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The Indagare Holiday Gift Guide 2021: Our Favorite Gifts for Travelers

The holiday season is upon us, and this year, we’re sending gifts to loved ones near and far that celebrate and support the destinations we love, from Nairobi to New York City. The Indagare Holiday Gift Guide: 2021 Edition features a curated selection of treasures, gadgets, books, nonprofit organizations and more, for every traveler in your life, from the design lover to the trailblazer (and we may be wrapping up a few things for ourselves, as well!). These are the items that make us recall our favorite trips around the world, and inspire us to dream of the adventures that await in the months and years ahead. We hope that these gifts inspire learning, joy and global exchange—plus, don’t miss picks from our team and some familiar insiders and tastemakers whom you may recognize from Global ConversationsInsider Journeys, Indagare Clubs and more! 

Happy Gifting and Happy Holidays, from all of us at Indagare.

Melissa’s Picks

Indagare Founder and CEO Melissa Biggs Bradley shares the items at the top of her gift list:

  • Accessories for Your Travel Tech: ​​I love Alexandra Knight’s monogrammed Apple items like her Airpod cases and tags for the back of your iPhone (pictured above, right). They are a great way to personalize a ubiquitous travel item. Apple’s AirTags are also great gifts for people who move around a lot, to help then keep track of any item from a backpack to a camera.
  • Bright Beachwear: Aloha Marina’s vintage Hawaiian prints (pictured above, left) bring the joy of sunny days to an array of products. For gifts, I love the wide-brimmed straw hats lined with UPF 50-treated fabric as well as the lightweight, water-resistant, recyclable travel pouches.
  • Monogrammed Packing Cubes from Paravel: “These chic and versatile bags are my go-to gift for frequent travelers. I also love this jewelry cube from Ellis Hill.”
  • Donation to the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST): “As our understanding of what it means to travel in the pandemic era continues to evolve, we all need to think carefully about how to preserve natural and historical wonders as well as neighborhoods that are threatened by overtourism. That’s why I am proud to serve on the board of CREST, a policy-oriented research organization dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of tourism, a policy-oriented research organization dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of tourism.”
  • Carbon Offset Gift: To help you travel more responsibly, Indagare has partnered with Sustainable Travel International to provide funding for important projects around the world that can help you offset the carbon impact of your travels. These offsetting costs help fund certified projects that protect and restore forests, produce clean energy and increase energy efficiency. Together, these programs reduce greenhouse gas emissions by removing existing emissions from the atmosphere and preventing new ones. Inquire by emailing membership@indagare.com.”
  • Gift Card for a Stay at Eleven Experience Properties: “I recently traveled to Harbour Island and had a wonderful stay at Bahama House—the first beach venture for Eleven Experience, a travel company founded by Blackstone exec Chad Pike in 2011, with the aim of serving those he deems ‘adventure capitalists’: high-end travelers with an intrepid attitude and passion for the outdoors. The brand also has several lodges out west, as well as the showstopper Deplar Farm in Iceland and retreats in France and Patagonia. A gift card for future travel to any of these intimate, adventurous havens would be at the top of my wish list! Inquire by emailing membership@indagare.com.”
Give the Gift of Indagare! Gift a year of membership—or a credit towards one of our Insider Journeys or virtual travel Clubs—to the traveler(s) in your life. Click here to purchase a digital gift card.

Partner Spotlight: The Best Gifts for Jet-Setters, Curated by Saks Fifth Avenue

For the snow-seekers in your life, give those with major wanderlust a reason to book their next vacation. Your friends, family—and yourself—deserve the ultimate bundled-up essentials and sleek travel musts, from ultra-warm coats to durable and stylish luggage. Give them a winter vacation gift they'll never forget to pack (for years to come!).

