Holiday Gift Guide for World Travelers

The holiday season has arrived, and while we’re always busy dreaming of new destinations and travel experiences more than ever, we know there are stockings to be stuffed and gifts to be wrapped.

As a traveler yourself, there’s bound to be at least one or two loved ones on your holiday gift list who are equally as passionate about all things travel. Here at Classic Journeys, our team logs hundreds of hours of flight time, and hundreds of thousands of miles, jet setting around the globe from Morocco and Italy to Chile and Vietnam. So, we’ve tested first-hand multitudes of travel accessories, gear and must-haves, and curated only the best into our holiday gift guide for travelers.

Read on below for expert recommendations for everything from the best travel bags to must-haves travel hacks, straight from the Classic Journeys team of experts. You’ll be good to go whether you go around the world or no further than your own state.

Scratch The World Map 

Curtesy of MapsInternationalUSA.

A great gift for a fellow traveler, family, Secret Santa, or yourself! You start off with a foil map, then using a coin, scratch off the foil for any country or state you’ve visited. The more you travel, the more colorful the map gets! There are plenty of different versions on the market, this one is from a small business on Etsy called MapsInternationalUSA.

MZOO Memory Foam Sleep Mask

Courtesy of Amazon

This sleeping mask is a must whenever you get on a long flight. It’s a bit more comfortable compared to other eye masks because it’s slightly raised and doesn’t touch your eyes. The straps also make it adjustable, and it’s on Amazon Prime for last-minute shopping.

J.Jill Cashmere Wrap

Courtesy of J.Jill

Lots of us get chilly on flights, and an ultra-soft and versatile cashmere wrap is a go-to item to keep warm – while not sacrificing on style or luxury. This J.Jill one doubles as a blanket – exactly what you need to stay cozy and comfortable during flights – and compliments outfits as a scarf when out at night having dinner or colder days spent exploring European cities.

Universal Travel Adapter and Voltage Converter

Courtesy of Amazon

This all-in-one adapter and converter is a must for international travels – saving you from accidentally frying your electronics abroad. Available on Amazon, it also features USB slots and plugs, so it’s ideal for charging all kinds of devices.

23 And Me Kit

Courtesy of 23 And Me

For the traveler who has everything else! The 23 And Me kit is more than a material gift, telling you where your DNA comes from across over 2000 regions worldwide. It could inspire their next trip (send us the results, and we can arrange a Heritage Tour matched to the ancestry results!).

Try The World Food Subscription

Courtesy of The Try World Food Subscription

For the foodie traveler, this subscription from Try The World delivers a monthly box of delicious cooking ingredients, snacks and drinks to your recipients door. Each box is a different country, and with one arriving each month, your loved one gets to enjoy that holiday gift excitement throughout the year.

Trtl Super Soft Travel Pillow

This travel pillow is a dream – and our team has tested A LOT. It is relatively compact, way more comfortable than blow-up travel pillows, and keeps you from the dreaded head bobble. There’s nothing better than waking up in a new destination feeling actually rested and ready for adventure!

Allbirds Wool Loungers

Courtesy of Allbirds

A staple for long flights and car journeys, this chic and comfy shoes can be dressed up or down when you’re relaxing in your hotel. Plus, they’re made of renewable materials (the sole is made from Brazilian sugarcane!) which makes them a great gift for eco conscious friends and family!

Away Bigger Carry-On

Courtesy of Away Travel 

Classic Journeys founder Edward Piegza has always bragged to us about being able to fit everything he needs for any of our tours into a carry-on. Don’t want to check luggage and wait for it post-flight? Perfect. This Bigger Carry-On from Away Travel was recommended by him, and a lot of us use it! Everything you need fits in this luggage that never has to leave my side on flights. It also comes with a battery that can charge your phone and a TSA-approved lock.

Priority Pass

Courtesy of Priority Pass

Long layover? Who cares – Priority pass provides access to 1300+ lounges all around the world, meaning more comfortable seats, complimentary snacks and drinks, and peaceful, relaxing spaces await you wherever you go. Plus, members enjoy special savings on airport shopping, spa and dining worldwide. Annual membership comes at an affordable price and includes 24-hour support, a mobile app and new perks daily.

