Traveling around the world can bring both pleasure and pain. The pleasure comes from having the free time and the financial wherewithal to journey to exciting new lands and experience amazing new adventures. The painful aspect comes in when we realize that we’ve just sojourned halfway across the planet without bringing along some of the most important conveniences that make our modern lives just this side of bearable. If you know a traveler, it’s likely they have experienced this scenario as well, so give them something that they will always keep with them on their travels. Here are 10 amazing gifts for the adventurer in your life.
1. 11+ World Clock
The average price of one of these sweet travel sized clocks is $49, and it’s well worth the investment. If you’re looking for a handy, portable item that will always keep you in the know when it’s time to check up on your loved ones, the 11+ World Clock is a sure fire travel investment must.
SFX member Carlita Sarnis from St. Petersburg uses this smart clock. “We have vacation exchanges in the Caribbean and Pacific islands so we are constantly traveling overseas. This makes it easy to know when we can Skype our granddaughter on her time.”
2. Cocktail Kit
The average cost of one of these handy all in one kits is $25. Cocktail kits contain practically everything you need to mix yourself a sweet cocktail in even the most cramped and pressing conditions. Whether on a plane, a train, or a rickshaw, if you’re in the mood for a quick pick me up (or a belt to the lip, take your pick), a cocktail kit will serve you in a pinch.
3. Travel Size Games
One of the best items you can bring along on your trip, especially if you’re traveling with children in tow, is a nice set of travel sized games. No matter where you’re headed, from Constantinople to Timbuktu, you’re sure to have an easier time of it if you pack along some handy travel sized editions of checkers, backgammon, tic tac toe, Chutes & Ladders, and the like. For an average cost of $10, you can have a travel sized edition of games that will keep you and your family occupied for hours of engaging, time filling, fun.
4. Peshtemal Towels
Once you reach your vacation spot, you’ll be kicking yourself if you suddenly realize you didn’t bring along a comfy towel! And, no, this doesn’t only apply to Douglas Adams fans hitch hiking throughout the galaxy. Even though the resort you’re staying at is sure to load you up with plenty of temporary linen, you’ll still feel funny wearing a bathrobe with a hotel monogram on it.
Solution? Buy some luxurious Peshtemal towels for $20 and bring them along with you. Whether relaxing on the beach, or drying off after a long spell in the sauna, you’ll have the comfort and convenience of your own first class Turkish towel to look forward to.
5. Aqua Vault
One of the biggest concerns you’ll have while traveling is for the safety of your essential goods, such as your wallet, iPhone, identification cards, and the like. An Aqua Vault travel safe is an excellent item to bring along. At an average cost of $25, this is one handy little item that will save you a great deal of time, trouble, and (potentially) money. The Aqua Vault is reliable, portable, and comes in a range of travel friendly colors.
6. City-specific gift baskets from Hazel Lane
Dolores from Bismarck raves: “Hazel Lane gift boxes are a great way to get acquainted with the feel of a new city, even before you get there.” Ranging in price from $60 to $150, these excellent city themed gift boxes from Hazel Lane are an excellent gift for travelers who are about to make the journey to a famous location. The boxes are packed with city specific curios and handy items, such as post cards, T-shirts, samples of local snacks, and other attractive, tourist themed goodies.
7. Violife Slim Sonic Electric Travel Toothbrush
Ever traveled clear across the country (or the globe), only to discover you’d left behind your toothbrush? Want to risk leaving your hotel in the middle of the night, trusting to your shaky command of Swahili, in order to obtain a new one? You’re simply better off preordering a Violife Slim Electric Travel Toothbrush for a measly $10-$15. Forewarned is forearmed (or forebrushed, as the case may be).
8. Outlander Packable Handy Lightweight Travel Backpack Daypack
Of course, part of the joy of traveling to a whole new location halfway across the world is the freedom you have to move around and explore the strange new terrain. One of the safest and most convenient ways to do so is to come prepared with a handy, travel sized backpack. The Outlander Packable Handy Lightweight Travel Backpack Daypack, priced between $15-$20 on average, is an excellent addition to your travel complement. These backpacks are lightweight, packed with plenty of compartments for essential items, and stylish to boot.
9. Portable Motion Detector Alarm
Ranging in price from $15 to $30 on average, a portable motion detector alarm is a handy item to give to a friend or loved one who may be traveling to an area where security may not be up to first world standards. Even if you’re just heading down to the Jersey Shore, one of these nifty little gadgets will surely contribute to your sense of security and overall peace of mind. Attach it to your door and sleep in safety!
10. Travel USB Charger
Never travel anywhere, even the shortest distance, without a portable USB charger. You can score one of these babies for $10-$15 on average, and they’re well worth it. If you’ve ever needed to charge a cell phone at 3 a.m. to call a tow truck to get you out of a jam, you’re well aware of what we mean. This is, by far, one of the handiest and best travel gifts you can ever bestow on a loved one or friend.
Always Be Prepared
Traveling long distances without first having made adequate preparations for emergencies happens more often than most of us are willing to admit. However, there is a solution: Plan ahead by reading plenty of handy articles (like this one) that furnish would be world tourists with handy lists of convenient items that take the stress and boredom out of the traveling experience!
