The Best Travel Gifts from 31 World Explorers

There’s gotta be a dozen people on your holiday list who could use an escape and are dreaming of far-off lands. Keeping in the tradition of our annual gift guide, we scoured our years of packing lists and looked to our circle of globetrotting friends for their tested-and-approved picks. What we’ve come up with are the best travel gifts that won’t just be “stuff” under the tree…but the tools, resources, and ideas to inspire the travelers in your life. Artist-designed HoneyTrek T-shirts & Totes We’ve thought about creating HoneyTrek swag for years, but didn’t want to just slap a logo on a t-shirt. We wanted something that told the story of our crazy honeymoon, the beauty of travel, what the road has taught us, and why we keep coming back for more. That was a tall order, but working with the artist Santi Soulas and Wearable NFT Art, we now have three designs that do exactly that—and they look freakin’ awesome! Each NFT design (that’s a whole other story) was modified to fit beautifully on a tote, t-shirt, and tumbler, and given a QR code that scans through to the original art on the blockchain…unifying this mashup of crypto and fashion.Show your HoneyTrek pride  The Lightest Snowshoes Back when we were first dating, Mike bought me a pair of snowshoes for Christmas…which as a girl from Southern California was like being gifted a bowling ball to join him at “League Night.” A decade and a hundred snowshoe hikes later, I can tell you it’s one of the best Christmas gifts I’ve ever received. Floating over deep snow and traversing icy waterfalls, these shoes open up a world of winter adventures—no lift tickets, long lines, gear rental, or commute necessary. To give ourselves an upgrade from our old clunkers, we’re gifting each other a pair of Northern Lites—the world’s lightest snowshoes! From their hardcore Predator series to their ultra-light Race Waves (1.3 lb for the pair!), these snowshoes are the choice of Iditarod winners and snow bunnies alike. No matter which style you get, opt for their amazing speed bindings, which tighten with one pull, rather than taking off your gloves to fuss with multiple clips. And while $200 is not a drop in the bucket, they have a lifetime warranty, 1% of profits go to Parkinson’s Research, and for the cost of two lift tickets you’ll get unlimited snowy adventures.Make the most of winter  A Better Travel Towel Hotels and Airbnbs rarely offer towels that you can take to the beach, waterfall, or mountaintop picnic spot. And you wouldn’t even want to carry that bulky terrycloth for the day–much less haul one on a two-week trip. Packing your own compact, quick-dry, sand-resistant towel makes a ton of sense–from a space, time, and hygiene standpoint. We’ve always carried one, but we’ll admit it was less than stylish or sustainable–until now! We love these Nomadix towels, not just for their hipster motifs and reversible designs, but the fact they’re made from post-consumer plastic! And even with material from the equivalent of 30 disposable plastic bottles, they’re incredibly soft and durable—easily doubling as a travel yoga mat. Toss one in your luggage and keep one in your car for impromptu adventures.Sop it up  Custom & Sustainable Bottles We’ve been rocking Nalgene bottles since the 1990s—they’re simple, sturdy, BPA-free, and inline with our mission to reduce single-use plastics. But in the past year, they’ve really climbed the awesome scale with the addition of their customizable bottles and their new Sustain line. If you’re not on a strict Xmas delivery deadline (takes ~2 weeks to design and ship), Nalgene Custom lets you choose your vessel style then upload your own photos, text, and graphics for a truly one-of-a-kind gift. And it’s always a good time to get a Sustain bottle. This high-tech line reclaims single-use plastics destined for the landfill and crafts them into bottles that are guaranteed for life. Aside from the sweet Sustain graphic, we can’t tell the difference…but we know the planet will! Choose from seven fantastic colors.Give a water bottle with heart Jet Set Jewelry With the present travel restrictions, we all have an insatiable case of wanderlust. And while nothing can beat a first-class ticket to Europe, this nostalgic bling will certainly cheer up your favorite traveler! Passport stamps, IATA codes, iconic buildings, subway cards, maps, and details to make a globetrotter smile are etched into sterling silver and solid gold. With designs inspired from every continent and hundreds of regions around the globe, Jet Set Candy is sure to have something for everyone, from the Francophile to the California girl. We were gifted this Mexico luggage tag with a little airplane charm on the clasp after our second Mazatlan housesit and wearing it brings us closer to our casa away from casa.Give me candy Packable Daypack We used to travel with just one daypack, but found ourselves having to gut it every time we took a hike. To avoid that hot mess, we now trav