Arden Cove Anti-Theft Crossbody Purses or Backpacks

Courtesy of Arden Cove

A good travel bag is arguably one of the most essential travel accessories, and just like neck pillows, we’ve tried them all! These Arden Cove bags are slash-resistant and have locking zippers and chain straps so you don’t have to worry about a lost passport or losing your sunnies. Plus, they have built-in card slots that are lined with RFID blocking materials to keep your identity and credit cards safe. And, they’re waterproof for unexpected weather while traveling!

Leatherology Jewelry Travel Case

Courtesy of Leatherology

For jewelry wearers, this Leatherology case is sleek, just the right size for your carry on, and organizes and protects all kinds of jewelry. It’s the right price point for easy gifting to your accessory-loving travelers, and can be monogrammed for an extra personal touch.

Eagle Creek Packing Cubes

Courtesy of Eagle Creek

Travel packing cubes are amazing to fit a LOT of clothing in a carry-on or checked bag…These Eagle Creek ones come in various colors and prints for style lovers, and there are also more lightweight and water-resistant options for your move adventurous travel destinations. Keeps things compact so you have more room in your suitcase to bring home fun goodies from your travels!

Allies of Skin’s Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist

Courtesy of Allies of Skin 

Defined as “a godsend for thirsty skin,” the Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist by skincare haven Allies of Skin is a perfect hybrid of alcohol-free aloe and rosewater infused with a harmonizing blend of Probiotics and 6 Antioxidants. You’ll find this award-winning mist is perfect when you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up or refresher throughout a long flight or stopover, or count on its restorative nutrients to counteract the effects of jetlag and travelers’ fatigue. The best part? Your new favorite go-to has no silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes or fragrances, mineral oils and is never tested on animals!

Athleta Travel Blazer

Courtesy of Athleta

Want to wear sweats to the airport, but not look like you’re wearing sweats? This blazer is the best type of Athleisure. You’ll look put together (even if you’re not! *speaking from experience*).

Leatherology Tech Cord Roll

Courtesy of Leatherology

The perfect stocking stuffer. No-one likes pulling a phone charger out of a bag to find 8 billion things come with it. Leatherology’s Italian leather is high-quality, ensuring your tech cord roll will last over many travels – plus, it comes in a range of color options!

Carry-On Cocktail Kits

Courtesy of Food52

Mix something a bit more elevated than plastic mini wines and either ease the sorrow of your vacation being over or reflect on your recent experiences with your travel companion over a proper cocktail. The cute travel tins from Food52 are TSA-approved, fit perfectly into a stocking, and include options for a wide range of tastes, from Old Fashioneds and Moscow Mules to Margaritas and Hot Toddys. Cheers!

Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II

Courtesy of Bose

To cancel ALL the noise. Crying baby? No biggie. A person who likes to talk on planes? Can’t hear you! Just watch out because you may not want to sleep through the meal service (or complimentary vino) with these things from Bose. You can also pair the Bose headphones with this mask.

Patagonia Performance Better Sweater Fleece Jacket

Courtesy of Patagonia

A perfect Patagonia piece for a put-together athleisure travel outfit. It’s just the right weight for both rushing through airports and sitting on a freezing plane, or going from sunny SoCal to somewhere more wintery. The chest pocket holds your phone and my passport for getting through security lines easily, the fabric has the perfect amount of stretch for playing contortionist to find a comfortable sleeping position, and the fitted cut makes you feel somewhat polished when deplaning even when just pairing it with leggings and sneakers.

Amazon Fire 7

Courtesy of Amazon

For those of us that love to read, but don’t have space, behold the great Amazon tablet. It has all your favorite apps for watching TV and movies, plus storage for tons of books. It won’t replace your iPad, but this tablet gets you all the essentials for under $40.00 and is a great gift for travelers.

Hopefully, our holiday gift guide for travelers has covered many of your gifting needs for your favorite globetrotters this season.

For the ultimate gift, consider giving the gift of travel experiences, which studies have been shown to make us happier above material things. Just contact our team to learn more about upcoming travel tours you can book and wrap up with a bow – truly a gift that will last a lifetime!

Wishing you all a very happy festive season, and cheers to upcoming travel adventures in the new year!

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