The Smart Traveler’s Top Gift Ideas

Black Friday is almost upon us, and the Christmas season is around the corner.  Do you still need a gift for that smart traveler in your life?

Have no fear!

I have scoured the Internet and come up with the following list of the best travel gift ideas for both men and women. Many of these items I either already own, or have recently added to my list!

This is the third annual list of Gift Ideas for the Smart Traveler, but here are some of our best gifts from previous years:

~ 2016 Smart Traveler Gift Ideas
~ 2015 Smart Traveler Gift Ideas

1. Musement

Discover your perfect travel experience with Musement.  Choose from 7 categories and thousands of options worldwide:

– Museums & Art
– Tours & Attractions
– Performances
– Food & Wine
– Active & Adventure
– Sports
– Nightlife

There’s also a Musement app available on iOS and Android to help you look for inspiration, search your destination, or check out daily deals.

2. “The Protege” Travel Backpack

“The Protege” is a canvas and leather daypack travel backpack from Travables.  Measuring 16.5″ x 12.2″ x 4.3″, “The Protege” fits any 15.6″  laptop or standard size paper making it perfect for daily use, travel, work, school, or any outdoor trips like camping, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering.

The leather flap conceals an exterior pocket, accessible with two quick snap magnetic buckles.  There are several interior pockets making great organizers or protectors for your laptop, notebooks, cords, snacks, etc.

3. Push Pin Travel Maps

Push Pin Travel Maps are the perfect way to remember a recent trip, track your “country count”, or plan you dream vacation.  Choose from over 30 map styles and 9 unique frame options, then make it your own by personalizing your push pin map with your name or favorite quote.

I’ve worked with Push Pin Travel Maps to be able to offer you a 10% discount for a limited time!  Just use the code PushPin10 at checkout (valid for orders over $100).

4. Travel Hacking Course

Creative Live offers a huge library of online courses, including some great ones for the smart traveler in your life.  “Become a Travel Hacker” is a course by New York Times best selling travel author, Chris Guillebeau.  Chris offers 9 video lessons designed to help you earn hundreds of thousands of miles and points — before even getting on an airplane.  You’ll then learn how to put your new treasure chest to good use to go anywhere, anytime.

5. Baubax Ultimate Travel Jacket

Baubax is “The World’s Best Travel Jacket”!  It has 15 features, expertly designed to enhance your travel experience, including a neck pillow, built-in eye mask and gloves, drink pocket, zipper with pen, and is packed with pockets for every need. 

Made with high-quality fabrics, in 4 modern fashionable designs, it’s easy to see why Baubax is the highest crowdfunded fashion item ever.

6. Skyroam Solis

The Skyroam Solis launched this year, featuring a powerbank added to an upgraded WiFi hotspot device that we loved in last year’s list.   Solis is a 4G LTE hotspot device, allowing you to wirelessly connect up to 5 devices, and can be used in 100+ countries worldwide.  It now lasts even longer with 16+ hours of WiFi battery life!

The new powerbank feature provides an embedded 6000 mAh power bank and latest USB-C connection.

7. Blurb Photobook

With Blurb you can take those amazing travel pictures hidden on your computer hard drive and transform them into a beautiful photobook to keep those memories alive.  Blurb offers an array of samples and templates to help you create your masterpiece.  Not only that, but they also make it easy to turn your creations into magazines, photobooks, eBooks, and more that you can sell on your website!

8. Little Passports

Little Passports provides fun and educational gifts for the toddler or school-age kids in your life.  Their mission is to to create a generation of global citizens by educating them about different countries, scientific concepts, or world wonders.

My favourite product is their “World Edition” subscription!  Each month you’ll discover a new country, complete with souvenirs and hands-on activities.

9. Rocket Languages

Rocket Languages is an award winning system designed to help you speak and understand a new language faster.  Each course offers interactive lessons, pronunciation practice, member’s forum, a mobile app, and much more.

You can even try it out for free with their Guest User Trial!

10. Starfish Collar Necklace

What could be better for your next beach vacation than a Starfish Collar Necklace?  These 5 rhinestone-studded starfish are on a 17″ gold chain (with 2″ extender and lobster claw closure), and weighs only 1.7 oz.

