This time of year, many of us struggle to find the perfect gifts for our friends and family. Here are some of my favorite, thoughtful gift ideas for the travelers in your life.
Where to go in 2019 - The Gift of Planning
Have an idea for a family getaway for this summer? Have your parents always wanted to visit Italy but are too intimidated by the planning? Do you want some new ideas for an adventure in 2019? From the anticipation leading up to the trip, to the shared memories that will last a lifetime, the gift of travel is more than just the time away. You can purchase a gift certificate to The Curatour that will allow your family member, friend or coworker to have planning resources for their next trip. Planning Certificates begin at $250, which would cover the cost of a basic trip plan. We leverage our incredible relationships around the world to create experiences that are bespoke and completely customized for our clients. Not to mention that we extend the benefits of our relationships to you, which often include upgrades, daily breakfast and room credits.
Photo courtesy of Away Luggage
The Perfect Piece of Luggage - Away Suitcase
The New York Times claimed that it was the “suitcase of the summer” and called it “first class luggage at a coach price.” This company basically took the direct-to-consumer approach and saved a ton in doing so - passing the savings on to you. Away’s claim? “Our pieces are made with the same top-quality materials as other premium luggage brands. But our overhead is much lower (a familiar feeling for fliers), and the quality is guaranteed—your Away suitcase will be with you for life.” These pieces are not only super smart in design, but are much more fun, with a wide array of colors and personalization options. The website is also super easy to navigate - not 100 different styles to try and identify differences. Just a few great pieces now beloved by travelers everywhere.
Photo courtesy of Context Travel
Experiences that Create More Memories - Context Travel Gift Cards
As the company likes to say, “For all the Learners on your list.” This group is my go-to in many cities around the world. They work with Ph.D. and MA-level scholar guides (with a maximum group size of 6 people) to provide thematic, in-depth experiences on many topics. Their “intro to city” tours are great, but I love that they provide my kids with a bit of hands on learning. It is literally like having a teacher take you to see the historical sites and weave the lesson into great stories. Whether retracing the Revolution in Paris (a tour I’m doing with my family this Christmas), diving into the ecology of Venetian canals, or exploring Kyoto tea houses at twilight, experts “weave history, art, and culture into stories that will quench the curious and inspire the inquisitive.”
Inspiration for Little Ones - Little Passports Subscription
This company has been around since my children were small and they have a fantastic approach to introducing culture to kids. In a variety of subscription offerings, two children named Sam and Sofia travel the world and send back letters and souvenirs to the subscriber. In the World Edition, Sam and Sofia travel to a new country every month and send letters, fun souvenirs and collectibles, photos, stickers, activity sheets, and access to games and activities online. You can do 6-and 12-month plans, with the year plan working out to $14.95 per month.
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods
Some Travelers Like to Keep Score - Travel Maps
Many of you may know the website Uncommon Goods, which has a great selection of thoughtful gifts. It is worth taking a look at many of their travel-related items, but their Scratch Deluxe Travel Map and National Parks Explorer Map are two standouts for those who enjoy traveling extensively and want to keep track of all the destinations
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Travel Essentials - The Travel Adaptor
I am on a constant quest to find the perfect travel adaptor. I’m still not sure I’ve found it, but I did find that Apple makes a World Travel Adapter Kit , which includes a set of seven AC plugs with prongs that fit different electrical outlets around the world, each laser-etched with the regions they are compatible with. This is the perfect kit for world travelers to ensure power connectivity in most countries they may travel to.
Photo courtesy of Eagle Creek
Packing Help - Eagle Creek Packing cubes
I often end up traveling with a small suitcase, occasionally for a long period of time. In order to keep as much packed into my suitcase as possible, I have become a devotee of packing cubes. I researched a ton before my trip this summer and Eagle Creek cubes came out ahead in the majority of views. The ultra-light Pack-It Specter Compression Cubes are great for organizing clothes in your travel bag, while also providing clothing compression so that you can bring more with you.