  • Moncler Women's Moka Long Down Puffer Coat: Cold-weather travelers need Moncler puffers to look chic in freezing temperatures. With down insulation and an elongated silhouette, this pick is the solution for high style and maximum warmth.
  • Gucci Men's Rubber Slide Sandals: Chilly weather also calls for spa time, so don't forget Gucci pool slides for the male travelers in your life. Whether he's just heading to the hot tub après-ski or embracing a full-on spa day, easy-off shoes are exactly what he'll need.
  • Burberry Little Girl's & Girl's Mollie Archival Vintage Check Puffer Vest: For the little ones, we love an iconic Burberry vest. The checked print will look oh-so-cute in all your holiday photos—plus, it'll ensure they're bundled up all day long.
  • Dr. Barbara Sturm The Winter 6-Piece Skincare Set: 'Tis the season for indoor self-care, too, and the Dr. Barbara Sturm skincare set provides nourishment to combat dry winter skin. The six-step kit will leave your skin and lips thoroughly hydrated and ready to withstand winter weather.
  • Rimowa Essential Medium Check-In Case: Rimowa's ultra-durable luggage is ideal for someone who's always on the go. Its lightweight polycarbonate design was made for packing even the chunkiest of sweaters and multiple pairs of lug-sole boots.
This section was curated in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue. If you buy something through the above links, Indagare may earn an affiliate commission.

Indagare Picks: For Foodies and Oenophiles

From Indagare Global Experience Manager Kathryn Nathanson: Piedmont White Alba Truffles“For this holiday season, we’ve created the ultimate gift for the foodie—or Italophile—in your life: Until December 20, Indagare members are invited to place their orders for fresh Alba White Truffles, delivered directly to your door! They will arrive straight from northwestern Italy’s Piedmont region—home of the white truffle. You’ll be cooking meals to remember with this rare and special ingredient soon.” Click here to place your order.From Indagare Associate Editor Elizabeth Harvey: Gift Cards to Your Favorite Local Restaurants “Local restaurants are still very much in need of our support—and that's why, this year, I'll be filling my family's stockings with gift cards to some of the new spots that have opened in New York City this year. There’s a host of exciting new venues to know: A handful of dazzling contemporary fine-dining restaurants are recharging the term “big night out” in the city—while natural wine bars, Venetian-inspired enclaves and fire- and spice-driven creations offer the perfect spot for a more relaxed but equally flavorful evening. Click here to see the full list of the places I'm excited about.”From Indagare Travel Operations Associate Grace Park: Spices from Burlap and Barrel

"Burlap and Barrel is an amazing company that carries incredible, high-quality spices sourced from small farmers around the world. My friends, the late Chef Floyd Cardoz and his wife Barkha, developed a line of masala spices right before his passing, and they are some of my favorites."

From WSJ. Magazine Contributing Editor and Insider Journey Host Gabe Ulla: A Taste of Italy

"This holiday season, as I eagerly look ahead to our Insider Journey to Modena with Massimo Bottura next year (there are just a few spots left!), I’m getting an early taste of Italy—and fulfilling most of my gift-giving needs—with two wonderful products. First up is Bottura’s limited-time-only take on a traditional Christmas panettone, which is produced at his posh Gucci Osteria in Beverly Hills. Both flavors, Candied Orange & Raisin and Orange & Gianduja, can be shipped across the United States via the restaurant’s website. They’ll arrive in a custom tin designed by Gucci. The second and more accessible gift is one that I give friends almost every year, because you just can’t go wrong with Frankies Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli, the beloved Brooklyn chefs (and my dear friends), produce an organic oil on a century-old farm in Selinunte, Sicily, which is where the ancient Greeks planted the first olive trees in Italy’s history. I don’t think I use another ingredient more often. You can find the oil at Whole Foods or order it online."

Learn more about the 2022 Insider Journey with WSJ. Magazine that Gabe Ulla will be hosting: A Taste of Modena with Massimo Bottura.

From Indagare Global Conversations Podcast Guest Teesa Bahana, Director of 32° East, Ugandan Arts Trust: Aprons from xNStudio

These beautiful aprons from xNStudio are designed in the U.S. and made in Uganda. xNStudio is a multi-disciplinary black-owned design company founded in 2011 in Brooklyn and Kampala. We work with artisans to fortify existing networks among and between independent creatives in Africa, including Uganda, Ghana, and Tanzania. Plus, 10 percent of apron sales will go towards 32! And if I may, I'd love to add the suggestion of a donation towards my organization (32° East). We're building a multi-purpose arts center for artists in Uganda to have the resources and freedom to transform how we see the world. Phase one will be completed in October 2022—come visit!

