Courtesy Wahoo Fitness

Wahoo Fitness' Blue HR heart rate monitor utilizes Bluetooth technology and can be synced to a compatible iPhone.

Technology, they say, marches on but for fitness-focused travelers, it also runs, bikes and swims. Thanks to a slew of new gadgets, it’s easier than ever to monitor — and, hopefully, maintain — your fitness routines when away from home.

“When you’re traveling, exercise can help your immune system and improve your mental productivity,” said fitness blogger Ben Greenfield, aka The Get-Fit Guy at QuickAndDirtyTips.com. “Logging your workouts can provide more motivation to work out.”

And thanks to the development of new wireless technologies, such as ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart Ready, monitoring those workouts is getting easier all the time. “Logging with technology is very convenient,” said Greenfield. “You no longer need to jot your heart rate down in a notepad or on your hand while you’re running.”

For travelers hoping to maintain their fitness routines, the following five gadgets are just what the sports doctor ordered:

Sportiiiis
Talk about visualizing your workout. The Sportiiiis ($199) is a small device that attaches to a pair of sunglasses and uses LEDs to track your speed, heart rate and other performance data. Once you’ve programmed your target rates and paired the unit with the appropriate ANT+ device, such as a heart-rate strap (not included), attach the boom-like unit to your glasses and go. The LEDs blink green if you’re in the zone, yellow if you drop below it and orange or red if you start overdoing it.

Courtesy of Pyle

This GPS watch from Pyle allows you to set coordinates for your run, a great feature for when you're in a new location.

GPS Sports Watch
New destinations mean new, and often, unfamiliar running routes. The new GPS Sports Watch ($307) from Pyle can help keep you on track by providing directions to the coordinates you set, along with data on your current speed and estimated time of arrival. Pair it with the wireless chest strap (included) and you can monitor your heart rate along the way.

Hydro Tracker GPS
Counting laps in the hotel pool? Piece of cake. Monitoring your workout in open water? That’s a little trickier, unless you’re sporting the new Hydro Tracker GPS ($130) from Finis. Attach the unit to your goggle strap and it’ll record your route in real-time. Afterwards, upload the data to an online training log and you can view it on Google Earth, analyze your performance and even watch a time-lapse animation of your progress.

Blue HR
According to the folks at Wahoo Fitness, the Blue HR heart rate monitor ($80) is the first chest-strap unit to use the new Bluetooth Smart Ready technology, which lets you sync low-energy devices directly to compatible smartphones. Strap it on and your phone will display your data either through Wahoo’s free app or via apps you already have, including RunKeeper and MapMyRide. Alas, the iPhone 4S is currently the only Smart Ready phone on the market, although others are expected later this year.

eSport Clip
More attuned to everyday users than ultramarathoners, the just-released eSport Clip MP3/video player ($22) from eMatic packs a lot of features into a travel-friendly form. Clip it on your sleeve and you can listen to 2,300 songs, watch 20 hours of video (or shoot your own) and play it all back on the 1.8 inch screen. True, it won’t monitor your performance like the other products listed here, but hey, if cueing up LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” doesn’t inspire you to get out and get moving, we don’t know what will.

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Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is as important as the destination. Follow him at Twitter.

Courtesy Zufall

Valerie McTavish and Tim Wohlberg have come up with a unique way of solving indecisiveness.

Fancy yourself an adventurous traveler? How about upping the stakes and letting chance determine everything from where you go to what you do when you get there?

That’s the idea behind Zufall, a new app that distills the oft-tedious process of travel planning into a simple roll of the digital dice.

Developed by Valerie McTavish and Tim Wohlberg of Kelowna, B.C., Zufall (German for “chance” or “coincidence”) invites users to input a direction, travel time or distance and preferred activity. Shake your phone like you’re at the craps table and the on-screen dice will create a map with a fan-shaped “target zone” showing you where to head and what you’ll find.

For McTavish and Wohlberg, the app is the latest iteration of a commitment to random travel born on their first date. Deciding to go camping, but “crippled by indecision,” as McTavish puts it, they flipped a coin every time they had to make a choice — north or south, east or west, which way at forks in the road, this or that campsite.

“We never regretted a single decision because we never made one,” said McTavish.

