Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life
Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - The Essentials for Jetsetters
For the frequent flyer, packing light is an art form. Carrying bulky items and overstuffed luggage can weigh you down, while forgetting something essential can ruin your whole trip. That's why having the right gear tailored to your destinations makes all the difference.
Start with versatile clothing that layers well, like moisture-wicking shirts, pants with zip-off legs, and lightweight merino wool sweaters. Stick to neutral solids and basics in dark colors to mix and match. Bring just enough for laundry every 3-5 days. Stuff socks and underwear into your shoes to maximize space.
Don't forget the necessities like prescription meds, chargers, battery packs, and adapters for electronics. Pick up a set of packing cubes or reusable compression sacks to organize. A large scarf can double as a blanket or sarong. Tiny bottles of Dr. Bronner's soap pulls triple duty as shampoo, body wash and laundry soap.
A good travel backpack with straps and pockets takes the load off your shoulders. Waterproof and slash-proof versions keep valuables safe. For rolling luggage, choose something durable yet lightweight with smooth spinner wheels and a long handle.
Stay hydrated with a good water bottle and filtered straw. Pack diarrhea meds, Band-Aids, antacids, motion sickness pills - anything that could ruin your vacation. Melatonin or eye masks encourage sleep. Stash emergency cash, a backup debit or credit card, and a photocopy of your passport in case of theft.
Don't forget entertainment! Load your phone or tablet with playlists, movies, ebooks, games and language apps. Bring a paperback book as backup. Power banks and portable chargers keep you powered up. Noise-canceling headphones create peace. And of course, don't leave your camera gear behind!
What else is in this post?
- Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - The Essentials for Jetsetters
- Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Pack Light, Pack Love
- Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Gifts to Elevate the Journey
- Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Indulge Their Wanderlust
- Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Itinerary Inspiration
- Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Relaxation and Rejuvenation
- Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Capture the Memories
- Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Gifts from the Heart
Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Pack Light, Pack Love
Packing light requires strategy and discipline, but the payoff is huge. Eliminating non-essentials gives you freedom: freedom from schlepping bulky bags, and freedom to fully experience your destination. For the savvy traveler, packing light is an act of self-love.
“I used to agonize over packing for weeks before a big trip,” says frequent flyer Max Wong. “I worried I would forget something important, so I’d toss in all kinds of stuff I didn’t really need like four pairs of shoes and my entire makeup bag.” The result? Severe back and shoulder pain from hauling overweight luggage through airports.
Max has since adopted a “less is more” mentality. “Now, for a two week vacation, I pack about a third of what I used to. I stick to versatile neutral clothing that layers well, limit liquids and toiletries to travel sizes, and I never check a bag anymore. My back thanks me!”
Marie Chen takes a ruthless approach to packing light. “I lay out everything I’m considering on my bed. Then I force myself to cut out half. If I’m really torn about something, I ask: realistically, will I actually wear or use this more than once during my trip? If the answer is no, it doesn’t make the cut.”
This brutality paid off when Marie and her partner Ryan embarked on a whirlwind backpacking tour of Southeast Asia. “We each had a 40 liter backpack containing a couple changes of clothes, basic toiletries, medications, one pair of sandals, and our camera gear. That’s it. We did laundry every few days. Our bags never slowed us down.”
Ryan admits it took some adjustment at first. “I'm used to overpacking everything just in case. But limiting myself forced creativity, like wearing shirts and shorts multiple times between washings, and making do without my electric shaver. In the end, it was incredibly freeing. We could hop buses and trains at a moment's notice, stay in the cheapest hostels, and fully immerse ourselves in each new place.”
The benefits extend beyond travel. Eve Chen, Marie’s sister, takes a minimalist approach to everyday life. “I stick to a cohesive, neutral-colored wardrobe of versatile pieces in breathable fabrics. I don't own any specialty gadgets or appliances. My makeup routine is super simple. This feeds my soul. I just feel lighter and more clear-headed without all the clutter.”
Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Gifts to Elevate the Journey
Whether it's a short weekend getaway or an around-the-world adventure, travel is always better with the right gear. For the jet-setter in your life, gifts that elevate the journey will make every trip more comfortable, convenient and fun.
Noise-canceling headphones are a frequent flyer's best friend, creating a peaceful oasis amid the din of plane engines and crying babies. Top options from Bose and Sony deliver rich audio and block up to 95% of ambient noise. For music lovers, upgrade to wireless models or premium over-ear headphones from brands like Bowers & Wilkins and Bang & Olufsen.
