For the Anglophile

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last five months, you know that there is this little event that happened in London last Friday. The media has gone crazy over the announcement that William and Kate were finally tying the knot, and all eyes have been on the great city of London.

But for some people, interest in the UK is nothing new. These Anglophiles appreciate the Queen's English, follow the royal family, and have an all-around uncanny fondness for the US's closest ally. If you have one of these people on your gift list, consider giving her a British or British-themed item. Fortunately, there is no shortage of such products, so you will have plenty of options to choose from.

You can find British products in many stores, but there are some sellers who specialize in items from across the pond. Some of my favorites are Aspinal of London, Highgrove Shop (Prince Charles's store that benefits his charities), Not on the High Street (like a British Etsy), the British Museum gift shop, Emma Bridgewater, the London Transport Museum, and Liberty of London.

In honor of the marriage of two people none of us know and will likely never meet, here are some gift ideas for the Anglophile in your life:

Map Products: Maps are one of the most recognizable representations of a city and make a great gift. For fans of the London Tube (Underground), choose from a vintage London Underground poster, Underground carriage maps, a Tube map mirror, a stainless steel pocket Tube map, a reproduction of Tube map using tubes of paint, films of London Underground maps, or an image of your chosen section of the rail or Tube maps. Other great London maps include one that uses place names to create the map, this original London print (an outline of London with place names marking their spot), these London transit and cycle maps, a map tracing the city's expansion, and a Map of London mug. My favorites are the London cityscape coat hanger (pictured below) and the UK counties jigsaw puzzle. Check out the London Transit Museum for more great options.

London cityscape coat hanger (photo courtesy of HookPegSupport)

Transit Blinds: A great way to bring home a taste of the UK is with transit blinds from the Underground, buses, or other forms of public transportation. You can buy vintage blinds or customized ones with destinations of your choosing. Lots of shops sell these blinds, but Not on the High Street has a great selection. They offer blinds from London and other UK cities, vintage London bus blinds, and rare London Underground and bus blinds, as well as the option to choose your own destination (both single and multiple locations). Pedlars also has a good selection of special destination blinds and vintage Notting Hill gate enamel signs (square or skinny rectangle).

Vintage London Underground blinds (photo courtesy of Not on the High Street) 

Books: Nothing transports you to another place like a good book. Send your recipient on a discount voyage with a book about or set in the UK. This vintage "This is London" book is a cool memento, while art and history lovers will appreciate the Masterpieces of the British Museum book and DVD. The London Transport Museum offers wide variety of transport-related books (along with DVDs), and the London Moleskin city notebook is a great gift for anyone planning a trip to the UK. You also can't go wrong with a work of fiction set in the UK, such as a classic like Pride and Prejudice (my personal favorite) or Great Expectations, or a modern book like Atonement or the Harry Potter series.

Keep Calm and Carry On: Originally conceived as a motto to help the British people through the German blitz in World War 2, this phrase has recently seen a surge in popularity. There is no shortage of "Keep Calm" products on the market today, so you have your pick of these gifts. One of my favorites is a print that features the saying in Welsh (pictured below). You can find a wide selection at the Keep Calm Gallery, Keep Calm and Carry On, Keep Calm, and Zazzle. I especially love the travel card wallet, notebook, wall decals, band aids, book, cufflinks, and wall clock.

Welsh Keep Calm and Carry On print (photo courtesy of Bouf)

Home Decorations: The UK is known for many icons, and lots of them come in desk-sized forms. The famed red phone box is available as a K2 bookend (also available in The Gherkin, double decker bus, and black cab), the black taxis and double decker buses also exist as ceramic planters, and Big Ben has been shrunk down to a desk sculpture. You can also decorate your Anglophile recipient with a Troika Ocean Liner desk organizer, rustic topiary crown, non-London bus models, Little London bobbles (choose from London bus, taxi, phone box, soldier, and Big Ben, or get the complete set), and cute model toys from the London Transport Museum's children's line. For fans of Her Majesty, go with these vintage Queen Elizabeth II jewelry boxes, featuring the Queen's portrait and on horseback.

