Experience Gift Ideas For People Who Love To Travel
This post about experience gift ideas for people who love to travel mostly contains gift vouchers ideas. Recipients are sure to love spending any of these voucher ideas on their travels, to unlock some utterly incredible experiences.
As someone who loves experiences, I genuinely love receiving vouchers to try something new. As I’ve been trying fifty-two new things a year since 2018, friends and family have kindly given me experience vouchers for birthdays and Christmas – they know me so well! Many of them I’ve been able to use on my travels for unforgettable memories.
Sharing some organisations that I’ve tried and tested, here are great companies you can use to give the gift of an incredible experience.
What do you buy for people in your life who love to travel?
Sure, there are plenty of genuinely helpful gadgets and useful accessories available. Yet, if you’re buying for people who travel a lot, the chances are they’ve already got everything they want to travel with.
With space often being a premium for travellers, they may be limited to what they can pack. So even though you might buy something that’s personal to the recipient, or you’ve picked out something you’ve put a lot of thought into that is perfectly suited to them, it may not always turn out to be the ideal a present.
Below, you’ll find a whole host of different companies that offer gift vouchers which will make ideal gifts for travel lovers.
Unusual Accommodation - Experience Gift Ideas For People Who Love To Travel
Give the gift of a memorable sleepover with a voucher towards a unique overnight stay. Here are some great companies that offer more unusual accommodation.
You might find some ideas and inspiration from my 2023 New Year’s Resolution to stay in 12 different types of accommodation.
1. Host Unusual
From churches and chapels, to lighthouses, boats, caves and even space age one-off designs, Host Unusual have an incredibly eclectic selection of accommodation in the UK and worldwide.
How the voucher works
- Host Unusual is a directory and don’t take bookings directly through the site.
- However, they do have a list of all of the properties offering gift vouchers, and links so that you can book with the property directly.
- As the vouchers are managed by the individual properties, the cost and expiry dates will vary.
2. Coolstays
Bothys, cabins, towers, treehouses, Coolstays have some extraordinary accommodation that is far cooler than your average hotel, with listings around the globe.
How the voucher works
- The minimum amount for the voucher is £20.
- They are delivered by email, (either to the buyer or recipient), and can be used towards any booking through Coolstays.
- The recipient makes a booking and pays the property owner directly, then receives a refund for the value of the voucher from Coolstays.
- Vouchers must be used in full on one booking.
- Vouchers expire after 12 months.
3. Canopy and Stars
Focusing on the luxurious aspect of glamping in the UK and Europe, Canopy and Stars list some truly one-off, creative, and inspiring escapes in beautiful and remote places. Treehouses with hot tubs,
How the voucher works
- You can buy vouchers for a minimum of £10.
- Vouchers are available for email delivery (to the buyer or recipient), or through the post with no extra cost.
- Recipients can redeem the voucher on any stay at the time of booking.
- The voucher must be used within 12 months. However, the actual date of the stay can take place any time after this.
4. Airbnb
Probably best known for offering private rentals in rooms, full houses or apartments. Airbnb has numerous hosts offering places to stay that have the wow factor too. Converted vehicles, themed rooms, places with big windows, big views, and some quite simply bizarre builds, they have listings around the globe.
How the voucher works
- The minimum spend is £25.
- Vouchers are available for email or text delivery to the recipient, (you could always use your own email address and forward it later).
- The recipient can redeem the voucher against any booking.
- There is no expiry date on the voucher!
5. One Off Places
Listing over 2500 quirky stays in the UK and Europe, from converted horse boxes, tree houses, churches, boats and plenty more individual and unusual places for people to rest their heads.
How the voucher works
Unfortunately, One Off Places don’t currently offer Gift Vouchers. I have still included them, though, as they have some truly one-off places which would make an amazing gift.
Multi-Day Adventures
Working with locals, these next companies curate short breaks and longer trips for adventure seekers. Packed with a variety of different activities, all whilst seeing incredible sights in amazing places.
Accommodation and some meals are usually included in the trips. Flights are only occasionally part of the price.
6. Much Better Adventures
Much better adventures do wild things in the great outdoors with wonderful hosts and guides. I’ve been on a couple of epic trips with them, including kayaking and snorkelling in Greece, sleeping in the desert, and riding a camel in Morocco.
