Amazing Gifts for the Traveler on Your List 2024

It’s been a minute since I’ve offered up a Holiday Gift Guide.

In fact it was 2020 — in the midst of the pandemic!

So it’s time for an updated list of gifts for the traveler(s) in your life.

And I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite, tried and true products for travel to Europe.

But first a disclaimer:

I’m an affiliate with many of these companies.

What does this mean?

It means I get a small (very small) commission from these companies when you buy something from them using the links below or on the Resources page of the Wander Your Way website.

I do want to emphasize that I only promote products and companies I firmly believe in.

Okay.

Got your list ready?

Your credit card?

Let’s dive into the list of amazing gifts for the traveler in your life.

Gifts for travelers who need a little help with organization

Eagle Creek Packing Cubes

If you’ve been around the Wander Your Way ecosystem for a while, you know I am a HUGE fan of packing cubes.

These are the perfect gift for the traveler who has trouble with over packing and staying organized with clothing as he/she travels.

I swear by Eagle Creek packing cubes which come in regular cubes and compression cubes as well as varying sizes.

Packing cubes are LIFE CHANGING for the traveler.

Trust me.

Once you start using these, you’ll never go back to not using them and you’ll wonder why you haven’t been using them for the past 10 years.

BagSmart Cord Organizer

How many times have you looked in all kinds of pockets for your phone charger?

Wouldn’t it be nice to have your tech cords all in one place?

I honestly believe this is another of the must have gifts for the traveler.

Another life changing product!

I have an older cord organizer that I love made by a company called BGTrends — which doesn’t seem to exist in the cord organizer world any more.

Anyway…

Since I work as I travel, I need cords and chargers for my Nikon camera, the laptop with small portable hard drives, a charger for my Garmin watch…

You get the idea.

This pouch keeps my cords and chargers organized just like the packing cubes keep my clothing organized.

The one I’m recommending here is the BagSmart version that seems to be very close to my cord pouch.

And there are a few others made by BagSmart that you might find fit your needs.

A must for keeping cords and small electronics organized as you travel.

BagSmart Cord Organizer — https://amzn.to/491coYF

Refillable Nalgene toiletry bottles and jars

Reusable items are important to me.

That’s why I have reusable and refillable Nalgene bottles and jars for my toiletry items.

Nalgene has the name behind it, creating some awesome water bottles that are tough and BPA-free.

But they also have these fantastic little bottles for personal hygiene items.

I have 2 ounce bottles, 4 ounce bottles, 1 ounce jars and 2 ounce jars.

And I’ve had them for a long time.

So keep the planet happy and get these reusable bottles and jars for your toiletry kit.

Holiday gift ideas for the outdoor adventurer or the city wanderer

Swiss Army Knife

You may think of this as a gift for an avid outdoors person.

But really, this knife is handy for any traveler.

Personally, I take this everywhere, keeping it in my purse.

Of course, you can’t take this on the plane if you are a carry-on only traveler.

So this won’t work for those “carry on only” travelers.

But I always check a bag so I tuck this into a pocket of my big bag and have it as I travel.

While I think a Swiss Army knife is a wonderful holiday gift for the outdoor person in your life, I’ve probably used it more in everyday situations — cutting a thread on a piece of clothing with the scissors, tightening a screw with the screwdriver, cutting a piece of fruit with the knife and opening a bottle of wine with the corkscrew.

Depending on the model you buy you can have all kinds of fun gadgets in one place.

This really is an excellent holiday gift for any traveler on your list.

Refillable Water Bottle

I’ve always used Nalgene bottles but I recently switched to Brita water bottles.

I still love and use Nalgene water bottles.

But I’ve become a fan of Brita because I’m a bit picky about the taste of the water.

So having a Brita refillable water bottle with its own filter allows me to avoid water that just tastes different to me.

I really believe that every traveler should have a refillable water bottle — especially because when it comes to Europe, you can drink the water almost everywhere.

This is a “must” gift for the traveler.

Osprey hydration daypack

I absolutely love Osprey packs.

I have owned a few over the years.

For the traveler who loves to hike, this is an awesome holiday gift.

I have the Skimmer 22 which is a women’s specific pack.

This is what I love about Osprey — they have women specific packs to fit shorter torsos and wider hips.

