Here’s the ultimate list of the best holiday travel gift ideas to surprise any travel lover in your life with something truly special.

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Best Travel Experience Gift Ideas

Best Holiday Travel Gift Ideas

Experiences often become the most memorable gifts. Instead of giving material items that might end up collecting dust on a shelf, you can surprise your loved ones with experiences that create lasting memories. As Maya Angelou once said, ‘Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.’ Whether they’re adrenaline junkies, food enthusiasts, or simply seeking moments of relaxation, this list of the best holiday travel gift ideas has something for every travel lover, offering them a chance to explore the world in a new way.

1. Spa and Wellness Retreats

For those looking to unwind, a spa or wellness experience can be the perfect gift. For me, a relaxing spa day is the best self-care moment. Gifting a weekend at a serene retreat, where your loved one can disconnect from the stresses of everyday life, is definitely one of the most unique holiday travel gift ideas. Many wellness retreats also offer yoga, meditation, and luxurious spa treatments, providing both mental and physical restoration.

You can find all the top-rated spa hotels around the world through Expedia Spa Resort Search.

• Beer Spa Experience in Alicante with Tastings and Snacks (check it out)
• Hammam Al Ándalus in Malaga (check it out)
• Rigi Mineral Baths in Switzerland (check it out)
• Bormio Thermal Spa Trip in Italy (check it out)
• Entry Ticket to QC NY Spa on Governors Island (check it out)

2. Unique Hotel Stays

If you do not think that a unique hotel experience can be an extraordinary gift, you’ve probably missed all the unique options out there. For instance, in Spain, you can easily spend a night in a castle or ancient monastery, like Parador de Alarcon (you can check out the full list of castle-hotels in this post) or Parador de Santo Estevo in Northern Spain. The latter is a luxury hotel housed inside an ancient monastery with a serene spa. The last time we visited, it was a surprise weekend from my husband, and we even had breakfast served in the room – such a pampering getaway that I would love to repeat one day. From international destinations, places like Pera Palace in Istanbul, where Agatha Christie and Ernest Hemingway once stayed, Argos in Cappadocia, Kakslauttanen Igloo in Finnish Lapland, and Under Canvas Moab for glamping are all incredible options.

You can find the best hotel deals via Expedia, Agoda, Booking, and Hotellook.

3. Cruises and River Cruises

A cruise is one of the most indulgent ways to explore multiple destinations, and depending on your interests, you can choose anything from a Mediterranean cruise to an ocean cruise or a scenic river cruise through the heart of Europe. The biggest advantage of this travel experience is that you can visit many places without losing time on planes and trains, or constantly packing and unpacking. Plus, living on a boat is a unique experience that already feels like an adventure in itself.

You can find the best cruise deals on Expedia.

4. Subscription Boxes for Travelers

For me, travel subscription boxes are much more about the experience of traveling from home than about the simple items. This is especially true for subscription boxes designed for travel enthusiasts or fans of international foods. For instance, while I still haven’t made it to Japan, the TokyoTreat subscription box was a fun experience to share with my kids over the holidays this year. Full of gourmet snacks, it brought excitement and anticipation. Opening it and tasting new things felt like an adventure, especially since Japan has such a unique culture, and is all about new tastes and flavors for anyone from Western countries. I think subscription boxes are a great way to keep the travel spirit alive year-round, especially for people who can’t set off to a new country right away but love dreaming of far-off places. You can read more about my favorite travel subscription boxes in this post.

• Sakuraco Box
• TokyoTreat Box

4. Food Tours and Culinary Experiences

As a foodie, I try to explore new gastronomic experiences on every trip, as I believe local dishes are an essential part of any new culture. Wine tasting, cooking classes, and eating with locals in their homes are just a few of the memorable experiences that can make a perfect holiday gift. Not only do you get to try new dishes, but you also engage with locals in a fun and personal way while learning the story behind each dish.

You can find unique cooking experiences in new places via Eatwith, Viator, and GetYourGuide.

5. Adventurous Experiences

For thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies, consider gifting an adventure that pushes their limits. Whether it’s zip-lining in the Pyrenees, bungee jumping in New Zealand, a helicopter flight in Hawaii, kayaking in Costa Brava, whale watching in Iceland, or a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, there are endless opportunities for adventurous experiences around the world. Adventurous gifts often create the most unique memories, turning a simple trip into the ultimate rush of excitement and achievement.

You can find the best adventurous gifts around the world on GetYourGuide, Viator, and Manawa.

6. Performances and Live Events

Life performances also make epic holiday travel gifts. A ticket to a Broadway show, a flamenco performance in Spain, or a concert in Vienna can be the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local culture and create unforgettable memories. The last concert I attended in Vienna during a European Christmas getaway was one of my most memorable and romantic travel experiences ever. So, exploring a local arts scene is a gift that resonates long after the curtain falls.

You can find tickets for thousands of the world’s biggest events, performers, teams, and sports leagues via Ticketmaster.

7. Scenic Train Journeys

There’s something magical about traveling by train, especially when the route takes you through breathtaking landscapes. My personal bucket-list plan is the Glacier Express in Switzerland, which offers panoramic views of the Alps. However, there are lots of other unique train journeys around the world, like the luxurious Orient Express, Seven Stars in Kyushu (Japan), Palace on Wheels in India, and the Rocky Mountaineer in North America. The opportunity to dine in style while a magical countryside unfolds outside the window is definitely one of the most unique experiences to gift any travel lover.

What’s Unique About Gifting Experiences?

From my personal memory box, I can say that my most meaningful gifts have always been experiences that can’t be wrapped up in a box. The beauty of gifting experiences is that they represent thoughtfulness, consideration, and a genuine desire to give someone the opportunity to try something new. I love that experiences are versatile and can be tailored to fit any personality. By choosing something that aligns with the recipient’s passions and interests, you give them a chance to create a memory that will last a lifetime.

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For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

• Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda, Booking, and Hotellook
• Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
• Museums&attractions: get instantly available mobile tickets for attractions around the world via Tiqets and Go City
• Audio guides: book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
• Travel Insurance: find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage, EKTA, and Insubuy
• Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
• Flights: Find the best time to book flights with Skyscanner’s Savings Generator or use WayAway and Aviasales
• Airport Lounge: Get independent airport lounge access worldwide via Priority Pass
• Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Trainline, Busbud, and Omio
• Car rental: To find the best deals I use Rental Cars, Discover Cars, Localrent, GetRentalCar
• Transfers: For individual transfer services I like GetTransfer, Kiwitaxi, and Indrive – city to city
• For Foodies: Eatwith is great for finding culinary experiences with locals
• Suitcases&Luggage: To eliminate problems of early arrivals/late departures I find helpful Radical Storage
• Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: AirHelp and Compensair are useful for all flight cancellation or delay claims
• To avoid roaming fees I use Airalo and DrimSim around the world
• Budget-friendly stays: Check out Hostelworld to find the best deals around the world
• Events: To find the best offers I use Ticketmaster and TicketNetwork
• Renting Bikes: to find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles I use BikesBooking
• Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
• For Bloggers: To monetize my blog I use Travelpayouts and Stay22