Hey all, I’m Kelly, Global Routes’ associate director! Suffice it to say, 2020 hasn’t been great for travel, but I’m confident we will be back on the road again soon. As we wait for travel to be safe again, I thought I’d share some of the things I travel with that would make great gifts this holiday season:
Water Bottle—Staying hydrated while traveling is crucial, as is avoiding single-use plastics whenever possible. This bottle will keep you ready to work hard during service while also keeping unnecessary bottles out of landfills 🙂
Packing Cubes—Under appreciated and highly useful, I never leave home without them. Have a cube for your tops, your pants, socks, etc and you’ll never have to tear apart your bag looking for your favorite shirt again.
Portable Charger—Keep you phone, GoPro, Kindle, or whatever electronic device you have charged and ready to document all your adventures. This one from Anker is the perfect size and has multiple charges.
Travel Adapter—One adapter to rule them all! This one works in 150 countries and will keep your devices happy.
Water Resistant Duffel—Our luggage can get pretty beat up, and if we are unlucky, soaked. The water resistant finish makes this the ideal bag for jungle adventures or anywhere with a rainy climate, and the bright colors make it super easy to spot at baggage claim (though it also small enough to be a carry-on). Win-win!
Scratch–Off Map—A fun way to keep track of where you’ve been and where you want to go. There are tons out there, but here are some fun ones.
Packable Jacket—A packable jacket is perfect for when the sun goes down or hanging out around a campfire. Even if you don’t end up using it, it takes up minimal space in your bag and is a great safety net for when the weather changes without warning.
Travel Journal—Memories and thoughts from your trips abroad can be the most valuable souvenir you bring home. Even if you aren’t an avid writer, making the effort to keep a journal of your travels is always worth it. This is another item that the options are endless, but here are some cool ones.
Packable Day Bag—Perfect for short day trips when you don’t need to bring a lot of things with you but still need something. These bags from Cotopaxi and fun and colorful, and are made from repurposed material that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Useful and good for the environment!
Dry Bags—Elevate your packing game by using dry bags to keep all your cords organized and dry. Also a good place to stash your passport when your day bag is exposed to the elements.
Hopefully this list helps with your holiday shopping and gets you excited about travel in 2021. What are some of your travel must-haves? Share in the comments below, I would love to hear what’s in your travel bag!
