bathing suits and towel.

Another option is a sling. I really recommend sling packs as a super-convenient way to carry a phone and a couple of essentials, in a safe way across your chest. My wife was actually wearing one earlier.

Dry bags are key if you are going into an environment where you might get wet. We also make water bottles that are terrific. Nowadays you see public water stations in the airports and all over for refilling, which is great. I love our water bottles, and if you have one of those, then a TUMI+ water bottle pouch would be really convenient, too. 

T+L SEA: Sorry, what’s TUMI+ ?

Adam Hershman: TUMI+ is a system where you can add functionality to different bags without making the bag more fussy, if you will. You can hook a pouch on with different things inside it, and you can quickly remove it and put it somewhere else.

There’s a backpack rain cover so that when it randomly starts raining – which we experience here in Southeast Asia in particular, right? – you can put that rain cover on really quick. I typically use the TUMI+ AirPod Pro Pouch, and I’ll actually clip it from my belt loop and transfer it onto my bag.

T+L SEA: I’m going on a three week multi-climate trip, meaning different destinations without popping home first. What do I pack?

Adam Hershman: Get the Tegra-Lite Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case because it’s stylish, it’s cool, and it keeps your weight down so you have flexibility. You might need a jacket and/or a heavy coat, which, if you’re wearing it at some point but not all the time, you may need the expansion feature going one direction and the other way not. 

Pair it with the Tegra-Lite International Front Pocket Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On, inside of which you can pack a purse, a sling, some snacks. You get additional functional benefits from this case because it has a front-pocket opening. So if you’re like me – meaning, last minute! – you’re like, OK, I actually need this sweater, for example, to be accessible while I’m traveling, and you can just throw it in that pocket on the go.

Here’s my tip: Bringing a carry-on that you don’t pack full is useful because you can put your new purchases from your trip in there if you don’t want to check them. And if you did just buy so much stuff you wind up over weight for the overhead bin, you can also feel comfortable checking in your carry-on because they’re made in such a way that they can handle it. In fact, the Tegra-Lite line has protective front and back corner bumpers to maintain the shape of your bags.

A backpack gives you flexibility. So I’m going to have you bring a Voyageur Ramsay backpack.

We have awesome packing cubes. One-hundred percent you need those. Some of those Tumi+ items and a Just in Case tote.

And, for a change of style: our new Georgica line in soft, pebbled leather. You can fit your laptop in a Georgica tote, and it will fall flat in your suitcase if you don’t want to carry it on the plane. The Georgica Kerrie crossbody purse looks great if you’re going to a nice dinner or out to meet friends. 

T+L SEA: I really love the Georgica line. It feels like a pointedly feminine evolution. How else is Tumi evolving? And why?

Adam Hershman: It’s really not so far in the past where travel products were not perceived as being as fashionable as they are today. Now, customers are demanding – just like any other three-dimensional object that they have – fashion and style in addition to function and performance: they’re all on the same level. So now you can tell the focus we’re putting on the aesthetics. This has always been a part of our DNA, but certainly now the customer values that more than ever.

All the airports have upped their game in terms of what they look like. Many airlines as well. People want to match that environment. It’s easier to justify that, you know, you go into Hong Kong International Airport, it’s as beautiful as any great shopping mall. As the whole ecosystem of travel levels up, there’s more of a match. You’re not bringing a luxury product to a place that’s a dump. 

People look smart on planes and people look smart in the airport. They have different styles: Some people have that athletic look, some people have the jacket, but even in the jackets you often see some technical fabric or wrinkle-free. People really put passion and thought into it. From the airlines to the hotels to the airports, everyone’s putting thought into it all at the same time. So everything is moving ahead at the same time. And I think that’s what makes the market really cool.

Images courtesy of TUMI, unless otherwise noted.

It is the time of the year when summer travel is in full swing but if you are heading to destinations that are currently going through a heatwave, it is important to prepare yourself to deal with high temperatures. Here’s our guide to how you can beat the heat.

How to keep the body cool while travelling during a heatwave?

Whether you are planning a beach getaway, a desert adventure or a nature expedition, having the right travel essentials can make your trip a comfortable one, even during high temperatures. Here are a few tips to help you tackle a heatwave during your travels.

Hydration is the key

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration throughout your journey. Carry reusable water bottles at all times and avoid sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages, as they might increase the chances of dehydration.

Carry portable fans

Not every place on your itinerary will guarantee air conditioning. Consider carrying battery-powered portable fans or hand fans to relax in its cooling breeze on a hot day.

Start your trip early in the day

Mornings are the coolest time to travel when the effects of the heatwave are significantly low. If you are taking a flight or train or hitting the road in your car, consider leaving home in the early hours of the day for a comfortable journey.

Plan activities carefully

Dragging yourself across multiple places and engaging in various activities is the last thing you should be doing during a heatwave. Include fewer activities in your itinerary and group them based on location and proximity to one another to avoid long and tiring journeys in the scorching heat.

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Reduce sun exposure

Carry umbrellas and wear wide-brimmed sunhats while exploring places during the day to limit sun exposure as much as possible.

Heatwave travel essentials to carry on your summer escapade

Two decades after the final flight of the Concorde, the supersonic travel industry is going through an exciting reawakening.

In today’s fast-paced world, time has become an increasingly valuable commodity. It’s no surprise then that news of supersonic travel being poised to make a comeback in the foreseeable future – slashing flight times in some cases by four – has been welcomed by travellers and the airline industry alike, making dreaded long-haul flights possibly a thing of the past. But what’s the latest, and when can we expect to get a taste (again) of crashing through the sound barrier?

What you can expect from the supersonic travel industry?

The Concorde was a supersonic passenger jet jointly developed by British and French aerospace companies, British Aerospace and Aérospatiale, in the 1960s. It made its first commercial flight in 1976 and became an icon of aviation with its sleek design, and ability to travel at speeds of up to Mach 2.04 (2,519 km/h) and at altitudes of around 60,000 feet.

This significantly reduced flight times, so much so that you could get from London to New York in less than three hours. Those who experienced a trip on the Concorde have detailed how opulent the experience was – from start to finish. As the aircraft could only fit 100 passengers, tickets were significantly more expensive than an average first-class ticket on any other airline, ranging from USD 6,000 to USD 12,000.

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The experience began in a dedicated lounge where passengers were encouraged to mix and mingle, which led to the actual in-flight experience doubling as a ‘social club in the sky’, complete with gourmet meals cooked on board and free-flowing Champagne. Passenger lists were also dominated by royalty, heads of state, celebrities and socialites, who opted to fly the Concorde to attend transatlantic appointments over the course of just one day.

Yet, despite its glitz, glamour, and success with members of the upper echelons of society, after 27 years the Concorde’s operational life came to an end because of several factors; including high operating costs, limited routes, and concerns over noise pollution and its environmental impact, marking the end of an era in supersonic travel… until now.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in commercial supersonic travel with several companies such as Aerion Supersonic, Spike Aerospace, Swiss Destinus, Venus Aerospace, Lingkong Tianxing, NASA, and Lockheed Martin working to introduce aircraft that will be capable of travelling up to speeds of a staggering Mach 9 (11,113 km/h) in the years to come.

One of the leading forces behind the supersonic return, and arguably the company currently ahead in the race, is Denver-based Boom Supersonic. Founded in 2014 by CEO Blake Scholl, who sold his successful eCommerce business to pursue a venture in an industry that has fascinated him ever since he was a child, the company is currently building a cutting-edge supersonic airliner called Overture.

Overture will be capable of carrying approximately 80 passengers while flying at speeds of Mach 1.7 (1,800 km/h). It will have the potential to transport passengers from New York to London in 3.5 hours, Tokyo to Seattle in 4.5 hours and Miami to London in less than five hours, making it an absolute dream for business travellers, and those with a need to get to their destination as quickly as possible.

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From renderings available so far, the Overture cabin looks very different to what we’ve become accustomed to on commercial jetliners, as the interior configuration is expected to follow a simple two seats per row layout. This is to ensure seats remain spacious and comfortable despite the aircraft’s smaller size of 201 feet from nose-to-tail.

Each seat will be fitted with personal entertainment devices along with capacious tray tables, and the cabin will also feature business-class level legroom and substantially large windows that will deliver a wow factor, as passengers will be able to see the curvature of the earth below as well as space above them.

As of this year, the company has begun construction on its Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina – a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will soon be ready to house a final assembly line, test facility, and customer delivery centre for its flagship airliner, the Overture.