Download The Smart Traveler’s Top Gift Ideas for 2017 to keep handy as you’re out shopping for the smart traveler in your life!

Need more ideas?  Check these out!

The Smart Traveler’s Top Gift Ideas for 2016

2016 was a year with some ground-breaking gifts that would make life easier for the smart traveler, and here are a few of my favourites …

1. Packable Down Jacket

A packable down jacket will prepare you for almost any kind of weather.  They are lightweight, breathable, warm, and often come with their own carrying bag for quick and easy storage at a fraction of their size.

2. STM Quantum Shoulder Bag

You are allowed 1 personal item in addition to your carry-on, so this is where you’ll pack those items you know you’ll want access to during your flight.  The ideal personal item has integrated straps to secure the bag to the handle of your wheeled luggage, further alleviating shoulder strain while waiting in lines or walking to your gate.  I recommend the STM quantum shoulder bag.  Its laptop pocket protects your device in high-density foam. There are compartments for your tablet, charging cords, extra battery, and headphones so all are neatly tucked away. There’s even room for a change of shoes.

3. Universal Travel Adapter

If you plan to travel internationally you’ll want to have an All-in-1 universal travel adapter.  Not surprisingly, there are different power standards around the world, and these adapters will prevent you from scrambling to charge your essential electronics.

4. Moleskine Notebook

A notebook and good pen are must haves for every traveller.  I love to make some quick notes after every day or every excursion.  It’s amazing what you’ll forget when reading through these notes later!  Notebooks are also great for tracking your travel plans or jotting down a new friend’s contact info.  I prefer the look, feel and size of Moleskine notebooks.

5. Skyebags

SkyeBags tote bags, toiletries bags, and wallets made from genuine aircraft seat-back leather recycled from Delta Airlines.  A very unique gift for the aviation lover on your list. In exchange for the leather, 10% of profits are donated to a non-profit charity of Delta’s choice (The Nature Conservancy since 2010)

6. USB CuffLinks

USB Cufflinks are perfect for that special person running an online business. Always have your important files with you no matter where you are!  Check out these ones from Cuff-Daddy: Silver (rhodium-plated) USB Cufflinks 16GB each (32GB total) and only 59g in weight.

7. Continent Pillows

Since you’re already dreaming about travel, why not rest your head on the pillow that matches your dreams?  This set of 3 Continent Pillows will help you drift off to thoughts of North/Central America, Europe/Africa, or Asia/Oceana.  Each pillow measures 15” square and is made of cotton with the decoration applied using Batik, a traditional Indian art to create patterns on fabric.

8. Skyroam

Skyroam Mobile Hotspot: Global Wi-Fi available in 100+ countries.  This personal Wi-Fi hotspot for fast, secure mobile data worldwide allows you to connect up to 5 devices and pay as you go. No SIM card is required and packages start at $8 for 24 hour day-pass with unlimited data.

9. Solemates

Solemates Purse Pals are fold-able ballet flats, perfect for slipping into a carry-on or handbag. They come with a convenient carrying pouch that’s expandable to accommodate your heels on the way home.  Touting a soft interior with durable sole and an elastic band that won’t dig into your ankle!  They’re great for slipping on after a night out, on the plane, in the office, or around the house.

10. Try The World

Try the World sends a monthly shipment to help you create an amazing travel experience at home! Each box contains 7-8 specially curated gourmet items complete with a Culture Guide from a new country.  Past boxes have included tapas with the Spain Box, meatballs and dumplings with the Sweden Box, and Steak au Poivre with the France Box.  There’s a new discovery each month!

Download The Smart Traveler’s Top Gift Ideas for 2016 to keep handy as you’re out shopping for the smart traveler in your life!

Don’t stop now!

The Smart Traveler’s Top Gift Ideas for 2015

2015 was a great year for gifts that would make life easier for the smart traveler, and here are a few of my favourites …

1. Olloclip

Olloclip camera lens attachments for smartphones. These 3 little camera lenses quickly transform the standard camera on your phone for fish-eye, macro and wide angle shots. As as word of caution, these clips generally do not fit over your phone case, but attach directly to the phone itself.  They are great for those moments when you don’t want (or don’t think you’ll need) to carry a ‘real’ camera.

