5 gift ideas for the traveller in your life

Finding travel-friendly gifts can be a challenge, but with a little effort you can choose the perfect item for those who enjoy visiting new places.

Finding travel-friendly gifts can be a challenge, but with a little effort you can choose the perfect item for those who enjoy visiting new places. Whether you're shopping for the holidays, a birthday or a celebration to mark a journey, you'll find a variety of gifts that travellers will adore.

A beautiful notebook can act as a travel journal and will inspire those going on journeys to make notes and record their experiences. A journal provides a very different perspective on a journey and is a memento in itself, particularly when travellers jot down thoughts and write descriptions about the places they've been.

Travellers might not want to take full-sized, heavy toiletries and cosmetics on holiday due to air safety restrictions. Miniature-sized versions of a friend or relative's favourite lotions are ideal gifts that provide a little comfort away from home. Foldaway mirrors and manicure sets can be practical gifts for travellers who like to maintain appearances no matter where they go.

A power pack provides an additional charger for cell phones and laptops while on the road. If you buy a universal travel plug, your favourite traveller will be able to use electrical outlets in multiple countries, which will enable him or her to charge phones and other devices needed to keep in touch.

If you know where your traveller is headed next, a guidebook is always a useful and appreciated gift. Fiction and non-fiction travel books also provide valuable firsthand information on the destination. If the person has been everywhere or has a very large bucket list, choose a scratch-off map that allows him or her to mark each destination visited.

Many travel magazines offer interesting features and tips for both armchair and experienced travellers. These magazines make excellent gifts and can even offer inspiration for future trip planning. Subscriptions to national organizations that run museums and parks are another great idea for people on the move.

When selecting gifts, think about the practical nature of the item and the global appeal, and you'll be sure to find something that's helpful to wanderers as they journey around the world.