Home Goods: Add a touch of British charm to your recipient's home by giving her a home accent piece. For a die-hard Anglophile, consider a wall decal of a famous British scene, such as a phone box, double decker bus, postal box, London skyline, Big Ben, street sign, or lamp post. For a frequent entertainer, choose a serving tray with various London images or with rows of British guards (pictured below). A tea drinker will appreciate a Britannia Royal Stafford or London Icons mug, especially when paired with a Union Jack porcelain milk jug and a blue toile tea cosy to keep the kettle warm. For a uniquely British touch, choose this Highgrove cockerel chopping board or this sheep Southdown Face egg cup, a Highgrove check rug in the traditional Prince of Wales check, London Underground map or Buckingham Palace pillow covers, Queen Elizabeth II enlarged stamp rug, transit travel card cushion, British Museum classic tray (featuring images of the Museum), or a vintage-style Union Jack throne chair.

Royal Guards London tray (photo courtesy of  Liberty of London)

Union Jack: For the clearest image of the UK, you can't beat the Union Jack. Emma Bridgewater has a great selection of Union Jack and saltire items, and there is no shortage of these products on Etsy. Some of my favorites are this Union Jack throw pillow cover (also available in the Scottish saltire), dress form, and biscuit barrel tin (pictured below). For portable British love, check out these Union Jack high heels, scarves, and travel card holders. You can also bring the Union Jack home on coasters, magnets, frying pans, vintage pillows, illuminating coffee tables, personalized wooden cutting boards, and pillow covers.

Union Jack biscuit barrel tin (photo courtesy of Emma Bridgewater)

Art: Works of art are a great way to demonstrate a fondness for the UK. The British Museum offers many reproductions of items in their collection, including fine art, historical objects, and jewelry. A Keep Calm print (see above) is a great choice, as are these patchwork prints of the Liverpool skyline and Anglican cathedral, the "Quintessentially British" print (featuring 244 British icons, people, places, and things), and this God Save the Queen print. The London Transport Museum also offers a wide choice of London and UK prints.

Royal Wedding Commemorations: If your Anglophile is a big fan of the royal family, you might consider a gift related to the recent royal wedding. You could make a donation in her name to one of William and Kate's designated charities or give her one of the many wedding-related products. There is a wide variety of gifts, including official royal wedding commemorative items like china patterns, as well as not-so-official products like the royal couple refrigerator. Lots of stores currently carry these products, but you can find great selections at Highgrove, Emma Bridgewater, and Not on the High Street.

Official royal wedding commemorative plate (image courtesy of Highgrove Shop)

Miscellaneous: There are so many great British gifts, but these recommendations wouldn't be complete without including the rest of my favorites. For a recipient who lives in a rainy climate (or would enjoy a reminder of London's weather), go with the Prince of Wales check umbrella from Highgrove or this color changing umbrella featuring London landmarks that appear when wet. For a frequent traveler, I love this vintage tartan plaid suitcase and vintage suitcase featuring Queen Elizabeth, and this 5 pound note travel card wallet. Gamers and sports fans will love a UK version of Monopoly (available in Aberdeen, Bath, Birmingham, Blackpool & The Flyde Coast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London Underground, and Manchester) or vintage Wimbledon and football (US: soccer) items. You can also find London Tube cufflinks, reusable bags featuring various shopping areas (link: High Kensington), and blitz and wartime reproduction items. The London Transport Museum also has a great selection of souvenirs.

What are your favorite British products?

For the globetrotter (memories)

By this time, you have equipped your globetrotter with everything he needs for his next trip - essentials, gadgets, and miscellaneous items. But what about those travelers who already have all of these things, or who aren't traveling anytime soon? For them, consider items that commemorate their travels and bring back memories of their world jaunts.