With trips in most countries around the world, suitable for all fitness levels ranging from easy to tough, there’s an adventure for everyone on their site.
How the voucher works
- Vouchers can be bought for as little as £5.
- The vouchers are delivered by email, either to the buyer or recipient.
- You can organise vouchers to be sent through the post by contacting Much Better Adventures.
- Recipients can redeem their gift on any of the Much Better Adventure listings.
- Vouchers expire after 5 years.
7. Responsible Travel
Responsible Travel provide trips to support local communities and preserve nature around the world. With a huge range of different types of holidays, from multi activity, to wellness, wildlife watching to beach breaks, small ship sailing to safaris, and plenty more.
Offering small group travel, tailor made trips to suit individual requirements, and self-drive tours around the world. Definitely an option for people who love authentic and cultural experiences.
How the voucher works
- The minimum spend is £50.
- To buy a voucher you need to call or email the team.
- A uniquely coded e-voucher will be sent to the recipient.
- The recipient can use the voucher towards a majority of the trips available,
- Vouchers must be redeemed with the trip provider through Responsible Travel.
- Vouchers are valid for 5 years.
Tours, Trips and Workshops - Experience Gift Ideas For People Who Love To Travel
Wherever you go in the world, a tour or trip is an amazing way to delve a little deeper into a place. Whether it’s through food tours, crafts, historical walks, or music, friendly locals share their expertise of their home area and scratch beneath the surface of a destination.
You might know when and where your recipients will be, so you can search for tours, trips and activities and buy the tickets for them. Alternatively, you can buy a gift voucher and they can choose from thousands of destination-unique experiences.
8. Get Your Guide
Providing unforgettable experiences around the globe, Get Your Guide curates activities for all types of travellers, wherever they are heading to.
Including culture, food, nature, and sports, your gift recipient won’t be disappointed as they can embark on must-do visits, or try something a little more unusual on their explorations. We walked the edge at the top of the Tallinn TV Tower!
How the voucher works
- Gift vouchers can be bought for a minimum of £5.
- Recipients can redeem the voucher on any of the experiences.
- The gift vouchers are sent by email.
- Vouchers are valid for 3 years.
9. Airbnb
Not just an accommodation provider! Airbnb also host an abundance of unique tours and experiences all across the world.
Local hosts provide unique and authentic experiences from art lessons to food tasting, to themed tours, workshops, and sometimes some more quirky activities.
How the voucher works
- The minimum spend is £25.
- Vouchers are available for email or text delivery to the recipient, (you could always use your own email address and forward it later).
- The recipient can redeem the voucher against any booking.
- There is no expiry date on the voucher!
10. Tinggly
Tinggly are on a mission to change the culture of gift giving, with the slogan ‘give stories, not stuff’. Listing fabulous experiences and providing admission tickets to incredible places, they also curate thoughtful gift boxes.
Themed by participant, life event, or place, the recipient can choose from a range of memorable activities. Whatever their interest, they’ll find something thoughtfully listed to match their tastes.
How the voucher works
- Vouchers are sold in US dollars.
- The minimum spend is $50
- Vouchers are available for email delivery to the recipient, (you could always use your own email address and forward it later).
- You can pay extra to send a physical gift box.
- The recipient can redeem the voucher against any booking.
- There is no expiry date for the voucher!
11. Gifting Owl
Based in Australia, Gifting Owl are a global platform offering worldwide activities. Including multi-day tours, epic adventures, and awesome activities.
Search by location, recipient, activity or occasion, to find the perfect experience, or give the gift of a voucher and let them have the excitement of choosing their own!
How the voucher works
- Vouchers are sold in Australian dollars.
- The minimum spend is AU$50
- Vouchers are available for email delivery.
- The recipient can redeem the voucher against any booking.
- Vouchers expire after 3 years.
12. Uniquely Local
Curating a collection of activities across the Yorkshire, you can find something unique for anyone visiting the county. Whether you’re into food and drink, outdoor adventure, crafts or wellbeing, there’s a whole host of Yorkshire inspired experiences available.