This is the pack I used as I walked the West Highland Way in Scotland in 2017.

I used it as I hiked in Ireland in 2018.

I’ve used it in the Dolomites of Italy on some short and long hikes and on the trails  in Scotland, Slovenia and England.

A LOT of use!

It’s awesome and is holding up well.

Osprey has updated their packs so now the Skimmer comes in 16, 20 and 28 sizes.

And the men’s equivalent, the Skarab, comes in 18, 22 and 30 sizes and gets great reviews.

Seriously, you can’t go wrong with Osprey packs!!

Gifts for the traveler who can’t live without their tech

Portable charging bank

Nothing is worse than your phone dying on your when you’re traveling  — especially because we use our phones for everything these days.

So I recommend having a portable charging bank with you.

I have an older model Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger, 10,000mAh Power Bank.

But it still exists and I’ve put a link to it below.

There are some other models of the Anker power packs that might be more suitable for the traveler in your life.

I just recommend this brand as it’s reliable and has been around for a while.

So this is a great gift for the person who uses their phone a lot as they travel.

Garmin Instinct Solar GPS Watch

This is another life changing product that I’ve owned for a little over 3 years.

I had a very old Garmin Forerunner that an ex boyfriend gave me for Christmas many years ago.

I finally broke down in 2021 and upgraded to this Instinct Solar GPS Watch.

I love it!

It works for hiking, walking, running and much more.

There are things I can do with it that I haven’t taken the time to figure out yet.

But I simply love that it tracks my distance, time, pace, steps and I have it connected to my phone so I can see messages or know when I’m getting a phone call.

It’s a magnificent gift for the traveler who is active and wants to track their activities.

And it looks like they have this as well as other Garmin GPS watches on sale!

Nord VPN

You want to protect your privacy when you travel, don’t you?

Well I bet many of you don’t use a VPN.

What’s a VPN?

VPN stands for virtual private network.

What does it do?

It protects your privacy when you are using open wifi at a hotel or cafe.

In fact, even if your hotel gives you a password, it’s still a good idea to use a VPN.

Nord VPN is the service provider I’ve been using for many years now.

This is the best way to protect your privacy on open wifi so hackers and nosy advertisers don’t find you.

You can use it worldwide and you can use it on a few devices.

I even use it when I’m not traveling.

So give the gift of cyber safety.

Saily eSim

Saily is a part of Nord so while I’ve not used their ESim yet, I believe in this product.

What is an ESim?

You may be familiar with a SIM card which is that little card about the size of your pinky nail that goes into your phone.

Or used to.

Now we have eSIMs which are digital versions of a physical SIM card.

An eSIMs allows users to activate a cellular plan without inserting a physical SIM card.

Just download it directly onto your phone.

Then you can use your phone on a different cellular network as you travel.

Typically you can load up what you need — phone, text and data — before you leave and then use your phone with the eSim activated in the country you are traveling in.

Often it can be less expensive than adding an international plan to your US carrier (such as Verizon, TMobile or AT&T).

This is a fabulous gift for the traveler in your life who needs to stay connected.

Gifts for the women who need some travel clothing

Tasc Tops

I am not sure how I found this clothing company but I have become a loyal customer of this New Orleans based, family-run company.

75% of Tasc’s products are made from natural fiber-dominant blends (primarily organic cotton).

And they are committed to using at least 85% sustainable (plant-based + recycled) materials in our products by 2025.

100% of the power required to run their sewing facility is generated from wind and solar and 95% of the water used in fabric dyeing is recovered, treated, and reused. (The remaining 5% naturally evaporates.)

So this is a company committed to sustainability which I love.

I also love their tops and own several.

The NOLA Long Sleeve shirt is great for a cool weather hike.

Or dress it up with a pair of jeans or khaki pants for dinner out.

Or layer it under a sweater or fleece in cooler weather.

I have 2 and am thinking of getting a third because I wear these tops all the time.

The Recess Short Sleeve T shirt is much the same.

I have 4!

The Recess Lightweight Hoodie is a great layer over a swimsuit or as a light layer for walking or hiking or sitting at an outdoor cafe.

I have 2 of these.

The Recess Quarter Zip is one of my favorites for hiking in cooler weather.

I have 2 of these also.

As you can see, I’m a fan of the TASC tops.