From Indagare Contributing Editor Arabella Bowen: Septime, La Cave, Clamato, D'une Île, published by Phaidon

For my francophile friends, I'm ordering the new Phaidon cookbook (published in November), from the trailblazing team at Septime, the contemporary French sister restaurant to Clamato and Cave wine bar in Paris's happening 11th arrondissement. Septime remains a very tough table to get, even 10 years after opening. Septime, La Cave, Clamato, D'une Île celebrates its impact on Paris gastronomy with recipes and stories.

From Indagare Marketing Associate Jenna Levandowski: Wine + Peace

"My absolute favorite thing to receive and give during the holidays is wine. I love loading up on bottles with a big order from Wine + Peace. They feature a curated selection of small, independent and low-intervention winemakers from around the U.S. You can shop by value (community-focused, environmentally-focused, women-owned, etc.), by varietal or by farming method. It makes it really easy to feel confident that you’re not only buying wine people will love, but that you’re also supporting sustainable wineries in the process."

From Indagare Director of Content Strategy Jen Barr: Treats from Giving Broadly

"Spice up the holidays for foodies on your list with products like Asian comfort food, curry sauces, spices, honey and more from women-owned food brands sourced from all over the world from Giving Broadly, a website started by longtime former Food & Wine editor in chief Dana Cowin."

From Integrated Content Coordinator Abby Sandman: Chocolate and Coffee Must-Haves

"For chocolate gift boxes, I love Belgian Leonidas Chocolate and Dutch De Riujter Chocolate Sprinkles (my family is Dutch, so we’re very picky chocolate-eaters). Any time a family member comes back from Europe or wants to send us a thank you gift, they send one of these and we devour them. And for travelers on the go, the Joeveo Temperfect Mugs pull the excess heat out of your coffee, so that it’s a comfortable drinking temperature in minutes—and then it contains that heat in the mug, so that it stays that temperature for hours. They're perfect for the caffeine-lovers in your life!"

Plus: Gift the Indagare Cooking Club – Tasting Your Way Through Puglia with Chef Ryan Hardy

Streamed from the test kitchen of New York City’s Legacy Records, this live cooking program (3 virtual sessions, February 9 - April 13, 2022) with chef Ryan Hardy will explore the tastes and dishes of Italy’s southern region of Puglia. You’ll begin with pasta, learning how to make fresh, traditional pasta Pugliese. You will also be guided through a proper olive oil tasting and make homemade focaccia to pair with it, and your finale will be the preparation of a seafood dish, an essential part of Pugliese cooking. Click here to purchase a Club Gift Card!

Indagare Picks: For Design Lovers and Style Mavens

From Indagare History Club and Insider Journey Host Jamie Sewell: Traditional Wooden Decorations from Germany

The tradition of the Christmas tree began in Germany, possibly as early as the 16th century. Needless to say, the handicraft of carving wooden Christmas decorations is also an old German tradition, and the Erzgebirge in Saxony is the region most closely associated with this artisanship. Spinning tea light pyramids, nutcracker figurines and Schwibbogen from this area adorn German homes during the holiday season. And if you're curious as to what these strange sounding decorations look like, you'll find them in the online catalogue of Käthe Wohlfahrt, which also ships to the U.S.

Learn more about the 2022 virtual Indagare History Club and Insider Journey that Jamie Sewell will be hosting: Beyond the Wall – A History of Berlin.

From Indagare Global Conversations Podcast Guest and Fashion Designer Patrick Robinson

