Are you looking to buy the perfect gift for the travel lover in your life? Well, look no further! We’ve put together the ultimate gift guide full of our favorite travel items to help you choose the ideal present.
Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2020 – £11.99
Why not give the gift of travel inspiration this holiday season? There’s nothing better to stir up some wanderlust than Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2020. This little magazine is stocked full of recommended destinations for 2020. It outlines the top 10 countries to travel to, the top ten cities, the top ten regions and top ten value destinations. With countries such as Bhutan, regions such as the silk road, cities including Galway and value destinations such as Tunisia, covered in detail, give the travel lover in your life a new wish list for 2020.
Solar Power Charger – £25+
Every travel lover needs a solar power charger. This item is a much needed essential when backpacking or travelling off the beaten path. Solar power chargers are a sustainable source of power that you can use on the go without having to worry about getting access to a mains supply of electricity. They can be used to charge your mobile phone, tablet, laptop or camera and all they need to charge is plenty of sunlight. There are many varieties available and they can vary in price from £25 all the way up to over £100.
Lush Naked Products – £2+
Lush is at the forefront of created package-free toiletries. Their latest Naked range offers you shower gels, body moisturizers, deodorant, face wash, shampoos & conditioners and cosmetics. Not only are these products plastic-free but they are vegan, ethically sourced and travel-friendly! Forget the 100ml limit, solid soap can be carried in hand luggage. Lush has made Naked version of many of their favorites such as Sleepy, Dirty or Christmas classic Snow Fairy, costs start from £2 and the average cost for a naked shower gel is £9.
High Factor SPF Moisturizer – £7.50+
In order to have fun in the sun, you need to protect your skin. The gift of a high factor SPF moisturizer will do just that. There are many options out there including high SPF BB creams or tinted SPF moisturizers. Rituals do an SPF 50 moisturizer for £15.50, which is both protecting and fast absorbing. If you are looking into giving a tinted SPF50 BB Cream then look no further than Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Foundation, which is SPF 50 and gives added coverage for only £7.50. If you want to spend a little extra, then It Cosmetics is your best bet. Designed by cosmetic surgeons, this BB Cream has full coverage, is SPF 50 and has anti-ageing properties, it comes with a higher price tag at £30.
Filtered Water Bottle – £20+
One of the main costs that travelers face is paying for bottled water. You never know when you’re going to be caught short and can often find yourselves being charged above and beyond the normal asking price. This is where the filtered water bottle comes in! This handy bottle means that you no longer need to pay for bottled water and can use water from the tap. The built-in filter cleans the unsanitary water making it safe for you to drink. This gift is not only a handy investment that will help them save money on their next trip, but it is also the perfect reusable gift that will help cut down in the usage of unnecessary plastic bottles. It’s important to choose a filtered water bottle that filters out all bacteria and is not just for improving water taste quality. This means that they tend to be higher-cost items. The Aqua-Pure Lifesaver Traveler Bottle is 650ml and costs £37, it is designed for drinking water and for cooking. The best budget option is the Water-To-Go Bottle which is 750ml and comes in at a more reasonable £20.
Fujifilm Instax Polaroid Camera – £54.99 +
Polaroid cameras are fast becoming a popular travel accessory. Being able to take a quick snap and hold the photo in your hands is a novelty that has been lost since we swapped to digital cameras and camera phones. This retro style of photography is coming back in a big way. There are a variety of models out there to choose from. The Fujifilm Instax is one of the most popular models and costs from £54.99. The film is extra, as are the protective cases.
GoPro Camera – £174.00 +
A GoPro camera is made for travelling. They are compact, easy to use and can take great videos and photos of your travels no matter what activity you get up to. Many travel bloggers are opting to use a GoPro over a DSLR as they are easy to travel with and won’t take up extra space in your backpack. They are also waterproof and incredibly durable, unlike traditional digital cameras that can be fragile. There are many models to choose from such as Hero 7 & Hero 8. Prices start from £174.00 and accessories are sold separately.
Fitbit – £94.99 +
Staying on top of your health whilst travelling can be hard, especially with the lack of sleep and plenty of new foods and drink to indulge in. A Fitbit can help you stay on top of your fitness by tracking your steps, sleep, heart rate and the number of calories you take in and burn off. It is also ideal for anyone who cycles, swims or runs as it will record your distance, the route and your results. There are a variety of Fitbits available with a starting price of £94.99.
Personalized Luggage Tags/Suitcase Covers – £8 +
A special gift for a couple going on a honeymoon or for someone who is always losing their luggage. Personalized luggage tags and suitcase covers can either be luxurious or hilarious. Some offer personalized leather tags with the traveller’s initials, whereas another version is a suitcase tag or cover with the person’s face. It’s up to you! There are some great varieties available on notonthehighstreet.com. Prices start from £8. If you want to opt for the suitcase cover with a photo or picture this is available at Firebox for £29.99 and would make the ultimate joke gift.
CamelBak Hydration Backpack – £29.99 +
This is the perfect gift for anyone who is passionate about adventure travel or who loves to go on hiking holidays. A CamelBak Hydration Backpack is a bag that has a built-in water reservoir that has a straw attached allowing hikers, bikers and backpackers to drink handsfree whilst on the go. Bags can hold a variety of water, with some holding 1.5L and some holding up to 13L. Prices start off at £29.99 but go up as the amount of water held increases.
Scratch Map – £6.99
A scratch map is an ideal way to keep on track with how many countries and destinations you have visited. There are many options available, with a generic scratch map or a personalized map available. There are also regional scratch maps that focus on just Europe or North America. Help inspire their wanderlust and give this gift along with the Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2020. Scratch maps are available from Amazon and start from £6.99.
About the author: This article was written by Sarah McCann. Sarah is an avid traveler and has spent a year teaching in China, and in her spare time she loves discovering new places and writing about them. She is currently the Blog Editor at My Baggage, who help tourists ship their luggage ahead globally and take the stress out of travelling.