Eventually, they moved on to physical dice: an octahedral one with the eight major compass points for direction and a traditional one using 1 through 6 to determine distance based on a chosen parameter. For example, if 1 equaled one block, 6 would equal six blocks; if 1 was 100 miles or two hours of driving, six would equal 600 miles or 12 hours of drive time.

With the new app, travelers can play two ways. The Quick Roll option is pre-set to blocks, which makes it a good choice for finding a nearby restaurant or attraction. Super Zufall, on the other hand, is akin to going all in: Input your travel mode (for example, walking, biking, driving); preferred activity (dining, shopping, exploring); and maximum travel time or distance. Give your phone a shake and go.

Clearly, such roll-the-dice travel is not for everyone. But for anyone who has ever missed a weekend getaway or other trip because they procrastinated while planning, Zufall may prove a valuable tool. The best plan, McTavish and Wohlberg maintain, is not to plan.

Furthermore, they say, too much planning runs contrary to the very idea of travel. “We’ve done the whole guidebook thing — figuring out where you’re going to stay, what you’re going to do — and the trip becomes all about everything you think you need to do once you get there,” McTavish said. “What you miss is the journey along the way.

“When you don’t know where you’re going and you don’t know what’s there, you can focus on the journey again.”

Zufall is available for the iPhone ($1.99) and Windows Phone 7 ($1.29).

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Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is as important as the destination. Follow him at Twitter.

Courtest NYCAviation.com

Don’t have the budget for a $450 carry-on bag this holiday season? That’s OK; with the right stocking stuffer, you can give the gift of travel without breaking the bank. At $30 or less, the following are so affordable, you may even want to pick one up for yourself:

Santa’s sanitizers
Tis the season to be, not just jolly, but germ-free, which can be a tough task when airports are packed, people are sick and planes don’t always get the cleaning they need. Toss a TSA-compliant PocketBac Hand Sanitizing Bundle ($4) in your favorite traveler’s stocking and when it’s time to sanitize, they can choose from four holiday-inspired scents, including Pear Tree, Peppermint Stick and Christmas Candy.

Security with style
A luggage lock only needs to do one thing well — keep your valuables safe — but that doesn’t mean it can’t do so with style. For sports fans, the new Olympic Collection from Safe Skies includes locks in the shape of basketballs, soccer balls and other sports paraphernalia ($9–$21). Like the company’s original products, each one features a patented design that lets TSA open them, conduct inspections and relock them instead of cutting them off.

Courtesy SafeSkies

Clean screens
The proliferation of touch screen devices has had one unintended consequence: millions of screens that end up smudged, smeared and, ewww, even sneezed on. If that sounds familiar, Toddy Cloths from Toddy Gear can help. Available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, these 5” x 7” cloths combine a plush microfiber side for cleaning, a silk microfiber side for buffing and an antimicrobial coating to keep mold, mildew and bacteria at bay. Prices start at $10 for one, $20 for three.

Courtesy Magellan

Tag and bag
If you’ve ever experienced that sinking feeling of leaving a phone, jewelry or other small item back at security, you’ll appreciate the clever thinking behind Quick Pass Luggage Tags ($14.50) from Magellan’s. Resembling a typical, if slightly bulky, tag when closed, the 3” x 4.5” unit opens up to reveal a zippered pocket large enough to hold a cell phone, watch, keys and whatever else might set off those pesky screening machines.  

Geek chic
Airplane geek, that is. If there’s an aviation buff on your list, consider a plane-spotting T-shirt ($15-$18) from NYCAviation.com. Among the options: the basic-but-to-the-point “Plane Geek,” the “Ride a Widebody,” which features an image of a Boeing 777 and the phrase “Ride a widebody without being teased,” and the “Package Unattended,” which displays an official-looking sign saying, “Security Notice: Do not leave this package unattended” complete with downward-pointing arrow.

Courtesy Griffin

Kid-proof your phone
Part stuffed animal, part protective case, the Woogie 2 ($20) is the clever answer to the potentially costly question more and more parents are hearing these days: “Mom (or Dad), can I play with your iPhone?” Once you slide your iPhone or iPod touch into the protective, but touch-friendly, pocket, your little ones can play games, watch videos and otherwise entertain themselves while you relax, free from the fear that your pricey device will end up in pieces on the floor.

