Finding a gift for someone who loves to travel sounds easy enough… until you realise they probably already own three passport holders, a collection of baggage tags and enough travel-themed mugs to last a lifetime.

After around 20 years of travelling while balancing a full-time job, I’ve learnt that the best travel gifts aren’t necessarily the most expensive or the most obvious. They’re the things that make an adventure easier, help you capture an incredible moment or inspire you to experience somewhere new.

In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m sharing 24 unique travel gift ideas that are practical, stylish and genuinely worth considering. From clever photography gear and travel accessories to off-grid escapes and memorable experiences, there’s something for every kind of traveller. I’m also sharing the travel gifts I’d skip, so you can spend your money on something they’ll actually use.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• 24 unique travel gift ideas for frequent flyers, adventure seekers, photographers and road-trippers
• Stylish travel accessories that combine practicality with good design
• Photography gifts for capturing incredible travel memories, from compact tripods to drones and underwater camera accessories
• Useful travel essentials for packing, organising documents and making long journeys more comfortable
• Experience-based gifts, including tiny house getaways and unforgettable adventures
• Travel gifts I’d avoid buying, and what I’d choose instead

Stylish gifts for travel photographers

1. The Actually Stylish Camera Bag – Taz + Tez: Taz + Tez

2. A Travel-Ready Drone: DJI Mini 5 Pro: DJI Mini 5 Pro

3. Tiny House Getaway Voucher: Read Why Everyone Should Do A Yearly Off-Grid Tiny House Stay (And How To Plan Yours).

4. Travel-Friendly Camera Accessories from URTH: URTH

5. Multi-Tasking Power Bank

6. Picnic Wine Table

7. Luxury Travel Skincare

8. Pocket Projector

9. Document Wallet

10. Waterproof Jewellery from Atolea: Atolea

11. Versatile Travel Friendly Scarf

12. The Perfect Lightweight Linen Shirt: CABO Palms Shirt Dress from White Bohemian

13. Noise-Cancelling Headphones

14. Airport Lounge Pass

15. Lightweight Travel Tripod (with Mobile Attachment)

16. AirTags

17. Universal Travel Adapter

18. Hanging Toiletry Bag

19. AirFly Wireless Adapter: AirFly

20. Wooden World Map: Enjoy The Wood

21. Packing Cubes

22. Waterproof Action Camera

23. Underwater Dome Housing for Phones: GDome

24. Experiences

Disclosure: Some links in the accompanying blog guide may be affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

There are places you visit because they’re jaw-droppingly beautiful. And then there are places you visit because the experience is so strange and unique that you spend the entire time thinking, “How is this actually real?”

The Dead Sea in Jordan is definitely the second kind.

When I visited, I knew I was going to float. What I didn’t realise was quite how weird that would feel... or how difficult it would be to get comfortable when your legs are determined to pop out of the water. Add sharp salt crystals, very unhappy cuts, and the danger of getting saltwater anywhere near your eyes, and the Instagram version suddenly looks very different!

In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m sharing what it’s really like to visit the Dead Sea in Jordan, including what surprised me, what I wish I’d known before getting in and how I’d plan the experience into a wider Jordan itinerary.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What it actually feels like to float in the Dead Sea
• Why cuts and cracked skin can make the experience surprisingly painful
• The very important reason you should keep your head above water
• What happens to your skin when you get out
• The best time of year and time of day to visit
• Where to stay (If I went again, I'd stay at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, or Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa)

Helpful Resources & Links

Continue planning Jordan:

• Floating on the Dead Sea in Jordan - A deeper dive into what's covered in this episode.
• Ultimate Jordan Travel Guide - everything you need to know before planning your trip
• How to Visit Petra, Jordan - practical tips for planning your Petra experience
• Wadi Rum, Jordan - what it’s like to experience Jordan’s spectacular desert landscape

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Vanuatu has 83 islands, but that doesn’t mean you need to visit 83... or even five.