  • Travel Trousers: Meditation (Women's) and Reflection (Men's): "Cosmopolitan and impeccably cut, these trousers are made to move from home to airport, from airport to airport, from airport to office, from office to hotel, and everywhere in between. With an elasticated drawstring waistband, zipper fly, double snap waist, and two front and one back concealed zipper pockets, these pants offer the classic Paskho comfort with practicality. And the best part: Paskho is creating jobs in the U.S. These pants are made by the talented Makers of our Community-Made Pod in New York."
  • Lucidity Long-Haul Flight & Travel Hoodie (Women's and Men's): "A definite go-to for travel, engineered for comfort and beauty in any condition, climate or continent. The details make this like no other hoodie: Sustainable Swiss-made tech fabric that is lined with fleece, two zipper hand pockets, a smart back zipper pouch pocket and ergonomically seamed for an amazing fit."
From Indagare Global Conversations Podcast Guest and Moroccan Hotelier Meryanne Loum-Martin: Inside Marrakesh: Enchanting Homes and Gardens (2020, Rizzoli)“My new book, which was released in September 2020, has already gone to reprint, and our bookstores are saying it is a hit as a gift. I think, right now, it is helping readers to escape and dream—and more importantly, it has been supporting the Marrakech economy, as local traders and artisans have been telling me that they are receiving a great influx of purchases and inquiries, because of the book. This pandemic has done great damage to Marrakech, and this book has a wonderful support effect.”From Future of Travel Summit Panelist and Visit Sweden Marketing Manager Magnus Lindbergh: Holiday Ornaments from Svenskt Tenn Founded in 1924, this celebrated gallery-store is the source for classic Swedish and Danish design and textiles. The only licensed Fornasetti dealer in Sweden, Svenskt Tenn is a trove of one-of-a-kind furnishings that meld European precision with Swedish functionalism. These beautiful ornaments will bring a dose of Scandinavian warmth and elegance to the home of whoever receives them.Learn more about our upcoming Insider Journey with WSJ. Magazine, featuring a visit to Svenskt Tenn.From Indagare Senior Director of Marketing Diana Li: Jewelry by Melissa Joy Manning

I love gifting ethically-made, heirloom jewelry by Melissa Joy Manning, whose designs make a positive impact on our world. Their '12 Days of Giving,' happening now through December 11, donates 12 percent of purchases to non-profits like International Rescue Committee, Clean Water Fund, World Central Kitchen and more.

From Indagare Global Conversations Podcast Guest and Fashion Designer Eric Raisina:

  • Eric Raisina Silk Organza Fluffy Bags and Silk Scarves: “Our Silk Organza Fluffy Bag is our most popular item of all time—though we recently made a smaller version that clients are also loving—and the scarves are very popular. They are so light and colorful, and they are enough to emphasize a simple black dress. We have 12 different colors, in large and mini sizes.” Inquire by emailing info@ericraisina.com and including "Indagare" in the subject line.
  • Donation to Nginn Karet Foundation for Cambodia:  “This holiday season, my wish is to support this local organization here in Siem Reap, which empowers village people in Cambodia to improve their health, hygiene, infrastructure and education programs for a sustainable future. The Sacred Dancers of Angkor is a project within the program that is particularly dear to me.”
From Indagare Associate Editor Elizabeth Harvey: Scottish Charm from The Fife Arms

"At once a destination hotel, art museum (with a collection of over 14,000 works across genres) and high-style haven, The Fife Arms in the Scottish Highlands is a wishlist-worthy hotel—especially for history buffs, design fiends and romantics. For anyone hoping to bring home a bit of Scotland for the holidays (and to tide you over until the new season of Outlander is released in March), the Fife Arms Christmas Collection is the perfect source for a unique gift for your loved ones (or yourself). One of my personal favorites from the curation is the set of tartan Christmas crackers, which will elevate your table—and they contain decorative items made by McLean of Braemar out of sustainable red deer antlers, gathered from the surrounding area (please note the crackers do not ship to the U.S..)."

From Indagare Senior Director of Membership Elise Bronzo: Market Treasures from Around the World

“My daydreams are constantly streaming scenes from my favorite markets in the world, especially in India: friendly exchanges with local merchants, bartering by hand gesture to overcome language barriers, aching ankles after a day along cobblestoned alleyways, total saturation. This season, I’m supporting these places from afar by gifting my loved ones with items from some of my favorite artisans and global brands who have online stores—including cashmere shawls from the Jaipur-based Andraab; home decor from Luang Prabang’s Ock Pop Tok; impeccable accessories from the globally-sourced, Charleston-based Ibu Movement; these adorable, furry llamas from an artisan family in Peru’s Andes mountains (a must for anyone stressing out this season); and the beautiful embroidery pieces from the Los Angeles/Lebanon studio KisswehAlso, I am planning to gift my friends and family (who don't already have it) a copy of our founder Melissa Biggs Bradley's new—and debut!—book, Safari Style: Exceptional African Camps and Lodges, featuring 21 properties, from Rwanda to South Africa. The book is as beautiful as it is meaningful (proceeds support our favorite conservation organizations through the Indagare Impact Initiatives) and after being on the book tour with Melissa for the last few months I can attest that the book looks gorgeous in any and every room. The writing is excellent, the photographs by Guido Taroni, inspiring, and it’s the perfect gift for that person on your list who already has everything."