Little explorers
New from Lonely Planet, the “Not for Parents” series of guidebooks ($15) is designed to introduce young travelers to the great cities of the world through the odd and offbeat stories that make them unique. The first four books in the series cover New York (think alligators in the sewers), London, Paris and Rome and are clearly not your grandfather’s guidebooks. For those who want to range farther afield, “Not for Parents: The Travel Book” ($20) takes a similarly kid-friendly approach to the rest of the planet.

Courtesy Contigo

Winter warmer
Don’t let winter’s chill take its toll on your morning coffee or tea. The 20-oz. West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug ($25) from Contigo is double-walled and vacuum-insulated to keep beverages hot for six hours (or cold for 20). Patented technology and push-button operation — push to sip, release to close — eliminates leaks, spills and the likelihood that you’ll take your eyes off the road.

Squeeze in a workout
No gym? No problem. In-room workouts are a breeze with the FitKit Travel pack ($30), which fits a jump rope, exercise band, pedometer with safety alarm and other exercise gear into a one-pound, nine-inch case that’ll fit in a purse or carry-on bag. The price includes access to the company’s online library, which provides workout schedules, cardio and stretching advice and tips on nutrition, fitness and workout safety.

Getaway gift card
What do you get the traveler who already has all the travel gear he or she needs? If they’re on myTab.co, you can gift them cash that they can use to fund their adventures. Launched in May, the site lets users post their travel plans to Facebook and Twitter, invite others to contribute to the cause and redeem the results for travel they can book on the site (via Expedia). Rest assured, it’s one “gift card” that won’t end up in a drawer somewhere.

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Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is as important as the destination. Follow him at Twitter.

Are you planning on flying away for the holidays? Kate Maxwell, editor-in-chief of Jetsetter, swung by the TODAY show this morning with some tips for surviving the busiest travel period of the year. Make sure you check them before you check in.

1. Get bumped. The peak Christmas travel period is one of the best opportunities to earn free flights. If your plans are flexible and you know your flight is oversold, be proactive: Put your name on the list to be bumped as soon as you get to the gate. But make sure the airline has a confirmed seat for you on a later flight, or else you might be stranded indefinitely.

2. Be alert. Last year, 27 percent of holiday flights were delayed and another 3.7 percent were canceled – stay ahead of the game by signing up for trip alerts. You can get text or email notifications by signing up with your airline or Flightstats.com, or by downloading the FlightTrackPro app, which pings you with the latest flight information, from departure times to gate changes. 

3. Skip the lines. If your flight does end up being delayed or (worse) canceled, don’t line up with the rest of the 100-odd passengers who are also stranded. Instead, call the airline, or if you have status, the dedicated elite number. When you get a representative on the line, be prepared with an alternate flight you’re prepared to take. Do some research ahead of time or use the ExpertFlyer app, which has real-time seat maps for more than 100 airlines.

4. Fly on Christmas Day. Ticket prices skyrocket during the holidays and many airlines add peak travel fees and surcharges (similar to fuel surcharges) onto already steeper fares. The exception to the rule is Christmas Day, when you can nab significantly lower prices. If flying on Christmas Day isn’t practical, you’ll get the best prices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

5. Fly early. Early departures are less likely to be delayed than later flights and, when there is a travel interruption, it’s likely to be shorter if you fly earlier — it’s the domino effect. And avoid the last flight of the day at all costs: If you miss it you’ll be stuck with an overnight at the airport.

6. Keep your shoes on, kids! The TSA relaxed the rules for children under 12 in September. Kids are less likely to be put through further screenings such as pat downs — and they can keep their shoes on at airport security checkpoints.

7. Use the family line. All airports have a family line at security but not all of them advertise it. If you don’t see a sign, ask. The low-pressure lane lets you grapple with crying babies, questionable liquids and strollers without worrying about other travelers. Some airports also have a black diamond line for “expert travelers” who are familiar with the TSA requirements and can zip through the checkpoint.

8. Ship your gifts. While the Transportation Security Administration doesn’t prohibit packing wrapped gifts, they may insist on your opening packages that raise a red flag. Save yourself the hassle and wrap those presents post-flight or, pre-wrap and ship the packages before you go. That way you avoid potential baggage fees and overweight luggage surcharges.

9. Pack the pie; leave the cabernet sauvignon at home. Want to bring you favorite homemade holiday dish with you? You’re allowed to pack cakes, pies and cookies, but most liquids — including cranberry sauce, creamy dips, salsa, gravy and alcohol — should be left at home. Here’s a complete list of what’s permitted and what’s not. 