The Best Travel Gifts from 31 World Explorers

There’s gotta be a dozen people on your holiday list who could use an escape and are dreaming of far-off lands. Keeping in the tradition of our annual gift guide, we scoured our years of packing lists and looked to our circle of globetrotting friends for their tested-and-approved picks. What we’ve come up with are the best travel gifts that won’t just be “stuff” under the tree…but the tools, resources, and ideas to inspire the travelers in your life.

Artist-designed HoneyTrek T-shirts & Totes

HoneyTrek swagWe’ve thought about creating HoneyTrek swag for years, but didn’t want to just slap a logo on a t-shirt. We wanted something that told the story of our crazy honeymoon, the beauty of travel, what the road has taught us, and why we keep coming back for more. That was a tall order, but working with the artist Santi Soulas and Wearable NFT Art, we now have three designs that do exactly that—and they look freakin’ awesome! Each NFT design (that’s a whole other story) was modified to fit beautifully on a tote, t-shirt, and tumbler, and given a QR code that scans through to the original art on the blockchain…unifying this mashup of crypto and fashion.

Show your HoneyTrek pride


 

The Lightest Snowshoes

Northern Lites SnowshoesBack when we were first dating, Mike bought me a pair of snowshoes for Christmas…which as a girl from Southern California was like being gifted a bowling ball to join him at “League Night.” A decade and a hundred snowshoe hikes later, I can tell you it’s one of the best Christmas gifts I’ve ever received. Floating over deep snow and traversing icy waterfalls, these shoes open up a world of winter adventures—no lift tickets, long lines, gear rental, or commute necessary. To give ourselves an upgrade from our old clunkers, we’re gifting each other a pair of Northern Lites—the world’s lightest snowshoes! From their hardcore Predator series to their ultra-light Race Waves (1.3 lb for the pair!), these snowshoes are the choice of Iditarod winners and snow bunnies alike. No matter which style you get, opt for their amazing speed bindings, which tighten with one pull, rather than taking off your gloves to fuss with multiple clips. And while $200 is not a drop in the bucket, they have a lifetime warranty, 1% of profits go to Parkinson’s Research, and for the cost of two lift tickets you’ll get unlimited snowy adventures.

Make the most of winter


 

A Better Travel Towel

best quick dry towelHotels and Airbnbs rarely offer towels that you can take to the beach, waterfall, or mountaintop picnic spot. And you wouldn’t even want to carry that bulky terrycloth for the day–much less haul one on a two-week trip. Packing your own compact, quick-dry, sand-resistant towel makes a ton of sense–from a space, time, and hygiene standpoint. We’ve always carried one, but we’ll admit it was less than stylish or sustainable–until now! We love these Nomadix towels, not just for their hipster motifs and reversible designs, but the fact they’re made from post-consumer plastic! And even with material from the equivalent of 30 disposable plastic bottles, they’re incredibly soft and durable—easily doubling as a travel yoga mat. Toss one in your luggage and keep one in your car for impromptu adventures.