To better understand Boom Supersonic’s ultimate vision, which is to make supersonic travel accessible and sustainable while addressing many of the challenges faced by the Concorde, Prestige reached out to a spokesperson from the company to reveal some more details.

In what ways will supersonic aircraft revolutionise the current commercial aviation industry?

Overture will fly twice as fast as today’s fastest passenger jets, allowing passengers to experience more of what the world has to offer and thus transforming air travel as we know it. Arriving at destinations in half the time makes previously unattainable trips viable. Speeds twice as fast enable three-day business trips to be handled in a single day, long-distance relationships to thrive, and donor organs to arrive in time to save lives. Globally, there are more than 600 mostly transoceanic routes on which Overture will offer a compelling speedup without changes to today’s overland flight regulations.

In the past, Concorde relied less on comfort and gained popularity because of its focus on speed and status. Can you offer some insight into what the Overture flight experience will look like in comparison?

We are optimising Overture for the highest levels of comfort and productivity onboard. The first generation of Overture aircraft is designed for profitably at rates comparable to today’s first and business-class fares, and the experience onboard will be unlike any other. Compared to today’s air travel, we’re investing a great deal in improving the passenger experience and are developing a cabin that is comfortable, tranquil, and productive for travellers.

Sustainability has become more important than ever across the global travel industry. What measurements has Boom put in place to prioritise this?

Boom’s environmental sustainability priorities stem from an ambitious but achievable commitment to be net zero carbon by 2025, and net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040. Overture is also optimised to run on 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). To that end, Boom will power Overture’s development, certification, and production flight tests using SAF.

The road to net zero carbon will be defined by three essential steps: to regularly measure, to reduce, and to offset residual emissions. Examples of these steps include accounting for the emissions of our entire value chain, joining the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA), all of our facilities are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, and we invest in a broad portfolio of high-impact, high-quality carbon offset and removal solutions for residual emissions that cannot be mitigated.

For Overture, circularity and fuel efficiency are critical pillars to drive sustainability at scale. This goes for all aspects, from design and production to flight and end-of-life recycling.

One of the biggest problems faced by the supersonic air travel industry in the past was noise – especially during take-off and landing. How is Boom tackling this?

Sustainability is one of our core principles, and this includes noise. New noise-reducing features include engine updates – without afterburners – and an automated noise-reduction system, ensuring that supersonic take-off is no louder than today’s largest subsonic jets for airports and surrounding communities.

Symphony, the revolutionary propulsion system for Overture, will also have extensive noise mitigation features including the implementation of a Programmed Lapse Rate (PLR) to control thrust and resultant noise at take-off, as well as acoustic lining in the inlet and nacelle. We are committed to creating the best possible experience for our airport communities and we will continue to innovate in this area to ensure that Symphony and Overture continue to meet FAA & EASA certification and airworthiness requirements.

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Where do you currently stand when it comes to research and production of your aircraft? Is Overture already being manufactured?

Production is set to commence in 2024 at the Overture Superfactory, with rollout in 2026, and the first flight planned in 2027.

When can we expect to begin booking tickets aboard Overture?

Overture is on track to achieve type certification in 2029, which is what will allow us to carry passengers.

Have you received a lot of interest in Overture from airline companies so far?

Yes. Interest in supersonic flight is coming from the world’s leading airlines. We have received orders and pre-orders from United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines for a total order book of 130 aircraft. Given the advantage of supersonic on transoceanic flights, long-haul carriers are naturally very excited. We are building on and driving innovation in sustainable air travel and progress in alternative fuels to make the fastest flights also the most sustainable.

What do your testing processes look like?

Before the first Overture production aircraft takes flight, we will construct the “iron bird”, a test model for integrating Overture’s flight hardware, software, and systems using simulation, emulation, and hardware-in-the- loop. Laid out like a skeletal framework, the Overture iron bird primary systems will be fully functional and accessible for engineers to quickly test and update. The iron bird will reduce technical and schedule risk, and increase safety, as all critical systems will be tested before Overture aircraft enters production.

What key milestones should we keep an eye out for?

We will be making additional announcements this month at the Paris Air Show – stay tuned!

For more information about Boom Supersonic, click here.

This story first appeared here. 

