Travelore Tips: The Easy Way to Check On Your Duty Free Purchase Allowance

It’s well known that when entering a country you must declare goods that you have purchased overseas, but keeping a detailed record of each and every item can be hassle when all you want to be doing is enjoying the trip. Actually, though, it needn’t be… thanks to today’s technology, the task of recording all your purchases – regardless of currency – is easier than ever before.

Simply Declare is the only app on the market which is designed to deal specifically with handling your duty-free allowance purchases for declaring back to your home country. It is an iOS travel app which has gone through some major changes with their latest redesign. Available in either a basic free version or in an enhanced paid version, it deals with one of the hassles of paperwork while travelling – that of documenting your purchases whilst you are away. The simple, user-friendly interface is slick with some very intuitive features. This app is made to go from any currency to any currency, and in real time currency keeps you abreast of the amount of your purchases in your home currency. It even has the ability to work with multiple currencies within the same trip.

Simply Declare Travel App FREE is the basic version, which will track your purchases but with a limited 34 supported currencies. Although these 34 currencies are the major currencies, you will have to upgrade to the paid version for the ability to expand to the full 165 currencies, including Bitcoin, if you are travelling to other locations. The free version has some advertising on it but it is not overly intrusive. By upgrading to the paid version, you can lose the ads and tailor the app to your own needs.

The extra features of the paid version also include a handy notepad which can be used for things like packing lists, as well as an “item” notepad to make notes alongside individual items. But one of the best features is the Quick Currency Converter which alleviatse the need to have two apps on the iPhone or iPad.

By upgrading to the full currency list, the “favourites” function for being able to move your top 7 currencies to the top is useful. You simply have to tap the star and your currency is moved to the top. You can create your favourites currency list for your trip and the quick converter and items page will help you to streamline adding items to your roster.

The paid version also integrates with the iCloud service to make sure, if you use the cloud feature, that your purchases are safeguarded against loss. There are in-app purchases for handling your reports and you can create individual user lists or a history of trips in case you want to keep your purchases for future reference. When you add an item, you can even take a picture of the receipt and you can email the receipt and the completed list for safekeeping.

This is a solid, all-round travel app that provides an easy way to manage the task of making sure you have your paperwork and numbers ready to fill out the customs declarations forms when you return home and other handy traveller-friendly features. The look of the app is clean and crisp and it works on WiFi so you don’t have to worry about roaming charges.

The developer has said it will eventually be available on Android, but for now it’s only for Apple mobile devices. Download the free version here or the paid version here. Let us know what you think!

Images #1 and #4: Shutterstock

Contributed by Paul Johnson

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12 Top Men’s Fashion Brands To Check Out In London

Whether you are a gentleman searching for a new look or if you are seeking a luxury gift for the special man in your life, London has a vast array of top fashion brands to suit your needs. The UK’s capital city is complete shopping heaven for men, with such a wide selection of luxury brands to select from. Check out this selection of some of the top London fashion brands at the moment and make sure you pop in for a look around the next time you pass one by.

James Lock & Co

Lock & Co is a real gem in St James’s that for hundreds of years has been supplying its finest hats worldwide.

Present in the premises of an old coffee shop and first opened in 1759, it represents one of the oldest shops in London’s famous West End. Famous past customers include Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde as well as Admiral Lord Nelson and the shop holds two royal warrants.

Make sure you visit the branch some day on St James St soon to soak in hundreds of years of luxury history.

Paul Smith

Highly acclaimed Paul Smith is regarded for his idiosyncratic approach to British styling. He opened his first shop in Nottingham in 1970 while studying the art of tailoring.

Smith debuted his menswear collection in Paris in 1976 and now sells to 66 countries all over the word and has 14 collections. To this day, he is still heavily involved and is a vital part of the business.

Paul Smith is present at several stores in Central London.

Pal Zileri

The Pal Zileri brand was started in the eighties in Northeast Italy by a selection of businessmen. It is now available in all corners of the world, in top boutiques spanning over 70 countries. Italy’s confidence and dominance in the classic fashion stakes are the two pillars upon which this brand’s success is based.

The range on offer today has been developed and extended over the years. Casual designs from more modern labels, Pal Zileri Concept and LAB go hand-in-hand with more sophisticated tailor made suits.