Although you don't have to worry as much about space constraints here as you do with other travel items, make sure your recipient has the space to display your gift and the desire to have it. That is, don't give cufflinks to a man who doesn't own a suit and avoid a large map or piece of art for someone in a rented space who can't put anything on the walls. Other than these considerations, use your imagination - it's hard to go wrong with anything that reminds your globetrotter of his trips or favorite destinations.

Here are some final (for awhile) suggestions for the traveler on your list:

• Traveler Map: This product is listed first for a reason - it is the perfect gift for any and every traveler. I received this map a few years ago and it has been one of my favorite possessions ever since. The original version (and the one I have) is a world map, but there are also US, kid's US, and European editions (along with maps for US golf courses, national parks, and baseball stadiums and country maps for France, Germany, Italy, and the UK). Each map comes with a personalized nameplate and pins to mark past travels, dream destinations, favorite spots, and the next planned trip. There are plenty of other maps you can personalize, but this is my favorite by far. For any serious traveler, buy an extra set or two of pins so she doesn't run out. You can buy from the original manufacturer, Stone Arch Merchants, but a number of other stores sell them as well. This world map mural (wall sized and laminated for easy writing and erasing) and scratch off world map (a colorful world map covered with scratch-off foil) are also neat options.

World Traveler Map (photo courtesy of Stone Arch Merchants)

Jewelry: For a globetrotter who regularly wears jewelry and accessories, an upcycled or original piece is a great travel memento. For women, look for rings and necklaces; for men, consider cufflinks or a tie clip. Repurposed transit tokens from major cities make unique gifts - you can find them fashioned into cufflinks (link: choice of Boston, New York, San Francisco, Honolulu, or Chicago), rings (link: Boston), and necklaces (link: Philadelphia). Many stores also offer cufflinks made from original (link: Vatican) and handpainted (link: South Korea) coins or featuring city manhole covers (link: various locations), flags (link: South Africa), and signature items (link: UK red phonebooth). Many tie bars also feature country flags, like these Irish and UK versions. For a personalized option, consider cufflinks or a necklace with a custom map location. Choose one of your traveler's favorite destinations or special places, such as a honeymoon spot or vacation home. You can find pre-made and custom pieces in several Etsy stores - my favorites are this cufflink and necklace set (perfect for newlyweds with their honeymoon destination) and these custom black and white cufflinks.

Handpainted bronze Australian coins - many of these coins were removed from circulation and used in the bronze medals for the 2000 Sydney Olympics (photo courtesy of Cufflinks Depot)

Collectibles: For a traveler with space to display items, think about giving a small decoration or two that reminds her of a favorite destination or spot. Consider country or city symbols or mottos, famous landmarks, and classic representations of a place (like a double decker bus or red phone booth for London). I like this Arc de Triomphe stamp, New York map handkerchief, and these Paris map playing cards. One of my favorite products is the city-in-a-bag series, shown below, that includes several miniature representations of the city. Check out MUJI for more great selections and ideas.

City in a Bag Tokyo (also available in New York, Paris, and London) (photo courtesy of MUJI)

Replica double decker bus (photo courtesy of London Transport Museum)

Photos: Travelers always have lots of pictures from their travels and would love some help getting them into a tangible format. For globetrotters using digital cameras, give credits or a gift card that allows him to print out his photos. I use Shutterfly for my travel pics, which offers three prepaid plans of 4x6 prints - $54 for 600 prints, $44 for 400 prints, and $20 for 200 prints. They also offer other products made from your traveler's photos, including books, coasters, calendars, and puzzles. If he uses a film camera, give him a gift certificate to get his film developed. If he already has his pictures printed but needs a way to display them, give him a gift certificate for a local craft store where he can get frames, such as Hobby Lobby.

