It’s the season of giving! We love this time of year for the home cooked meals shared with family and friends, the anticipation of a new year of travel just around the corner, and the chance to gift our loved ones something they’ll (hopefully) use and enjoy. These travel gifts are both useful and fun. Any travel lover is sure to appreciate them, and we bet there’s something on here you’ll want for yourself, too. Happy holidays!
A Curiosity Collection mug. Sip hot chocolate while reading our travel stories all winter long, and know your purchase helped pay local writers and photographers around the world. (Use the code ‘curious’ through Monday for 20% off).
A travel adapter. An adapter is obvious when traveling, but this one from Flight 001 is especially useful. The 4-in-1 adapter is color-coded to help you easily identify which section works for which regions.
TravelPro suitcase. If you’re looking for a rolling carry-on, this is our hands-down favorite. The 360-degree wheels roll smoothly, the bag fits a ton, and there’s enough interior organization to keep things in check, without taking up too much space. Plus, it’s extremely light, so it doesn’t take up precious weight on that TSA scale that could be used for souvenirs. Our founder swears by it.
A sleep mask. This sleep mask looks intense, but that’s because it delivers extreme darkness. It’s lightweight and comfortable, and contours to your face. Wirecutter named it the best sleep mask on the market, and we think it’s perfect for long flights or too bright Airbnbs.
A daypack. You can’t do much better than Osprey when it comes to high-quality, ergonomic backpacks. This daypack is great for intense hikes or leisurely city strolls. It has plenty of pockets, is lightweight, and most importantly is extremely comfortable.
A good travel book. We have too many favorite travel books to count, but some that make great gifts include The Alchemist, What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding, A Tramp Abroad, Notes From a Small Island, the Elena Ferrante series, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, A Short Walk In the Hindu Kush, Desert Solitaire, or the classics 1000 Places to See Before You Die and The Best American Travel Writing 2018. If you want to get political with someone on your gift list this year, we think The Beast: Riding the Rails and Dodging Narcos on the Migrant Trail and The Far Away Brothers should be required reading for anyone in the United States. Food books are always a good idea too, like Bourdain’s fantastic Kitchen Confidential, or Julia Child’s always wonderful My Life In France. Or, go for a travel-inspired cookbook, such as Season: Big Flavors, Beautiful Food; My Paris Kitchen; Rice, Noodle, Fish; Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking; or Taste of Persia: A Cook’s Travels Through Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and Kurdistan. Some travelers prefer e-readers, so maybe opt for an unlimited membership to Kindle that will enable them to read hundreds of travel and food books anytime, anywhere.
Leather travel case set. We love Cuyana’s mantra: “Fewer, better things.” This high-quality pebbled leather travel set is handcrafted in Argentina and will last for years to come. The larger bag fits all your toiletries–even a few full-size items, while the smaller bag is great for makeup or jewelry. The synthetic lining is easy to clean.
Noise-cancelling headphones. These headphones are a splurge, but they really are the best out there for noise-cancelling and sound quality. If you can’t stand noise on planes, trains, buses, or any other form of travel, these will be a lifesaver. They’re Alexa-enabled and wireless, with a noise-rejecting microphone system for easy calls on the go.
Lightweight shoes. A great pair of lightweight walking shoes is essential. These are unisex, come in several colors, fit easily in your bag, and are made of Merino wool that provides temperature regulation. We think walking is the best way to explore, and these are comfortable for miles and miles, in chilly temps or humid climates. Plus, the antibacterial fibers control odor, so you won’t mind putting them back in your carry-on. (Though it’s always a good idea to bring a travel shoe bag or two just in case).
Travel hammock. This travel hammock weighs 23 ounces and holds up to 500 pounds. It’s durable, breathable, water-resistant, and packs easily into its own sack. Set-up is simple and it comes with a lifetime warranty. Camping just got a whole lot more comfortable.
Travel cap. No one’s hair looks great after a day of travel. Cover travel hair and shield your eyes from the sun with our Curiosity Collection cap. All profits go to pay our freelance writers and photographers. (Use the code ‘curious’ through Monday for 20% off!).
Parks Project Apparel. The Parks Project has dozens of shirts like this one, as well as vintage park posters, home goods, and more. We love the gear, and we especially love that profits go directly to 30 park conservancies across the U.S.
Quick-dry towel. A microfiber quick-dry towel is a traveler’s best friend. Take it camping, to the beach, on a snorkel excursion, or keep it in your bag in case your Airbnb towel situation isn’t up to par. These are extremely absorbent, antibacterial, skin-friendly, and lightweight. Throw one in your bag no matter what type of trip you’re taking, and we bet it will come in handy more often than you think.