Pal Zileri is available at Hans Crescent in exclusive Knightsbridge, New Bond Street as well as The Village at Westfield Shopping Centre in West London.

Anthony Sinclair

Sackville Street in Mayfair plays host to one the top British-based traditional tailoring businesses around.

It is famous for being the original tailor for James Bond and for developing the Conduit Cut style, which still looks as classy as it did when 007 first hit the screen over 50 years ago.

Following Sean Connery’s adoption of this innovative look, the Conduit Cut became a real landmark in Savile Row tailoring history. He wore suits from Sinclair for all appearances from 1962 until 1971, finishing in Diamonds Are Forever.

Booking a tailoring appointment in advance is necessary, so make sure you get in contact with Anthony Sinclair today.

FEDELI

Fedeli was the first Italian firm to specialise in the area of top quality cashmere knitwear in the 1950s. It was originally established by the Fedeli family in 1934 to create handmade felt hats, which were of immense popularity at the time.

Its real love of passion for individuality as well as elegance are the main inspirations behind this luxury brand. It offers collections for both summer and winter, with classics also available all year for its loyal customers.

Fedeli still operate their very original store in the fashionable Via Montenapoleone in in Milan while also having a presence at Draycott Avenue in London.

DAKS

DAKS has always gone hand-in hand with British Heritage, elegance and style. It originally provided bespoke tailoring when established at Middlesex Street in London.

The brand is one of the most standout British luxury labels today, which specialises in unisex fine tailoring as well as luxury accessories. It holds Royal Warrants which were granted by three members of the royal family. DAKS collections are sold in over 30 different countries and in 2,000 shops worldwide, figures that are on the rise.

Its flagship store exists at Old Bond Street in the heart of Mayfair. Pop in for a browse to see what all the fuss is about.

The White Shirt Haberdasher

The White Shirt Haberdasher takes immense pride is making its luxury white shirts.

They are not just any white shirts – but shirts produced by the premier British white shirt company. Its bespoke shirt makers are experts when it comes to the past and current trends of British shirt making.

The White Shirt Haberdasher focuses on top craftsmanship and quality rather than a designer label with its designs being hand finished to the highest standards in Britain.

Many notable businessmen and celebrities turn to The White Shirt Haberdasher for one of their most important items of clothing.

The White Shirt Haberdasher is present on the High Street of St John’s Wood.

Mr. Hare

Founded in 2008, Mr. Hare is a company from London specialising in contemporary, luxury gentleman’s shoes.

His original key aim was to create the perfect selection of shoes for his wardrobe, before sharing it with the world. The majority of his shoes have been created using fine Italian leathers from a place called Santa Croce sull Arno in Italy.

Mr. Hare’s exclusive collection is present in London at Stafford Street.

E.Marinella

E.Marinella was established in 1914 by Eugenio Marinella; a gentleman who started out by importing British textiles for the Neapolitan elite.

The company has returned to its London roots in the form of a luxury boutique at Maddox Street in Mayfair. The store contains many neoclassical details with an aristocratic atmosphere which complements the various family portraits on display with a muted colour palette.

Make sure you call by to examine its extensive collection of elegant Italian handcrafted ties as well as a wide range of accessories such as perfume, leather products and watches.

Porsche Design

Porsche Design products have been linked to with timeless, functional and puristic design since 1972.

Its collection of products include watches, luggage, a line of men’s fragrances, classic men’s accessories as well as many more luxury products. It is regarded as one of the most highly acclaimed design studios in Europe having claimed over 170 awards internationally thanks to its own special design philosophy.

Porsche Design’s collection is available at Harrods, Knightsbridge.

N.Peal

N.Peal is highly regarded on the London fashion scene.

Its main areas of expertise include using high quality cashmere, creating stunningly crafted garments as well as its meticulous use of texture.

N. Peal is present at 149A Sloane Street as well as No.37 at The Burlington Arcade.

Alfred Dunhill

The fabulous London home of Alfred Dunhill right in Mayfair is a great retreat for men seeking the best in style.

Luxury services include a Bar Lounge, Screening Room, Luxury Barber and Humidor surround the finest Dunhill collections.

Call in for a look around their premises at 2 Davies St in the heart of Mayfair.

Contributed by Marta Miklinska, Digital Marketing Manager at 5ive Star London. www.aluxuryblog.com

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