Art and Maps: An interesting and quality piece of art is a great reminder of traveling. Think framed pictures (like this Eiffel Tower construction progression), paintings (maybe a reproduction print of a piece he saw during his travels), or sketches (a favorite city landmark is nice). Also consider maps of a favorite destination - you could get a modern version or find an antique map of the area, or frame a map of the city's subway. Etsy sellers bananastrudel and OldMapsandPrints have some great authentic vintage maps at very reasonable prices. For a unique twist on a traditional map, I love Etsy seller studiokmo's handmade city maps - especially her original mapcuts (link: various cities including Singapore, London, Paris, Berlin, and Sydney), original ink drawings (link: Melbourne), and mapcut designs printed on stretched canvas (link: Dublin) and heavyweight paper (link: Amsterdam). Here are some more of my favorites: London and Paris paper cut prints, framed original London Tube and bus destination blinds, world map memo board, city map plates, and country dish towels.

Original 1902 map of western Austria-Hungary (photo courtesy of Etsy seller bananastrudel)

Globe: Every globetrotter needs a nice globe for reminders of her travels and quick reference when planning future trips. You can find globes all across the price spectrum, but don't feel like you have to spend big for a quality globe. National Geographic has a classic quality version for $99, and Amazon has lots of great globes for much less (search "desk globe"), including perpetual motion globes in a variety of colors (they complete a full rotation every 18 seconds, powered by a hidden battery) for as low as $17.77. Of course, you could go for a more expensive model like this Frank Lloyd Wright floor globe ($800) designed by the architect himself or this Lead Crystal Everest Globe made from crystal and billed as "the world's finest globe" ($8000).

National Geographic's classic non-illuminated desk globe (photo courtesy of National Geographic)

Shower Curtain: This suggestion may seem somewhat random, but I have long been a fan of these shower curtains that help you learn a new language. Each curtain includes 100 English words and their translations (and pronunciations for Japanese and Chinese) and comes in Spanish, French, Japanese, Italian, German, and Chinese). You might also consider this world map shower curtain or this photo shower curtain with pockets for photos, cards, and small trinkets - what great way for your traveler to start every morning!

Spanish shower curtain with English and Spanish words (photo courtesy of Amazon)

Dining Experience: One of the best ways to recreate a travel experience at home is through food. Take your globetrotter to a local restaurant that serves cuisine from one of her favorite destinations or make her an authentic meal at home. Check out Saveur and the World Hearth Recipe Collection for recipe ideas and Urban Spoon for nearby restaurants.

Travel Box: Serious travelers have lots of mementos from past adventures and inspirations for future journeys, and these items deserve a place of their own. Also called a hope/dream chest or memory/keepsake/heirloom box, this provides a special (and organized) place for your globetrotter to keep ticket stubs, old passports, postcards, brochures, and travel articles. You can go as large or small as you want, but remember that a tiny box isn't going to allow much room for dreaming. Find any kind of box you think will inspire your recipient - my favorites are wooden, but you can get any material with as little or as much decoration and color as you see fit. Take a look at this heirloom box made of reclaimed wood, vintage wooden travel box with leather strap closure, and custom heirloom chest with your choice of calligraphy text to get you started.

Reclaimed wood heirloom box (it reminds me of a treasure chest!) (photo courtesy of Etsy seller artisanwoodcraft)

Map Chair: I've featured this product before but it is well-worth mentioning again. This decoupage chair is custom-made by Etsy seller Bombus (who also makes the atlas journal mentioned in the previous post) in your choice of map - choose a city, country, or the world! It is a true piece of art and makes a great conversation piece for any devoted traveler.

Map chair featuring London (photo courtesy of Bombus)

What are your favorite items to remind you of traveling?

For the globetrotter (miscellaneous)

So you've gotten your traveler the essentials and loaded her down with all the gadgets she could need. Now it's time to round out your list with the miscellaneous items every globetrotter needs to make her trip spectacular. These items are the ones your traveler might be able to do without but will enjoy having in his bag.

When buying these kinds of items, again remember that your globetrotter has to carry each item with him on the road. Therefore, you should buy compact versions whenever possible and make sure it is an item that will actually be useful. Don't be afraid to give cash or prepaid debit/credit cards - travelers are always encountering unexpected expenses and can use the cash to buy any items they need on the road.