This is the most niche experience provider that I’ve included. As I live in Yorkshire, and it’s a fantastic part of the UK, I wanted to include them in this list!
How the voucher works
- Vouchers are available in denominations between £10 and £300.
- Recipients can redeem their voucher on any of the experiences.
- Vouchers are available for email delivery, or through the post for £3.50.
- Vouchers expire after 12 months.
Immersion In Culture
A great way to travel is to give something back, and two brilliant companies have listings from around the world of individuals who will provide bed and board in return for some form of volunteering.
13. Workaway
Workaway is a community which shares opportunities for cultural exchange, working holidays, volunteering and house sitting.
With over 50,000 different opportunities across 170 different countries, there are multiple ways to learn from locals, and explore off the beaten path.
Why not give the gift of a year’s membership, which can unlock some incredible experiences.
How the voucher works
- A gift of membership costs £49 for an individual, and £59 for a couple or two friends.
- Membership is valid for everywhere, meaning recipients can connect with hosts anywhere in the world.
- The membership voucher comes in either a print-at-home gift card, or can be emailed directly to the recipient.
- Membership is for 12 months.
14. WWOOF
Standing for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, you can buy the gift of membership.
Members learn about daily life and farming methods in return for accommodation and often meals too. It’s a great way to meet locals and really get beneath the surface of somewhere you’re visiting.
Whilst WWOOF is a world wide organisation, at present, membership relates to the country a person is in. In the UK, members have over 450 farmers and growers that they can connect with across the country.
How the voucher works
- A gift of membership costs £25 for an individual, and £35 for 2 people.
- Membership is valid for opportunities in the UK.
- Once you pay, you’ll receive instructions about the membership to pass on to the recipient.
- Members will receive 8 newletters throughout the year.
- Membership is for 12 months.
Travel Vouchers - Experience Gift Ideas For People Who Love To Travel
Many airlines, ferry companies, and some train operators, sell gift vouchers. If you know the recipient has a preference, or is looking to travel somewhere with a particular provider, your gift will help them to experience new destinations.
I’ve only listed a few suggestions as there are far too many for one post.
Not all airlines, ferries, or trains offer gift vouchers, however it’s worth taking a look at individual websites to see if they have vouchers to buy.
Airline vouchers
- Virgin Atlantic – Virgin Gift Cards are redemmable across most of the Virgin group, including Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays.
- Ryan Air – not surprisingly there is an administration fee for each voucher.
- Wizz Air – 190 destinations across 50 countries.
Ferry vouchers
- P&O Ferries – redeemable on mini-cruises and overnight trips.
- Brittany Ferries – with routes between the UK, Spain and France.
- North Link Ferries – taking travellers to Orkney and Shetland.
Train vouchers
- LNER – Treat someone to a train trip, with vouchers starting form £10.
- Eurostar – going underground to connect the UK with mainland Europe.
- West Coast Railways– train travel experiences that are that little more special.
Experience Gift Ideas For People Who Love To Travel
I hope this list has given you some inspiration and plenty of ideas for experience gifts for travel lovers. Whatever you decide to buy, I hope they love it, have an amazing time, and enjoy some incredible experiences.
If you think I’ve missed anything off this list, or have any other recommendations, please let me know in the comments.
This is great. I love the unusual stays type of ideas.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Graham! Much appreciated. :o)
These are some great suggestions. I love the idea of staying somewhere unusual but it can be so difficult to find a reputable company to book through. I’m definitely going to be checking out some of the ones you’ve mentioned.
Thank you! I hope you can find somewhere unique to stay, I love making it part of the adventure! These are some companies that that will look after you, so I hope you have a good experience if you book through them. Thank you as always for reading, and leaving a comment. :o)
Experience gift ideas are such a great gift to give! I love the variety of places that you listed here that offer them (and the travel theme—I wish I did more of that when I was younger). I think the memories and fun these experiences provide would stay with someone forever. Love it!
They are good gifts aren’t they?! There’s no age limit on travel experiences, I hope you might still be able to have plenty of them.
I love staying in unusual places, and I’m a big believer that life’s about the experiences, not about the stuff, and I hope people would like these ideas.
Thank you as always for reading and taking the time to comment, it’s much appreciated. :o)