Looking for great gift ideas for the world traveler in your life? Or perhaps you can’t afford to take a big trip this year and are looking to live vicariously.
Here are some of the top travel- inspired holiday gifts for 2010.
Travel Books
If you are you in the market for original, sophisticated travel books, look no further. The Taschen book company, headed up by Dr. Angelika Taschen, has a reputation for publishing gorgeous tomes with large glossy photos and well-written content. As far as I’m concerned, these are the ultimate coffee table books for any traveler. Be sure to browse their website for tempting books in a variety of prices points about nearly every location on the globe. Here are my suggestions of Taschen books that are sure to please travelers on your holiday gift list (they also make great treats for yourself and can scratch the travel itch):
Taschen’s Paris by Angelika Taschen (2008) This beautiful hardcover volume is full of Dr. Angelika Taschen’s personal Parisian favorites – hotels, boutiques, restaurants, bars, cafés, and more.
Berlin by Hans Christian Adams (2007) This 672-page photographic journey into the city’s history is both comprehensive and aesthetically pleasing. I purchased my copy as a remembrance of my incredible time in Berlin.
African Interiors by Dr. Angelika Taschen and Deidi Von Schaewen is a two-volume set of traditional and contemporary African home, hotels and restaurant interiors. I own it and page through it often while fantasizing about my eventual trip to African someday.
Great Escapes Mediterranean by Christiane Reiter and Angelika Taschen
Part of Angelika Taschen’s Great Escapes series, this book is full of the very best images of hotels and beaches in Greece, France and Italy.
Of course, guidebooks– such as those published by TimeOut, Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, Moon, or the independent British publisher, VICE– are always good options, as are foodie travel narratives like those by Anthony Bourdain.
Electronics
Of course, mobile devices like Androids, iPads, iPhones, iPods, etc. are all the rage for tech-savvy travelers. Though the initial investment is not exactly conducive to most frugal travelers budgets, the long- term payout can be great. With time and money saving iPhone apps (that range from $0.99-$5.99), these devices can be a traveler’s best friend. World-travelers used to long layovers and flights will also love the mobile reader options on all of these. It is now possible to download an Amazon Kindle app on to any one of these devices (that allows you to transfer all of your books over should you choose to change mobile devices in the future– a great way to protect your investment). Remember that with internet access, you’ll also be able to check out your favorite travel blogs for posts and travel tips while you’re on the road.
Magazine Subscriptions
Magazine subscriptions are the gifts that keep on giving…all year long. Of course, there are the usual glossy suspects that appeal to world travelers (Condé Nast Traveler, Travel and Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, etc.). May I suggest these two publications as alternatives. They are magazines geared toward “the rest of us” – those who can’t afford (or perhaps don’t want) to indulge in 5-star hotels and $10,000 cruises. Both focus on cultural content and “off the beaten path” travel accounts.
Afar Magazine: This magazine is dedicated to covering stories on adventure travel, philanthropic travel and really digs into cultural content. It doesn’t hurt that the photos and layout are breathtaking.
Pology: Each issue of this world cultures magazine is chalk full of impassioned travel vignettes, poetry and photo-essays.