Athleta Rainer Bootcut Pants and Flurry Long Sleeve Henley

The Athleta brand is well known among women who love the athleisure look.

You know, comfy athletic type clothing that you can still get by with wearing out to lunch or a casual dinner.

I’ve been wearing Athleta clothing for about 15 years now.

I remember getting some pants that worked for the office but were casual enough that I actually could hike in them too.

Fast forward to 2024.

One of my favorite pants for colder weather climates is the Rainier Bootcut pants.

They look great on the trail or even running around town.

These pants are a bit thicker than some of the other pants made by Athleta but they’re not too heavy.

The long sleeve shirt I’ve come to love for travel is the Flurry long sleeve henley.

This is one of those long sleeve tops that goes from the trail to dinner which is why I love it so much.

It’s become a favorite of mine over these past 2 years.

There are a lot more fabulous items from Athleta, but these are my 2 favorites of the moment.

Patagonia Pullover Micro Fleece, Nano Puff Jacket and Torrentshell Rain Jacket

Patagonia makes some of the best gear and clothing for travel and outdoor adventures.

I’m a huge fan of the pullover Micro Fleece as it’s a great layering piece for cooler climates.

Even when I visit warmer climates this is a wonderful piece for the evenings.

I own a couple of jackets — the Nano Puff and the Torrentshell rain jacket.

The Nano Puff is a spring or early autumn jacket that wards off cool nights.

The Torrentshell rain jacket has kept me dry on walks around towns or hikes on the trails.

I love all 3 of these Patagonia products.

My favorite aspect of Patagonia is they truly care about the planet.

They try to keep their carbon footprint low and have a fair trade line of clothing.

Yes, some of their items cost a bit more, but they last — a very long time!

Rohan Basis Short Sleeve T and Eco Insulated Winter Jacket

I discovered this company on my 2023 visit to the UK.

And I found a few items I really like.

First up is the Basis t shirt.

This is an excellent hiking, running, walking, cycling or wandering around town shirt.

And it won’t get stinky as it has FreshWay Antimicrobial Technology that prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

It also dries quickly so you can wash it out and hang it up and wear it the next day.

I have definitely worn this shirt a lot on my travels over the past year.

Next up is my warm winter jacket — the Eco Insulated Winter Jacket.

If you live in a climate that sees cold weather, you will want this coat.

I love it!

It keeps me nice and toasty as I run errands around town or when I need more insulation on a cold day on the trail.

I bought this in Ambleside, England (the Lake District) and wore it a few times during my time there as I had some cold days.

Yes, it was a bit pricier than other brands, but it’s well made and will be a jacket I’ll have for years.

Both are great gifts for the traveler in your life.

Waypoint Goods Infinity Travel Scarf Hidden Zipper Pocket for Women 

I actually know Caitlin Blythe, the creator of Waypoint Goods.

She’s awesome.

And this Infinity Scarf is such an incredible creation.

It keeps you warm, such as on those very cold planes.

And it has pockets to store essential items that you need — passport, lip balm, credit card.

This is the perfect gift for the traveler on your list who needs a little warmth and a little organization.

Gifts for the men who need some travel clothing

I want to offer up some ideas for the men out there or in your life.

Now, I’m not a man so I can’t say for certain these products are the best.

But I’m recommending the men’s equivalent to some of the women’s clothing I’ve talked about above because I believe in these companies and the products they make.

 

Tasc Tops

The Carrollton long sleeve t shirt and lightweight hoodie seem to be pretty popular.

I would equate the hoodie to the women’s Recess lightweight hoodie.

And I would equate the long sleeve t shirt to the NOLA long sleeve t shirt on the women’s side.

There is also a Carrollton short sleeve t shirt that would be the same as the Recess t shirt for women.

Lastly, the Carrollton collection also has a quarter zip for men.

Again, this is a company I believe in and have had such great luck with.

Patagonia Micro D Pullover Fleece, Nano Puff Jacket and Torrentshell Rain Jacket

These 3 items are all the men’s equivalent of the women’s I talk about above.

I just can’t say enough about Patagonia’s products and their overall mission as a company.

Again, their items may cost more, but they are worth it as you will have these pieces of clothing for a very long time!

Rohan Basis Short Sleeve T and Eco Insulated Winter Jacket

The Basis Short Sleeve T and the Eco Insulated Winter Jacket are the same on the men’s side as the women’s.

