She Creates Interesting Women-friendly Travel Gifts

Evelyn Hannon

Be it for a birthday, graduation or other special event, why not experiment with travel themes when buying gifts for the women nearest and dearest to you? A terrific book teamed with other girl-friendly goodies seems to work beautifully if you choose your titles carefully. Here are just a few suggestions that have been successful for me in the past. Perhaps they'll stimulate you to create your own mix 'n match travel gift packs as well.

For great-granny... For your favorite older armchair traveller I recommend an audiobook -- perhaps, the perennial bestseller, Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. Team your selection with a framed photo of you riding a camel in India; then add long-distance vouchers so that great-granny can chat with all her relatives no matter where in the world they live. We'll bet that this gift combo gets you top marks from your family's matriarch.

For grandma... Look for a 50+ travel adventure book. You can't go wrong with either of these two titles -- Unbelievably Good Deals & Great Adventures: That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're over Fifty by Joan Rattner Heilman, or Alison Gardner's, Travel Unlimited: Uncommon Adventures for the Mature Traveler. They're both tops in their class. Then add to that a photo of you riding a camel in India (so she won't be jealous of great granny) as well as a small suitcase on wheels to make granny's globe-trotting as easy as possible. A fabulous blend of items!

For mom... I suggest the hot new culinary title, The Loving Spoonfuls Cookbook featuring women from around the world sharing their recipes and cultural memories. Combine this treat with a creatively wrapped gift certificate from the gourmet grocers and you're off to a perfect start. Now mom will be able to buy the ingredients needed for some great new recipes and will probably invite you to sample all her new, delicious fare. It's a perfect win-win situation.

For your aunt... Why not package a romantic travel biography mixed and matched with bath products from England and an assortment of aromatic teas from India? Enclose a card that encourages your aunt to start her book on a blustery winter weekend. There's nothing better than a long luxurious soak, some hot tea and a great read to wile away the hours while it's storming outdoors. For a woman's tale that combines both love and travel adventure, I recommend, A Thousand Days in Venice: An Unexpected Romance by Marlena de Blasi. Who knows? Come next spring Auntie may be on her way to England, Italy or even India.

For your sister... Pop into your nearest bookstore or shop online for Traveling Solo: Advice and Ideas for More than 250 Great Vacations written by Eleanor Berman. This resource will help your sister to track down the latest photography workshops around the world or any other hobbies she might be interested in honing. Match this with a Lowepro Mini Trekker: the light backpack designed specifically to carry a camera and accessories, add a few rolls of deluxe film plus a voucher for processing and you have a picture-perfect gift idea. (http://www.henrys.com).

More gift ideas...