Ten Travel-Inspired Gift Ideas for Grads (or The Traveling Dad)

With graduation and Fathers Day just around the corner, here are some great gift ideas for the grad or dad in your life with a healthy sense of wanderlust.

B&R's Exchange 26
Duffle ($160)

Luggage - Briggs & Riley's BRX Exchange 26 Duffle ($160), recipient of a 2010 National Geographic Gear of the Year award, is a functional addition to any luggage kit. Two-bags-in-one, it converts easily to a backpack for hands-free carrying. Soft sides and compression straps make it easily stowable on even the smallest airplane, bus or taxi, and a zip expansion provides 3 inches of additional packing space.

Eagle Creek's No Matter What™ Duffles ($65-$95) are made from e Series 100% recyclable fabrics and come in a variety of sizes.  They pack down small in an accompanying re-usable stuff pouch, so you can add them to your suitcase for extra stowage on the return trip.  The small duffle ($65) can be used as a carry-on.

Widemouth Carry On  by
Hummingbird ($74.95)

Very adventurous travelers might prefer Hummingbird's Widemouth Carry On Duffle ($74.95), which is waterproof, durable and equipped with D-rings for lashing to the top of a car, bus or pick up truck.  And yes, it is carry-on size.

SALE - We also carry wheeled luggage in a variety of makes and sizes.  Discontinued models from Briggs & Riley's Transcend™ line remain on sale -- 25% off until June 1 while supplies last.  Eagle Creek's Hovercraft™bags are also on sale -- 25% off until June 26th.

Packing Essentials - Help your traveler pack small with travel compression sacs from Eagle Creek or Travelon. Prices vary.  Just insert puffy clothing items into the bag, press out any extra air through the one way valve, and close leaving more space in your suitcase for other essentials.

Eagle Creek's Pack It™
Folder 18 ($27.50)

Eagle Creek's Pack-It™ System will revolutionize the way your dad or grad packs.  He or she can choose from a wide selection of folders, cubes, sacs and gear organizers to keep clothing and other personal items better organized and with fewer wrinkles.  Click here to learn more.

We also carry a large selection of toiletry kits from Eagle Creek, Rick Steves and Piel leather goods.  Prices vary.

Go Toobs ($6.50 - $8.95)

And speaking of toiletries, Go Toobs come in three sizes and offer a great (and TSA-approved) way to carry lotions and gels on board an airplane.  Made of food-grade plastic, they can also be used on camping trips to stow sticky, gooey foodstuffs like peanut butter and jelly.

Security Essentials - We carry money belts, neck pouches and other under-clothing items to help your dad or grad comfortably and safely stash his or her passport and other valuables while on the road.  Click here to learn more about how to carry money and important documents while traveling.

Eagle Creek's Leg Stash ($16)

Local blog Inside Bainbridge also recommends slash-proof Pacsafe™ anti-theft bags in a recent posting on graduation gift ideas from local stores.

Finally, keep your grad/dad safe from RFID theft with protective sleeves and/or a wallet for passport or credit cards.  Prices vary.


Cocoon® travel sheets - These roomy travel sheets ($24-$65) come in a range of fabrics, including a new, lightweight microfiber ($24).  They can be used alone or as extra insulation for your sleeping bag.  Hostels often charge extra for linens so this gift would be a money-saver as well.  These sheets don't repel bedbugs, but they are easily washable so your grad or dad can avoid taking any unwanted hitchhikers to their next destination.

Voyager Towels ($12.95-$27.95)

Travel towels - Voyager™ travel towels from Hummingbird ($12.95-$27.95) are ultra-absorbent, rapid-drying, machine-washable and very packable.  Your grad can use them at the beach, in the car, bathroom, kitchen, or at their favorite campsite.  The possibilities are endless. 

Gap Year Guide
from Lonely Planet

Travel Planning Books - Our book room is filled with great travel resources and travel-inspired literature, including maps, country guides and these general travel books listed on our website. Like a good atlas, these books will provide your favorite dad/grad with a lifetime of trip ideas.

