63 Gift Ideas for Women Who Travel

Every time my goddaughter comes to visit me in Paris, I find a brocante (outdoor flea market) to take her to. We make an afternoon out of hunting for treasures and always find something beautiful to bring home. I’m partial to little dishes and segmented platters to set out during apéro; she’s currently in her costume jewelry era. If you can’t make it to France, Christofle makes a snack dish that is heirloom-worthy. —Rebekah Peppler, contributor and author of Le Sud

When I visited the colorful gallery above Cafe Pasqual’s in Santa Fe, I left with a couple of these micaceous snack plates. They’re beautiful, and on chilly days they remind me of my time in the warm, enchanted city. —Lia Picard, contributor

I love eating my way through the flavors of Taiwan’s night markets—and on my more recent visit, I started becoming obsessed with drinks featuring ai yu, a jelly made from an endemic fig. While some boba shops here have versions, it’s never quite as right or light. So I just bought these kits from Brooklyn’s Yun Hai, which sources all their products from Taiwan. They also have tons of fun gifts of the island’s traditions, like the LV market totes, red stools, and rice cookers. —Rachel Chang, contributor

I had the pleasure of visiting Slovenia this summer, and fell in love with the country and especially its devotion to using locally grown and crafted food products. When I visited the seaside ancient walled city of Piran near the Croatian border the saltwater smell was unavoidable. Just inside the main square is the Piranske Soline store, which sells products made from salt that has been hand-harvested from the nearby Adriatic Sea, using methods more than 700 years old. But aside from just selling products, there is also a display of how salt is harvested and information on the history of salt farming in Piran. While it can be hard to find the products in the US, this small tin of cooking salt is perfect. —Devorah Lev-Tov, contributor

The first time I visited Crete, I drank a ton of mountain tea, which comes from a plant that grows abundantly all over the Greek mountainscapes with lots of healing and medicinal properties. This is basically Greek penicillin, used as a cure-all for all kinds of ailments, but it’s also really herby and delicious. Anyway, I loved it so much that a Greek woman I befriended on that trip mailed me five more packages of it, and now my mom is a fan too. This past summer when I was in Athens and I felt like I might be getting sick, I immediately went to the corner store and got some more. I think it helped. Thanks, Greek mountain tea. —Steph Koyfman, contributor and writer of the Women Who Travel horoscope column

In Japanese culture, it’s common to spend a lot of money on an exquisite fruit like a crown melon or perfectly cultivated strawberries. These rare fruits must meet incredibly high standards to make it to market. Their sugar content, shape, size and texture are carefully tracked and to reach these standards, farmers employ rigorous quality control measures, with only the cream of the crop making the cut. You may have had some of these fruits at the end of omakase meal at a fancy sushi restaurant, but now the new Ikigai Fruits company is importing these gems directly to consumers in the United States. This gorgeous box, wrapped in traditional Japanese furoshiki cloth, contains exquisite Japanese strawberries, pears, persimmons, and kiwis. I promise, these sweet and juicy fruits taste nothing like those you’ll find at US supermarkets. —Devorah Lev-Tov, contributor

This year, I made sure to stop by the Casa Bosques Librería for a few chocolates—I’ll be tucking a Savon de Marseille inspired by the markets of the south of France into a few stockings. —Rebekah Peppler, contributor and author of Le Sud

If I could gift anything this season, it would be a customized bottle of the Gran Patrón Burdeos by Patrón. I traveled to Jalisco, Mexico in late 2023 for Día de Muertos for a special celebration on the Patrón compound and had the opportunity to try—and take home a souvenir bottle of—this higher-end sipping tequila. It was unique because in addition to seeing where the agave was harvested in the Jalisco countryside, I also learned that this particular expression is aged in wine barrels from Bordeaux, France, which gives it a flavor unlike any tequila you’ve ever tasted. Seeing the bottle on my bar cart always reminds me of that trip. —DeAnna Taylor, contributor