From Indagare Director of Content Strategy Jen Barr: Madeline Weinrib's The Heirloom Project at the Met

"Designer, artist and partner behind the chic boutique hotel Riad el Fenn in Marrakech Madeline Weinrib is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Islamic Wing at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art with a collection of items created in collaboration with artisans from India, Morocco, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt and Lebanon. All products are inspired by works in the Met and support the Met's conservation and presentation of centuries of art—and they're gorgeous and transporting."

From Indagare Marketing Associate Jenna Levandowski: Environmentally-Friendly Masks

"I love the masks from Baggu; their prints are so fun, and as a company, they do a good job embracing limited-waste design. Their pouches are also my favorite bags to pack in my carry on."

Plus: Gift the Indagare Art and History Clubs

Whether the art lovers on your list are interested in the rise of Renaissance masters under the Medici in Florence, the architecture of pre- and post-war Berlin or the painters of the Avant Garde movement, these intimate virtual clubs—led by expert hosts Elaine Ruffolo (The Medici, Power and Patronage), Jamie Sewell (History’s Darkest Days: Berlin and the Third Reich) and Page Knox (The Rise of the Avant Garde: The Painters of Modern Life)—are sure to delight. Learn more here and purchase a gift card here.

Give the Gift of Indagare! Gift a year of membership—or a credit towards one of our Insider Journeys or virtual travel Clubs—to the traveler(s) in your life. Click here to purchase a digital gift card.

Indagare Picks: For Outdoor Adventurers and Trailblazers

From Conservation Expert and Insider Journey Host Jamies Currie: Prints that Make a Difference

I’ve always been a fan of compelling wildlife photography and world-renowned National Geographic filmmaker and photographer Beverly Joubert’s stunning prints make excellent gifts. Beverly’s Vital Impact prints come with the added bonus that 60 percent of the proceeds go to Great Plains Foundation’s Project Ranger, Big Life Foundation, Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots and Shoots and SeaLegacy—especially relevant causes that benefit wildlife, people and our oceans. This is the perfect gift for anyone with a love for wildlife and making a difference to our planet. Full pricing along with images of all available powerful prints can be accessed here.

Plus: Join our October 2022 Insider Journey to travel to Kenya with James to see the last of the big tusker elephants. Fewer than 20 of these elephants are believed to be left in the world—and you’ll be able to venture into off-limits reserves to find (and help protect) them, while staying at some of our favorite luxury lodges.

From Indagare Global Experience Manager Kathryn Nathanson: Safari Styles from Designer Anna Trzebinski

Last year, I spent several weeks working remotely from Nairobi, Kenya, where designer Anna Trzebinski has opened a wonderful boutique hotel, alongside her atelier and workshop. We've hosted several virtual souks for the Indagare community since then, and Anna now has an easy online store for ordering holiday gifts that help support her local community. Anna has curated an extraordinary collection of her signature pieces and one-of-a-kind-creations—but if you're picking my fave, I love, love her safari coats and would do anything for one (see here). Plus: Click here for more stocking stuffers!

From Global Experience Production Associate Bridget McElroy: Hydration Gear for the Ultimate Adventurer

"My brother's friend (and the nephew of Indagare members) launched MXXY last year, to create the world's first dual-chamber hydration pack that seamlessly carries electrolytes and water on the trails, for ultimate performance and energy during your adventures off-road. It's equipped with a hydration dial that allows people to switch between water and an additional hydration supplement. I purchased one of their trial packs and love it. The official release is scheduled for 2022, but you can join the mailing list to be the first to order yours to gift—or keep!"

From Digital Content Manager Peter Schlesinger: Animal Adoptions—A World Away

"I love to give family members animal adoptions from organizations I support. Two I love are the Turgwe Hippo Trust, which is a very small-scale sanctuary for wild hippos in Zimbabwe, and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which works to rescue and rehabilitate orphan elephants in Kenya."

From Indagare Director of Content Strategy Jen Barr: The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag

"For the adventurer on your list: I have given this bag to three people so far, and they have absolutely loved it. It's a duffel that doubles as a backpack and folds into its own inside-out pocket for easy storage and comes in fun colors. The smaller backpack is also great. The 55-Liter option, which is my favorite, is carry-on size."