Related: Future Of Flying: Your Plane May Soon Have Double-Decker Seats

These days, flying economy is often not the best experience, with cramped seats and limited meal and beverage service. But in some cases, you can ask your airline flight attendant for a few freebies to make your journey a little more comfortable — things like extra snacks, pillows and blankets, and even over-the-counter medication.

“It really depends on the specific airline and their policies,” said former flight attendant Matt James of Visitingly.com. “It’s always worth asking the flight attendant if they have any of these items available, but it’s important to keep in mind that availability may vary.”

Routes make a difference, too, according to former flight attendant Susan Fogwell. “More items are available on transatlantic flights versus a domestic route,” she said.

While some asks are almost definitely going to be a no — free upgrades, for instance — here are a few items you can often request for free on major airlines, according to flight attendants.

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Airline freebies that passengers can ask for in economy

Basic amenity kits

On some long-haul flights, airlines may provide amenity kits to economy passengers. “In our economy cabin, we have a lot of options available to customers, including pieces to help you freshen up such as toothbrush kits, earplugs, and eye shades for sleep,” said Ben Whatman, Air New Zealand’s in-flight service manager. The kits won’t be full of luxury hand creams, like you might find in business class, but they’ll get the job done.

Free bottled water

You probably know you can (almost) always ask for a cup of water on an airplane, but did you know some airlines will give you a whole (or half) bottle if you ask for one? Whether or not you’ll get one largely depends on availability, but it’s always worth inquiring.

Blankets and pillows

The cabin temperature on some planes can be notoriously cold, so you can always ask a flight attendant if blankets are available. And if you’re on a red-eye flight, you should ask if pillows are available, too.

First-aid supplies

All commercial aircraft are equipped with first-aid kits that include general supplies like bandages, gauze pads, and antiseptic wipes. Simply let a flight attendant know, and they’ll bring what you need.

Over-the-counter medication

Flight attendants also have access to many over-the-counter medications, from painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to antidiarrheals, so feel free to request these items.

Headphones

When your personal earbuds are wireless, but your in-flight entertainment system is wired, you can ask a flight attendant if they have any headphones for passengers. Don’t expect noise-cancelling over-ear headphones that you might find in business class. If they’re free, they’ll be basic earbuds. And some airlines charge for headphones — usually no more than a few dollars.

Kids’ activity books

Forgot the iPad at home? Some airlines have activity books for children on board.

Extra snacks or drinks

Economy passengers don’t often get full meals on short-haul flights, but they do get a round of drinks and snacks. If you find yourself a little peckish or thirsty after that service, politely ask your flight attendant for another round. But remember, asking doesn’t mean you’ll receive. It’s all based on availability and whether or not the flight attendant is able to serve you at that point in the flight.

This story first appeared on www.travelandleisure.com

Main and Feature Image Credit: Anchiy/Getty Images

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Tiffany Nguyen didn’t set out to become a professional photographer. She, like many of us, started simply by snapping photos on her iPhone 4 to document her everyday life. Slowly but surely, she learned a few tricks of the professional trade, using tools available on her mobile, which have now made her one of the most respected travel photographers in the game. 

“I was in my first year of dental school, and I hadn’t started my photography career yet. Fast forward to 12 years later, and I’ve transitioned to a career as a full-time photographer,” Nguyen told Travel + Leisure. “The iPhone was definitely an integral part of my journey as a photographer and made me realise how much I enjoy taking photos and creating something unique.” She added, “I didn’t take the straight line path that I expected to take in life, but I hope [talking about it] encourages others to chase their passions as well.”

With the release of the latest iPhone 14, Nguyen shared that she’s been “so impressed with the image quality” thanks to its 48-megapixel RAW capability, that she says “can stand up next to DSLR images better than ever before. There is so much information contained in each image which allows for much more in-depth adjustments when editing.” She added, “I think we’re closer than ever to an iPhone camera being a true replacement for a DSLR camera.”

To help others step up their game, Nguyen shared a few pieces of critical advice to level up when it comes to travel photos right from your phone and shared a few of her favourite photos from Los Angeles taken on her device to help inspire you to get out and shoot more too.