When I started planning my own Vanuatu trip, I found myself wondering whether we were making the wrong choice by only visiting two islands. Were we going to miss out on Santo? Should we have tried to squeeze in another island? And would we regret not seeing more?

After eight days split between Efate and Tanna, I came away convinced that Vanuatu is a destination where depth beats coverage.

In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m breaking down the main Vanuatu islands travellers consider and, more importantly, helping you work out which island is right for the way you actually like to travel.

Because the best Vanuatu island isn't necessarily the one with the prettiest Instagram photos. It’s the one that gives you the experiences you travelled all that way for.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Which Vanuatu island is best for first-time visitors
• What makes Efate such a good starting point
• Why Tanna is ideal for adventure, culture and Mount Yasur
• Whether Espiritu Santo is better suited to your travel style
• How many Vanuatu islands you should realistically visit
• What to know about domestic flights and island-hopping

Helpful Resources & Links

Read the full blog: Which Vanuatu Island Should You Choose?

I've also written several Vanuatu guides to help you go deeper:

• Best Things to Do on Efate Island
• Tanna Island & Mount Yasur: Complete Guide
• 25 Fascinating Things to Know Before Travelling to Vanuatu

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

There’s something exciting about having a big trip just around the corner. The flights are booked, the accommodation is sorted, and you’re already imagining yourself at the destination.

Then suddenly you realise… there’s still an enormous list of things to do before you actually leave.

After years of travelling, I’ve learnt that the things that cause the most stress aren’t always the big things. Sometimes it’s a blocked bank card, an overlooked baggage allowance, no internet when you land, or realising you forgot to download something you desperately need.

In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m taking you through my ultimate pre-travel checklist... the practical things I recommend sorting before you take off, so you can arrive feeling prepared rather than overwhelmed.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How to pack smarter and avoid taking half your wardrobe
• Why travel insurance should be part of your trip planning
• How to prepare your money and avoid card problems overseas
• Why you need to check the baggage allowance for every flight
• How to plan your first few hours after landing
• The essential apps, maps and tech to download before you leave
• How to protect your important travel documents
• How a little destination research can make your trip easier and more enjoyable
• Extra considerations if you’re travelling solo

Helpful Resources & Links

The Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist: Read my blog post Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist to help you work through everything before your next trip... from documents and packing to money, tech, your home and arrival plans.

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Egypt had been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember.

Growing up, my dad would read us books about the world, ancient history, animals and different countries instead of the usual bedtime stories. Somewhere amongst those books were the pyramids, the Sphinx and the stories of ancient Egypt. So when I finally stood in front of the pyramids, it wasn't just another travel experience. It was a childhood dream coming to life.

But Egypt also surprised me in ways I hadn't expected.

From discovering that our tour bus had an armed guard, to navigating persistent sellers, unexpectedly long travel days and an unauthorised road that put our group in a very uncomfortable situation, there were plenty of things I wish I'd known before travelling to Egypt.

There were also moments that completely blew me away... exploring ancient tombs with an Egyptologist, learning to understand hieroglyphics, sailing the Nile on a traditional felucca and seeing just how much ancient history is woven into everyday Egypt.

In this episode, I'm sharing the things I wish I knew before visiting Egypt, including the good, the challenging, the surprising and the practical lessons I'd want another traveller to know before they go.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why safety was one of my biggest considerations
• Why I chose to travel around Egypt with a group
• The surprising story of the armed guard on our tour bus
• What to expect at the pyramids and major tourist sites
• What it's like travelling through military checkpoints
• Why having an Egyptologist guide transformed my experience
• What it's really like to sail on a traditional Nile felucca

Helpful Resources & Links

Sailing the Nile on a Felucca: My Unforgettable Egypt Adventure
Read the full story of my experience sailing and sleeping on a traditional felucca on the Nile.

20 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Egypt
Read the companion article with all 20 lessons, practical tips and stories from my trip.