Sop it up


 

Custom & Sustainable Bottles

Buy a NalgeneWe’ve been rocking Nalgene bottles since the 1990s—they’re simple, sturdy, BPA-free, and inline with our mission to reduce single-use plastics. But in the past year, they’ve really climbed the awesome scale with the addition of their customizable bottles and their new Sustain line. If you’re not on a strict Xmas delivery deadline (takes ~2 weeks to design and ship), Nalgene Custom lets you choose your vessel style then upload your own photos, text, and graphics for a truly one-of-a-kind gift. And it’s always a good time to get a Sustain bottle. This high-tech line reclaims single-use plastics destined for the landfill and crafts them into bottles that are guaranteed for life. Aside from the sweet Sustain graphic, we can’t tell the difference…but we know the planet will! Choose from seven fantastic colors.

Give a water bottle with heart

Jet Set Jewelry

Jet Set CandyWith the present travel restrictions, we all have an insatiable case of wanderlust. And while nothing can beat a first-class ticket to Europe, this nostalgic bling will certainly cheer up your favorite traveler! Passport stamps, IATA codes, iconic buildings, subway cards, maps, and details to make a globetrotter smile are etched into sterling silver and solid gold. With designs inspired from every continent and hundreds of regions around the globe, Jet Set Candy is sure to have something for everyone, from the Francophile to the California girl. We were gifted this Mexico luggage tag with a little airplane charm on the clasp after our second Mazatlan housesit and wearing it brings us closer to our casa away from casa.

Give me candy

Packable Daypack

Sinotron Lightweight PackableWe used to travel with just one daypack, but found ourselves having to gut it every time we took a hike. To avoid that hot mess, we now travel with a paper-thin second backpack, that’s ready to fill with our needs for the day’s trail or city streets. Our British buds at Neverending Voyage concur that “Packable daypacks are useful if you don’t want to use your main luggage when you are out exploring.” They tipped us off to Sinotron’s 22L backpack, which only weighs 7 ounces, but can hold everything the two of us need for the day, including a Nalgene-sized water bottle in the side pocket. Plus, at 12 bucks, it’s a no-risk addition to a traveler’s packing strategy.

Pack a better pack


 

For The Lovebirds

Couples Travel BookKnow someone who had a honeymoon or anniversary trip postponed in last year? Get them back on track with our book on couples adventure travel and the tools to make their dream getaway a reality. With our best global travel tips and 75 favorite destinations from our first five years on the road, this Nat Geo book still makes us proud. Especially when the AP puts it in their top 10 “Travel Books to Inspire Trips or Give as Gifts” or Forbes.com says, “This lively, engaging travelogue is pumped with invigorating ideas and advice galore” or in the wise words of BuzzFeed it’s “the perfect holiday gift to get the dude you like a lot.” Plus, it’s consistently in the top 3 books in Amazon’s “honeymoon travel” category, so we have a good feeling that your partner or that cute couple in your life will like it too. Pick up a copy on the indie BookShop.org or order a signed book through the HoneyTrek shop.

Get 39% off our Nat Geo book

Cheeky Travel Tees

Art of Wanderlust T-shirtsOur friends and the owners of Art of Wanderlust hand-delivered these adorable shirts to us on the shores of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. And while this dreamy scenario made us instantly fall in love with these tees, their baby soft fabric and smile-inducing expressions keep us wearing them again and again. And by that I mean, it’s the T-shirt Mike wears more than anything in his wardrobe. As they say at Art of Wanderlust, “Each product is designed to inspire a life of adventure and to provide a daily reminder that life is too short not to be lived fully.” We love that motto and that they add a few laughs along the way. (“Adventure? Alpaca my bags” lol). Give someone their new go-to tee, all while giving back—10% of profits from every purchase are donated to Charity Water or Against Malaria Foundation.

Find loveable tees

Couples Travel Hammock

The Best Travel HammockA lot of people are upgrading their backyard accessories for their ongoing staycation, but why not get something that can work at home and abroad? Jenn and Ed of Coleman Concierge recommend this breathable, quick-dry nylon hammock that packs down to 9″ x 6″. “A travel hammock is a little luxury that makes chill-time in the outdoors that much more zen. This one rocks because it fits two…double the chill.” Until the next time you can swing between two palm trees in the Caribbean, this couples hammock will see you through.

