Gift Idea

Neck pouch that goes under the shirt to carry passport and credit cards so they don't get stolen.

A cord minder for electronics to wrap everything up nicely.

Packing cubes for his suitcase.

Not romantic but.... a multi charger. European hotel rooms don't sport the number of outlets ours do and so this comes in really handy when you have multiple devices to charge.

This one's a bit more personal - but not by much! A travel tray -- unsnaps so lays flat, these are great for tossing in your keys, money, wallet, and whatever else a guy has in his pocket. Gave one to my husband a few years ago and he never travels without it!
https://www.levenger.com/Snap-Tray-13546.aspx

Have fun picking something out!

Hi Kristen,

How about a scratch map to track his world travels -
https://www.amazon.com/scratch-map/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ascratch%20map

or packing cubes to organize electronics or small items -
http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/travelon-packing-squares---set-of-3/82203632?showProducts=&sizetype=&size=

Hope you have a great trip!

So, coming from a guy who travels light... Ask him.

Generally, I wouldn't be happy with anything heavy or bulky - a travel journal would be too heavy for me to carry with me. I wouldn't be happy because I'd feel obligated to use it or risk hurting your feelings.

Things that I might want include:

• A nicer bag than I currently have. Some bags can be really expensive. If he loves one but can't afford it, that would be a gift he'd be proud to have. You have to ask though to know his dream bag (and whether you can afford it).

• A lifeproof case for my phone. It's water and shock proof. I really like mine and it's great for travel. They're about $75 in stores but about $50 on Amazon.

• A nice neck wallet is a good idea. With slimmer fitting pants, a neck wallet is more discreet than a money belt. Problem is, it may be hard to find the best one. I have a pile of them. Of the group I like one from Samsonite better than the others, some more expensive (like North Face). Biggest things for me are a few different storage areas so I can separate bills from credit cards, metro passes and passport. Also key to have something plastic lined so when you sweat, your stuff doesn't get soaked (you are going to Italy in summer).

• Travel clothes are also a good idea. For me, that doesn't mean all the big name travel brands. It means shopping for items you like with an eye toward materials that work well for travel. Cotton is comfortable but wrinkles badly and can lose it's shape when it's hand washed and hung dry. Cotton also loses all insulating value when it gets wet (including the ability for cotton socks to reduce friction and prevent blisters). I shop for shirts in something other than cotton, or at least a blend. My favorite travel pants are Adidas golf pants, non-cotton, don't wrinkle, hand wash easily, look like dress pants and take up no weight or room in my bag. I always pack at least one decent looking non-cotton sweater, either washable wool or synthetic. My favorite underwear are underarmour, I originally bought them for traveling, then ditched all my cotton because I liked these more. Socks are the same, I've found crew socks that look and feel the same as cotton in non-cotton fabrics (right now underarmour also). In cooler parts of the year, I pack wool socks (Costco has a three pack for about $10).

Thank you all for your great ideas! Wonderful (and useful) choices!

Seconding the travel tray -- I found one in a thrift store several years ago (for myself) and my husband appropriated it, takes it on every trip. Small, light, very useful in keeping things organized.

How about sound-blocking headphones? Thats what I want someone to give me.

This is one of the most useful things my husband and I have gotten for one another. Make sure it collapses/has working snaps, going flat is key for packing. We saw them all over Florence and they didn’t fold flat the snaps were decoration only! Have fun!!!!!!
https://www.levenger.com/Snap-Tray-13546.aspx

My husband would tell you that the best travel gift I ever gave him is the Bose noise cancelling headset.

Once again, great ideas! Thank you so much! He would definitely love the headphones (and so would I)! :)

Does he like coffee? I placed a travel Aeropress on my recent wishlist and my wife bought it for me. I often find that there is poor coffee provision in hotel rooms and I like a cup before I head out to find somewhere decent.

https://coffeetastingclub.com/accessories/aeropress-deluxe-travel-kit/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAiKrUBRD6ARIsADS2OLmANaLh3XvvrNKKyE16dMG5tbwjh6eWmFkVoxiFIzrFnzJ0FpPIeS4aAu7zEALw_wcB

An inflatable neck pillow.

Hello Kristen. Look at the travel accessories for sale at Rick Steves' business. Click on "Shop Online" at the Home page of this internet website. I like the Hidden Wallet. I like using it, more than using a neck wallet, or any other wallet that goes under a person's clothes. I highly recommend that a traveler (to Europe) bring two packing cubes. (made of a mesh material). Put the packing cubes in the primary travel bag. If your boyfriend is an experienced traveler (in airplanes) he may have been using packing cubes. I put my socks and underwear in two packing cubes. That uses less space in the travel bag, than if the socks and underwear are not in packing cubes. I like a packing cube that has a thickness of 3 inches.