The very best travel gifts make it easy to plan a vacation around where to eat (and, more importantly, to squeeze spices, sauces, and table linens into your checked baggage).
For some people, that might look like an easily packable travel charger and sleek laptop sleeve that unexpectedly turn a buzzy café into a cozy office space. For some, it looks like a personalized recipe journal that helps them recreate that incredible soufflé they enjoyed on their trip to Paris. For others, that could be an olive-oil-inspired toiletry set that keeps their skin feeling hydrated and healthy after a taxing overnight flight, or a high-tech water bottle that makes it possible to enjoy crisp seltzer on the road.
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But even when we don’t have the time or energy to plan a trip, we’re fond of engaging in a little armchair travel. Gifts like Burlap and Barrel’s spice subscription are the next best thing to a jaunt to Tunisia or Morocco; Fortnum & Mason’s iconic holiday collection is full of sweet treats, spreads, and snacks straight from the United Kingdom.
In any case, if you’re the sort of traveler who books restaurant reservations and food market stall stops before even considering flights and hotels, these 13 gifts, including TSA-approved travel toiletry canisters and a sturdy hardshell suitcase, are sure to make both long-haul trips and weekend getaways a bit more delicious.
The olive oil mavens at California-based Wonder Valley know a thing or two about using natural ingredients (namely, olive oil) to nourish and protect your skin on long travel days. This collection of four TSA-approved versions of their best-selling products tackles your full routine from head to toe; the oil cleanser has a surprisingly creamy texture that addresses dehydrated, fatigued skin, and the Hinoki oil has a soothing scent that makes buying a full-sized bottle inevitable.
We tried, and we can’t name another subscription box that can get us to Turkey, Lebanon, Ethiopia, and Zanzibar from the comfort of our own kitchens—and that’s just one reason why the Burlap and Barrel Spice Club is one of our favorite gifts to give and receive. Each quarter, you’ll receive four, full-sized jarred spices that will take your tried-and-true stews, pastas, and ho-hum weeknight lunches to the next level. From creative blends to single-origin staples like pepper and cumin, this is the definition of the gift that keeps on giving.
There’s no better way to get to know a new city than by settling in for an hour or two of work (or idle browsing) at a café in an interesting neighborhood. This tiny, wireless charger from Courant folds into an easily packable case, and makes staying connected easy no matter how tiny the table you’re working on is. Plus, when you find yourself in a hotel room with horribly inaccessible outlets (if you know, you know), the extra-long charging cord will come in handy.
With just a few taps of the button on its lid, Aerflo turns still water into some of the smoothest sparkling you’ve ever had. Think of this bottle as the ultimate road trip companion for someone who constantly makes pit stops at the gas station to grab another seltzer or a solution for an office or dorm room mini fridge that simply can’t fit an entire case of La Croix. Each Co2 capsule makes four 16-ounce bottles worth of bubbly and can be mailed back for reuse in future bottles. The best part? The bottle’s sleek, cupholder-compatible size makes it easy to have on hand.
Over years of travel, I’ve found that the neoprene fabric on this trusty duffle bag from Dagne Dover gracefully withstands all of the indignities of air travel, like cramped under-seat storage and grimy security line bins. It’s flexible yet still structured enough to look polished for a work trip, and the compartments keep your water bottle and snacks within reach. While so many weekender bags have painful or flimsy straps, the Landon Carryall’s shoulder attachment is surprisingly comfortable—even when you’re high-tailing it through the airport to make that connection.
It seems like everyone’s adding charms to their luggage, purses, phones, and even water bottles nowadays. While most of these accessories prioritize form over function, these cheerful fruits and berries from Maison de Sabré are made from soft but sturdy grained leather and are designed to hold an AirTag, so you always know where your belongings are. I’m especially partial to the cherries and orange, and find that the compartment is just large enough to hold a pair of stud earrings, a lucky coin, or, if you’re like me, a serving of Dramamine or Tylenol for a long flight.
We’re all for using cookbooks as a method of armchair travel, but these do-it-yourself recipe journals from London-based stationary brand Papier are the ultimate keepsake for the traveler who loves to collect recipes and cooking tips on the road. The designs range from classic and sophisticated to modern and poppy, and the personalization makes each feel extra special. The spiral binding is especially convenient for laying flat on a kitchen counter while cooking, and the helpful, organized sections break recipes up by breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.
Forget the disposable drugstore wine bag—these bottle sleeves from Graf Lantz are made with sustainably sourced, biodegradable merino wool, and come in a range of jewel tones ideal for the holiday season. The scalloped edge adds a little festive flair, while the leather handle makes sure that your precious cargo—be it a bottle of Chardonnay or Champagne—is safe until it hits the ice bucket.
This seasonal release from the leather experts at Cuyana makes traveling with your laptop or iPad a whole lot more chic than using a nylon sleeve. It’s technically designed to clip into Cuyana’s tote bag, but can also be used as a stand-alone tool for keeping your tech safe while you travel to and from meetings. The eye-catching burgundy red shade helps it to stand out in even the most chaotic of carry-on bags.
‘Tis the season to indulge in fancy fruit! These candied French clementines from British gourmet heaven Fortnum & Mason are the ultimate treat. Each set of twelve jewel-like fruits arrive in a beautiful, pale wood gift box that can easily make for an unexpected centerpiece at your holiday party. They are an ideal companion to post-dinner amaro or tea time.
There’s something shockingly soothing about traveling with Ries’s beauty essentials bag, which comes outfitted with elastic sleeves to hold its refillable, TSA-approved bottles in place, but also easily fits a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, razor, and an extra serum or two. The bottles take a few pumps to dispense the product (be patient!) and hold more than two weeks’ worth of face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, or shampoo. The twistable tops lock, so spills aren’t part of your journey.
Ideal for taking your iced coffee (with plenty of ice, thanks to the wide mouth) on the go or refilling with water at the airport, this silicone-sleeved water bottle from W&P checks all of the boxes for a trusted travel companion. It’s dishwasher-friendly and 100% glass, so you don’t need to worry about that weird aluminum or plastic taste that develops over time with so many water bottles. Plus, it’s customizable, so you’ll never mix up your drink with a friend’s.
