It's no secret that the travel bug waits for no one. Follow along on my Semester at Sea itinerary from 2010 and travel the world from the comfort of your couch. 110 days, 12 ports, 10 countries, and 4 continents later, you'll have traveled around the world and be equipped with the knowledge you need to plan your next great adventure!
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Please note: This post has been updated as of December 2023
Let’s face it - travelers are some of the most difficult people to shop for. “I don’t want things, I want experiences. I want to see the world.”
Sound familiar?
That’s (sort of) my go-to line for whenever someone requests a list, and I stand by it! With that said, being on the receiving end of that logic can cause stress, hair loss, and a lack of sleep, or so I’m told.
In an effort to restore your sanity, I’ve gone ahead and compiled a brief gift guide full of ideas that are specifically geared towards that pesky traveler in your life!
Without further adieu, let’s jump in!
Important note: Although I am a part of Amazon’s associate program and may receive a small commission from purchases, this list was carefully thought out, hand selected, and is exclusively constructed from items that I actually own and have used during my travels. I will never promote something that I have not personally tested and approved.
Ahh, the pushpin map. Every traveler’s right of passage… or something like that.
In all reality, it makes for a great decoration and gives your loved one a story to tell from each pinned placed. One of the greatest joys of returning from somewhere new is placing a pin, not necessarily because I’ve “checked it off the list", rather it reminds me of the memories and helps to keep them fresh in my brain.
I’ve gone ahead and linked up the one that I have hanging in the living room.
Ok, so maybe you don’t trust your loved one with pushpins. We’ve all been there before! The next best thing would be a scratch map.
Although I love studying the map of the world, these come in all varieties including states of the US, National Parks, and more! It’s easy to find one for whatever kind of traveler you have in your family.
For the sake of providing you with a starting point, this is the map that I’ve bought for fellow global explorers in the past.
This is one of my favorite gifts I’ve ever received. Simple, practical, classy, and a conduit for a refreshing gin and tonic!
The glasses come in a variety of city maps, are dishwasher safe, and serve as a great conversation starter. I now own a collection of every city I’ve ever lived in, because why not?
P.S. They’re not just produced for larger places such as Chicago or Boston. They make them for the little guys, too — shout out to Buffalo!
This is a multi-use gift that’s great for any setting.
The lanterns themselves are waterproof, virtually indestructible, and provide up to 12 hours of light from a 12-hour charge.
One of the main reasons I have such a strong affinity for this product is the portability. When flattened they are as thin as an iPhone and weigh only 2.6 ounces! I’ve used them for backpacking trips, international travel, and even to add some aesthetic lighting to our own backyard.
SoLight Design also partners with non-profits around the world to spread the gift of light through their “buy one, give one” program, so rest assured your money is going to a good place.
Learning to take notes, reflect, and find my words was a huge driving force behind starting this blog, so I’d recommend investing in a journal to anyone and everyone, but especially to those that are traveling.
As is the case with most products these days, you can find one with everything from quotes to picture holders and even daily meditation guides.
The most important is durability so that whether my bag is being hurled between buses in Ghana in or getting wet on a water taxi in Panama, I know my thoughts and reflections are safe.
Also known as the coffee table book to end all coffee table book, or at least it is to me, The Travel Book encompasses a profile of every country in the world.
It comes complete with stunning pictures, helpful information on what to do and see, and even how to study up before your trip with movie and book suggestions.
I’ve spent many nights playing the “whatever page I open to is where I will go next” game, eagerly hoping for Fiji or Sao Tome & Principe, but to no avail… yet.
I purchased this book by chance back in 2013 and have since read it on a nearly annual basis.
The Transiberian Railway has long since peaked by interest and reading about David Greene’s stories from the local people he meets along his journey continues to captivate and stimulate my imagination.
From visiting the deepest lake in the world to tracking down a meteor, this book is full of adventure and history while shining a light on an oft-forgotten part of the world.
Another gem of a photography tour, National Geographic’s Destinations of a Lifetime takes visitors to 225 spectacular places around the world including classic and modern architecture, the best islands, stunning cityscapes, and more!
Coupled with the images are recommendations on when to go, where to stay, and how to have a genuinely authentic experience. It’s a great trip planning resource for every traveler.
Created by Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras and Ella Morton, Atlas Obscura contains 700 of the most intriguing, quirky, and strange places in the entire world.
From a pub that’s situated inside of a large baobob tree in South Africa to the Baby Jumping Festival in Spain (I’ll let your imagination run wild on that one), this book adds a whole new dimension to unique travel experiences.
We were surprised to find many listed in our home state of Oregon — you never know what you’ll come across!
Is it specifically related to travel? No. Does it offer a global perspective into every day life? Absolutely.
Just imagine the amount of knowledge that oozes from the pages of a book that chronicles the conversations between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
It is a staple of my bookshelf and has drastically shaped the way I react to different experiences throughout my travels. It’s no. 1 on my “must read” list and I don’t anticipate it relinquishing the top spot any time soon.
This bottle serves as my peace of mind when camping or traveling abroad. If I find myself in a place where I don’t necessarily trust the tap water, or maybe even the packaged water, it’s no problem — I simply pour it in the bottle, run it through the filter and drink up!
I’m still standing, so that means it works, right?
In all seriousness, I’ve used this in remote areas of the world and have nothing but good things to say. The size makes it easy to carry, it seamlessly clips onto your gear and is truly a lifesaver if you find yourself in the wrong situation.
Rain or shine, adventure waits for no one.
This backpack came in handy during a recent trip to Panama in which we found ourselves hiking through the rainforest, hopping on and off water taxis, and kayaking through the mangroves. Along the way, it successfully protected our camera gear and valuables.
The bag itself comes in a variety of sizes (from 5L - 40L), is waterproof, and floats when dropped in the Caribbean Sea (speaking from experience, here).
It takes the stress out of being in wet situations!
Those who have it, love it. Those who don’t have it, want it. Those who don’t want it, don’t realize it exists.
Weighing only half a pound and full of soft fleece, it makes a great and convenient addition to every carry-on and is built with a unique support system that allows for minimal density, yet maximal comfort.
Definitely worth the investment for the person that is constantly flying across timezones!
It’s practical, small, easy to use, and quite honestly has saved me a lot of time and money over the years.
Packing and weighing ahead of time in the hotel room the night before a flight is way less stressful than playing a game of shuffle on the airport floor at 4 am.
I’ve had mine for years and it has lasted through work trips, ski trips, adventure trips, and more. I never leave without it!
Lightweight, quick-dry, anti-microbial, slip-resistant, and made out of recycled material… need I say more?
It’s perfect for camping and beach bumming or drying off after getting caught in a torrential downpour.
For all the yogis out there: this towel is far easier and more compact to lug around the world than a mat is! It’s available in 34 unique designs, so I have a feeling you’ll be able to find one that perfectly whoever you might be shopping for.
Portable, compact, and flexible, a GorillaPod of some sort should be in every camera bag, especially that of a traveler.
The tripod unlocks creativity as the wrappable legs enable photographers to capture moments from a wide variety of angles. Separate attachments can also be purchased that allow for the use of a phone camera as well.
Help your loved one step up their photography game! It will make for a better experience for you, too, when they come home and want to share all of their pictures — now you know they’ll be quality!
Mophie products can be on the more expensive end of the spectrum, but I promise that you will be thanked immensely. It’s like having a “get out of jail free card” for your phone.
No more having to plan adventures around the battery life of your mobile, simply hit the button on the back of the case and charge as you go!
It’s also great for cold weather situations when the temperatures drop and inevitably drain the battery. I’ve used it for years on the ski slopes and would highly recommend it.
The beauty of this particular power bank is that wherever travel may take you, it comes prepared.
Chasing the northern lights? You can use it to keep warm. Did your sketchy hostel in Ghana lose electricity? You can use it as a flashlight. Is your bus delayed in Vietnam and your phone running out of juice? It charges your phone.
Yes, that’s right. It’s a hand warmer, power bank, and flashlight all in one!
Noise canceling headphones are all the rage these days and although several different companies are now producing a wide variety, I’ve gone ahead and linked up the pair I currently use.
The good news is I’ve been rocking out with them for so long that the price is drastically lower than when they first hit the market!
Whether flying, taking an overnight bus, or riding the rails, these headphones offer travelers a small reprieve from the surrounding hustle and bustle — something that’s often hard to come by when galavanting around the globe.
My personal preference is to own a physical book, but the name of the game with traveling is often minimizing weight while maximizing options.
Slim enough to slip into any backpack, light enough to not notice, and durable enough to bring anywhere in the world whether airplanes, beaches, or ski resorts, the Kindle Paperwhite nails it on the head.
Although an investment, it’s one that will continue to impact many trips to come.
So, there you have it. It’s certainly not the most extensive list that exists, but that’s because I’d rather provide you with things of value rather than spam you with a bunch of “common sense” items like outlet converters or backpacks.
Is there something that you never leave home without? Let me know in the comments below — I’m always looking to expand my resources!
As always, stay safe & happy travels.
I’m an average photographer with slightly better than average Lightroom skills. I have an affinity for traveling the world and just can’t seem to stop, so I created Toone’s Travels as a way of building a community of like-minded individuals that believe exploring the planet is the best way to live. Thanks for stopping by!
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