Travel Gift Ideas for 2023: Practical Presents for Every Type of Explorer

Holiday season is in full swing! If you haven’t already whipped out those lists and started shopping, NOW is the time! Stuck on what to snag for your favorite peeps? Fear not! Our 2023 gift guide is here to save the day! Whether your friends and loved ones are jet-setters or daydreaming about a quick getaway, we’ve got the perfect presents lined up.
Now, here’s the kicker: while our list is travel-inspired, these gifts aren’t just for the nomads among us. They’re for everyone seeking a touch of adventure or relaxation, even if it’s just in their own backyard.
In the interest of full disclosure, this holiday gift guide contains affiliate links. Using them supports our work and helps us keep our site going – without any extra cost to you. So if you are using this guide, we would be super grateful if you do your gift shopping through these links. We have done our best to curate our favorite products to recommend to you! So, kick back, grab some eggnog, and let’s dive into these 12 categories of awesomeness. It’s shopping time, folks! 







Digital Must-Haves



Ed is not so secretly hoping to get these babies in his stocking. The Dnniakm Bone Conduction Headphones are so waterproof and sweatproof you can wear them swimming! Their open-ear safety design has a secure fit but allows you to be aware of your surroundings even when in motion, making them a great choice for cycling!


















Earpods make a great gift for anyone. Whether traveling, working out, or just relaxing to your own sounds. We especially like these models for quality and weather resistance. We have a higher end model and one for more mid-priced one for both Apple and Android below.



Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) Wireless Bluetooth Ear Buds – Sweat and Water Resistant, Lightning Charging Case 



Bose QuietComfort Ultra Noise Cancelling Earbuds-Bluetooth Wireless Earphones



B eats Fit Pro – True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds – Compatible with Apple & Android







Never be caught outside again with a dead battery. This portable solar power bank is high efficiency, super fast, and waterproof!







BLAVOR Solar Power Bank













Friends don’t let friends lose charge. This pocket-sized portable phone charger charges two phones at once with speed, temperature control, and surge protection.







INIU Portable Charger













From cell phones to cameras to laptops, when traveling the world we have a myriad of devices we need to charge on the reg. That’s where an International Travel Adapter comes in. This one is super compact with 4 USB ports and works in over 150 countries.







International Travel Adapter, Worldwide Travel Charger with 4 USB Ports













Sometimes one of the more frustrating things while travel is finding good wi-fi. The obvious answer is to carry your own. The SIMO Solis Lite is a mobile WiFi hotspot & power bank combo with lifetime data and 4G LTE. 







SIMO Solis Lite 4G LTE Portable WiFi Mobile Hotspot with Lifetime Data

















Don’t get scammed at the mechanic again, get FIXD! FIXD plugs into any gas, diesel or hybrid car – 1996 and newer (no tools or pros required!). It instantly tells you why your ‘Check Engine Light’ is on, how bad it is, and even estimates the repair bill! (all in simple and easy to understand terms). It’s like having a mechanic in your pocket, which we absolutely love!







FIXD













Photography Pros and Wanna-Be Pros
If you don’t have a photo it didn’t happen…right? Taking great photos is a must to capture those special moments in life. The SeaLife Micro 3.0 is my underwater go-to—loaded with manual adjustability, 4 underwater shooting modes, built-in color correction, and the Dragon Dual beam light set. This lightweight camera is a perfect companion for adventures on land and underwater.







SeaLife Micro 3.0 Pro Dual Beam Set with Sea Dragon 3000SF Pro Dual Beam 3000 COB LED Lumens Photo-Video Light and Micro 3.0 Underwater Camera











The gift Jenn is not so secretly coveting for video and still shots while in action is the Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition . The Insta360 is a versatile camera setup with a core module and two lenses: a 4K Wide Angle Mod and a 5.7K 360 Mod. It offers high-resolution shooting, 360-degree capture, and various modes for different shooting styles. Its modularity and durability allows for diverse shooting needs such as action sports.


















Jenn’s must-have accessory is the Insta360 3m 9.8ft Extended Edition Selfie Stick . This sturdy stick will allow you to get those sweeping shots from above in places you can’t fly a drone.




