You can’t leave Morocco without trying tagine, a flavorful, rustic stew, typically made with chicken, olives, and preserved lemon. During the winter months, I just want to tuck into this hearty dish—after which this terracotta vessel is named! In addition to being central to the traditional way tagine is made, this type of crockery also makes for a stunning conversation piece in your kitchen—it’s something you’ll want to show off. —Kim Pham, co-founder of Omsom

Last year I traveled to Kona, Hawaii, and came across this amazing locally-made vendor at a Farmers Market in the town of Waimea. A perfect gift for a novice or even expert cook, Steve’s Akaka Falls Farm makes dozens of unique jams, butters, and honey that can be shipped. My favorite is the Hawaiian smoked pineapple, which I use on salmon and grilled chicken. I also picked up a jar of the coffee butter to add to my hot lattes in the morning. —DeAnna Taylor, contributor

I put hot sauce on everything. Growing up a good Southern girl, my go-to was Tabasco. Now it’s Shaquanda’s, a line founded by Brooklyn–based drag performer Coco Mulatta (a.k.a. Andre Springer). Never have I loved a hot sauce so much that I will mail order it from halfway across the country, but Shaquanda’s just gets it: flavor first, firebomb second. I love how Springer sneaks in all kinds of interesting ingredients, too. The Original Hot Pepper Sauce plays with horseradish, turmeric, and mustard to magical effect; Spicier Smoke strikes an elusive balance between tongue-lashing habaneros and smoked paprika powder; and banana makes a cameo in Mx. Green Sass, a sauce thrumming with Serranos and jalapeños. But the sauce I crave the most is Oooohmami, a perfect symphony of black garlic, caramelized onions, and blackberry juice. This limited-edition set, which includes a fun tea towel and four of Shaquanda’s five flavors, is the perfect introduction for any aspiring Scovillian. —Ashlea Halpern, contributor

Donabe is Japanese traditional earthen cookware, and I own multiple donabe from Toiro in Los Angeles. My donabe has a semi-permanent spot on my stovetop. You can use them for all sorts of stuff, including stews and steaming fish or just making rice, but I love to use this specifically for making mapo tofu, which just tastes so much better in a Toiro donabe. They are handcrafted by local artisans in Iga, Japan, and each one feels so special. —Jing Gao, founder & CEO of Fly by Jing

There are physical vacations and then there are mental vacations. For me, a marathon of Ghibli movies have gotten me through a lot of tough times. I’m partial to Princes Mononke and My Neighbor Totoro, but honestly, most will transport you to another, more whimsical world. After a recent marathon, I started watching fan edits of Ghibli food online to calm myself and immediately bought this donabe after to make rice and stews. It’s an incredible vessel not only for its ability to retain heat but because it looks gorgeous from stovetop to tabletop. —Mi-Anne Chan, senior director of creative development at Teen Vogue, them., and LOVE

I really leaned into the digital nomad this year—which led to my downsizing and becoming a more minimalist and eco-conscious traveler. The Vivaia Pointed-Toe Ballet Flats were major in streamlining my wardrobe without feeling a sense of lack. I had seen Vivaia on social media over the years but after a trip to Hong Kong earlier this year (where I was able to visit a Vivaia boutique in person) I was sold. I’ve tried ballet flats that range from $5 basics from Amazon to thousand-dollar ballerinas from Chanel and my Vivaias are by far the most comfortable and versatile flats I’ve ever worn. The best part though? They’re flexible and can fold in half without any damage, they’re waterproof, and, incredibly, you can throw them in the washing machine whenever they need freshening up—which means never having to deal with that funky ballet flat smell that can sometimes happen with very frequently worn shoes. —Kaitlyn McInnis, contributor

