Looking for a gift for a travel-minded loved one? Look no further than these seven suggestions from the YourLifeChoices travel editor.
The Definitive Bucket List: Travel Experiences in Australia and New Zealand by Lee Atkinson
If there’s one travel book that really should be in your bookshelf, it’s this one. Known for her extensive travels throughout Australia by car and whatever means available, it may be fair to say that no-one knows this wide brown land like Lee. Author of other gems Australia’s Best Nature Escapes and Driving Holidays Around Australia, and protagonist of The Big Lap, Lee shares adventures ideal for the young at heart, with hundreds of holiday ideas across Australia and New Zealand. Even if it doesn’t get you packing, the images – many of which are taken by Lee – will provide the perfect armchair travel companion.
Give the gift of choice – Travel gift cards
Can’t think of a gift for the traveller who’s seen it and has it all? Why not let them decide? There’s nothing wrong with giving your worldly recipient a travel gift card, so they can put it towards their next experience. Flight Centre gift cards can be purchased as physical cards instore or online, or as online gift e-gift cards that can be emailed or sent to your recipient any time. They’re great for putting towards a larger travel experience. Red Balloon cards are the same, and can be put towards food, flying, health or wellness treatments or any number of experiences available on the Red Balloon site. Virgin Australia gift cards can be put towards flights or holiday packages available on the Virgin website.
Translator T-shirt by IKONSPEAK
This useful T-shirt is printed with 40 universal icons designed to help you out in situations where you don’t speak the local language.
“Many times we were confronted with a language barrier that was only to be overcome by drawing signs, symbols or icons on a piece of paper, map, or into the dirt,” explain creators George, Steven and Florian.
“We thought it would be great to have an essential set of icons with you, permanently, so that you could just point on whatever you need – and people would understand. Soon the notepad was pulled out again and we started listing more or less essential icons that would have been of great help during not just ours, but basically anyone’s trip.”
Bewildered by Laura Waters
After the implosion of a toxic relationship and a crippling bout of anxiety, nature nomad and YourLifeChoices contributor Laura Waters set out to walk the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand, 3000 kilometres of raw, wild, mountainous trail winding from the top of the North Island to the frosty tip of the South Island. Two days in, her walking partner bailed on the hike, and Laura was faced with a choice: abandon the journey, or face her fears and continue on alone. She chose the latter. Bewildered is Laura’s story of self-discovery on her epic walk through New Zealand’s untamed countryside, and a great read for anyone let alone the intrepid traveller in your life.
Mystery Break voucher
Want a gift tinged with mystery for you and the receiver? Virgin offers these super cool Mystery Breaks gift vouchers, with which the recipient can choose their departure location and dates, but their holiday destination will be a thrilling surprise. Mystery Breaks gift vouchers are valid for 3 years.
Slow Travel by Penny Watson
Penny Watson is one heck of a travel writer, evident by the numerous awards and titles to her name. Penny has travelled the world and, as author of Pocket Precincts: Hong Kong and Pocket Precincts: London, has learnt a thing or two about delving into destinations to find the best opportunities for cultural exchange and enlightenment. In Slow Travel, Penny curates hundreds of ways you can escape the day-to-day, be it on a day trip, weekend, short break or extended stay, presented in detailed, easy-to-read snippets and illustrated by beautiful photographs. Better still, most of her suggestions are eco-friendly or promote sustainable travel, so your Christmas gift be gifting back to the planet.
A travel photography short course
Our friend Alwyn has these amazing travel photography short courses that, in just three hours, will turn your travel photographs into pics worth publishing. He’s based in Melbourne, but even if you live outside of Victoria, the value you’ll get from his course would make the airfare worth the outlay. And it’s not just travel photography course in which Alwyn is a master. He also offers food, wildlife, nature and architecture photography courses (plus more) from just $99 for three hours.
Do you have any good suggestions for travel gifts?
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