A sleek new piece of luggage never goes out of style. Top brands like Briggs & Riley, Tumi and Samsonite offer stylish and rugged options built to last. Spinner wheels, telescoping handles, TSA locks and hidden compartments keep savvy travelers rolling in comfort. For shorter trips, a quality weekender bag or leather duffel emanates luxury.
For camera enthusiasts, upgrades like a new DSLR, lenses, tripod or drone take travel photography to the next level. Waterproof and shock-resistant camera bags keep expensive gear protected in the field. A portable photo printer like the Canon Selphy lets you print snapshots on the go.
An e-reader loaded with new books makes long flights fly by. The Kindle Paperwhite offers a crisp, paper-like display without glare - perfect for beach or poolside reading. For magazine junkies, a digital subscription to Zinio gives unlimited access to popular titles viewable on any device. Don't forget the noise-canceling headphones to tune out interruptions!
Stay powered up around the globe with versatile charging gear like portable battery packs, international power adapters, surge protectors with USB ports and lightweight solar panels. Protect electronics on the road with hard shell laptop sleeves, tablet cases and waterproof phone pouches.
For savvy digital nomads and remote workers, productivity gifts like laptop stands, wireless keyboards or mice, external monitors and cloud storage subscriptions keep workflow smooth no matter where the journey leads. Upgrade to a Microsoft Surface or Macbook Air for maximum portability and performance.
Even the most seasoned jet-setters appreciate gifts that make frequent flier routines more pleasant. High quality compression socks boost circulation on long-haul flights. Soothing aromatherapy mists, sleep masks, melatonin supplements and herbal teas promote relaxation before and during flights. And a soft travel blanket and pillow means they can always curl up and sleep tight.
Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Indulge Their Wanderlust
For the incurable wanderluster, few gifts beat the thrill of planning a new adventure. Surprise your favorite travel fiend by planning an exotic getaway together, or give them the tools to craft their dream trip solo.
Surprising your partner with a romantic vacation planned just for two is the ultimate indulgence. Know their travel style and bucket list dreams, then craft an itinerary just for them. Focus on destinations, experiences and hotels that speak to their interests and personality.
For a couple that loves the outdoors, look into an active escape like an African safari, hiking Machu Picchu, or a national park road trip. Beach bums? Bora Bora and the Maldives overflow with overwater bungalow luxury. Arts aficionados thrive in cultured capitals like Paris, Madrid and Istanbul. And foodies feast on culinary delights in Hong Kong, Tuscany and San Sebastian.
"Last year, my husband Thomas surprised me with a two week trip to Thailand," says frequent flyer Claire Wen. "He knows it's been my dream destination forever. He took care of everything - flights, hotels, tours - and kept it all secret until he gave me the itinerary as a gift. It was so thoughtful and personal. We had the most incredible time."
For solo travelers, give them tools and inspiration to plan their own adventure. Gift cards for flights allow them to choose the destination. Subscriptions to travel planning sites like TripIt Pro and Inspirock make crafting complex itineraries a breeze.
E-gift cards for Airbnb give access to unique lodging options worldwide. Or for a splurge, book them a night in a breathtaking overwater villa in Bora Bora through Hotels.com. Leave the rest up to their wanderlust whims.
Coffee table books and glossy magazines expose them to new destinations and spark inspiration. Vivid visuals and engaging stories in Conde Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet and Travel + Leisure transport them. Dreamy photography books by Peter Adams, Art Wolfe and Matthieu Ricard ignite intense longing.
Handpicked guides like Lonely Planet's "Ultimate Travel List" or "1,000 Places To See Before You Die" offer a lifetime's worth of must-see destinations. Galleries of world heritage sites, natural wonders and cultural treasures will send their travel-craving imagination into overdrive.
"My sister knows me so well," says globetrotter Jay Cheng. "For my birthday she gave me a stunning hardcover book showcasing beautiful lesser-known places, along with a handwritten note saying she can't wait to hear my stories when I get back. It meant a lot coming from a fellow traveler who really gets my passion."
Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Itinerary Inspiration
Crafting the perfect travel itinerary is an art unto itself. An inspired route transforms a trip from mundane to magical, creating once-in-a-lifetime memories worth reliving again and again. For a wanderluster, few gifts beat helping them craft their dream multi-destination journey.
“Last spring, my partner surprised me with a two week trip to Southeast Asia,” says wanderluster Leah Chen. “What made it incredible was how thoughtfully he crafted our route to match my interests while also exposing me to someplace new.”