I was very lucky to travel to Iceland this summer with my mom on an expedition cruise with National Geographic Expeditions. Before embarking on the ship we spent a few days in the capital city of Reykjavik, where we popped into shops and cafes. One thing I could never take my eyes off of was the adorable sweaters everyone was wearing. While most of the sweaters had limited embellishment, one that caught my eye was a wool sweater with a cute puffin pattern knitted near the collar of the garment. Even though I live in Florida where it’s never going to be warm enough for a wool sweater, I know sweaters like this one are a great gift for my family and friends who live in colder areas. Even better, Icelandic wool rarely needs to be washed, so it’s easy to maintain the just-off-the-rack look. —Megan duBois, contributor

I travel so much for work and pleasure and am a very big believer in being as comfortable as you are chic when traveling. These knit pants from Spanish brand RUS deliver on both fronts—and keep delivering. In the past year I’ve worn them on a longhaul flight to Seoul, a train from Rome to Venice, a car ride from San Diego to Valle de Guadalupe and to more drinks, dinners, and meetings than I can count. They’re perfect. —Rebekah Peppler, contributor and author of Le Sud

One of the all-time coziest things I’ve ever picked up while traveling was a splurge-worthy alpaca fiber sweater, found in a tiny shop amid the cobblestone alleyways of Cusco, Peru. To be honest, I’ve kept that cardigan all to myself, but it’s inspired me to gift one-of-a-kind, handmade alpaca garments to friends and family in the years since. To my surprise, designs like their Original Crew have a hand-signed note stitched into the hem, so you know who wove your cold-weather companion. —Emily Pennington, contributor

Tartan is synonymous with Scotland and when I visited Edinburgh, I knew I had to bring some tartan clothing home with me. I landed on a lambswool shawl which was perfect for cozying up on those chilly, damp nights. I use it all the time at home, even in the summer when the AC is on full blast, and it travels nicely, too. —Lia Picard, contributor

I own (and love) a few pairs of the classic closed-heel, loafer-like Sabahs, but my favorites are these leopard print baba mules. I’ve found that having some sort of slip-on shoe is essential for my happiness when I travel, and these are easy to pack, chill enough for the pool deck, special enough for dinner, and they magically go with everything. I once ran into a woman wearing the same ones at a remote lodge in Namibia, which felt like its own sort of endorsement. —Maggie Shipstead, novelist and contributor

I recently traveled to Peru and we stopped at the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, which highlights the weaving customs and art of Andean communities. A beautiful handmade gift for family and friends, the alpaca wool scarves from the weaving center highlight different patterns and art from the Cusco region of Peru. You can’t go wrong with any of the pieces from the Center, but the warm scarves are easily maintained and look great wear after wear. —Megan duBois, contributor

The ultimate adventure pants. I just retired a pair after seven years of hard living, including two trips to Antarctica, six to the Arctic, and about 300 miles of backcountry trekking—they were here for a good time and a long time. They’re rugged; they look cool; they have excellent pockets. It’s even kind of fun to re-wax the waxed cotton panels. —Maggie Shipstead, novelist and contributor

My favorite item of makeup is my Aker Fassi, from Morocco. Originally a gift from my first roommate in Barcelona (shout out to Luna, wherever you are), as a woman with sensitive skin who loves a light touch of makeup, my Aker Fassi is irreplaceable. It matches perfectly with my skin tone because it’s a stain that blends with my specific undertones, it’s easy to pack into luggage, and it literally could not get more natural because it’s made from poppy powder and dried pomegranate. —Shayna Condé, travel journalist

So many boutique hotels I love use Grown Alchemist products. There’s just something about the scent that reminds me that I’m away from home and on an adventure. I love having the hand cream at home because I can constantly keep that feeling with me. —Rachel Chang, contributor

My home is full of souvenirs from many trips to Iceland, but one whiff of this solid perfume sends me right back to the moody interiors of my favorite shop of all time. Each scent is inspired by Icelandic landscapes—this travel-friendly solid perfume is a manifestation of Reykjavik backyards in the summertime, with notes of Arctic angelica, blackcurrant, long grass, bergamot, poplar pine, red sorrel, and cottonwood. —Erika Owen, contributor