Speaking of drones…the DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone is a great choice for a starter or a travel drone. The ultralight Mini 4 Pro is DJI’s most advanced mini-camera drone to date. It integrates powerful imaging capabilities, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, ActiveTrack 360° with the new Trace Mode, bringing even more things to love for pros and beginners alike. Included is the DJI remote controller with a built-in DJI Fly app (that does not require your phone!). Great for travelers weighing in at 249 grams, making it easy to carry and fly in most countries without training or exams.







DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone













This camera has literally been a game-changer for me! This lightweight, mirrorless, full-frame camera by Sony packs in a whopping 42.4 megapixels for tack-sharp images. It is also consistently at the top of the list(s) for being one of the best cameras for epic astrophotography…to which I say…HELL YEA!!







Sony a7R III Mirrorless Camera: 42.4MP Full-Frame High Resolution Digital Camera













The #1 tip all professional photographers will tell you to getting tack-sharp gorgeous photos is stabilizing the camera with a tripod. Most are big and bulky but not the Joby Gorilla Pod. Small, strong, flexible, and stable, it is a great way to get great shots on the go.







JOBY GorillaPod 3K Kit. Compact Tripod













Out hiking or playing and want to shoot photos, but also want to keep your hand free sometimes? Enter the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3. It h olds your camera during any physical activity while providing instant access for picture taking.







Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3













Nothing hampers a good shot more than a dirty lens. This lens pen is compact and will work like a charm for all of your optical items.







Nikon Lens Pen Cleaning System













Travel Organized and Safe
Packing cubes are on every avid traveler/ travel bloggers gift guide, and for good reason! I never understood what all the hoopla was about until we traveled to Thailand for almost a month with only a backpack. These babies keep your items organized and separated (think dirty stinky clothes) and packed so compactly you can fit more in your pack then you realized. These ones are our favorite.







BAGAIL 6 Set Packing Cubes,3 Various Sizes Travel Luggage Packing Organizers











It was time for an upgraded computer bag, so we ordered a Knack Series 2: Medium. When we unpacked the box, I thought we had ordered a piece of tech hiking gear. The pack was more outdoor chic than a perfunctory office tool. It wasn’t until I unzipped the main pocket and slid my laptop in that I started to believe it was a computer bag. After I found storage compartments for all my cables and accessories, I was convinced of its functionality.





Knack Series 2 Computer Bag













Carry all of your important travel documents like ID, passport, and credit cards in one organized place without fear of ID theft via scanning with an RFID blocking travel organizer.







Pacsafe RFIDsafe V200 Anti-Theft RFID Blocking Travel Organizer













Looking for something more compact? This one is also RFID blocking and great for men and women.







RFID Blocking Leather Travel Passport Holder and Bifold Wallet













Not only is it important to keep your passport and credit cards safe while traveling, you also want to protect your phone. Being a bit of a klutz, I love the Lifeproof case. Ed tends to be hard on both phones and cases, so can confirm that Lifeproof has great customer service and a  fast responsive warranty department.
Lifeproof FRE Waterproof Case for iPhone
Lifeproof FRE Waterproof Case for Samsung





















On the Road (or Plane) in Comfort
Ever wish you could sleep while sitting straight up? Whether in a plane, train, or automobile, you too can sleep in comfort with this handy memory foam travel pillow.  We dig this guy because it comes with a soft washable cover and its own travel bag.







Cabeau Evolution Memory Foam Travel Pillow













We love to travel, but our biggest complaint is awful pillows. We have bamboo pillows at home, and they are amaz-balls! We are now ruined for all other pillows. Luckily we can now take our favorite pillow from home on the road without the bulk and never suffer a poor nights sleep again.







Camping and Travel Pillow with Memory foam Bamboo Cover with Stuff Sack
Coop Home Goods – Lulltra Hypoallergenic Zippered Pillow Protector





















Sometimes you just gotta block it all out to get a bit of rest. This set by Bedtime Bliss includes a sleep mask and earplugs in its own carry case to help you get some shut-eye.