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

If you’ve ever scrolled past a photo of Palau in Micronesia and wondered, surely that water can’t actually be that blue, I have good news… it really is.

Palau is one of those rare destinations where reality genuinely looks like the photos. Think jungle-covered limestone islands floating in impossibly turquoise water, hidden waterfalls, white limestone mud, traditional meeting houses, WWII ruins and an underwater world filled with reef sharks, manta rays and giant clams.

But where are those iconic photos actually taken?

In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m taking you behind the lens and sharing 16 of the most Instagrammable places in Palau, Micronesia... including what makes each location special and how to capture beautiful travel photos even if you’re using nothing more than your mobile phone.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The best places to photograph Palau’s famous Rock Islands from above
• Why kayaking is one of the best ways to photograph the Rock Islands
• The most photogenic waterfalls, beaches and cultural landmarks
• Where to find Palau’s fascinating WWII sites
• The best locations for sunset and tropical island photography
• Palau’s incredible underwater photography opportunities

Helpful Resources & Links

Dive deeper into The Most Instagrammable Spots in Palau in my full blog post.

Continue Exploring Palau

• Kayaking the Rock Islands of Palau: discover what it’s really like to explore this extraordinary landscape from the water.
• Where to Stay in Palau: compare accommodation options and find the right base for your adventure.
• Best Tours to Do in Palau: discover the experiences worth adding to your itinerary.
• Ultimate Travel Guide to Palau: my complete guide to planning a Palau adventure, including a seven-day itinerary.

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

What if you had the choice between two nights in a five-star hotel or two nights sleeping under the stars on a traditional sailing boat on the Nile?

When I travelled to Egypt, I never planned to sail the Nile on a felucca. In fact, I had already booked the luxury accommodation. But when our guide offered us the chance to swap the hotel for a couple of nights on a traditional felucca, we decided to say yes to the adventure.

And I'm so glad we did.

What followed was one of my most memorable Egypt travel experiences... sleeping on a communal mattress, watching the sun rise and set over the Nile, sharing meals, playing games, meeting locals and simply slowing down as Egypt drifted past us.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• What it's really like to spend two nights sailing the Nile on a felucca
• Why I chose a traditional sailing boat over five-star accommodation
• What life is like onboard a Nile felucca
• How a felucca compares with a traditional Nile cruise
• What to pack for a felucca experience
• My biggest lesson from saying yes to an unplanned adventure

Helpful Resources & Links

Read the full guide: Sailing the Nile on a Felucca: What It's Really Like + What to Pack

Choose the right group tour: How to Choose The Perfect Group Trip: My Personal Selection Process

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Hobart has a way of surprising you. One minute you’re wandering between historic sandstone buildings at Salamanca Place, coffee in hand. The next, you’re standing on kunanyi / Mount Wellington with cold wind on your face, looking across the city, river and sea. Then the sun goes down and you’re choosing between a cosy wine bar, a historic pub or somewhere serving incredible Tasmanian produce.

In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m sharing my Hobart travel guide... including the best things to do in Hobart, where to eat and drink, where to stay, the day trips worth adding to your itinerary and the practical tips I wish every first-time visitor knew.

Because Hobart isn't a city I think you should rush through. The magic is in combining the must-see experiences with enough space to wander, discover and follow your curiosity.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• The best things to do in Hobart, Tasmania
• Why Salamanca Place and Salamanca Market should be on your itinerary
• How to experience kunanyi / Mount Wellington
• My favourite cafés, restaurants, bars and distilleries
• The best areas to stay in Hobart
• The best day trips from Hobart, including Bruny Island, Richmond and Port Arthur
• How many days you really need in Hobart

Helpful Resources & Links

Top Things to Do, See, Eat & Experience - A deeper dive into everything I've covered in this episode, including links.

Best Day Trips from Hobart - my detailed guide to the best places to explore beyond the city.

Unmissable Things to Do in Tasmania - for more Tasmania bucket-list inspiration.

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.