I first discovered this natural and organic skincare brand a few years ago, when I was in arctic Sweden in the dead of winter to see the Northern Lights. To say my skin and lips were dried out is an understatement. When I got to Stockholm, I stumbled on L:a Bruket’s shop and was quickly drawn to this extra-large tube of lip balm. The coconut-almond scent is subtle but delightful, and it glides smoothly on my lips thanks to moisture-locking beeswax, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, almond oil—and not much else. I also love that I don’t find myself having to constantly reapply it. —Devorah Lev-Tov, contributor

I love gifting things from Xinu, a fragrance brand I discovered when visiting Mexico City at the beginning of this year. Their boutique is so special, you have to ring a bell to get inside, and once you’re in, no photos are videos are allowed—it allows you to be transported to their world of plants and botanicals. The brand has left such a strong impression on me, and I love gifting their hand soap and hand cream to friends. The scents are transportive and extremely distinct. —Babba Rivera, Founder & CEO of Ceremonia

I’m loving Violette_FR’s new serums. They come in a travel-friendly set but aren’t necessarily meant to be a multi-step regime, so you can just bring along the one that targets your current needs, whether that’s hydration, irritation, or sun damage. It’s a great gift no matter what your skin type is. —Stephanie Wu, editor-in-chief at Eater

A gentle re-entry is crucial to maintaining my sanity whenever I return from my expeditions. Juara’s Coconut Illipe Hand and Nail Balm is the perfect pampering for your hard-working hands and nails. Juara, an Indonesian word meaning “champion,” is a women-owned company that blends traditional botanical remedies with Western, 100 percent plant-based science. This award-winning hand balm strengthens and conditions nails and cuticles and instantly replenishes dry skin to improve signs of aging. The paradisaical scent will help you stay grounded and relaxed. —Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, mountaineer and author of In The Shadow of The Mountain

Vintners Daughter Active Botanical Serum is my absolute go-to favorite for keeping my skin hydrated, radiant, and healthy when crossing time zones and changing climates. I never travel without it! I especially love that they give back a portion of proceeds to foundations like Every Mother Counts and other charitable organizations that impact women and the environment. —Molly Berry, founder of Luna Zorro

This is definitely a splurge, but it’s a nice little nod to luxury both at home and while traveling. Tack on the beautiful bamboo canister, for an elevated, TSA-friendly bath time caboodle. I like to save this one when traveling to cooler climates to avoid the stone from melting. —Shanika Hillocks, contributor

One of the biggest perks of my Global Entry is not having to justify how many 3.4-ounce bottles I have. I travel with a lot of hair products for delicate coils. Davines is one of my favorite all natural beautiful and hair care brands and one of their shampoo bars is the perfect gift for frequent travelers. Honestly, most hotel shampoos are subpar and this bar is not only natural and luxurious, but it doesn’t count as one of your liquids. —Nneya Richards, contributor

I’m paler than Nosferatu and equally sun-averse, which has traditionally meant slathering on SPF 100 and dressing like a beach goth anytime I travel somewhere sunny. That changed recently when a friend introduced me to this lightweight mineral sunscreen from Dr. Loretta. It does everything it says it will: moisturizing my parched skin while simultaneously shielding me from the sun’s harmful rays. It’s easy to blend and doesn’t leave behind a chalky residue—just the kind of healthy Hollywood glow that I thought was only possible with Photoshop. The thing I don’t love is the price tag, which is exactly why I’d love someone to gift it to me for future travels. (Husband, are you listening?) —Ashlea Halpern, contributor

The Eucalyptus Silk & Bamboo Pillow from Ethical Bedding is pure, feel good luxury. It’s vegan and impossibly soft, like sinking into the cloud of comfort in your favorite hotel bed every single night. Good sleep is the greatest gift you can give yourself (or anyone else), and this pillow delivers it in spades. —Preshita Saha, senior creative video producer

