After pivoting to backyard honeymoons in kiddie pools and staycations owing to the pandemic, couples are now looking to book that trip of a lifetime to celebrate their nuptials. As borders reopen, travel inquiries have exploded, with increased demand for romantic destinations like Greece, Turkey, Italy, and France, according to Embark Beyond. And it’s only expected to continue.
Help the happy couple gear up for a getaway and fill their homes with items that remind them of their worldwide wanders. Here are 12 gifts for travel-obsessed newlyweds.
Monogrammed passport covers: Jet-setters can never have too many passport covers, especially when they sport a fresh monogram. These Mark & Graham personalized passport covers are a super-popular newlywed gift, thanks to the usability of the item and the fact that gift givers can monogram the leather in a variety of font styles and colors. It’s especially thoughtful for anyone changing their name upon marriage. Suggested retail price: $59
Honeymoon photo shoot: Yes, honeymoon photographers are a thing. Book a 30-minute photo shoot for the newlyweds on their post-wedding trip so they’ll have a few memories that aren’t selfies. Booking platform Flytographer features local photographers in more than 350 destinations, including honeymoon hotspots like Santorini, Cabo San Lucas, French Polynesia, and, of course, Paris. SRP: Starting from $285
Packing cubes: Every traveler knows packing cubes are the secret to a well-organized bag while on the go, so send a set to the newlyweds. Paravel makes their four-cube package from recycled plastic water bottles—16 to be exact—and they can be personalized with up to nine letters each. We are partial to a classic three-character monogram, but plenty of full last names work too. SRP: $90
Carry-on suitcase: A traditional wedding gift, luggage signifies that a couple has grown up from the mismatched bags of their single lives. The Baseline carry-on from heritage luggage maker Briggs & Riley features the brand’s durable ballistic nylon fabric and patented compression-expansion system—you’d be surprised how much you can fit into it—plus a lifetime repair guarantee. It’s the type of sturdy suitcase that will last long into their marriage. SRP: $599
Puzzle: Travelers of all types have their opinions about gift-shop tchotchkes, but they will likely all appreciate the joke that is the Piecework Puzzle. Entertain the newlyweds with this 1,000-piece puzzle featuring all sorts of trinkets, baubles, and other souvenir-type goodies you’d find as you exit through the gift shop. It doubles as a date-night activity for a weekend at a cabin or casual nights planning the next adventure. SRP: $36
Film camera: There is something romantic and nostalgic about film cameras, perfect for wandering the globe. So here’s a simple point-and-shoot to recall the glamour of the darkroom. Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 90 offers a variety of functions that meld the mobile phone camera mentality with the retro look of classic film: Landscape mode works well for scenic destinations, and party mode will allow the happy couple to snap some shots while out on the town. SRP: $180
Travel book: Nothing says daydreaming quite like an Assouline coffee-table book, especially those from the publisher’s travel line. With Amalfi Coast, you’ll transport the happy couple to the yachts, food, fashion, and iconic landscape of the Italian coastline, where they can find some inspiration for future jaunts to the popular honeymoon site. Plus, check out more titles from the collection that covers such sun-drenched destinations as Mykonos, Capri, Provence, and Ibiza. SRP: $95
Weekender: Punchy colors and durable construction are what make playful brand Baboon to the Moon stand out from the crowded space of weekender bags. Designed to be “indestructible,” the brand’s Go-Bag is crafted with OM Stardust ballistic shell fabric secured with alpine-grade universal double-stitch construction and finished with military-grade mesh. Book two of the small size so the newlyweds can pack away three- to five-days’ worth of clothing for a trip via plane, train, or automobile—it’s TSA approved as carry-on luggage. Go all in with a matching dopp kit too. SRP: $169
Tea: Newlyweds will find this trio of teas sourced from around the world inspire wanderlust. The Chariteas set includes the brand’s in-house blend from Provence, a heady black tea from Indonesia, and a colorful, herbal blend dubbed Northern Lights. Chariteas sources and creates its tea blends by working with producers in Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Sri Lanka, and ensures each is a Rainforest Alliance Certified farm, keeping sustainability at the forefront. SRP: $37
Artisan home goods: Globally minded couples will appreciate the international aesthetic of home decor from GlobeIn, an artisan marketplace that features handcrafted goods from more than 50 countries. Give the couple a three-month subscription, through which they’ll receive packages of ethically sourced, fair trade goodies, including home decor, food, and servingware, all categorized by themes that the couple can choose. SRP: $120
Hammock: Evoking the style of handcrafted goods found in Cozumel, Mexico, this lacy hammock from Olive & Cocoa brings days on the beach to mind. The pair can hang it in their backyard to recall times sipping coconut water by the ocean, or take it on the go for outdoorsy summer adventures. Plus, it’s delivered to the newlyweds gift-wrapped in the brand’s handcrafted wood crates. SRP: $298
Beach guide: Beach bums will appreciate the drone photography of Randall Kaplan, known as “Mr. Beach.” As founder of a travel company focused on all things beach-related, Kaplan photographed and penned this coffee-table book/beach guide, Bliss: Beaches, featuring some of the best seaside enclaves worldwide: think Santa Barbara, Waikiki, Mooréa, and Positano. The couple will want to jump right into the pages full of turquoise waters, sailboats, and colorful umbrellas in the sand. SRP: $36
