The best Christmas travel gifts: 38 presents for explorers and armchair travellers

• 2024-12-09
• Travel
• News Desk

The best Christmas travel gifts: 38 presents for explorers and armchair travellers From maps and kit to travel-themed treats and accessories, here are fun present ideas for the wanderlusters in your life Not sure what to get friends and family for Christmas ? Fear not, we have plenty of ideas for a last-minute present. Our carefully chosen selection of travel-inspired gifts ranges from the practical to the indulgent, with great books for the armchair traveller and outdoor gear for the active. Maybe a cool new suitcase for weekends away would suit, or a stylish eco wash kit designed for travel? For those who have it all, perhaps opt for an experience to remember. Vouchers for vineyard visits, hotel breaks or afternoon tea may hit the spot. Happy shopping … and happy holidays! Travel books The Joy of Quiet Places In this era of overtourism, give the gift of 180 peaceful escapes in this Lonely Planet book. £22.99 lonelyplanet.com Why We Travel One for mindful travellers: Ash Bhardwaj asks what motivates us to venture out into the world and how we can do it better. £20 guardianbookshop.com The Tree Atlas Matthew Collins’ book spotlights 50 amazing trees, ideal for armchair adventurers as well as those who want to visit them in the wild. £35 lonelyplanet.com The Balkan Kitchen Irina Janakievska weaves together recipes, anecdotes and beautiful photography from her Balkan homeland. £24.30 guardianbookshop.com Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Journeys Caroline Eden reflects on past global adventures and cooks recipes from her travels. £17.09 guardianbookshop.com Lamb’s London Fans of the hit spy show Slow Horses will love Herb Lester’s map and guide to Jackson Lamb’s London . £12 herblester.com Gift vouchers for getaways National Trust National Trust’s Hardwick Hall. Photograph: ImagesBV/Alamy Treat a couple to a day out with the National Trust’s Unboxed gift experience, which includes entry to an NT property, parking and a cream tea. £50 nationaltrust.org.uk The Wine Garden of England A tour of Gusbourne vineyard. These new gift vouchers allow recipients to choose one of eight Kent vineyards to visit for a discounted tour and tasting, with options including Chapel Down and Gusbourne. From £40 winegardenofengland.co.uk Kip Hideaways Kip Hideaways Wilderness Cabins in Oban. These beautiful gift cards can be put towards a self-catering escape in any of the collection’s 200-plus UK cabins and cottages. From £50 kiphideaways.com The Retreat Company These vouchers are valid for selected workshops and retreats, from art to yoga. From £25 theretreatcompany.com PoB Hotels PoB Hotels’ Cottonmill Spa. Photograph: Adam Lynk This collection of independent hotels across the UK has monetary and experience vouchers to be redeemed against a meal, spa day or stay. Monetary vouchers from £75 pobhotels.com Experience vouchers from £50 pobhotels.com The best travel kit gifts Eye mask Gift a good night’s sleep on a long journey or in a bright tent with an eye mask from the British Red Cross, made in Nepal from recycled sari remnants. £5.99 giftshop.redcross.org.uk Phone wallet Help a teen (or adult) keep their valuables safe with a bright, wearable phone holder and card purse from the Tate, made from waterproof cotton canvas with a recycled cotton lining. £24 shop.tate.org.uk Drop recycled wash kit Passenger has a great travel drop wash kit inspired by road trips. It has three drop-down compartments with a hanger – ideal for camping – and is made from recycled polyester. £29.95 passenger-clothing.com Packing cubes Packing cubes help organise and optimise space in a suitcase. Joules has a set of three with a lovely damask print and a drawstring bag. £40 joules.com Underseat suitcase The Jetset 15-inch underseat suitcase by Lugg is very stylish and spacious enough for long weekends. £29.74 lugg-online.com Activewear gifts for explorers Tulum recycled towel poncho Outdoor swimmers and water-sport enthusiasts will love Passenger’s Tulum towel poncho, made from recycled polyester. £29.98 passenger-clothing.com Brighton Water Shoes These unisex shoes are perfect for swimming and walking on pebbles. They come in a range of colours inspired by Brighton beach, from Palace Pier Pink to Sea Green. £18.99 brightonwatershoes.co.uk Floating keyrings Behaviour Change Cornwall makes a range of accessories, including floating keyrings, from ghost fishing gear such as buoys, floats and nets. £14.99 behaviourchangecornwall.co.uk Recycled plastic carabiner Climbers will treasure a unique Müll Club carabiner made from recycled household plastic – perhaps a yellow one from Marmite lids, or a purple one from Quality Street tubs. £14 mull-club.co.uk The best accessories gifts Handmade bracelets and necklaces El Camino allows travellers to show off their adventures on handmade bracelets and necklaces created to reflect the countries and cities visited and nature experiences such as the northern lights and dolphin-watching. From £32.99 elcaminobracelets.com Bobble beanie The National Gallery has a cosy merino wool bobble beanie in the colours of a hawfinch, designed to raise awareness of endangered birds. £45 shop.nationalgallery.org.uk Sustainable umbrella No sensible traveller leaves home without an umbrella. Kew Gardens has one made from recycled plastic bottles and sustainably sourced birch with a fun “magic of mushrooms” design. £38 shop.kew.org Cosy socks These are a must on most active holidays. Wild Wool sells pairs made in small family-run workshops in Spain, using offcuts from the textile industry (ie recycled wool and cotton). £23 welovewildwool.com Lightweight slippers Another essential for travellers, the Baggu Puffy Slippers from Plastic Freedom are made from recycled nylon and fleece, with designs including constellations and flowers. £40.80 plasticfreedom.co.uk Wellness gifts for R&R Scented candles The Royal Academy has various scented candles made by sustainable brand Rekava in Ukraine, with aromas of the country, such as a