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<\/span><\/span>Black Friday marks the beginning of the holiday gift buying rush.\u00a0 While you’re in a crowded store at 4am trying not to get trampled en route to a Ferbie (or this years equivalent, I don’t know, I’m old and childless), keep these things in mind for the travel enthusiast in your life.\u00a0\u00a0 Most of us are not too settled and don’t need more “stuff”.\u00a0 Here’s some great ideas to get the ball rolling and as an added bonus, most of these items can be found online with little to no risk of trampling.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>-TRAVEL-<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>This is the obvious one, so I’ll get it in first.\u00a0 Clearly what all of us that love to travel want most is more chances to travel.\u00a0 Whether it’s airline gift cards, frequent flyer miles, or vacation packages, we’ll love it all.\u00a0 If you’re looking to travel with the family, Southwest Vacations<\/a> offers some great packages to the American Disney Parks (Disney World<\/a><\/span><\/span> or Disneyland).\u00a0 These packages are especially handy when traveling with groups of people or with small children because everything is taken care of in one spot; airfare, hotel, rental cars, and even park tickets.\u00a0 If you’re tastes are a bit more exotic and drinking around the world at Epcot<\/a> just isn’t going to cut it, <\/span><\/span>Funjet<\/a> offers similar packages for pretty much anywhere in the world (the real world, not the Epcot<\/a> world).\u00a0 But, if these options are a little too rich for your blood then read on, there’s something for the traveler in your life at every price point.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>-BOOTS-<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>My knee high boots are probably my favorite travel accessory.\u00a0 I’ve had them for 10 years now and they’ve gone everywhere with me.\u00a0 They are a great option for colder climates (which is hard for me because I’m pretty much a Floridian now).\u00a0 All I need is my boots and a sweater and I’m ready for anything.\u00a0 These boots from Elizabethaanneshoes.com <\/a>have a pocket inside for a cell phone or credit cards, which is obviously super handy on the road.\u00a0 There are several styles to choose from, but the European (pictured below) is my favorite, and it’s flat so it’s a little more travel\/hiking friendly.\u00a0 They also come in 3 different calf widths for the harder to fit.\u00a0 They’re around $200-300, but good shoes are an investment.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>-LUGGAGE-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>Contrary to what most airlines would have you believe, every traveler needs to bring luggage (and should be able to do so with out a fee, but that’s a rant for another day).\u00a0 From the minimalist backpacker, to the cruise fanatic that packs 2 pairs of shoes per day, everyone needs something to carry their clean underwear.\u00a0 Ebags.com has my current favorite, this <\/span><\/span>American Tourister Disney Mickey Mouse Hardside Spinner 28″ Mickey Mouse Pants – American Tourister Hardside Luggage<\/a> that combines two of my favorite things, traveling and Disney!<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>-MOBILE FOODIE SURVIVAL KIT-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n This little gem is from uncommongoods.com<\/a><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 The kit looks like those stackable lipgloss things that were popular when I was in middle school (anyone remember those?) and includes 1.5 tablespoon portions of 13 common spices you may need on the go; Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Cayenne, Onion, Basil, Cinnamon, Oregano, Garlic, Thyme, Curry, Rosemary, Ginger, and Dill.\u00a0 This is perfect for someone in a vacation rental or condo that doesn’t want to spend a ton on full size bottles of spices they won’t have time to use most of, or for anyone traveling to Tennessee or the U.K. (Sorry. I love one of you, but you’re both pretty bland).<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>-CAMERA-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>Every traveler needs a good camera to make people on facebook jealous.\u00a0 There are obviously lots of great cameras on the market for every need and price point, but the one on the top of my list right now is the Olympus Stylus TG-850<\/a>.\u00a0 There are several Olympus Tough models on market, but this one is the most affordable at around $145.\u00a0 This camera lives up to it’s “tough” name.\u00a0 It’s waterproof up to 32.8′ (which seems awfully specific), can resist crushing force up to 220.5 lbs, resists shocks caused by drops up to 7 feet, can withstand temperatures as low as 14\u00b0F (hopefully I’ll never test that) and has dust infiltration for enhanced durability.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>-INFLATABLE CAR BED-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n This is perfect for the road tripper, camper, festival goer, poor college kid, almost homeless friend, or couple that’s always fighting in your life.\u00a0 It’s an air mattress that turns the back seat of your car into a bed.\u00a0 It’s the most fun and least embarrassing way to sleep in your car!\u00a0 There are a few different models out there, but I like this bright green one from Amazon.com<\/a> at $70.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>-SARONG-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>I never travel without a sarong, wrap, scarf or shawl.\u00a0 They’re are so many uses outside of the intended ones.\u00a0 I’ve used mine as blankets on planes and trains, towels, beach blankets, tourniquet for poisonous snake bite, the options are endless and it takes almost no space to wear or pack.\u00a0 Overstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/span> has some great options in their worldstock section for very reasonable prices.\u00a0 This colorful version is only $15.99.<\/p>\n <\/a>.<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>-MAP WALL MURAL-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n For the traveler that’s gotta stay home for a while, this is an excellent way to mark accomplishments and plan future journeys.\u00a0 This is a dry-erase version from dezinewithaz.com<\/a>.\u00a0 It’s sold in several different sizes and starts at $45.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>-PICNIC BASKET (OR BAG OR BACKPACK)-<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Great for camping, or just a romantic hike or day at the beach.\u00a0 I never travel without a cork screw, but this is a whole new level of preparedness.\u00a0 My favorite version is from Picnic at Ascot<\/a> for $80 and includes a space for wine, a picnic blanket, wine glasses, cork screw and a cheese board.\u00a0 This is simply amazing.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>-LANGUAGE LEARNING SOFTWARE-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>Especially good for the expat or long term traveler.\u00a0 We all wish we knew more languages.\u00a0 There are of course, many options available, but Rosetta Stone<\/a><\/span><\/span> is the most well known and widely used.\u00a0 I’ve been using the online version to learn French<\/a> and I can say it is both effective and kinda fun.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>So, let the Black Friday and Cyber Monday madness commence.\u00a0 I hope I’ve been able to inspire you for the traveler in your life, or at the very least give my friends and family some good ideas ;).\u00a0 What’s on your list?\u00a0 Did I miss anything good?<\/p>\n \n For more creative ideas for travel products, check out this post on the top gifts for travelers<\/a> at the moment!<\/span><\/p>\n