Travel

Luxury gifts for travel lovers that will upgrade any trip

Man travelling in luxury

Travelling in luxury means enjoying the best of the best on every step of the journey – and that includes in the accessories you take with you on your adventures. 

In fact, what you pack for your trip can make for an instant travel upgrade.

So, when it comes to buying the perfect present for the seasoned traveller – whether they’re passionate about exploring the world, are happiest on a beach, or travel regularly for business – all of these gifts have one thing in common: they’re going to take their adventures up a gear.

From gadgets that will instantly upgrade any flight to travel-friendly luxuries ready to be packed for their next trip, here are the absolute best gifts to buy the jetsetter in your life. Or for yourself (hey, it’s all part of travel planning…) 

Tempur Transit pillow 

Tempur Transit pillow

When it comes to travelling in comfort, this is the best of the best. Tempur is known for delivering the best night’s sleep through its high-quality mattresses and unique contouring to the body, and this travel pillow from the sleep experts brings that body-moulding comfort to the skies. Designed to cover the shoulders and support the head and neck, the temperature-sensitive filling forms to your head and neck with maximum support and minimum counter pressure. The result? Instant relaxation, wherever you are. 

£75, Tempur 

Tile Slim 

Tile Slim

You’ve probably already heard about the game-changing benefits of using a Tile Bluetooth tracker to never again misplace your keys and other valuables – but did you know that it can become one of your go-to travel essentials, too? The Tile Slim is the perfect size for sliding into a luggage tag, passport holder or wallet. Then, simply use the free Tile app on Android or iOS to always be able to see them on a map and always keep track of your belongings, wherever you are. 

£29.00, Tile

Glen Iorsa lavender and spearmint pillow spray 

Arran-pillow spray

Feeling relaxed and getting a restful sleep is a total sensory experience – and so whether you are in the air or in a hotel room, a high-quality pillow spray like this one can make the experience feel ten times more luxurious. This mist boasts the calming properties of spearmint and lavender – spritz on your skin or your pillow, enjoy the relaxing aroma and sink into sleep.

£15, ARRAN 

Twelve South Bluetooth adaptor by AirFly

Twelve South by Airfly

We don’t go anywhere without our favourite Bluetooth headphones, so why should travelling be any different? Whether you’re buying a gift for someone who is serious about their music or their favourite audio tech, this game changing gadget is a Bluetooth adaptor for the old-school headphone jack found in inflight entertainment (or at the gym, for example) – so they’ll be able to use their AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones with any entertainment system. Even more importantly, they’ll never have to use the airline’s own-brand free headsets again. Now, that’s luxury. 

£29.99, Very

Grey Canvas Travel Backpack by Paul Smith 

Once you invest in a quality backpack for your travels, you’ll wonder what you ever did without one. This is the only one you’ll need: it comes complete with multiple zipped pockets to protect your valuables, adjustable padded straps and a sleek design complete with premium leather trims and Paul Smith’s signature stripe – making it as stylish as it is functional. Plus, you can grab it on sale for half price right now. 

£213, Paul Smith 

A sustainable holiday 

If you haven’t yet been introduced to the great concept of Byway, you’re in for a treat: the travel company specialises in ‘slow travel’ by train, ensuring you’ll love the journey as much as your destination. Not only can you book your own holidays across the UK and Europe with them, but they also offer gift cards – allowing you to give the gift of slow travel to your nearest and dearest. Whether they want to take a solo adventure alond the Italian Riviera, or a romantic trip for two on the Cornish Coast, the options for dates and locations are plentiful and left entirely up to them – and gift cards never expire. With prices from £50, this is one sustainable trip which doesn’t cost the earth. 

£50, Byway 

The ultimate staycation jacket

If they love exploring the UK’s great outdoors, we’ve found the perfect addition to their staycation wardrobe: this ‘Unforgettable Landscapes’ fleece by the activewear experts at Roxy. Crucially, it’s ultra lightweight while being breathably warm, meaning it’s ready to be packed for any adventure without weighing them down. Water repellent layering on the front and back provides protection from wet weather, while its high collar and thumb holes will keep them wrapped up and cosy in lower climes. Not only does it look great, but it’s on sale with 20% off right now.

£47.99, Roxy

Nintendo Switch Lite 

For regular travellers and families alike, there’s one entertainment system which is head and shoulders above the rest: the Nintendo Switch. A joy to play on-the-go in handheld mode, or connected to a TV set in a second, best-selling games available on the system range from the family-friendly multiplayer action of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and the new Mario Party Superstars, to the excellent solo adventures of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Game of the Year Award-winning Hades. Now, gamers can grab the even more travel-friendly lightweight edition with integrated controls and a wide range of colours to choose from. With this, whether you’re passing the time on the plane, train or a hotel room, travel has never been so fun. 

£199.99, Nintendo  

Silk eye mask in navy by This is SIlk 

Get a luxurious night’s sleep – even at 30,000 feet – with this beautiful silk eye mask by silk experts and four-time winners of The Independent’s “Best Buy” status, This Is Silk. Smart travelers know that not only is a luxe eye mask heaven-sent when on a plane, but it’s worth its weight in gold when you land in a far-flung destination too, allowing you to block out light, get a great sleep and eliminate jet lag. 

£26.99, This Is Silk 

Ready to plan your next trip? Make the most of your time off with our guide on how to get 56 days of holiday with just 22 days of annual leave.

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