The trip started in Bangkok, allowing Leah to experience the Grand Palace, floating markets, temples and street food that enthralled her as a child. Next came three days in Chiang Mai, where she fed her love of elephants at a responsible sanctuary and awoke for sunrise above the clouds in a mountain teahouse.
From there, it was on to Vietnam. “I’d always wanted to see Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets and cruise Halong Bay, and we got to do both!” Leah exclaims. The itinerary culminated in four days beachside in Phuket, Thailand. “It was the perfect blend of culture, nature and relaxation - all locations I was dying to visit, logically sequenced.”
Marie Chen has a penchant for art and architecture, so her partner Ryan crafted a 10-day Italy itinerary just for her. “He knows me so well,” Marie beams. “We started in Florence, seeing Michelangelo’s David, the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery.”
Next came four days in Venice, drifting the canals by gondola and admiring Byzantine mosaics. Then a night in the Tuscan countryside, exploring quaint hill towns and wineries. Two final days immersed them in the sights and tastes of Rome: the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum, markets overflowing with cheese, salami and olives.
“Each place was so unique, and the transitions smooth thanks to Ryan’s planning,” Marie says. “It was my dream trip - and now I get to relive it whenever we look through our photos together.”
For a couple’s or friend’s trip, collaborating on the itinerary together adds to the anticipation. Lou Chen and her college roommates, passionate about food, planned an epic culinary extravaganza across Mexico and the American Southwest. “We spent a year researching, compiling spreadsheets and maps, deliberating over the perfect taquerias, mole sauces and mezcals to sample region by region,” Lou recalls fondly.
Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Relaxation and Rejuvenation
Even the most adventurous travelers need moments of rest and relaxation to recharge between exploits. For a jet-setter you love, gifts that pamper both body and mind renew their vigor for the journey ahead.
Marie Chen swears by her home massage roller after grueling flights. “It looks like a rolling pin with little spikes all over,” she explains. “After being squeezed like a sardine for 14 hours, it's sheer bliss to roll out all the knots in my back and legs.” For sore muscles, a vibrating foam roller also hits the spot.
After a long-haul journey, acupressure mats and foot massagers get the circulation going again. “That pins-and-needles feeling when your foot falls asleep on the plane is so uncomfortable,” Marie says. “My shiatsu foot massager fixes that fast.” Throw in a set of compression socks to boost blood flow.
Essential oils and aromatherapy soothe both body and mind. “I spritz lavender spray on my pillow to help me sleep after a long flight,” says Ryan. For calming nerves before flying, he massages eucalyptus oil into his temples. A travel-sized diffuser mists any room with relaxing scents.
For chilling out in transit, Adult Coloring Books combine creativity with meditative focus. Ryan swears by them for passing layovers calmly. “It's like a form of moving meditation, slowing my breathing while I concentrate on coloring intricate patterns and designs.”
Hydrating face masks give skin a luminous post-flight glow, while hydrating sheet masks replenish pores. Foot masks transform callused soles soft and smooth again. Soothing aloe and calendula creams provides cooling relief from sunburns.
Herbal teas in relaxing flavors like chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm encourage restful sleep. Melatonin supplements, sleep masks and earplugs all combat jet lag. Try Wake-Up Light alarm clocks to adjust your circadian rhythms.
For digital detoxing, e-readers allow you to catch up on books and magazines without the lure of social media and email. Adult puzzle books boost brainpower through word searches, Sudoku, crosswords and logic puzzles. A mini travel journal inspires reflecting on each day's experiences and adventures.
“My perfect decompression ritual after a long trip is an Epsom salt bath with a good book and candlelight,” reveals Claire Chen. The magnesium in the salts unwinds tight muscles as she savors having nowhere to be. Follow with rich body butters and creams to lock in moisture after the drying plane cabin.
If their travels have a higher purpose, journaling allows reflecting on how the journey has shifted perspectives. Leah Chen volunteers abroad yearly, and always journals after. “It helps me process what I learned and how I’ve grown”, she says, “and cement those lessons so I don’t lose them when I go home.”
Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Capture the Memories
The images etched most vividly in our minds are often from our travels. That mist-veiled sunrise over Angkor Wat. The vivid neon glow of Shibuya Crossing. The swell of pride atop Machu Picchu. Photos and videos transport us right back into the moment, vivid memories flooding forth. For a traveler you love, gifts to capture their journey’s quintessential moments are priceless.
