10 gifts for the adventurous female traveler

I got a chance to travel extensively this year – nine countries and 20 states. I sometimes unpacked just long enough to do laundry and packed again.

Along the way, I got really good at knowing exactly what I needed, based on a quick glance of the weather reports, and what things would make my life easier and more enjoyable along the way.

Based on this year, here are a few recommendations for gifts to buy for the woman in your life who loves to travel. These are not affiliate links. These are real suggestions.

1.??????? Kimono. One of the best ways I upgraded my travel game this year was to buy a vintage kimono from Kiku Refashion here in Charleston, South Carolina. I wore it in the morning, while I sat on the balcony of the Hotel El Aurassi in Algiers drinking coffee, looking out over the harbor and thinking, “This is how I always pictured my life.” The kimono is silk and folds neatly for easy packing that takes up little room. kikurefashion.com/

2.??????? Large infinity scarf. I have a grey, jersey knit infinity scarf that I use almost every day that I travel. It is long enough that I can pull it down over my knees as a kind of blanket on plane rides. It is light enough that I wear it as a shawl or scarf. And it’s nice enough that I can walk into just about any occasion wearing it. It’s my favorite possession and it was a gift – so I can’t tell you where to get the exact one that I own. Otherwise, I would buy several. Mine measures 50” long and 36” wide when I place it flat on the ground. Etsy has many that are similar.

3.??????? One-cup immersion water heater. There were several places this year, where coffee service was not provided in the room. So – a luxury item for the person who travels to places like Turkmenistan … consider buying one those little coils that boil a cup of water. Make sure it’s dual-voltage for international plugs. Throw in a few packets of three-in-one instant coffee.

4.??????? Thermos. This is probably my favorite possession. It takes a beating. It’s small enough to use as a water bottle for hiking and large enough to keep a good amount of coffee hot for 18 hours. It doesn’t take up too much room in the suitcase. https://thermos.com/collections/beverage-bottles/products/stainless-king-beverage-bottle-16oz?variant=40160994623644

5.??????? Sunshirt with hoodie. When I took a whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River this summer, I was grateful for the hoodie on my long-sleeve sunshirt in the blasting, unobstructed sun of the Grand Canyon. Half Moon Outfitters sells a good SPF, light-weight version. https://www.halfmoonoutfitters.com/collections/womens/products/ffl_ms_lwhhmo

6.??????? Dry bag. I have a 3 liter dry bag that I keep in my suitcase for laundry. It compresses down and seals and keeps the dirty clothes separate from everything else. https://www.halfmoonoutfitters.com/collections/dry-bags-stuff-sacks/products/sea_lightweightdrybag?variant=42826896605322

7.??????? DIY First Aid kit. I have a first aid kit that I’ve carried in the same plastic sandwich bag for as long as I can remember. I just refill the things that I use when I get home and throw it back in my suitcase for the next trip. Here’s a great list for a DIY starter first aid kit: Band-Aids and a tube of Neosporin, blister packs of DayQuil/NyQuil, individual packets of Ben’s tick and insect repellent wipes, packets of Tridoral oral rehydration salts, travel-size tube of Advil, a few cough drops, blister pack of Benadryl, packets of Emergen-C, thermometer.

8.??????? Cross body bucket bag. I have a canvas bucket bag that was a piece of free merchandise I got for working on a sailboat in Maine for the summer more than 20 years ago. If I had known at the time how much I would use it, I would have asked for several. Alas. I use it as a day bag for hikes and exploratory city walks. It’s light enough to pack in my suitcase, but big enough to carry a book, scarf, sunglasses and cell phone. Sea Bags out of Maine are made from recycled sails and they have some durable cross body bags. ?seabags.com/bags/cross-body.html

9.??????? Sunscreen stocking stuffer. A fellow traveler loaned me his tube of Biore UV Aqua Rich sunscreen and it’s my favorite now. Every travel kit needs some sunscreen. ??

10.? Notebooks. I have been given and filled so many wonderful, beautifully designed travel journals. It’s less of a keepsake, but I must admit that nothing beats the size and shape of a tried-and-true reporter’s notebook for taking notes and writing while on the road. Buy a dozen for $20. https://portagenotebooks.com/1-dozen-news-reporters-notebook-200-narrow-ruled-4-x-8/