I have become enamored with everything Lima, Peru-based Mozhdeh Matin makes, from her rubberized faux leather jackets made with Amazonian tree sap, to hand-beaded earrings, to fluffy alpaca purses. Her stuff is pricey so I troll the sales, and have found some great samples at her showroom in Lima’s Barranco neighborhood (by appointment only; message the brand on Instagram), but her new line of home goods, which includes patterned napkins and placemats, is the stuff of gifting magic. Spendy enough to feel like a treat, but not out of the question for someone you love—including yourself. Trust me, that friend who wants to zhuzh up their dining table will appreciate the mental vacation to South America every time they lay down these placemats. —Megan Spurrell, associate director, articles

One of the first things I add to any travel itinerary is time to check out local museums and galleries. I love wandering around and getting lost in various forms of art—I feel like it fuels my own creativity as a photographer. And I always make it a point to pop into the museum shop or local poster stores for prints to take home! On a November trip to Copenhagen a couple years ago, I visited the Louisiana Museum and was blown away by one of their contemporary exhibits at that time. I purchased a few prints to add to my home office gallery wall, and will always remember what a special visit that was. –Amanda Villarosa, contributor and travel photographer

The first time I tried a Turkish towel was at a hammam in Istanbul—and I haven’t used anything else since then. Authentic Turkish towels are woven on a loom with 100% Turkish cotton which results in a lightweight but highly absorbent towel that’s quick-drying and easy to roll up and throw in a beach bag or to bring to the gym. I’ve gifted Özdilek towels to pretty much everyone in my family at this point and every time I travel back to Canada from Istanbul, my mom requests I pick up some for her to gift to friends. —Kaitlyn McInnis, contributor

Isamu Noguchi’s paper lanterns, which were designed by the artist beginning in 1951 and have been handmade for a half-century in Japan since, are modern design icons. I’m finally caving—I want one. I need one! Crossing my fingers for a gift card to the Noguchi Museum so I can put it toward one of my own (like a ceiling orb). Maybe I’ll go in person to the Long Island City, New York museum shop and make a day of it. —Megan Spurrell, associate director, articles

I can say with 100 percent confidence that this is my favorite scent in the whole world. Fischersund is a wonderfully moody family-run shop in Reykjavík and all of the scents are inspired by Icelandic elements—and made with local ingredients. This shop is worth a trip to see in person; a quick smell brings back so many memories of beautiful moments spent in the mountains. —Erika Owen, contributor

I’ve taken to traveling with the incense I use at home—it offers a sense of grounding wherever I am. —Rebekah Peppler, contributor and author of Le Sud

As a mom who wants to carry lots of stuff but still look cute doing it, I found a lot of joy in this Adventureist backpack. It’s sleek yet sneakily holds a lot of what I need for a day of travel (including lots of snacks, of course!). —Lia Picard, contributor

When I’m traveling solo, I always want my hands-free, so I’m a backpack girl. Since I don’t want to drag my big travel backpack everywhere, I always pack another daypack. After going through a few that were clearly outdoor gear, I finally found this versatile Tumi foldable one. It’s chic enough to tote around urban adventures, even into business casual events, but also durable enough that I’ve been able to stuff hefty jackets into it, and it’s even braved some tough weather. —Rachel Chang, contributor

When I went to Paris last year, I had to visit my favorite store, Merci. I always spend hours in the multi-level space filled with home goods, apparel, jewelry, and more. This time, I was drawn to a wall display of multicolored canvas bags of different sizes. I had been wanting a bag to sling over my shoulder and I could tell this one was the perfect size—it didn’t look too big, but the inside was in fact very spacious and could fit my large wallet, sunglasses case, phone, keys, and a lip balm. I knew I would use it for traveling—and it is a life-saver at the airport and while touring to have important things quickly accessible but also feel secure on my body—but I also find myself using more often than not at home in Brooklyn, thanks to its understated stylishness. —Devorah Lev-Tov, contributor