From Future of Travel Summit Panelist and Founder of Aqua Expeditions Francesco Galli Zugaro:

  • Donation to the Manta Trust: “Sharks and rays are crucial for the health of our planet, but they are some of the most enigmatic and misunderstood creatures in the ocean. They reside in many of the regions where Aqua operates, so I feel a great responsibility to support their protection.” 
  • The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson (2018, Viking): “A fascinating non-fiction book based on the Birds of Paradise. It is sure to entrance bird-watchers and naturalists alike.”
  • Gift Card for an Aqua Blu Expedition on the Amazon, the Mekong or in Indonesia: “Our sustainability-focused itineraries provide conservation enthusiasts with the opportunity for meaningful experiences that contribute to global environmental causes.” Inquire by emailing membership@indagare.com
From Indagare Global Conversations Podcast Guest and Travel Writer Sophy Roberts: Altai-Himalaya Pure Cashmere Blanket“[It’s] my favorite travel companion: a pure cashmere blanket by a brand called Altai-Himalaya in the madder red of a Tibetan Buddhist robe. The cashmere is harvested from the goat herds of the Orkhon Valley in Mongolia—a place I have been traveling to for years, where my [recently published] book The Lost Pianos of Siberia begins. The wool is dyed and woven in Nepal, in an extraordinary workshop of true artisans. There is no cashmere quite like it. You can order them by emailing D'Artagnan Giercke at dg@altai-himalaya.com.”From Global Conversations Guest, Insider Journey Host and Safari and Conservation Legend Colin Bell:
  • The Last Elephants by Don Pinnock and Colin Bell (2019, Smithsonian): “The plight of elephants seems to have taken a back foot during this Covid era we are living through. Nearly 500 elephants mysteriously died or were killed in Zimbabwe and Botswana last year—either through a natural toxin or poisoning; we don’t know what caused this. Many more have been poached throughout Africa. 2020 was not a good year for elephants in Africa. Our book, which offers a great value at nearly 500 pages for just $10, does the important work of raising awareness for protection of these creatures with riveting, educational stories.”
  • Donation to the Natural Selection Trust: “Many impoverished rural people who live around Africa’s unfenced parks and reserves have been the custodians of the wildlife and the wilds that inhabit within for many, many years. The lives of these people have been uplifted and they have been benefiting from the neighboring wildlife they have been protecting (through not poaching) and through the jobs and revenues they earn from safari or wildlife tourism. But many of these people have not enjoyed the benefits of wildlife tourism as a result of the pandemic. And many of these communities are starving because of the losses of income. Our Natural Selection Trust funds food parcels for communities who live alongside wildlife in Africa and thus ensures that there will be almost zero poaching. Something like $100 can sustain a family of four for a month in many parts of Africa.”
From Indagare Global Conversations Podcast Guest, Polar Explorer and Award-Winning Photographer Sebastian Copeland: Donation to Amazon WatchAmazon Watch sheds light on the devastations taking place in the Amazon, and it gives a voice to the indigenous tribes—defending the defenders of the forest from logging, deforestation and persecution. The Amazon forest is often referred to as "The Lungs of the Earth." Amazon Watch brings its voice to the world and lobbies for its protection.”From Indagare Senior Director of Marketing Diana Li: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

"I'm gifting my friends and family the latest book by bestselling novelist Amor Towles, author of Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow (which singlehandedly inspired my trip to Russia with family in 2018). Already acclaimed as one of the best books of 2021 and referred to as a 'love letter to the American road trip,' The Lincoln Highway is an instant classic, showcasing Amor's brilliant mastery of poetry and captivating prose."

From Indagare Contributing Editor Arabella Bowen: Giving Back at Home

"National parks provided the ultimate outdoor escape for many of us during Covid. Donating to the National Park Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Park Service, helps protect over 400 national parks and preserve 85 million acres of treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historical sites for generations to come."

Plus: Give the gift of future travel—with a conservation focus—through a credit towards our sustainable Insider Journeys to Antarctica, the Galápagos and Kenya in 2022.

