1. Comfortable, wearable shoes
Let’s begin with Birkenstocks, the 250-year-old German footwear brand so good that Goethe dedicated a poem to it. Their “anatomically shaped insoles” claim to promote “all-round foot health,” and these days, Birks are beloved by both “ugly-shoe” obsessed younger gens as well as coastal grandmas. They suit all genders, go with most outfits, and come plain, or in metallics, patterns, with double straps or thongs. Some even have fur. In my experience, with care, they’ll last about three years, but a new pair never goes amiss. Expect prices around €100, but top tip: go to the “last season” section of the Birkenstock web shop for price reductions of up to 30%.
2. Universal travel adaptor
These days, even the most organised and charged-up traveller needs to plug in a device at some point during their trip. A worldwide travel adaptor that also features USB-C ports is, therefore, a great gift. Make sure you look for one with fast charging, UKCA, CE, RoHS, BS8546 certification, and fire resistance for extra reassurance.
3. The best travel rucksack
This is a crowded marketplace, with many products claiming to offer comfort, packing space, and style, but in this traveller’s opinion, the multifunctional Thule Aion 28L backpack is hard to beat. It expands from a day pack to a 32L travel backpack with an unzippable 15% more packable space. One of its best features is its handy divider that helps to keep items separate and organised (there’s even a waterproof section). It’s spacious enough yet compact enough to use as an aircraft cabin bag, and even when full, it seems slim, so it does not make you look like you’re carrying everything plus the kitchen sink on your back. Three sober colourways (black, dark slate, and the sand-coloured nutria) keep it classy.
4. Packing cubes
While we’re on the topic of packing, if the travel lover in your life is not yet a packing cube aficionado, now’s your chance to convert them. Packing cubes seem counterintuitive: how can you gain space when you’re putting an extra item in your luggage? But the reality is, these neat yet slightly stretchy containers somehow allow you to get more clothing and other items into your bag, while keeping everything flat and in its place. It’s magic. Choose one with a mesh lid for extra stretch and to be able to see your stuff.
5. Tech organiser
For the same reasons as above, a storage option that keeps those pesky cables and chargers in one place, easily to hand, and stops them getting tangled around everything else in your bag, is brilliant. Not everyone wants to shove their gadgets into their shoe or sock inside their suitcase, and anyway, when you’re searching for your cable on a flight or a train, you don’t want to be fumbling around with footwear.
6. Vlogging camera
If the traveller in your life is likely to want to post their adventures online, they need a vlogging camera. Influencer Sander Kole told Travel Tomorrow, the best option for beginners is the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, which TechRadar calls “a superb compact vlogging camera” with “pocket-friendly form” and “silky smooth footage thanks to a three-axis gimbal.” The latest version has a 1-inch sensor and improved low-light capabilities.
7. Washbag
Everyone needs a washbag when they are on the go. Danish brand Rains is one of the coolest out there right now, and its washbags are affordable at under €30 and a good size, in a range of unusual and attractive colours (my favourites are the classic-looking Depth, deep blue Spill, or easy-to-find neon Acid). Another plus is Rains’ signature waterproof PU fabric, which is “engineered for carrying strength, durability, and a smooth feel,” and won’t be a problem when dropped in the shower or it’s raining on the campsite.
8. Travel bottle
Offer the gift of time by keeping luggage liquids to a minimum so that your loved one never has to check their bag in again. Choose travel bottles with 100ml or less capacity and ensure they are transparent, to see what’s in there, but don’t scrimp: they need a generous opening for refilling, and – for obvious reasons – a leakproof lid.
9. Jewellery Travel Case
There are as many different jewellery travel solutions as there are types of jewellery. Some stand up and allow you to display your precious, but in my view, compactness and security are paramount here. You need a zip, not a popper or tie closure, and you need to be able to tuck it into a safe, hidden corner of your packing. Oprah recommended this one from Benevolence LA in 2023, and I promptly bought it in camel for my MiL, who loved it. These days it comes in other hues, such as dusky pink, or cyan, or racing green, and can be round or square, and at the time of writing is on special offer.