Years ago, my friend Meghan bought me a set of these tiny capsules from Asian American-owned brand Cadence, and I’ve taken them on every trip since then. I organized my daily medicine and vitamins into the the little vials, as well as just-in-case medicine, so I don’t end up with so many sized bottles. Since they’re magnetic, I can adjust how many I take, based on the length and needs of a particular trip. —Rachel Chang, contributor

This is the most versatile travel companion. I use it to store my jewelry or film camera while in transit, before converting it for its intended purpose—as a chic evening bag—once I arrive at my final destination. The soft leather only improves better with wear, and the timeless shape seems to complement any outfit. —Neada Deters, founder of Lesse

I never leave the country without a travel-friendly bag that has several pockets for my travel necessities and can be worn on the front for safety purposes. I’ve been getting use out of this Lo & Sons fanny pack, as it’s versatile for everyday use as well as travel, and anyone can use it. Lo & Sons is an Asian-owned, family business that makes great products but outside of that, they have great hearts and do service work with organizations such as Heart of Dinner. –Amanda Villarosa, contributor and travel photographer

I traveled Europe for two months using Peak Design products and I’ll probably never use any others. The design details can’t be beat and the functionality is impressive. All of these products are great for trips of any size. I highly recommend them and feel they’d be amazing gifts. —Kirah Tabourn, contributor

It’s everything a traveling woman could ever want in a backpack. There are so many compartments for organization: I throw my quick toiletries and sunglasses in the top front compartment, my cords, adaptors, and other accessories in the bottom front pouch, books in the inside sleeve, and my passport and other valuables in the zippered inside pocket. My computer and my water bottle have their own bespoke spots, so they’re out of the way when I’m reaching for larger items in the main compartment. The padded shoulder straps are comfy, and there’s a sturdy strap across the back to attach it to my roller bag. Best of all, it’s stylish—my 23-year-old son oohed and aahed at it. I settled on gray so it wouldn’t show smudges, but it’s made of 100 percent recycled textured poly, so it‘s sustainable and cleans up well. It goes with me everywhere! —Betsy Andrews, contributor

I’d be remiss not to mention the Ries travel bottles. They’re Black-woman-owned, sustainable, and come in these opaque colorways with blank or labeled options to keep all your toiletries organized. —Shanika Hillocks, contributor

I am eyeing this travel bag—everything Cuyana makes is so stylish but also functional. For those who are hardy travelers (i.e., a dainty leather bag just won’t do), this will fit the bill perfectly. It just feels incredibly versatile and durable; whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a once-in-a-while trip taker, it’s the kind of bag you want to be carrying. I imagine that lugging this through LaGuardia Airport would make me look incredibly put together even if I am hightailing it to my gate catch a flight. —Priya Krishna, food writer and author of Indian-Ish

I always thought that as I got older, it would become easier to buy gifts for the women in my life. But that isn’t the case. As I have gotten older, so have they, and I’ve found that as people have more money and more developed tastes, they know what they want and, whenever possible, they buy those things for themselves. That said, my approach to gift giving for my female friends has moved away from trying to guess what I think they will like or need and more toward giving them a gift that means something to me, and thus, hopefully, to them. One of my favorite gifts to give is this bracelet, I first saw at the excellent and now-closed Beam & Anchor store in Portland, Oregon. I love that it is made by a female jeweler and that it’s somehow both casual and elegant. I’ve given it to a number of people and I love knowing that it’s a sort of unofficial friendship bracelet linking together the most important women in my life. —Rebecca Misner, senior features editor

I love gifting amazing Italian cashmere. It only becomes softer with age and living between the US and Italy, it’s almost a no brainer to me to pack. I think gifting a cashmere blanket is the equivalent of gifting a hug. Whether on a long haul flight or cozied up in their living room, it’s kind of sweet that though “mhm” moments in between are a gift from you. And in this beautiful dahlia pink is that extra fun pop of color that I love. —Nneya Richards, contributor