Create an oasis

Safe & Stylish Getaways

Glamping BookWe’ve always known the benefits of glamping—fresh air, private accommodations, family connections, communing with nature, and enjoying wide open spaces—we just didn’t realize “social distancing” would be added to the list. Boutique outdoor accommodations are the safest and most fabulous way to stay right now and we’re proud to have written an award-winning guide on the topic. Comfortably Wild: The Best Glamping Destinations in North America is the culmination of our 3-year, 73,000-mile, 9-country quest for the most unforgettable outdoor accommodations. You’ll find fabulous treehouses, Airstreams, domes, teepees, and more creative structures, plus uncommon adventures and inspiring people. Organized by type of experience (farmstays, wellness retreats, safaris, etc), this book is about discovering new ways to immerse yourself in the great outdoors and reconnect with the people you love. To make this gift extra personal, we can sign a copy with the message of your choosing.

Go glamping

A Children’s Book for Budding Explorers

The Adventures of Goldie and BennieBack in 2015, Rikki and her husband Jared took our Trip Coach course to prepare for their seven-month journey around the world. We shared our best tips—from finances to safety to itineraries—and they took their dream trip across Africa, Asia, and South America. Five years later, Rikki has published a children’s book about their adventures in some of our favorite places on the planet. Illustrated with beautiful watercolors and written with whimsy, this book would make any kid want to be an explorer. So hold off on the fairytales about unicorns and mythical kingdoms; show kids the lost city of Machu Picchu, big game of the Maasai Mara, shimmering glaciers of Patagonia, and the real wonders of the world.

Expand a kid’s horizons


 

Nimble Luggage

Best Eagle Creek BagWith limited storage space in the camper and our propensity for adventure travel, we don’t do rollie suitcases anymore. It’s all about duffel bags, particularly those that double as a backpack for easy maneuvering. Our intrepid buddy Angel The Travel Ambassador has taken his Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel (made of recycled car windshields!) all over the world and ranks it as his “go-to.” Eagle Creek is also one of our favorite outdoor brands for their adventure-tested designs and “No Matter What” lifetime warranty. We own the 45-liter Gear Warrior Travel Pack and love how much we can cram in without exceeding carry-on size.

Carry this on

Super Sandals

Keen sandalsWe visited our friends Caz and Craig in the heat of summer for a hike. As I’m grimacing at my heavy hiking boots and socks, she is slipping on her breezy pink Keens. It should come as no surprise that she included these Clearwater CNX hiking sandals in their Y Travel Blog gift guide and that I’m finally going to get a pair. She says, “They are like wearing a comfy pair of socks with holes in them so you have heaps of room to breathe…I’ve had them for 3 years AND they still look brand new and are comfy as ever.” An ultra versatile pair of shoes is what every traveler needs.

Slip these under the tree

The Justifiable Selfie Stick

Selfie stick and tripodThe vain concept of a selfie stick has always bugged the heck out of us. That isn’t to say that we haven’t had 100 instances standing at a gorgeous vistapoint and wished we had one—or a tripod for that matter. That’s why this combo device, recommended by our friend the Casual Travelist, caught our eye. She says, “Lightweight and compact, it’s perfect for travel photography and for Facetime to keep in touch with friends and family.” And heaven knows that during this never-ending pandemic, we’re all using our phones for video chats more often and don’t want strangers touching our phone for a pic. At only four ounces and serving the function of two devices (with a remote control thrown in!), it will be worth its weight and sacrifice in pride.

Be snap happy


 

Road Trip Smarts

RV hacks by the bennettsThe popularity of RVing has soared in the past two years so you’re bound to know someone who hit the road in a camper (or splurged on one). We’re honored that the founders of RV Love and bestselling authors Marc & Julie Bennett asked Mike and me to contribute a section to their new book RV Hacks and be official reviewers (with a HoneyTrek quote on the back