Gifts For Your Favorite Traveler: 2022

After highlighting some of my favorite travel must-haves in one of my latest posts, A Beginner's Guide to Sustainable Travel, I planned on creating a packing list featuring them. I then realized the holidays were right around the corner! As you prepare your lists, I thought I’d drop the rest of my favorite items in a gift-giving guide instead. 

• Packing Cubes

  You probably have read about them for years and thought, “I don’t need these.” Well, you do! With the help of two sets, I was able to pack both Dan and me in one suitcase for our 2-week trip to Europe this spring. Previously, I have always rolled our things, but with bulky sweaters for Italy and lighter dresses for Spain, we had too much variety in pieces. These helped squeeze all the air out of them and condense immensely! I will forever be using my packing cubes.

• Luggage

  While there are many brands and styles to choose from, I thought I’d drop the one that we have loved for years. We were lucky to be gifted a new Samsonite as a wedding gift and love it! The one link is eco-friendly and features the 360 wheels which are a non-negotiable for me.

  Tips for picking luggage: I always go for the hard shell styles and less than 26 inches. While the others are alluring, they are too bulky for European cobblestone streets.

• Air Tags

  Wow, I don’t remember where I first saw this travel hack, but it is a must for 2022 and beyond. Air Tags help you easily keep track of your stuff: keys, wallet, etc. I strongly recommend you pop one of these into each bag (checked and carry-on) for future travel. It will help you snag your bag faster and hopefully save it from becoming another lost bag among the thousands.

• Cotton Grocery Bags & Water Bottles

  I’ll start here as I have previously mentioned both in other posts. These two items are a must for any occasion. I carry my bags to markets and local shops, ditching the plastic whenever possible.

• Collapsable Mug

  When we are changing hotels or road-tripping, I found myself constantly in need of a mug, until now. It is fantastic for hiking trips or a day in the city when you know you will be drinking a lot!

• Universal Travel Adapter

  Let me paint you a picture. It is 2016, and I am not even 21, heading to Greece for my first International trip. I buy a 5-pack of “International” plugs only to find they work for most EU countries, but not everywhere (duh Han), and will eventually almost all be lost at some point. In 2022, I found this effective gadget that changed from the USA to the EU, UK, and AUS outlets. It then has multiple USB ports (both kinds), so it quickly became my one-and-done item.

• Passport Holder

  While many countries are losing up on restrictions on both entering and leaving travelers, I strongly recommend you take your vaccine carpassport holder d with you. You never know what type of situation you will be in. This passport holder is a 2 in 1 combination.

• Scarf

  While great for colder weather, I use mine on planes and in churches when visiting Italy. Many older establishments will ask that you maintain a proper dress code, so it’s perfect to have in your day bag just in case.

• Backpack

  Whether you are exploring a city like Chicago or Rome, a backpack is my go-to item. I throw my water bottle, maps, a book, and souvenirs I snag along the way here.

• Beach Clips

  I love these fun towel clips. My in-laws were the ones to introduce these to me, so shout out! While the oceans have those breezy days that can take your towels away, they are also great for an all-inclusive or cruise vacation. While you’re typically provided with towels, it is easy to spot which set of chairs are yours.

• Micro-Fiber Towel

  This easy-to-pack towel is perfect for a variety of uses. Yoga on the beach, all-day hiking, or a day trip to the beach: it’s your go-to. In Ireland, we found ourselves several times at small beaches for an hour or two. No worries, I grabbed my towel and we were prepared! It dries quickly and is super soft.

A quick heads up: I don't earn a commission from purchases made through these links (I'm not a household name just yet). Nonetheless, I've included these products because I believe they might be more convenient for some readers. I always advocate for supporting local stores whenever you can.

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Happy Travels, Hannah

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