Indagare Picks: For Wellness Seekers

From Indagare Trip Designer Caroline Hansen: The Ultimate Accessories for a Wellness Getaway

  • Naadam Cashmere Sets: “These are the best for long plane—or car—rides, as well as working from home.”  
  • Sabah Slippers: “These amazing shoes are handcrafted in Turkey and are so comfy for traveling!” 
  • Slip Sleep Mask: “These sleep masks are great for skin-friendly—and jet-lag-beating—travel.” 
  • Bala Weights: “I’ve gifted Bala weights to a few people this year, and they’re compact enough to bring along with you when you travel for added impact during an exploratory walk.” 
From Indagare Contributing Editor Arabella Bowen: Blackberry Farm at Home

"I love to give this Blackberry Farm Bourbon & Lavender Scrub to girlfriends at the holidays. It's perfect for creating an elevated bath experience at home...and Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain happen to be two of Indagare's most-booked hotels and Indagare Index properties, too."

From Indagare Associate Editor Elizabeth Harvey: Shou Sugi Ban House at Home

"Spread some serenity in style with a gift of the signature ceramic dishware from the lovely Hamptons wellness retreat Shou Sugi Ban House. Designed by upstate New York ceramicist Stephanie Charlene, the collection is crafted from white stoneware, coated in a lightly speckled bone glaze."

From Insider Journey Partner and Senior Vice President of Barron’s Group at Dow Jones, Mae Cheng:

  • Lunya Washable Silk Sleep Mask: "For frequent travelers, it can be hard to fall asleep when you're constantly jumping time zones or not in your own bed. A sleep mask can work wonders when you need to catch a few winks or jet off to your next location."
  • "A classic agenda may seem old-fashioned when most phones have calendars, but an analog version like this one from Smythson never goes out of style (and never loses battery power). It's great for jotting down notes on the go and the inside pocket can hold tickets, coat check stubs, business cards, and other small items."
From Insider Journey Host, Spiritual Coach and Omega Institute Co-founder Elizabeth Lesser:

"For me, this is going to be a year for either 1) offering gifts that require my own creativity or 2) suggestions for charitable giving. On the creative side, here’s something that will provide hours of entertainment: Create a list of your favorite TV shows that you have been binging, especially those that take place in different countries, and send them to your friends in a holiday-decorated email. I watched so many great shows this year that stoked my desire to visit far-flung destinations. Here are just a few: the Swedish series The Restaurant; the Australian series Offspring; the Danish series Seaside Hotel; the French series Call My Agent; the French series Lupin; the Irish series Normal People; the Italian series My Brilliant Friend; the British series Call the Midwife; the British series The Durells in Corfu; the Israeli series Shtisel; and the British series The Great British Baking Show."

"If you are looking for a great organization to give to, may I humbly suggest my own: Omega Institute, the non-profit life-long learning center I co-founded 40 years ago. Omega is a hub for education, retreat, and being part of a community of people from around the world. Besides offering workshops in everything from meditation to cooking to basketball, Omega is committed to taking care of the caregivers—the people who devote their lives to lifting our communities and repairing our hurting world. Your contribution will help us continue this unique opportunity for individuals and organizations. You can watch a video about this program here."

Indagare Picks: For Early Explorers

From Indagare Global Conversations Podcast Guest, Insider Journey Host and Vogue.com Executive Fashion Director Rickie De Sole:From Indagare Global Conversations Podcast Guests and Founders of Rwanda’s The Retreat at Heaven Josh and Alissa Ruxin: Donation to Bridge2Rwanda“We've lived in Rwanda for 16 years and constantly support orphans and vulnerable kids. Over the last few years, we've started an academic tennis program for very vulnerable children. Our first big success is Junior Hakizumwami, who started training with us five years ago and was accepted last year at Morocco's prestigious ITF academy. We are currently working with Paci and Hirwa, both aged six, to keep them in school, as well as tennis training with Coach Sylvan, Rwanda's top tennis coach and former ATP-ranked player. Paci and Hirwa come from homes with prevalent hunger and no path to success. We would like to build out this program for many others—and Bridge2Rwanda helps support education, housing, food, clothing and healthcare costs for three orphans, plus the thriving tennis academy for super-vulnerable children. You can donate through this link by selecting 'Other' under the designation and typing in 'For Ruxin Orphans' Fund.'"Give the Gift of Indagare! Gift a year of membership—or a credit towards one of our Insider Journeys or virtual travel Clubs—to the traveler(s) in your life. Click here to purchase a digital gift card.

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