Here are some suggestions to help you round out your traveler's packing list:

• Travel Journal: Any semi-serious traveler enjoys recording his journeys while on the road. Sure, a plain marbled cover notebook will do, but it just doesn't inspire writing the same way a unique journal does. There are as many journals available as there are travelers, and you can certainly find the perfect fit for any one of them. Try to find a version with some type of closure, like an elastic band, a string, or a clasp, because journals are a great place to stick loose papers and receipts to keep them organized. If your traveler has an artsy streak, consider a journal with blank pages; otherwise, go with lined pages. My current favorite journals feature recycled map covers - you can get a pre-made design or choose your own destination map for the cover (thanks to W for mine - can't wait to use them!). Check out this France journal, atlas journal, map cover journal, map journal with elastic closure, track your travels journal, and leather spine journal, all from Etsy. I also love this journal with travel quotes inside and banded closure (which I received as a gift from my roomie O and took on my first European jaunt - thanks O!) and this leather journal with a tie strap. If you need an all-weather solution, check out this waterproof journal from Firebox, which works with a pencil or all-weather pen and is made from recyclable paper.

Travel map journal with ruled paper, elastic closure, and envelope pockets (shown with a Chicago cover) (photo courtesy of CourtneyGoromboly)

• Convertible Tote: Try as they may, globetrotters often don't know the exact kind or size bag they will need until they need it. Preempt any luggage mini-crises with a convertible tote or bag that becomes exactly what your traveler needs it to be. For women, I like this convertible tote/purse from Uncommon Goods that can be an original tote, a boat tote, or a doctor's bag. For men, I would choose this Timbuk2 bag that alternates between a messenger bag and a backpack.

Convertible tote bag from Uncommon Goods (photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods)

• Books Related to a Destination: Travelers enjoy learning about their destination before they arrive and reading books set in the same place they are visiting. Photo collections are great, as are classics like The Three Musketeers (Paris) and contemporary novels like Nelson Mandela's autobiography Long Walk to Freedom (South Africa) or The Beach (Thailand).
• Sleep Sack: These days people are leery about hotel beds, and with good reason. To alleviate some of the tension, many travelers use a sleep sack, which is basically a regular sheet folded in half and sewn together. It is like a sleeping bag but much lighter, often made of cotton or silk. I like this one from Uncommon Goods, which is silk with a pillow pocket and folds to the size of a popsicle. Amazon also sells cotton and silk versions. 

The DreamSack from Uncommon Goods (photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods)

• Map: Most hotels and tourist offices offer free city maps, but these aren't always the best or easiest to use. If your traveler will be spending several days in one place or driving between locations, a nice map makes a great gift. Be sure that the map is in your traveler's native language and complete with street names and attractions, but is small enough to fit into a pocket. Streetwise Maps are best for urbanites - they are laminated and include both street and subway maps. International Travel Maps are better for those traveling around a country, especially by car, because they include regional maps and larger-scale features like national parks, airports, border crossings, and railways, in addition to streets and highways.

Streetwise Maps (shown: Zurich) are available for many major world cities and regions (photo courtesy of Amazon)

• First Aid Kit: Every traveler needs a well-stocked first aid kit to prevent and treat any health issues on the road. You can make your own, but I recommend buying one that's already assembled (this is cheaper and saves you the hassle of trying to fit everything into a small space). A good first aid kit for travelers to urban areas and developed nations should include basic over-the-counter medicine (pain relievers, antacids, anti-diarrheals, cold/sinus relief, and benadryl), band-aids (in a variety of sizes), anti-bacterial cream and wipes, tweezers, anti-itch cream, eye drops, gloves, gauze, and first aid tape. For anyone venturing to less-developed areas or anywhere without ready access to adequate health facilities, consider including more powerful medication like anti-malaria pills, water purifying tablets, and antibiotics or anti-viral tablets (your traveler may need to procure some of these items on her own from her doctor, and thus may find cash more useful). An Epi-Pen is also essential for anyone with significant allergies, regardless of her destination, but is available only with a prescription. Anyone who insists on traveling to a location experiencing a health epidemic (like I did when I went to Europe during the H1N1 outbreak - no pig flu was going to get between me and Paris!) may need to carry the treatment with her in case it is in short supply or exorbitantly priced at the destination. Again, a prescription is likely needed and thus cash would be helpful.



