THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GIVING TRAVEL AS A GIFT
When it comes to big surprises, it’s hard to top gifting someone with a surprise vacation. Whether it’s a long weekend in Paris to celebrate a milestone birthday or a bucket-list adventure like seeing Machu Picchu, there’s a lot of planning and thought that goes into giving travel as a gift.
Planning a surprise trip: If the person you’re gifting wants to go on a trip, you’ve likely heard them talk about where they want to go. You’ll want to get a sense of how flexible their schedule is first. For instance, if it’s a parent or grandparent, tell them that you’re planning a trip home for the time you’re taking them away to make sure they don’t make other plans.
Booking the trip: Consider how much you should schedule ahead of time. Chances are, if it’s a trip the giftee has been talking about for some time, they have very specific ideas about what they’d like to see and do. Your best bet is to purchase the plane tickets well in advance, but hold off on any expensive tours, excursions or nonrefundable hotels. This allows them have some input when you do reveal that you’re taking them somewhere.
When booking plane tickets, you must have certain information. If you’re booking an international trip, make sure the person either has their passport, or there’s enough time for them to get one (allow at least three months for this). You’ll also need to know how their name appears on their governmentissued ID or passport. The best way around this is to use their first name and last name — leaving out the middle name. TSA agents will let you through if that’s present on the ticket, but if you’ve gotten the middle name wrong, misspelled it, or the government-issued ID doesn’t include it, you might have to pay
extra to have the ticket changed.
FAVORITE DESTINATIONS
For a Two-Week Vacation: Japan:
Japan really has it all: dazzling cities, amazing cuisine, serene mountain landscapes, indulgent hot springs, and a culture that stretches back millennia. Two weeks gives you plenty of time to balance Japan’s frenetic urban pace with forays into more tranquil destinations like Hakone, where hot springs bubble amid the beautiful mountain scenery. You’ll also get plenty of use out of your JR Pass, which allow you to zip around the country on an incredibly efficient and extensive network of trains.
For a Bucket-List Adventure: Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley: Nowhere else on earth is quite like Machu Picchu. This ancient Inca site was unknown to everyone but the local communities until the beginning of the 20th century, evading even the marauding Spanish invaders during the colonial era. Today, it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and a must-see for anyone interested in history and beauty. But Machu Picchu isn’t the only fascinating thing to see in this part of Peru. The Sacred Valley is home to the incredible Andes Mountains, its own network of archaeological ruins, and some of the most awe-inspiring treks in the world (the Inca Trail being first among them). You’ll also want to spend some time exploring nearby Cusco, a stunningly preserved colonial relic with its own fascinating history.
For a Long Weekend from the East Coast: Paris: Paris is easily one of the world’s greatest cities. And the weight it holds in the collective consciousness as a place that must be visited before you die is hard to understate. Whether you’re a foodie, a history lover, an art enthusiast, a night owl, or just someone who loves long walks amid breathtaking urban scenes, Paris is for you. It also happens to be reachable by a relatively painless nonstop flight from most major East Coast and certain Midwest cities in the U.S. Even better, these flights often aren’t too expensive compared to other continental European destinations.
For a Long Weekend From the West Coast: Mexico City: Like Paris, Mexico City has something for every type of traveler: history buffs, art lovers, aspiring chefs, street-food enthusiasts, architecture nerds, shoppers, and even club kids. It also enjoys spring-like weather year-round, making a visit here especially welcome for those living in colder areas. Central neighborhoods like Roma, Condesa, and Juarez are packed with boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and bars that buzz every day and night.
Small jazz clubs and underground raves can also be found here. The culture of the city stretches back millennia, and today, you can explore everything from ancient ruins to La Casa Azul – the former home of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. If you’re looking for a taste of how modern-day Mexico City goes about its weekends, head to the neighborhood tianguis and mercados.
For a Weeklong Getaway: Madrid and Barcelona: Spain is home to a plenty of cool cities and towns. You could easily spend weeks here and not get bored, but it also happens to be a great place to tackle in bite-size nuggets. That’s especially true since the cost of everything – food, drinks, hotels, and entertainment – is far lower than other major European destinations. Madrid and Barcelona make a great pair for a surprise trip to Spain. This gives you several days in each city, which is the perfect amount of time to hit up major cultural spots, like the Prado and Reina Sofia in Madrid and Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona. You’ll also be able to indulge in amazing Spanish and Catalan cuisine, epic nightlife, and an easy pace of life. Both cities are easy to navigate, with reliable links to the airports, as well as efficient and extensive metro networks that make getting around a breeze.