10. Travel during a dead week. Dead weeks are annual low points in travel demand, typically following the holiday flurry around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when prices fall. You’ll find great deals the first two weeks of January. Some hotels, airlines and car rental companies offer advance discounts, but the best bargains can be found last minute.

Jetsetter is a travel community that provides members with hand-selected experiences, verified by experts. To join for free, follow this link.

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Not sure where to turn or who to trust when it comes to online travel reviews? Brace yourself. On Tuesday, shareholders of Expedia.com approved the company’s spinoff of TripAdvisor.com, setting the stage for what could be the next era in online travel advice.

The transition, which is expected be completed by the end of the year, won’t directly affect the user experience on TripAdvisor. Rather, it’s a recognition of the fact that the two companies operate under very different business models — Expedia’s business is built on transactions; TripAdvisor’s on advertising — and that separating the two will benefit both.

As Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told analysts earlier this year, “We believe that moving ahead as two separate companies will allow each to stand on its own, drive it's own growth in technology, vision and culture, and ultimately, create far more value for our shareholders.”

“It’s an opportune time to do it,” Carroll Rheem, director of research at PhoCusWright, told msnbc.com. “TripAdvisor is ready for its next phase of evolution.”

The site has more than 50 million reviews, 44 million unique monthly visits and $485 million in revenue in 2010, according to a recent investors’ presentation.

Even so, a host of startups have launched recently under the premise that TripAdvisor’s model — millions of reviews from anonymous strangers — is outdated in these socially networked times. Instead of listening to strangers, they say, why not turn to your existing social networks on sites such as Facebook or Foursquare and get advice from people you already know and trust?

“Traditional [user-review] sites tend to mash everyone together,” said Travis Katz, co-founder and CEO of Gogobot.com, one of many sites built on the concept of friendsourcing. “The idea is to help you get trusted and personal advice by tapping into your friends and people like you.”

But friendsourcing also has its pitfalls, said Rheem. “Unless you have the most well-traveled friends in the world, they probably haven’t stayed in every hotel you’re considering or visited every destination you’re interested in,” she said.

Instead, look for more sites to opt for a combination of crowdsourcing, friendsourcing and whatever other sourcing they can access. Last year, for example, TripAdvisor launched Trip Friends, which augments the site’s anonymous reviews with insights from users’ Facebook friends. And Gogobot, which recently received $15 million in new funding, is working on creating a “recommendation engine” that will utilize multiple sources to create what Katz likens to a Pandora for travel.

“Friendsourcing is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Ryan Williams, director of client services, travel, for Compete.com, a marketing research company. “A lot of sites will start to leverage the power of your friends’ friends; if each of them has 500 friends, that’s a lot of people to tap into.

“If a review site can tap into that, they’ll do well.”

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Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is as important as the destination. Follow him at Twitter.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- Travelers face no shortage of challenges, from finding the right hotel to making the most of their vacation to knowing which restaurant recommendation to trust.

On Tuesday, 32 companies looking to make the travel experience better presented their products at the Travel Innovation Summit at this year’s PhoCusWright conference before their peers in the travel industry, a circle of critics and a panel of judges.

Among this year's winners, announced Wednesday:

• GroundLink: a global, private car service that can be booked online or via mobile.
• Gtrot: a website that provides travelers with targeted content such as deals or things to do in a specific city, based on their friend's social media activity through sites such as Facebook or Foursquare.
• Evature: Eva, its Expert Virtual Agent, is designed to understand travel requests submitted in natural language, also known as free text.
• Hipmunk: offers a flight and hotel search that now integrates with a traveler's calendar and features a heatmap for cities throughout the world based on, for example, the density of shopping or nightlife in a particular neighborhood.
• ReviewPro: a customer intelligence tool that hotels can use to profit from the social web and manage their online reputation.

The judges also gave runner-up nods to two companies: Tru, a global mobile carrier, and TripLingo, a language-learning app that includes, among other things, a Slang Slider that helps travelers find the best translation.

“Travel is still very open to innovation,” Gregg Brockway, co-founder of TripIt and one of this year’s judges, told msnbc.com “I think we saw some companies that are answering really interesting problems.”

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Joy Jernigan is a senior travel editor for msnbc.com. Follow her on Twitter.