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Photographer Ramak Fazel made an art project out of a cross-country road trip. Starting in his hometown, Fort Wayne Indiana, he drove a big white van to 49 of the nation's capitol cities. The journey lasted 78 days, and covered 17,345 miles. Along the way he photographed each state's capitol building, and the people he encountered, capturing a snapshot of American life. The project was inspired by his stamp collection as Fazel's mom had been nagging him about the numerous sheets collecting dust in her basement. Anyway, the images on the stamps got Fazel thinking about different US cities, so what he did was, he mailed himself a postcard from one capitol city, to the next capitol city's post office, using the stamps he had stockpiled since childhood. If you're in New York, you can check out the fruits of Fazel's expedition in an exhibition at the Storefront for Art and Architecture, which runs through March 8.

While Fazel spent his slumbering hours in the confines of his cozy van, if you or I went on a similar expedition, we know where we'd be catching our z's now don't we? I'd start in my home state of Rhode Island, and kick off my journey in style at The Westin Providence. From there I'd hightail it south to the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, then head west, stopping in at the Sheraton Austin Hotel before making my way to the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel. From there I'd catch a flight to Honolulu where I'd finish up in style at the W Honolulu - Diamond Head, never forgetting to send postcards along the way.

There's one person on your list who above all else, loves to travel. This fearless friend prefers the driver's seat. He embarks on adventures some of us thought happened only in the movies, more James Bond or Indiana Jones, than say, Rick Steves. Here are three perfect gifts for the intrepid traveler on your list.

1. The Solio Hybrid Charger. Just set this baby out in the sun and bam! It's chock full of energy. Power any one of your handheld devices. Ask your pal about the time his iPod died on his hike through the Andes. Buy it at any of the Flight 001, in eight cities, including Los Angeles, where it is a short jaunt from the W Los Angeles - Westwood.

2. Discovery Weathertech FX5500. Some people just can't get enough of humidity levels, dew points, heat indexes, and of course temperature, my personal favorite. Essential for ski trips to the Himalayas, or surfing the Pipeline. Pressure changes make winds. Winds make waves. Get 'em only at the Discovery Channel Store online.

3. Swiss Tech BodyGard 7-In-1 Platinum Series Emergency Tool. Ever get trapped in a car? Bet your intrepid traveler buddy has. This glow-in-the-dark gadget includes a spring-loaded glass breaker, seat-belt cutter, and a distress alarm that's almost too loud. Perfect for when you're in the middle of nowhere and could really use a hand. Available at Sharper Image stores across the country, like the one in the Providence Place Mall, just down the street from the Westin Providence.

Bet that friend of yours is actually a double agent.