2. GoPro Camera

A GoPro is a fantastic piece of equipment to consider for any smart traveler.  They are easily portable, lightweight, extremely durable, and easy to operate; the only limit is your imagination!  Their waterproof, dust-proof, weatherproof construction make them ideal in just about any situation on land, by air, or in sea.  Not only that, but the picture quality is truly remarkable.

3. Scratchable Map

Scratchable maps are amazing gifts for even the seasoned traveler.  Whether you’re reminiscing where you’ve been or creating reminders for what’s next on the list, these maps are great!  Simply scratch off where you’ve been to reveal a fun and colourful map.  They come in various sizes, and you can choose between world maps, or specific continents and countries for even more detail.

4. Rosetta Stone

Language learning courses like those provided by Rosetta Stone are gifts that keep on giving.  If your smart traveler is going somewhere they don’t speak the language, this is a great way to get comfortable before they go.  They can even continue while they’re away! Rosetta Stone provides highly rated courses for many different languages.  They even provide course downloads so you can keep learning while you’re on the road.

5. Airport Tag Pillow

An Airport Tag Pillow is a fun and practical gift for the travel-obsessed! They are customisable and come in a wide range of airports and styles.  Whether you are looking for your home airport, or a reminder from your latest adventure or honeymoon, they have you covered.

6. Grid-It! Organizers

Grid-It! organisers are great ways to keep organized while traveling. They are designed to keep things in place; helping you avoid a tangle of cables, chargers, stationary and other items.  They come in a variety of sizes so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs from snacks to toiletries to electronics!

7. Portable Hard Drive

Every smart traveler needs a portable hard drive like the WD My Passport Ultra.  Never again be held at the mercy of a failed SD-card!  I have heard many horror stories from friends and family of returning home after a fantastic holiday only to find all photos and videos had been deleted from a failed SD-card. There is nothing that will ruin a trip faster!  To ensure I avoid this fate, I now backup to my pictures and videos regularly so I am covered should something happen.

8. Priority Pass

Priority Pass is the world’s largest independent airport lounge access program that allows members to use over 850 lounges around the world. Regardless of airline or ticket class you are welcome to enjoy the complimentary food, drink and much more.  A great addition for the smart traveler on your list!

9. Travel Voucher

Travel Vouchers can be a great help when your smart traveler will be heading out again soon, but they haven’t yet selected a location or haven’t finished planning.  Here are a few of my favourite companies you might want to consider;

• airbnb helps you find truly local accommodation on any budget around the world.
• Uber provides peace of mind whenever you need a car or taxi with an ever-expanding base of worldwide locations.
• Eurail passes will give you access to deeply discounted train tickets across many countries in Europe.

10. Vacation in a Box

Escape Monthly: Vacation in a Box is a great way to discover new destinations before you go!  With your subscription, every month you’ll receive a themed box exploring a different city or region. Each box contains full-sized products from bath & spa to gourmet food, travel guides with insider tips to help your smart traveler plan their next trip.

11. Noise Isolating Earphones

A decent pair of noise isolating earphones is essential for every smart traveler.  Shure SE215 Noise Isolating Earphones are a great option to help keep your sanity when surrounded by screaming kids, noisy train stations, or high-volume karaoke on a long bus ride. Shure’s SE-215 earphones are small and light, comfortable to wear for long periods, have great sound reproduction and (most importantly) effectively silence the outside world.

12. Portable Power

The MAZZO PowerDrive is the first device I’ve seen that combines extra storage and battery life for iOS devices. Backing up data from an iPhone or iPad is as simple as plugging in the existing cable.  You also have the option to move individual files backwards and forwards using the included app. This drive includes a 7800mAh battery that can charge an iPhone up to three times, perfect for those long flights and bus rides! The MAZZO PowerDrive comes in four different storage capacities, ranging from 16 to 128GB.

Download The Smart Traveler’s Top Gift Ideas for 2015 to keep handy as you’re out shopping for the smart traveler in your life!

So there you have it the Top Gift Ideas for your Smart Traveler!

I’m always on the lookout for new travel gift ideas, so I’d love to know if you have some great ideas that I didn’t cover!  Please let me know in the comments below.

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