Adventure Medical Kits World Travel Medical and First Aid Kit(photo courtesy of Amazon)

• Travel Games: Even the most engaged travelers get bored sometimes on the road. A fun travel game can be the perfect cure for a rainy afternoon, a long train ride, or a sleepless night. Choose a game that has wide appeal so that your traveler has a better chance of finding someone to play with him on the road and he won't get bored after playing once. A deck of cards is a must for any traveler taking a backpacking route, and lots of games have travel versions. Some classics are Travel Battleship, Travel Connect Four, Travel Scrabble, 12 in 1 travel Magnetic Games, and Travel Guess Who. There are also plenty of newer games available, such as Would You Rather?, Bananagrams, Apples To Apples, and travel bingo.

Travel Battleship (photo courtesy of Amazon)

• Language Instruction: A globetrotter who is planning a visit to somewhere small like Luxembourg probably doesn't need to know Luxembourgish before her trip - the population widely speaks English as well as French and German and, unless she plans to spend a significant amount of time there, she won't get much use out of a language only spoken in one small country. However, someone taking a 6 month tour of Central and South America would find Spanish lessons very helpful. Consider a home instruction program like Rosetta Stone (more comprehensive) or Pimsleur (quicker), a teach-yourself book, or a voucher for a class at a local college. But before you buy, make sure your traveler is actually interested in learning the language and not planning to rely on a translation device or just wing it.

Rosetta Stone offers up to 5 levels of instruction in 31 languages (Spanish Level 1 shown) (photo courtesy of Amazon)

• Hard Rock Cafe Membership: Some travelers will want to shoot me for even mentioning such an American experience in the same sentence as traveling, but I am doing it anyway. I collect Hard Rock t-shirts from the cities I visit (and pick up pins for friends), I like the food, and sometimes I just need a break from trying to convey to my server (in another language) that I am allergic to shellfish. If you are shopping for a traveler like me, consider giving a Hard Rock membership. It is only $25 for a permanent membership and includes preferred seating at HR cafes, room upgrades and late check-ins at HR hotels and casinos, $20 in rewards for HR merchandise, and a year-long subscription to Rolling Stone magazine. Every time the card holder makes a purchase at an HR location (including the gift shop), he earns reward points that he can later redeem like cash at HR locations. I bought a membership in Berlin along with meal, a shirt, and pin, and had already earned a $15 credit that I used in Madrid. It is well worth the $25 if you think your traveler might visit a HR location on this or any upcoming travels.
• Gift Basket: If you want to give multiple items or none of these suggestions seem appealing, a gift basket is a great choice. You could include the small but much-appreciated items that travelers depend on, such as toilet seat covers, hand sanitizer, toilet paper rolls, shampoo/conditioner/soap, sunscreen, bug spray, TSA-approved plastic bags, laundry detergent, and lotion (all travel-sized, of course). If your globetrotter doesn't have a cell phone that makes international calls, throw in a good old fashioned phone card or Skype credit. Top it all off with a magazine or puzzle book, chewing gum, and earplugs, and you have a perfect way to say bon voyage. 

What are your favorite random items for traveling? 

For the globetrotter (gadgets)

Now that you have equipped your globetrotter with the essentials for her trip, it's time to move on to the gadgets that will make her adventures safer and more enjoyable. Most gadgets are available in a variety of price points, so you can find something great regardless of your budget. 

When buying gadgets, keep in mind that your traveler has to carry them while he is on the road. Opt for lighter items with longer battery life, but make sure they are hardy enough to withstand some squishing and dropping. Also, take inventory of what your recipient already has - smartphone owners likely don't need a GPS device, and a fluent speaker of the destination's language won't have much use for a pocket translator. 