We also carry books written specifically for the budding adventurer.  For example,  The Big Trip: Your Ultimate Guide to Gap Years and Overseas Adventures  (Lonely Planet, 2011, $19.99) is a one-stop planning guide for the post-graduation (or mid-life!) adventure.  Lonely Planet's Volunteer: A Traveller's Guide to Making a Difference Around the World (Lonely Planet 2010, $19.99) is packed with invaluable information and full-color inspiration to plan a short- or long-term volunteer experience anywhere in the world.

Dad might enjoy the self-serving gift of Frommer's 500 Places to Take your Kids Before the Grow Up, (2009, $19.99), or, if he is more inclined toward adventuring solo, you might try A Year of Adventures: A Guide to the World's Most Exciting Experiences from Lonely Planet (2010, $19.99).

World Map Desk & Mousepad ($14.95)

Desk Map/Mouse Pad - Your globe-trotter can have the world at a glance with a world map desk/giant mouse pad from Hema ($14.95), a great addition to any student or work desk or trip-planning table.

Hummingbird E reader cases

E-reader & Laptop cases - At prices ranging from $19.95 to $49.95, Hummingbird E-Cases™ and E-reader™ cases come in a wide range of sizes and colors and provide protection from the elements (sand, dust, water) for a broad range of digital essentials.  The Hummingbird Travel Pouch™ ($14.95) makes a great waterproof carrier for passports and other small travel essentials.

We also carry a wide selection of laptop cases and backpacks in leather, coated nylon, neoprene and other fabrics, a great gift for traveler and commuter alike.

Travel Adapters/Current Converters -  Does your recipient already have an overseas destination in mind?  Help him or her stay plugged in with plug adaptors and/or a power converter.  Ask our helpful staff for assistance in choosing the right tools to keep your traveler charged up and connected.

Gift Certificates - And if you just can't decide what your wandering loved one might want or need, The Traveler also sells gift certificates for any amount.

Happy Graduation,  Happy Fathers Day 

 & Happy Travels! 

Bollywood Barnburner on Bainbridge

Last Saturday night marked the eighth annual St. Cecilia's fashion show and silent auction on Bainbridge Island.  There was an international theme to this year's fundraiser for St. Cecilia's Catholic School, which was called "Bainbridge to Bollywood" and The Traveler was there.  

Traveler staffer Timmie Chandler, who attended the event with her husband Rick, takes it from here...

"This event is awesome - easily the biggest and best party on Bainbridge, hands down. The decorations alone are worth the ticket price. Even the Ladies Room was decorated with candles, little white lights, saris, and gauze bunting. 

Staff member Barbara Rodgers
struts the catwalk in a UbU raincoat and sporting an
Ogon Micro-bombata I-pad case

"The organizers of this event have their hands full with the sheer magnitude - and they do an impeccable job.  No stone was left unturned to assure a successful event and happy party peeps.  Three bars sprawled across St. Cecilia's campus.  There was also a live Indian band, a special dance performance from a Poulsbo dance studio, fantastic Indian food from Spice Route, tunes from DJ Brant Butte, and Bollywood videos on the screens.  Not even the rain dampened spirits. In fact, people seemed to party hearty and barely notice the weather! 

Live Music

"The Runway Show was so much fun! We were the second store to send our models out on the runway, right after Sweet Deal.  The merchants really stepped up to the plate with their presentations, and all the models did justice on their behalf."

Jonathon Aziz modeling

Exofficio and Royal Robbins

 clothing, Cocoon sunglasses & a Tilley hat

Many thanks to Traveler models Jonathon Aziz, Eric Kummerow, Kerry Leach, Cindy Pierce, Alex Ung and our very own Barbara Rodgers.

Kudos also go out to staff member Pam Christiansen for recruiting volunteers and putting together some fabulous outfits.  And a special thanks goes to Timmie and Rick Chandler for the pictures!

Dancers from The Dance Within