The Ultimate Travel Gift Guide for 2024

There is nothing I love more than a thoughtful, personalized gift, and a photobook is the epitome of such a present. Back in the film camera days, almost everyone printed and displayed their photos for everyone to see. Nowadays, almost all of our photos sit unseen on our computers or phones. A photobook is a great way to bring these precious travel memories back to life.

I’ve made a few photobooks in my time, and Once Upon is by far the easiest and most streamline I’ve come across. You simply download an app where you create and order the photobook all from your phone. Normally, photobooks take days to make as they come with an overwhelming number of layout designs and options. Once Upon provides a really clean, minimalist layout that you add photos and text into. If you are thinking of ordering a photobook, you can use my promo code polkadot25 to get 25% off your order.

Download the app here to see how it works!

If you know an avid traveller with very generic luggage, a new Ted Baker suitcase could just be the present for them. I’ve had a Ted Baker suitcase for many years and it has always been my favourite piece of luggage. Over and above its beautiful aesthetics, I love the fact I am always able to spot my suitcase as soon as it comes onto the baggage claim. Ted Baker have a great range of sizes and stunningly unique styles on offer, so you should not have a problem finding a perfectly-suited suitcase for the travel-lover in your life.

Shop for Ted Baker Luggage here

I swear that I am not exaggerating when I say that my Bose Noise-cancelling headphones have CHANGED. MY LIFE. Specifically, they radically transform the in-flight experience. These headphones block out so much of the white noise on a plane (as well as the screaming babies down the aisle), making watching movies, listening to music, and sleeping a much more pleasant experience. Although they are wireless, they come with a cord so if you have an airplane adapter you can use them with your in-flight entertainment.

Shop for Bose noise-cancelling headphones here

If you need a gift for a travel photographer, look no further than the ONA Camera Bowery Bag. This is my favourite day-to-day camera bag by far. From the outside, it looks like a lovely, leather handbag. However, on the inside, it hast padded compartments and pockets with space to fit a full-frame DSLR plus many other bits and pieces you may need.

Shop for ONA Bowery Camera Bag here

For the person in your life who hibernates all winter and only emerges in summer, this is the gift for them. For those who follow me on Instagram, you’ll be familiar with my affinity with straw hats. These hats have always been a travel staple for me, for three great reason. 1. Sun safety (very important). 2. They look good on the gram. 3. They allow me to disguise all my bad hair days (almost as important as my first point).  Style and sun-safety aren’t normally two things that go together, so thank Lack of Colour for the lovely range of hats they have created to combine the two. The Spencer Straw Hat will always be my go-to from the range.

Shop for Lack of Colour Spencer Straw Hat here

This is a present idea for those who like to bring a bit of wanderlust into their home décor in a stylish way. And no, I am not talking about hoarders of snow globes or fridge magnets from around the world. These city map posters make for cool wall art while also being a nice way of remembering your favourite city. I have one of these posters of Copenhagen hanging over my bed, and looking at it always brings to mind happy memories.

Shop for city map posters here

For those who like to travel in comfort and style, this Slip Silk Eyemask is a must-have. It may come with a luxury price tag, but it is the softest, most comfortable eye mask I’ve ever had (and I have had a lot of eye masks in my time). Silk is said to absorb less face cream than regular cotton so it helps keep your skin moisturized, which proves to be very important, particularly when flying.

Shop for slip silk eyemask here