10. Smart tags or AirTags
These tiny trackable tags can help locate anything, from lost keys to lost kids (if worn with a bracelet). They can be bought for use with the Apple ecosystem or Android. Simply attach the tag to anything you do not want to lose and use one-tap setup to instantly connect the smart tag with your phone or tablet. Add the tracker to your “Find My” app. Many tags allow you to view your item’s location in real time, and when the distance is less than around 70 metres, you can make it emit an 80-100dB beep to guide you towards it. Never lose your partner in the depths of a foreign supermarket again.
11. Luggage tag
Allow your loved one to spot their luggage at a distance (and get it back if ever it’s lost), with a decent tag. Bright colours for instant recognition and sturdiness to withstand the wrath of busy handlers are essential. Try Artovida, who collaborate with artists worldwide and helps good causes.
12. Wildflower identifier
For the loved one who enjoys walking in nature, a pocketbook to identify the wildflowers they encounter can make a beautiful and curiosity-satisfying gift. Try a vintage illustrated classic that needs no data connection, like the Oxford Book of Wildflowers or Observer’s Book of Wildflowers, or buy a subscription to a plant-identifying platform, such as PictureThis (which I have found infallible).
@picturethisaiapp_old Identify Plants, Diagnose Diseases, Care Tips, Simplify Gardening with PictureThis
♬ original sound – PictureThisApp
13. Multi-purpose scarf
A large but lightweight scarf is invaluable as an extra layer on cold transport, a cover-up on the beach, a pillow, a blanket, and, I discovered on a recent long-haul to China, can even be tied around the aircraft seat in front to create a leg or ankle support when you just can’t get comfy. For maximum portability and durability, avoid big, poofy, precious-fibre affairs that will not be practical or easily packed away. Prioritise instead a versatile pattern and colourway and a washable fabric.
14. Travel itself
Giving your travel lover the gift of travel itself does not have to cost the earth. If you have the budget, a holiday or short stay in a boutique hotel will surely never be refused. Always check the intended recipient’s calendar availability. Low season or midweek two-day getaways can be excellent value. Also, check sites like Groupon for special deals.
15. A travel card
The gift of travel could also mean a travel card for the city or region where the recipient lives. Belgium has just launched Travel+ on its trains, giving great discounts on off-peak journeys. The UK offers specials such as the Network Railcard covering London and the Southeast, for savings of 1/3 for up to three adults travelling together, and 60% reductions on up to four children. Eurail passes offer cheaper rail travel across up to 33 European countries to citizens worldwide, or Interrail works for European citizens.
16. A museum or attraction pass
A museum or heritage site pass is a great gift, whether you know someone heading to a particular destination, or you want to open up the attractions in someone’s home city to turn the everyday into a holiday.
17. Lego Architecture
Build anticipation for a trip or a model souvenir by gifting a LEGO architecture kit. In addition to world-famous skylines, Lego proposes castles like Neuschwanstein or Himeji, and iconic monuments like Notre Dame Cathedral, or Rome’s Trevi Fountain. If well-cared for, some can become collectibles, building not only a love of travel, but also future added value.
18. A photo frame
Whether you fill it with a picture of yourself, so you won’t be forgotten while they’re gone, or you leave it to be filled with a favourite travel moment, a photo frame keeps those memories timeless.
19. Travel-themed toiletries or room fragrance
Instead of travel toiletries, why not show how well you’ve listened to their travel anecdotes and offer items that take the recipient back there? It’s called the Proust effect – where scents or flavours take us right to the heart of core memories. The Body Shop’s Pink Grapefruit could work, or Arran Aromatics Sense of Scotland Machrie Sea Salt and Rockrose eau de toilette, or Fragonard’s Verveine diffuser. The secret here is matching the gift to the recipient’s experience, showing you’ve made an effort.
20. Travel-themed food
It could be edible, but doesn’t have to be. Cheese or a cheeseboard, Belgian chocolates, Scandi cinnamon buns on an apron, or a framed collection of vintage French menus … the list of possibilities combining food and a love of travel is as endless as travel itself. Again, the trick is to make it personal by ensuring the choice fits the recipient’s home, personality, tastes, and travel experiences. Have fun looking!