How to take travel photos like a pro

Try shooting in RAW

“A lot of people don’t realise that you can shoot in RAW, which allows you to have more information to work with in order to maximise your editing capabilities,”  Nguyen explained. RAW is an uncompressed file format that allows your camera (or, in this case, your phone’s camera) to capture as much data as possible. This way, when you go to edit an image, you can do so in much greater detail. (The only downside is that shooting in RAW takes substantially more data space.)

“With 48 megapixels to work with, you have so much flexibility and can really bring an image to life with editing. Being able to lock your exposure and focus when shooting also helps you to capture the scene exactly as you envision it,” Nguyen added. “Dialing in your exposure in camera and making sure it’s as close to ideal as possible can make the editing process a lot easier.”

Get to know the basics of composition

Taking great photos isn’t just about having fancy equipment. It’s also about understanding a few basics of composition.

“I would recommend shooting close to sunrise or sunset to capture your images during the most ideal light,” Nguyen shared, pointing to the time commonly known as “golden hour” to give off those dreamy warm tones.

“Having a strong composition can really make or break your image,” Nguyen added. “Some of my favourite composition techniques include leading lines, negative space, symmetry, the rule of thirds, and using layers. Utilising these techniques along with shooting during periods of soft light will really help take your iPhone photos to the next level.”

Pick a subject and practice, practice, practice

Nguyen’s favourite thing to practice with when it comes to travel photos is cityscapes, as evidenced by these gorgeous L.A. shots. Picking a favourite, she explained, helps people want to get out and practice even more.

“The best camera really is the one you have in your pocket, and the iPhone allows me to quickly capture moments in high fidelity while I’m on the go,” she said. “There’s so much that goes on around you when you’re walking through a city, and shooting on an iPhone lets me stay fully immersed in the moment while still being able to capture high-quality images of my favourite sights and memories.”

Learn how to edit on the fly

Yes, taking stellar pics is key, but learning to edit travel photos, Nguyen noted, is also a big part of levelling up.

“Editing is half the fun and is where I really get to bring my images to life,” she said. “I edit all of the images taken on my iPhone with the iPhone as well. The apps I typically use are Lightroom Mobile and Touch Retouch. It’s the quickest and easiest way to edit my images when I’m on the go and gives me almost the same editing capabilities as compared to editing on my laptop. I’m always amazed at what I’m able to create 100% on my iPhone.”

Hero and Feature Image Credit: Tiffany Nguyen

This article first appeared on travelandleisure.com 

Related: How To Get Upgraded To First Class For Free

Like a little bit of a small spa retreat in the skies, the First Class amenity kit provides travellers with all the essentials they may need in flight and upon landing. Think, an eye mask for better beauty sleep, some perfume for post-arrival hugs, and a hair brush to tame that static airplane mane. And whilst a standard brush or perfume may somewhat do, the First Class experience is never about things that will simply ‘just do’. Airlines have been quick to respond to this, battling it out with one another by featuring only the best brands in their specially curated sets.

After all, beyond the in-flight chef grilling your sirloin to perfection before your eyes, and after your designer pyjama nap in a full-on flat-out double bed, it is the amenity kit that stays with you long after you’ve stepped out of seat 1A and onto the tarmac of your destination. The amenity kit becomes a token of your journey, be it for better or for worse.

From Givenchy sleep masks to Ferragamo perfume and a miniature RIMOWA suitcase, we’ve put together a list of some of the best first-class amenity kits in the skies at the moment. Whether you’re a beauty aficionado or simply a frequent flier on a mission, here’s a hint of the little pampering goodness you can expect onboard.

Featured image credit: Qatar Airways; Hero image credit: EVA Air

(This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok)

Bored of the Bouse you’ve come to expect in your room in the best luxury hotels? How’s this for a speaker to make your music-listening experience more stylish while travelling?

July brought the debut of the Louis Vuitton Horizon Light Up portable speaker, adding to its existing range of connected products. Clocking in at just one kilogram, thoughtfully designed with a leather strap, and accompanied by a protective pouch, the speaker is an ideal bit of bling to bring to pool or park days, or along for wherever your travels take you.

According to Louis Vuitton, its new speaker takes its shape from the Toupie (‘Spinning Top’) handbag, designed by its Artistic Director of Women’s Collections, Nicolas Ghesquière. “Just as the Toupie rewrote the rule book for evening bags, the Louis Vuitton Horizon Light Up speaker aims to reinvent the world of portable speakers,” the company said. It’s clad in noble leather and metal and boasts the brand’s famous logo throughout. It’s a piece so good-looking that it could just stand as a lovely artistic item in your home if you really wanted.