A portable speaker. Transform your camping, beach lounging, Airbnb–pretty much anywhere–into a party with this waterproof portable speaker that’s small, easy to pack, and delivers incredible sound for its size.
Lingo playing cards. Boost your language skills with these cards that function as a normal set of cards for playing during flight delays, but also serve as flashcards for essential phrases. Learn Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, and more.
Smartphone lens. Help the Instagram lover on your gift list up their photo game with this wide-angle lens. It captures two-times more space and comes with a 12-month warranty. (Don’t forget to tag #curiositymag on your Insta photos so we can follow along on your travels!)
DSLR camera. Of course, not even the best smartphones can compare to a real camera. A DSLR can be hard to learn at first, but the photos are worth it, especially if you’re traveling somewhere with spectacular scenery or where you need close up action shots, like on a safari.
Wine protectors. Traveling to Italy, Napa, France, Georgia…anywhere known for wine? Bring along these reusable wine protectors to keep your bottles safe on the trip home. They’re sleek and lightweight, but have two layers of bubble wrap for extra protection.
Foldable yoga mat. Stay zen on the go with this foldable yoga mat. It folds up small and weighs only two pounds. Best of all, the sweatier you get, the better it grips. It comes in four colors.
Packing cubes. A little organization goes a long way in helping a trip run smoothly. This set comes with five pieces–one small, two medium, and two large. They’re lightweight and durable, made of breathable mesh, have two-way zippers, and prevent wrinkles. We swear by these for easy packing and organization.
Travel slippers. Airplanes are often freezing, and who knows what’s lingering on hotel floors? Bring a pair of warm, foldable travel slippers for comfort and cleanliness wherever you are in the world. These come in three colors and are made of a moisture-wicking fabric with rubber soles.
Travel charger. There’s nothing more annoying or stressful than having your phone die when you really need Google maps. A portable charger is a must, and we love this one from Anker because it charges smartphones up to four times. The perfect stocking stuffer!
Hydro Flask Water Bottle. We love Hydro Flask bottles, which keep chilled beverages cold or coffee steaming hot for hours. Save yourself the hassle of buying water bottles, and save the earth from plastic by packing your own and buying one for someone on your list.
Travel journal. Jot down memories or pen the next great travel article in a classic Moleskin travel notebook. In a wide range of colors and styles, these make a great gift for anyone on your list.
Travel face mask. Travel can be tough on your skin. Pop one of these hydrating face masks in your bag and you’re good to go. They come in a pack of five, so you can add them as a fun extra to your gifts this year, stuff them in stockings, or keep one or two for yourself.
Travel pillow. We were always skeptical of travel pillow because they take up so much space. Then we tried the Trtl pillow, which fits easily in your carry-on and makes long flights much more bearable. Now, you can arrive rested and ready to explore.
Refreshing face mist. This is a little travel luxury many won’t buy for themselves, making it the perfect gift. Almost nothing feels more refreshing after a long flight or train ride than a spritz of this cucumber aloe face spray. It’s also great on the beach or after a day of hiking.
Alpaca scarf. This beautiful alpaca scarf was made in Peru and benefits children. In fact, anything you buy from the UNICEF market helps support artisans and their families, as well as UNICEF programs around the world.
State candle. Know someone abroad who’s a little homesick? Send them one of these candles, which are scented to smell like each of the 50 states. Southern California smells like citrus, the sea, and aloe, while Wisconsin smells like cranberry, maple, and cream. The soy candles burn for 60-80 hours.
Scratch-off map. This world map is a classic gift for any travel lover on your list. Everyone likes to chart their progress and easily see where they’ve been, and how much is still out there.
Guides for Curious Travelers. Our collection of guides gives you context before you travel. Read a brief history, learn about the current political and social climate, and take in our destination-specific cultural tips on how to travel with respect. Each guide also includes advice from our local writers on what to do, see, eat, and drink. It’s all part of our mission to help you be a better traveler. (As of now our guide to Georgia is available, but check back December 1 for 10 additional destinations).
Stay Curious shirt. Our ‘Stay Curious’ tee comes in both long and short sleeves, and in both black and white. The back features our logo in the upper center. All profits go to pay our writers and photographers. If you’ve purchased something from our shop, share a photo on Instagram or Twitter using #CuriosityMag. We love seeing you in our gear around the world!
