Your Shopping Guide: Gifts for Travel Lovers

Arriving at your destination to find out your bag did not come with you is a nightmare. Thankfully, we have the technology to help us locate missing items. Give your travel lover peace of mind with a GPS luggage tracker.

Travelers can be very dependent on their gear, like laptops and phones. Unfortunately, the batteries can quickly drain as we take photos, shoot videos, and share our adventures on social media. A portable charger on the road or trail can be a lifesaver.

Capturing a moment for perpetuity allows travelers to re-experience that vacation euphoria long after the trip. Julie and I love our camera, the DJI Pocket 2. It is lightweight and small enough to fit in your pocket. The camera takes high-quality pictures and videos. It has a built-in stabilizer so you can shoot videos on the move.

Consider a drone if the traveler loves tech gear, remote-controlled gadgets, or obtaining unique photo perspectives. Lower-cost models are available for hobbyists and those new to drones.

A smartwatch can be a traveler’s best friend. With features like fitness tracking, GPS, mobile payments, and LTE support, travelers can stay connected, maintain fitness goals, and more.

Always on the go and often outdoors, travelers will appreciate such a thoughtful gift.

A beanie is ideal for cooler weather. It takes up little space and keeps you warm. The hats come in various colors and styles to match the personality of your nomad.

A lightweight waterproof windbreaker is an ideal travel companion. My Columbia jacket checks all the boxes, making it my go-to outerwear when we are on the road. It takes up little space in my pack and keeps me warm and dry against rain and wind. I cannot recommend it enough.

For wayfarers who spend time outdoors, hiking pants are an excellent gift. Hiking pants are comfortable and come in various colors. Many are water-resistant, while some quickly zip off into shorts.

If your explorer spends much time on trails, hiking shoes or boots are necessary to secure footing on rugged or slippery paths. You will get mileage with this gift.

Julie and I love our Venture Pal backpack. It is lightweight yet durable, perfect for day hikes. We even use it at theme parks, walking tours, and various outings to carry clothing layers and needed items. The versatile pack has multiple compartments, including a wet pocket.

Regarding travel, few items, if any, are more vital than a passport. Protect your passport from wear and tear with a passport holder. You can choose from various colors to fit your style and help you quickly locate it within your bag.

Do you have trouble napping on a plane or in a car? Even if you can catch some rest, you may awake with a stiff neck. Rest comfortably on the road and in the air with a neck pillow.

Protect your phone from rain, snow, sand, and other threatening elements. A waterproof phone pouch is one of the best purchases we have made. We have used the phone pouch in the pouring rain, the Maid of the Mist boat ride next to Niagara Falls, and the beach. Our phones were safe and dry. Best of all, the transparent cover allows you to take quality photos and videos.

Julie prides herself on maximizing the space in our bags. She views it as a puzzle. One of her secrets is to use packing cubes. Now you can organize your packing, squeezing more items into the same space. You may be surprised at how much of a difference it makes.

Whether you are hiking trails or touring a city, it is vital to stay hydrated. A portable water bottle is affordable, convenient, and refillable. Nearly every traveler can use a water bottle.

We love the COAST flashlight so much we have two. Although small, it emits a bright beam. Taking up so little space, we always carry flashlights in our backpacks. We have used them on many adventures, including evening hikes, cave exploring, night beach walks, and hiking the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail.