3 Dec 2014 12;26 PM PT
CHEVY CHASE, MD (December 3, 2014) – If you’re not sure of what to give the person with a serious case of wanderlust, TravelChannel.com recommends the “Travel’s Best: Gifts” of 2014 to help you equip every jet-setter on your list. This year, these top 10 in-demand travel gifts range from hi-tech gadgets and gear to one memorable train ride journey through wine country.
TravelChannel.com editors enlisted a panel of experts to help determine the 10 best gifts for 2014, including: Jeralyn Gerba (Co-Founder and Editorial Director, Fathom), Johnny Jet (Travel Expert) and Rob Pralgo (Host, “Gear Guide” and “Travel 911“).
The 2014 “Travel’s Best: Gifts” (in order by price, low-to-high):
Brooklyn Candle Studio Travel Tins – starting at $14
Hand-poured in small batches, Brooklyn Candle Studio’s soy candles are the perfect stocking stuffer for any frequent traveler. The stylish, brushed-gold tins instantly cozy up any old hotel room and come in a variety of fruity, floral and woodsy scents, such as green tea lemongrass and sandalwood. If having too many options leaves you indecisive, choose the sampler – a selection of four 2-ounce tins gifted in a hand-stamped muslin pouch for just $24.
Second Edition Red Playing Cards – $15
If you prefer an off-the-grid vacation, make sure you pack paper maps, notebooks, pens and some old-fashioned games to pass the time. A stylish red deck of cards is a great conversation starter with new friends, a diversion during travel hiccups and, mixed with the right cocktail, pretty much all you need to have a party.
Ultimate Coffee-Table Book – starting at $17.99
Show off your latest adventures with the ultimate coffee-table tome. Turn personal photos from your latest trip, or series of trips, into a one-of-a-kind hardcover keepsake with Artifact Uprising. Giving the photo book to an Instagram addicted loved one? Artifact Uprising also has layouts optimized for Instagram’s square images – just pull your favorite shots from his/her feed, and you’re done in a snap!
Satechi Travel Adapter – $21.99
The Satechi Travel Adapter is the only travel converter you need to bring around the world – it juices gadgets in more than 150 countries with the four most common plug configurations. Just slide the adapter button to extract a prong that matches the country you’re visiting and you’re ready to charge! Have another gadget with low battery? Use the handy USB port and you can charge two devices at once.
Scottevest – starting at $70
A stylish jacket that has multiple hidden pockets, can act as a third carry-on and protect valuables should be on the top of every traveler’s wish list. Scottevest has options for both men and women, and the easy-to-peruse website’s “help me decide” feature finds the best product for you. Ladies can now trade in the trusty cross-body bag for a fleece Travel Vest, which has 17 pockets to discreetly stash all of their gear.
Neoprene Zip Pouch – $75
For those travel moments when fashion, adventure and haphazard packing collide, you will be glad your liquids are packed in a Summer Bummer toiletry bag. The neoprene fabric, large zipper and squishy shape make the pouch light, durable, water-resistant and easy to toss into any bag. With a two-tone exterior and an adjustable bungee cord, the stylish and practical pouch is locally sourced and constructed in downtown Los Angeles, Calif.
Napa Valley Wine Train – starting at $109 per person
Who really needs more “stuff?” Instead, gift an experience that might help cross an item off of someone’s travel bucket list! The Napa Valley Wine Train is not only a practical way to see California’s beautiful wine country (with no designated driver required), but it’s also an experience in itself – the ride offers fine dining and panoramic views in the two-story 1952 Pullman domed railcar. It’s the perfect girls’ weekend with your BFF, a romantic escape with your significant other or a relaxing getaway to gift your parents.
Selk’bag Patagon – $199
For your next outdoor adventure, imagine the warmth of a puffer jacket mixed with the coziness of a Snuggie for your whole body and you’ll begin to picture the Selk’bag Patagon. According to TravelChannel.com’s “Gear Guide” and “Travel 911” host Rob Pralgo, “sometimes these types of products feel a little cheap, but not this.” In fact, the latest model offers even more freedom and mobility so you don’t feel like a marshmallow in “A Christmas Story.” “I’m a big fan of comfortable and cozy, and this sleeping bag/onesie has both in spades,” Pralgo adds. “If I had one, I’d wear it 24/7.”
Bose QuietComfort 20i Acoustic Noise Cancelling Head – $299.95
Perfect for drowning out the annoying hum of an airplane’s engines and making the screaming baby seated a few rows back tolerable, the Bose QuietComfort 20i (or QC20) acoustic headphones really do block out the outside world. These in-ear, noise-cancelling headphones have a battery life that delivers up to 16 hours of playing time for every two hour charge.
Rimowa Luggage – starting at $525
Get rolling with the best lightweight luggage that money can buy. Rimowa luggage combines robust German engineering with space-age materials and basically rolls itself. Rimowa’s collections account for every ounce and cubic inch and they are beautifully detailed with its trademark grooves and Multiwheel system. The carry-ons in particular are handsome, easy to pull, push, carry and spin.
TRAVEL CHANNEL is a multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar, whether it’s around the world or around the block. A dual feed network that is also available in HD, Travel Channel is the world’s leading travel media brand, and is available in over 94 million U.S. cable homes. Owned and operated by Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), Travel Channel has offices in Chevy Chase, MD, and New York, NY. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.