“On my trip to Tokyo, I was mesmerized wandering the food stalls of the Tsukiji fish market,” recalls Ryan Chen. “I must have taken over a hundred photos of the neon-hued tuna and octopus, sizzling ramen stands, and chefs slicing silky sashimi.” Back home, he transformed his snapshots into a photobook chronicling his foodie adventures and the memories came rushing back.
Marie Chen is compiling all her Europe trip photos into a daily journal-style scrapbook. “I’m printing my favorite shots of each landmark, cafe, cute alley or artisan shop, then hand-writing my experiences that day on the facing page.” She adds stickers, tickets and other memorabilia collected along the way. “It lets me re-live those moments vividly. The sights, sounds, tastes and feelings all come flooding back.”
Max Wong shoots hours of video everywhere he travels, from walking tours to local street scenes. “Back home, I'll spend days crafting sentimental montages set to music, condensing the essence of a country into a 5-minute video that transports me right back there.” He uploads the best clips to YouTube to share the experience with friends and family.
Drone enthusiast Jay Cheng captures stunning aerial footage on his travels. “Seeing Machu Picchu from above with a drone is breathtaking,” he says. “The perspective you get is totally unique.” He edits the video into cinematic highlights of each destination to share on social media. 4K resolution video and smoother camera motion opens up a whole new world.
Leah Chen journals nightly on trips abroad, jotting her reflections on sights seen, lessons learned, amusing misadventures and new perspectives. “Journaling imprints my experiences so I don’t forget them. And it lets me appreciate how every trip changes me for the better.” She re-reads her travel journals regularly, fondly recalling her growth.
For camera buffs, upgrades like higher megapixel DSLRs, zoom lenses, gimbals and drones take travel photography to new heights. Waterproof cameras withstand the splashiest adventures. Portable mini photo printers like the Polaroid Hi-Print let you create and share prints instantly.
Travel scrapbooking kits contain stickers, die-cuts, customizable albums and acid-free supplies to safely store treasures like ticket stubs, receipts, maps and brochures. Journals and pens inspire reflecting on each day’s gifts and lessons.
Globetrotting Love: 36 Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for the Wanderlust in Your Life - Gifts from the Heart
Beyond the material, some of the most cherished gifts speak straight to the heart. For a special jet-setter, nothing conveys love better than something handmade just for them, or quality time spent connecting over shared passions.
“Last year my girlfriend surprised me with a scrapbook chronicling our travels together,” shares Ryan Chen. The pages brim with photos, tickets, journal entries and other memorabilia from the worldwide adventures they’ve shared over their five-year relationship.
“She handmade every page, with little captions and notes about moments that had special meaning for us,” Ryan explains. One page displays a napkin from the beachfront bistro in Nice where Ryan first said “I love you.” Another shows their hiking boots side-by-side atop Half Dome in Yosemite, commemorating the trails they’ve wandered together.
“It was so meaningful and personal. Every turn of the page recalls treasured memories we’ve built exploring the world side-by-side,” Ryan says. “Now we keep adding to it, building a lasting chronicle of our journey together.”
“She would listen patiently as I babbled about frog-catching adventures in the creek, or climbing the big oak tree out back,” Marie fondly recalls. “Then she’d carefully select the perfect photos, caption them in her flowing script, and paste them lovingly into her album for me.”
Page by page, Nai Nai’s albums capture Marie’s wonder-filled early travels, from hiking mountain trails to piloting boats on her uncle’s pond. “She celebrated experiences that shaped my lifelong love of exploring nature. Whenever I look through her albums, I feel her love, and her spirit adventuring alongside me.”
Leah Chen recently compiled favorite photos from her family into a Shutterfly photobook for her parents’ 40th anniversary. The book traces her parents’ worldwide travels through four decades side-by-side, from backpacking as newlyweds to recent exotic cruises with their grandchildren.
“As I paged through their old dusty albums, I saw how travel shaped their entire life together,” Leah reflects. “From the Taj Mahal to the Panama Canal, each adventure deepened their love and partnership.” The process of culling through their entire journey moved Leah deeply.
Claire Chen finds creative outlets like poetry and acrylic pouring painting therapeutic to unwind from life’s stresses. Last Valentine’s Day, she gave her partner a book of love poems she had written over their years together, concealed in a hollowed-out travel guide.
“I’d write the poems in my journal whenever I was missing him while away on work trips,” Claire explains. “They trace the evolution of my love and longing across the world we’ve explored separately and together.”