Here are some suggestions to get you started down the path of perfect travel gadgets:

• Netbook: Many travelers, especially those still in their backpacking years, don't consider a vacation to include a break from the internet. They still want to blog, Facebook, tweet, and look up information and directions on the road. A netbook is a great gift for such a person, as it gives her what she needs without weighing her down or taking up much precious packing space. This 7 inch iView model is only $138 on Amazon, and a protective Case Logic sleeve is $8.95.
• Personal Tracker: Though this certainly isn't a necessity, it is pretty cool for avid travelers. Your traveler stashes a tracking device like the TrackStick Mini GPS Tracking System somewhere on his person and it tracks his route, which he uploads upon returning to his computer. It also allows for retracing routes, geotagging pictures, and marking favorite spots.



Trackstick Mini (photo courtesy of Amazon)

• eReader: This is a space-saving essential for a globetrotting bookworm. The most popular versions are Amazon's Kindle and Barnes and Noble's nook, although there are plenty others available. If you really want to dazzle your traveler, splurge for an iPad, which includes an ereader along with lots of other handy travel features and apps.
• Wedge Door Alarm: Travelers can find themselves in a variety of accommodations while on the road, and some are safer than others. To ensure that your globetrotter is safe in any environment, consider giving a portable door wedge with a built in alarm to halt any nighttime intruders. My favorite product is the Ila wedge, which emits a 130 decibel shriek and stops the door's progress (Ila also makes other great travel safety products, including the personal alarm that attaches to a bag or belt loop). You can find similar products on Amazon, such as this one from Neewer and this one from GE.

ila wedge door alarm (photo courtesy of ila security)

• BHEESTIE Bag: No matter how careful your traveler is with her electronics, accidents happen and gadgets can suffer. The BHEESTIE Bag solves many water-related accidents - it sucks the moisture out of wet electronics and can be a saving grace for anyone who relies on gadgets while traveling. It can be used to solve problems of humidity, sweat, rain, and submersion (in some cases). Check out the website here for more information.
• Noise-canceling Headphones: These are essential for anyone who frequently uses public transportation. They aren't as cheap as regular headphones, but you get what you pay for - and who can put a price on peace and quiet? I like Brookstone's compact version and this folding set from Philips. You can also get noise-canceling earbuds, such as this Philips version.

Philips HN060/37 Noise-Canceling Earbuds ($29.99) (photo courtesy of Amazon)

• Pocket Translator: If your traveler has a smartphone or iPod touch, they probably have a built in or downloaded translator and don't need a separate device. For everyone else, however, pocket translators are still very handy and make a great gift. Be sure to choose one with a variety of languages, like this one with 12 languages, so your recipient can use it around the world.
• GPS: This is another item that someone with a smartphone (and possibly an iPad or iPod touch, depending on internet connectivity) doesn't need, but everyone else probably does. Sure, your traveler can use a paper map to navigate (this is my personal preference when traveling), but a GPS device provides support when he wants to go off the grid, lacks a decent map, or encounters construction detours. It is also a good choice for travelers who prefer rural settings over cities or who travel to countries with different alphabets (to avoid having to play match-the-symbols to navigate the city). This Garmin nuvi has a widescreen and bluetooth technology for only $110.
• Water Bottle Filter: One thing every traveler knows is that a surefire way to derail her vacation is to neglect proper hydration. But constantly buying drinks gets expensive in a hurry and tap water is unsafe in many places in the world. Solve this problem for your recipient with a water bottle filter like this one from Bobble, which fits inside a regular-sized bottle and comes in lots of fun colors.

The Water Bobble, available in red, black, green, and blue, will last for 2 months of regular use before the filter needs replacing (photo courtesy of Amazon)

• Solar Charger: Powering electronics on the road is no traveler's favorite activity, but a solar charger can make the job a little easier. A model like the Brunton Solaris 12 uses sunlight to power phones, GPS devices, laptops, and cameras, and can be very useful when outlets are in short supply or nonexistent.

12 watt version of the Brunton Solaris (photo courtesy of Amazon)

What are your favorite gadgets to take on your travels?