When searching for unique gifts for family travelers, Etsy is a good place to begin. A marketplace of online shops owned by craftspeople and collectors, Etsy is filled with handcrafted works in all mediums, often one-of-a-kind or custom-made. It’s like an open studio, a place to share the latest creations directly to people who appreciate handcrafted things.
Any traveling friend would be delighted to find handcrafted custom leather luggage tags or a beautiful hand-tooled leather passport case. While monogrammed tags are not uncommon, most are machine-made tags with initials or names stamped on. These Defarge tags are handcrafted and hand-sewn, with the name, initials or inscription of your choice included.
Passport cases and matching tooled notebook covers are also handmade, designed to fit credit cards. And if your traveling friends are Dr. Who fans, you can even choose a Tardis River Song hand-tooled passport case or luxury journal.
Other Etsy shops specialize in antique and vintage collectibles, often selected from personal collections. Antique maps are a natural gift for travelers, and smaller ones are surprisingly inexpensive. An 1895 Baedeker map of Pisa, Italy, for example, is only $21.
© Lura Seavey
Smaller maps begin as low as $10 for an 1895 map of Aranjuez, Spain, for instance. If your traveling friends love exploring historic cemeteries, they would treasure an 1896 map of the famed Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. These maps are perfect for framing and include information on their provenance, authenticity and how to care for antique maps. All maps are sent in archival paper and can be gift packaged. A group of several maps is a good beginning for a map collection.
Edna’s Maperie has a vast store of antique maps, especially of cities and regions in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Germany. At least two of these will be included in the Deluxe Vintage Travel Ephemera Kit, a custom curated collection featuring more than 100 different pieces. Each kit is unique but will include maps; guidebook pages from 1896–1970s; and a worldwide collection of vintage tickets, travel advertising, vintage postcards, antique and vintage travel book illustrations, hotel memorabilia and other colorful pieces to brighten up a travel journal or scrapbook. The deluxe collection is gift-ready, beautifully packaged in a folder crafted from a recycled map. For a really special gift, pair this travel ephemera collection with a hand-tooled notebook, everything needed to create a beautiful personal travel journal. If it’s going to someone very special, why not include an airline ticket?
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Dec 4, 2023Head to Sonoma County for the 11th Annual First Day Hike
As the new year quickly approaches, family travelers are busy making lots of plans for a year of great travel and a healthier 2024. And what better way to combine the two than with a beautiful hike through nature at one of California’s most beloved state parks?
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Destinations / North America
Dec 4, 2023Comfort Hotels Undergoes Transformation, Becomes More Family-Friendly Than Ever
Last month, Comfort Hotels, part of Choice Hotels brand, unveiled its first Rise & Shine prototype, a game-changer for family travelers seeking safe, comfortable and fun stays on the road. The new Rise & Shine was revealed in the opening of Comfort Inn & Suites in Mountain Grove, Missouri, located near Mark Twain National Forest.
Destinations / North America
Dec 1, 2023Now’s Your Last Chance to See Pandas in the United States
When the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., sent its three pandas to China in November, it left only one other U.S. zoo with these fascinating animals. Families now must travel to Atlanta to see pandas, but even those will soon return to China.
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Destinations / North America
Dec 1, 2023Spend Winter in Winnipeg
Take family travels to Winnipeg, Canada, this winter. Despite its brisk winters, Winnipeggers lean into the weather by celebrating the season in creative and joyful ways. Keep reading for can’t-miss winter activities in Winnipeg:
ShareThis