It’s that time of year again; the gift giving holiday season is upon us. While I hope to always opt outside on Black Friday, I figured this was a good time to put forth my annual Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers.
Stocking stuffer for travelers
No matter whether you are traveling by train, plane or automobile, one should always pack healthy travel snacks. Many of you know that I seek out the best granola finds when I travel and I’m also very fond of quality jerky, be it beef, turkey, venison or bison – chicken, not so much. I found a new (to me) protein bar at Urban Remedy that not only tastes good, it packs 11 grams of protein and only 8 sugars and travels well in my pocket, backpack or purse. Travelers may purchase The Bar, a plant-based, gluten free, cacao chip, vegan protein bar online or in an Urban Remedy store. This product does contain nuts.
Unique travel gift idea
JourneyMarkers, based in St. Petersburg, Florida is a company that specializes in personalized mile markers. You’ve seen these signs on trail heads and my husband remembers them from the television series M.A.S.H. The company has been around for 10 years, but I just discovered the wooden sign maker. I ordered the rustic, post style, made from cypress wood, but they make both hanging and table top styles, as well. Think of seven of the favorite places you’ve traveled to and then calculate the distance from the destination to your house. JourneyMarkers will include a directional topper, each sign includes the name of your location, as well as how far the location is from your home or office. Be warned, if you are directionally challenged, you do need to know north from south if you want your signs to point in the proper direction. Prices vary from $129. for a hanging 5 mile marker to $210. for the rustic style, including post and seven signs. As always, check the website for current pricing.
Winter travel apparel
Winter is coming – even in sunny California. Temperatures are dropping and that means warmer clothing. I’m going to review White Sierra travel apparel in another blog post, but I’m including this Sunnyvale, California-based active wear clothing company because they are family-owned and make very reasonably priced travel apparel for men, women and children. I’d like more people to know about this outdoor clothing manufacturer. I’m wearing the women’s Sierra Summit down jacket and their Alpha Tek fleece pant with the Alpha Tek 1/4 zip women’s top underneath my jacket. Check the website for retail prices and use code NANCY33 to receive 33% off orders until 1/31/17.
Ultimate travel dress
Let’s face it, every gal needs that dependable little black dress. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that dress were a packable wrap dress? How about if that packable wrap dress was wrinkle resistant? I’ve written about Pocket Poppet packable clothing before. I traveled with their packable cardigan on the Douro Valley in Portugal and couldn’t wait to try the PWD (packable wrap dress.) The material is soft and comfortable, the products are made in the USA and I like that they are functional and fashionable. The Chicago, Illinois-based, woman-owned company has recently introduced the packable wrap dress in black. It fits in its own built-in pocket, concealed on the interior back of the dress, yet offers full coverage for the active adventure baby boomer. I also like that it has side pockets. Suggested retail $169.
Napa Valley wine country gift idea
If you enjoy spending time in Northern California wine country, you know that winter is the quiet season in the Napa Valley; some call it Cabernet season. I love nothing better than staying in a Bed and Breakfast during the holidays when the inns are all dressed up in their holiday finest. The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with some of the cities top hotels, wineries and restaurants, will offer readers the “Little Book of Big Experiences.” Why should you consider buying this little book? I’m told that it holds over $1,000 worth of big experiences with a $100 price tag. I do not yet own this little book, but if Santa were to drop it down the chimney, I would claim it as a book of the month club feature. There are 25 St. Helena experiences bundled in this little book and they are valid until March 2017. Books may be purchased at the St. Helena Welcome Center, 657 Main Street, St. Helena, California or online here.
I have my eye on this experience: Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer – Sunday through Thursday, guests enjoy 15% off a two-night stay in the newly renovated Vineyard View Collection rooms, and receive two “Little Books of Big Experiences.” Enjoy a complimentary in-room bottle of Napa Valley wine, a signature cocktail at Harvest Table, a signed copy of Chef Charlie Palmer’s cookbook, and an inclusive chef’s breakfast. On Friday through Saturday, guests enjoy 10% off their Vineyard View Collection stay, and all additional weekday perks.
Sun protective swimwear & active wear
After two hip replacements, I spend a lot of time doing deep water aerobics in an outdoor public swimming pool. That means that I spend a lot of time traveling from the parking lot, to the pool, to the locker room, to the car. I love the modest swimwear fashion by HydroChic. The women founders set out to create a product line of sun protective active wear for swim and sport. I’ll be writing a more thorough review of HydroChic in another blog post.
Coloring book for travelers
My dear friend and fellow travel writer Donna Hull at My Itchy Travel Feet is a huge fan of coloring books for adults. So much so that she started creating her own coloring books for travelers. Her latest, Coloring Glacier National Park, A Grayscale Coloring Book for Travelers is filled with 34 grayscale images and sells on Amazon for $8.99.
Disclosure: On the What a Trip blog, I receive products, travel gear and apparel that has been sent to me for review purposes. Some of items listed above have been purchased by me, while others are received without charge for the purpose of review. All of these holiday gifts for the traveler have been tested (with the exception of the Little Book of Big Experiences) and are recommended and approved by me.