Louis Vuitton aims to reinvent the world of portable speakers

“Through superior sound quality and cutting-edge technology, the Louis Vuitton Horizon Light Up speaker really comes into its own through Louis Vuitton’s unconventional approach to creating beauty in an everyday object,” the company shared in a statement. “Not only does the speaker provide the ultimate audio-visual experience, but it also represents the House’s skill in turning a utilitarian item into a work of art.”

“Only when the device is switched on does its purpose become obvious in an explosion of sound, light, and movement,” Louis Vuitton noted. “As the covered woofer vibrates like a heartbeat, a dynamic light show synchronizes to the beat with a colourful digital interpretation of Louis Vuitton’s Iconic Monogram flower.”

The speaker is compatible with Apple AirPlay 2, and Qplay via Wi-Fi, and can be paired with other speakers to further amplify sound. It utilises a USB-C charger through either the speaker or the dock. On a full charge, it can provide up to 12 hours of playtime.

The speaker is now available on the Louis Vuitton website for USD 2,890.

Related: Attention, Shopoholics! This Is The Only International Shopping Guide You’ll Ever Need

All photos courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Go green: Eco-friendly items you need for your next trip!

1. Freostyle Turkish Towel

Courtesy of Freostyle Turkish Towel (2)

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants and requires less water to produce than many other fibres. These super-absorbent beach towels are hand-loomed in traditional weaving villages in Turkey and incorporate 70 per cent bamboo.

freostyle.com; from AUD 35 (USD 23).

2. Vilo Eyewear

Made from certified sustainable sources of maple, zebrawood, walnut and bamboo, Vilo Eyewear wooden sunglasses look good and do good. Donate your old plastic sunnies to help those in developing countries and receive a discount on your Vilo purchase.

viloeyewear.com; from AUD 69 (USD 46).

3. Manda Reef-Safe Organic Sunscreen

Courtesy of Manda Reef-Safe Organic Sunscreen (2)

Sunscreen chemicals can damage corals, and not all “reef-safe” products are really proven safe. Choose a zinc oxide–based product with “non-nano” sized particles, like Manda organic sunscreen. Manda includes thanaka, a traditional natural sunscreen from Burma, and comes in a biodegradable sugarcane package.

mandanaturals.com; from USD 28.

4. Bare & Co Lunch Box

Sample local street food without adding to disposable-plastic problems. Bring your own take-out box, like this one from Bare & Co, made from food-grade aluminium and topped with a bamboo lid, which handily doubles as a chopping board.

thewellstore.com.au; from AUD 33 (USD 22).

5. Peony Swimwear

Cut a fine figure and feel great about it in Peony Swimwear, made from recycled materials such as used fishing nets, carpets and discarded fabric that may otherwise end up in a landfill or the ocean.

peonyswimwear.com; separates from AUD 70 (USD 47).

6. Will and Bear Panama Hat

Feeling shady? This versatile Panama hat by Will and Bear is made from recycled-paper straw, and trimmed with natural cotton. But sport whatever style suits you: they’ll plant 10 trees for each hat sold.

willandbear.com; from AUD 99 (USD 66).

7. Mazu Resort Wear Boardshorts

The Hong Kong team at Mazu Resortwear has slapped a 1986 photograph of Tai Long Wan Bay across these cheerful men’s boardshorts. They’re made from Econyl, a 100-per cent recycled fabric, for the ethically minded.

mazuresortwear.com; HKD 1,200 (USD 153), available from July.

8. Indosole Flip-Flops

Tires take thousands of years to decompose and are often burned, generating harmful toxins. Indosole flip-flops are made from discarded tires and sustainably grown rubber in an ethical workshop in Indonesia—plus they’re non-skid! Great for the pool or rainy season.

indosole.com.au; from AUD 45 (USD 30).

9. Steripen Ultralight

No clean water to fill your reusable drinking bottle? Avoid disposable plastic bottles with the nifty Steripen Ultralight, which uses UV light to sterilise a litre of tap water in just 90 seconds.

outdoorlife.com.sg/steripen-ultralight-uv-water-purifier.html; from USD 159.

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