The Basis T is going to be a great travel item for getting outside and a fabulous layering piece.

And the Eco Insulated Winter Jacket is going to keep you warm for cold weather climates.

I’ve really become a fan of this company and their products.

Gifts for travelers who want happy feet

Darn Tough socks

If you want socks for hitting the trails, running, walking or even wandering about London or Paris or Prague then look no further than Darn Tough.

These socks are just as the name suggests, “darn tough”.

While they may be more costly, they will last a long time.

I have the Hiker Micro Crew, the lightweight Hiker Quarter and the Lightweight Hiker No Show.

Love all of them!

Depending on where you are traveling to and what you are doing on your travels, I am betting you’ll find a couple pairs of Darn Tough socks that suit the traveler in your life.

Or maybe buy a pair for yourself!

Oofos Sandals and Shoes

I have been raving about the sandals for the last 8 years.

Then I bought the OOmg eeZee Low Shoe and found a wonderful closed shoe for travel.

And Oofos keeps expanding their array of shoes, sandals, slides, clogs and even boots.

They market their footwear as recovery sandals and shoes.

And the OoFoam patented technology they use is like wearing “pillows for your feet” as I like to say.

The other awesome aspect to these sandals and shoes is that they are lightweight so they pack really really well making these a fabulous gift for the traveler on your list (or for you).

For me, my testimonial is that each day after I walked many miles on the West Highland Way in Scotland, I put on my Oofos sandals and my feet were so happy.

Truly worth every cent!

Gifts for the traveler who needs a place to put everything

Osprey Sojourn Shuttle Wheeled Duffle

Besides making outstanding backpacks, Osprey also makes some amazing luggage.

The Sojourn Shuttle Wheeled Duffle (as they call it) is the best one in my book.

It comes in 3 sizes — 22 inch, 30 inch and 36 inch.

The wheels are rugged and stand up to the cobblestoned streets of Europe

These bags are made of tough materials so this is a bag you’ll have for a long time.

It can take the beating the airlines give it and that you may give it.

And while it may cost a bit more, I promise it will hold up and you’ll have it for 10 years or more.

I’ve had mine for 13!

Osprey Sojourn 22″ — https://amzn.to/411vOed

Sherpani Zoom Crossbody Purse and Milli Mini Messenger Bag

I have owned a couple of Sherpani purses for close to 2 decades.

Yup.

I still have these 2 purses.

And I love traveling with them.

Of course, they’ve done some updating to these bags.

The equivalent of what I own is the Zoom crossbody and the Milli mini messenger.

But gosh, Sherpani has something for every woman who needs a purse, backpack, bag or even a suitcase.

Items are well made and eco friendly.

Here is an excerpt from their website:

“We have been empowering women to explore the world with freedom, confidence, and security since 2002. We are eco-conscious, woman-powered, and operate from the belief that travel restores the human spirit. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Sherpani is an industry leader in recycled fabrics, non-toxic dyes, fair labor agreements, and chemical restrictions. To date, Sherpani has diverted 8.8 million (& counting!) plastic bottles from landfills & waterways.”

So if you are looking for a gift or a little something for yourself, check out all the cool bags and accessories at Sherpani.

A fantastic gift for the traveler on your list who loves a good purse or bag.

Holiday gifts for those who want to learn about their ancestors

DNA Kit from Ancestry.com

This is a great gift for anyone wanting to find out more about where they come from then wanting to travel to those countries or regions where their family roots are.

I did mine a few years back and find it interesting to see where my ancestors come from.

And the more I travel, the more I want to delve into finding the exact places they’ve come from.

This is definitely one of the best gifts for travelers who are curious about their family tree.

Gifts for the traveler who loves to read

Here are some of my favorite books — guidebooks as well as fiction and nonfiction that transport you to destinations.

Lonely Planet Guidebooks — These have been around a long time and are still great resources for planning travel to Europe.

Rick Steves Guidebooks — Rick Steves has been around a long time too and his books have excellent practical information.

An American Caddy in St Andrews — Growing Up, Girls and Looping on the Old Course — Fun memoir from Oliver Horovitz’s of his time caddying at the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland. You don’t have to be a golf fan to enjoy it.

