Top 10 Gift ideas for Travelers

1. Olympus Tough TG-5

Having a Smartphone with you is great for snapshots, but when you want more control over your settings and in more challenging environments (such as snow, sea, etc.), you want something more rugged that will get the job done. Enter the Olympus Tough cameras.

The Olympus Tough TG-5 compact camera sits in a class by itself. The 12MP camera is waterproof, crushproof, shockproof, dustproof, and freezeproof… I could go on. The camera also boasts a 4K video recording capability.

Rugged, compact cameras are designed to withstand whatever is thrown at them. For this reason, they’re one of the most popular compact cameras today and will help the traveler get those impossible photos, even underwater.

Whether snorkeling or hiking a mountain, I’ve never had to worry about my camera breaking on me. All Olympus Tough cameras are great, but the added 4K video, slight decrease in megapixels (much better image quality for the sensor size), and anti-fog glass make the TG-5 a much-improved upgrade from earlier models.

1. Universal Adapter Plug

When your flight lands, it’s always a good idea to have the correct plug at your fingertips. I once spent an hour trying to find an adapter in Bali and ended up paying more than I should. My advice: get an international adapter that works all over the world. By the way, you will never be caught by someone.

If you buy this as a gift for a traveler, they’ll be grateful. Even if they have an adapter already, it’s better to have two adapters instead of one. This way, if one breaks, they have a plan-B, or if they want to charge more than one of their tech toys at a time, then they can.

Some come with a USB charge port, which can be a helpful addition. When selecting your adapter, make sure it has three holes to be compatible with Australian 3-pin plugs (some don’t), and buy one that has surge protection.

My recommendation is the LANSING Universal Worldwide Travel Adapter. It’s super cheap, lightweight and does exactly what I need, and also includes surge protection. Perfect for those traveling for the first time or on a gap year

1. Lonely Planet the World: A Traveler’s Guide to the Planet

This user-friendly A-Z gives an overview of every country in the world. The book doesn’t provide the same depth of information as the single destination books do. Still, it covers the basic information about the countries and includes maps, travel highlights, and the usual information on where to visit and how to get around.

In just over 50 years, The Lonely Planet has printed books in bulk and become the world’s no one successful travel publisher. They’ve published more than 600 titles that cover more than 195 countries.

1. Lonely Planet – Destination Guide

Whenever I go away, I always take my trustee Lonely Planet guidebook with me… Always. Phones and the internet have made traveling more accessible, but having an actual physical guide is always a smart move and a significant investment, especially when visiting a destination for the first time.

Lonely Planet packs an extraordinary amount of information into their books. Once I’ve decided I’m visiting somewhere, I buy the book. I then use it to plan my trip and better understand the country I’m about to see. Once I’m at the destination, I plan my days and decide where to visit next. I find the depth of information in the book invaluable.

Suppose you’re buying for someone traveling to multiple countries. In that case, you might want to buy them a guidebook which covers more than one country such as South America on a Shoestring, or Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Northern Thailand, etc.

With just one book, travelers can learn about the destination's culture, be aware of any visa requirements, understand how to keep safe, and get tips and tricks to finding hidden spots, no matter where they are—a must-have for any traveler visiting a destination.

1. Microfiber Towel

Space filler for a backpacker with little room in their rucksack. Instead of taking a cotton towel, they should instead think about taking a travel towel instead. These trek-type towels pack up small, even the extra-large ones. Microfiber towels may not look very absorbent, but they are both fast-drying and highly absorbent and get the job done. Unlike cotton towels, they dry quickly, so you never have to carry a wet towel in your bag. Great for the traveler in a rush, on tour, or at the beach.

1. Sleeping Bag Liner

For travelers on a budget, a sleeping bag liner is a must. A sleeping bag liner is a thin sleeping bag that will protect travelers from any bed bugs that might be lurking in cheaper accommodation they may stay in (which we all stay in when we backpack). Having a sleeping bag liner gives you the luxury of sleeping in your sheets in poorly cleaned accommodation. Some hostels may not provide bed sheets for guests when backpacking, and a liner offers a great solution.

Using a sleeping bag liner in accommodation can also be used on planes, buses, trains, and any other long-distance journeys. Pick either silk or microfiber liner, and stay away from cotton ones (these are too heavy and bulky for travelers).

Slip one of these compact liners in your backpack, and you’ll get a good night’s sleep without having to worry about the questionable state of the bedsheets. Please pick up a silk or microfiber one, adds a travel pillow, and feel 5-star wherever they sleep for the night.

1. Ear Plugs

Perfect for the light sleeper. When traveling, earplugs can be your best friend and help eliminate any unwanted noise and ensure you get a good night’s rest. Use them on planes, trains, bus rides, hotels, and hostels to banish sound.

I also suffer from ear issues on flights, and these have come in handy. I prefer using earplugs instead of sucking on boiled sweets which people recommend (I like my teeth). Put them in when you take off and once you’ve reached maximum altitude, remove them, and you won’t suffer too severely.

It’s much better to buy these before the flight than at the airport. Please put them in your carry-on luggage, and away you go. These Hear Ear Plugs can be purchased in packs of reusable earplugs or disposable ones.

1. Portable USB Charger

I think we’ve all been in a situation when we’ve had our phone or some other gadget die on us. If there isn’t a coffee shop or charging station nearby, what do you do? Equipped with a USB external battery charger, the traveler doesn’t have to miss out and stay connected wherever they are—no need to miss important calls or hold off on updating Facebook profiles. The most important thing to remember is to buy one with two outlets and 20000 Milli-Amps, so you have plenty of charges. I’ve charged my phone on trains and my tablet on the beach with this thing and never missed out. This is a good buy for that traveler that likes to stay connected with plenty of tech toys.

1. Neck Pillow

I love my neck pillow, and it has been everywhere with me. These neck pillows are not only great for use on flights when getting sleep can be difficult but they can be used anywhere. I find mine more comfortable than most hotel pillows. The pillow can even be used at the beach while you relax in your deck chair, listening to the sound of the ocean and reading a book.

Although most foam pillows will do, I recommend the Aid apt pillow for several reasons. Firstly, it comes in a U-shaped design which is worn around the neck. Secondly, it has memory foam filling, which molds to the user's neck, making it one of the most comfortable travel pillows available.

1. First Aid and Medical Kit

Yeah, I know, I know. Not the most inspiring of gifts for a traveler, but an item they will likely forget and thank you for later. To me, a small first aid kit is an essential item for any traveler. I found pharmacies abroad to be excellent, and they all speak pretty good English, but sometimes you might not be near one, you’re too ill to go to one, or it may be closed.

Buy them a small first aid kit (or make one up), remove the stuff they don’t need, and keep what they do. How many bandages are you going to need? Please keep it simple. Ensure you have various size plasters, some antiseptic wipes, eyewash, and a few applications. Then add some mosquito spray, sunscreen, after-sun lotion, a packet of painkillers, cold/flu tablets, hydration tablets, allergy tablets, some anti-diarrhea tablets (they may thank you later), and they’re covered.

They can then replenish supplies of any common medication while traveling. All medical items can be bought on the road both quickly and cheaply. To begin with, stock them up with the essentials, so it’s one less thing to worry about.