I believe the best gifts are the ones that someone would never buy for themselves, but are so excited to open—and they’ll actually use regularly. Enter Ralph Lauren’s dreamy cashmere travel set. The cozy trio includes a matching eye mask, blanket, and zip storage pouch, which also doubles as a travel pillow. It’s made with woven, 100% cable-knit cashmere, making it soft to the touch and warm while still remaining lightweight. When the blanket and eye mask are in its zip pouch, it’s surprisingly compact, lays nearly flat in a carry-on, and proves most useful on long-haul flights, road trips, and train rides. It really is the perfect travel gift, offering your giftee an easy way to elevate their go-to travel accessories. They might not think to splurge on a luxe eye mask or travel blanket for themselves, but they’ll definitely thank you after their next red-eye. It’s just the thing you need on a long, stressful travel day. —Meaghan Kenny, commerce editor

Did you know that Jessica Nabongo was the first documented Black woman to have visited every country in the world? I didn’t. Not until a friend of mine gifted me her book, The Catch Me If You Can. The book goes country by country in the order she visited them as she retells her favorite memories/moments throughout each. It’s an inspiring book that is a lovely addition to my coffee table. —Kayla Brock, associate social media manager

This Spanish brand makes jewelry that whispers vacation—like these seashell rings, which feel designed to be worn on sun-kissed hands lazily dangling over the edge of a beach chair. While the silver and gold seashells are to me, summer in a bottle (can you hear the ocean when you hold them up to your ear? I’d believe it), the brand’s signet rings with pet names like “Bonita” that start at under $100 feel like a grown up version of the BFF necklace. —Megan Spurrell, associate director, articles

One of the most universally loved gifts I give during the holiday season are these Barefoot Dreams blankets, and for a good reason—they’re next-level soft, reasonably priced, easily machine washable, and made for everyone—sibling, parent, mother-in-law, you name it. Have you ever seen anyone open a blanket as a gift and not have a huge smile on their face? Exactly—you can never have too many blankets, especially in the winter season. —Emily Adler, associate social media manager

As an avid reader, it’s difficult to choose just one book from my long list of current and favorite reads. The Uninhabitable Earth—Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells is a terrifying, meticulously documented, white-knuckled narrative of the avalanche of disasters humanity is facing and will continue to face as the climate crises engulfs the planet. It scares me, but also motivates me to act with urgency. —Cristina Mittermeier, conservation photographer and co-founder of SeaLegacy

Susan Orlean’s book Saturday Night is one I’ve heard about for so many years. The longtime New Yorker writer embarked on my dream trip—she traveled across the US to see what Saturday night means to different pockets of America. There are big cities and small towns, riotous bars and parking lot hangs; countless approaches to, as the book’s description calls it, “the one night of the week when we do the things we want to do rather than the things we need to do.” Orlean joined the Women Who Travel podcast recently (a must-listen conversation), and it reminded me that I need to read this. I’d love to see it under the tree, as I think most travelers would. —Megan Spurrell, associate director, articles

The escapism of mountain expeditions has given me space for self-reflection and a strong inspiration for journaling. I discovered The Five Minute Journal in 2017 and quickly became a loyal follower. This journal has worked miracles, and I know it will also work its magic on you. —Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, mountaineer and author of In The Shadow of The Mountain

I got one this year and now I can’t sleep without it. When I tell you that this pillow is extremely cushiony and comfortable, I’m not exaggerating! I’ve slept like a baby ever since I started traveling with it, it’s cushioned, soft, molds to the body, and is compact enough to fold and pack it in a carry-on bag. Needless to say, side sleepers will enjoy cozying up to this pillow on their next flight, long car ride, or hotel stay. —Johnaé De Felicis, contributor

A tarot deck is always great to have on hand while traveling. You can pull a card anywhere, and the tarot can be a great anchor whilst in the untethered world of travel. Simply asking your deck, “how can I best care for myself today” or “what can I focus on today” can add a deeper level of meaning to your day-to-day travels. My favorite deck is the Pagan Underworlds Tarot by Uusi. —Kirah Tabourn, contributor