Sleep Mask and Ear Plug Set by Bedtime Bliss – Includes Carry Pouch













There is nothing that says relaxation more than slipping into some soft fuzzy sox. These are especially great because they have grippers on the bottom to keep you from losing that chill vibe with a fall on your bootie.







Slipper Socks for Women and Men Fleece Socks Gripper Cozy Socks













Practical and Pampering Personal Care Products
One of the things that I always found challenging was how to fly carry-on and still have great hair. TSA allowances don’t allow for much liquid, and I hate all those little plastic bottles. Then I discovered shampoo and conditioner bars. These left my hair clean, soft and smelling delish. They also come with their own plastic container.







Shampoo & Condition Bars: Includes 2 Shampoo Bars + 1 Conditioner Bar + 2 Travel Containers













There is nothing better than CBD to help what ails you. We are especially fond of this broad-spectrum CBD roll-on for sore and aching muscles! This powerful muscle and joint formula immediately cools and soothes providing long-lasting relief in a non-greasy formula.







LEEF- Recover CBD Roll-on













While out on travel it is key to have 1 convenient toiletry bag that you can not only fit everything in, but you can easily find and access your items. These two are our winners for him and her.
Gonex Dopp Kit Shaving Bag Toiletry Organizer Black
Mermaid Travel Cosmetic Bag





















Say goodbye to your old toothbrush container. Keep your teeth and yourself healthy with this UV Toothbrush Sanitizer Case. Eliminates up to 99.9% of the germs and bacteria on your toothbrush.







UV Toothbrush Sanitizer Case












No matter who you are or what you have going, a travel towel is a darn good thing to have. We especially like this one because its large enough to use after the shower, soft, quick drying and super compact.







XL Microfiber Travel Towel with FREE Hand Towel with Carrying Bag













Eco-Warriors Making a Difference
When shopping, we make a point to use our own reusable grocery bags, but with both of us being blonde, we tend to forget them in the car. With these bags, that is a problem of the past. They fit in my purse, are washable and can carry up to 28 lb comfortably.







5 Pack Eco-Friendly Large Foldable Grocery Tote Bag












One of the best things you can do for the oceans and baby sea turtles is to eliminate plastic straws, but what if you are a straw fan? We love these reusable straws. All the fun of straw sipping, and eco-conscious to boot.







Stainless Steel Straws Set of 8 BPA Free Reusable Drinking Straws













Speaking of being blonde, Ed and I are also quite fair-skinned. If Ed had his druthers he’d rock a full body latex onesie at the beach, lol! Being avid scuba divers, it is important to us keep the reefs just as safe as we want to keep our skin. This point was reinforced to us on our ethical snorkeling trip to Key West . That’s why this reef-safe biodegradable sunscreen is our new best friend.







Coral Safe All Natural Biodegradable Sunscreen SPF 30













Care for your pearly whites while you wage war on plastic with a recyclable bamboo toothbrush. They are environmentally friendly with charcoal activated bristles while gentle on your teeth. It comes with mint flovored charcoal dental floss.







Greenzla Bamboo Toothbrush (4 Pack) With Travel Toothbrush Case & Charcoal Dental Floss













Do you want all the goodness of bottled water, none of the badness and waste of single-use plastic bottles? We make sure we have this guy with us at all times, especially on International travel. We stay hydrated and don’t contribute to the plastic waste epidemic.







20 Ounce Sports Water Bottle with Filter – BPA Free













Outdoor Enthusiasts and Aficionados
Since moving to Florida, it has become even more apparent that if we want to get outside and play there will usually be water involved. Whether we are kayaking, paddleboarding, canyoneering, or just taking a hike, there is always a chance of the random (or not so random) downpour. That’s why this daypack/ drybag is our new favorite.







FE Active – 30L Eco-Friendly Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack













A headlamp makes a useful and practical gift for any outdoor lover on your list. This one is bright enough for most uses (although if you want to use it for cycling we’d recommend at least 360 lumens) and is both lightweight and convenient with USB changeability.







USB Rechargeable Headlamp Flashlight – 180 Lumen













My must-have hiking product is collapsible hiking poles