A Year in Provence — The late Peter Mayle’s classic recounting of living out the dream of buying a farmhouse in Provence is one of my favorites.

Under the Tuscan Sun — Frances Mayes buys and renovates a house in Tuscany, Italy. Another fun book about buying a house in another country and learning to adapt to a new culture. Way better than the movie!

Geography of Bliss — Eric Weiner travels the world looking for the world’s happiest place. Does it even exist?

Wander Woman: How to Reclaim Your Space, Find Your Voice, and Travel the World, Solo — Beth Santos, a friend and an awesome person, wrote this must have book on solo travel as a woman. Gets into some of the mindset of traveling solo as a female.

Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations — Andrew Nelson put together this amazing mix of a book — coffee table-esque and info-filled — for those seeking under the radar destinations. I highly recommend!

The Alchemist — Paolo Coelho’s masterpiece is another wonderful read for those who have itchy feet. The story follows Santiago, a shepherd boy from the Andalucía region of Spain and intertwines magic, mysticism, and finding one’s path in life. One of my favorite books!

The Dublin Saga: Princes of Ireland and The Dublin Saga: The Rebels of Ireland — Edward Rutherford’s 2 books on Ireland’s history. These are historical fiction so they weave stories of fictional characters into actual historical events. While they are long books they are amazing! He also has a fabulous book on Paris that I’ve read. And he has many others.

The Lost Girls of Paris — This novel by Pam Jenoff has been one of my favorites I’ve in the past few years. It’s about a ring of secret agents who are all female and who are all sent to Occupied Europe during WWII. If your traveler loved The Nightingale then they’ll love this one.

The Lost Lights of St Kilda — This is a love story but also a story about an island that is essentially dying due to population loss. Elisabeth Gifford melds the story of 2 people into the loss of the traditions and culture of this incredible island in Scotland. Just loved it!

The Bookshop of Second Chances — Jackie Fraser’s lighthearted novel is about a woman going through some rough times when she finds out a distant great uncle in Scotland has died and left her his home and a large antique book collection. So she decides to leave Sussex England for a few weeks — or perhaps it will be more than a few weeks!

Hedgewitch — For the young traveler on your list looking for something magical, then look no further than Skye McKenna’s Hedgewitch series. These have that Harry Potter-esque fun, friendship, adventure and magic to them that transport you to another world. Good for us older travelers too!

Wander Your Way E Guides

Wander Your Way has 3 different e guides that make marvelous gifts for the traveler on your list.

Planning Your Trip To Europe: The Best Tips, Tricks and How-To’s — The guide to help someone plan a trip to Europe.

A Slice Of Ireland: Guide To Clifden & Connemara – The guide to help someone plan a trip to the Connemara region of Ireland.

Location Inspiration Guide: A Journey Through Italy — The guide to offer up inspiring and under the radar destinations in Italy.

Give the gift of Travel

Wander Your Way Adventures

Want to give your loved one (and maybe yourself) the gift of a travel experience?

Then why not book one of the 2025 Wander Your Way Adventures.

We have 4 small group tours — 2 for Ireland and 2 for the Dolomites of Northern Italy.

These trips are going to be amazing adventures in which you’ll create memories to last a lifetime.

And a special discount code is available.

For those on my email list, you’ll have it on November 22.

And it you’re not on the list, then email me Lynne@WanderYourWay.com and I’ll be sure you get it!

(But it’s only good through December 9, 2024)

Wander Your Way Travel Planning Services

Another way to to give your loved one (and maybe yourself) the gift of a travel experience is to use Wander Your Way’s travel planning services to plan and book your trip to Europe.

You can read about all the travel planning services on the Wander Your Way website.

And if you have questions, fill out the contact form or email Lynne at Lynne@WanderYourWay.com.

The gift of travel is the BEST gift you can give! (in my opinion 😉)

So there is my list of the best gifts for the traveler on your list.

There are loads of ideas here and I probably have more!

But these are some solid choices that provide a good array of products and prices.

Remember: If you purchase anything here with the links provided, I do receive a very small commission.

And this helps a small business like Wander Your Way stay in business.

As always, I appreciate you and your support ☺️🙏

Happy shopping!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you — if you click on the link and purchase anything from these trusted companies. It helps Wander Your Way, a small business, stay in business. Thanks for your support!

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