Madison Flager travel tips

Finding the best graduation gift can be tough. You want to celebrate this important milestone with a thoughtful gift that both acknowledges the graduate’s accomplishment and is practical and useful for the next chapter in their lives. While some may be shopping for a graduate they don’t know very well, others are searching for the right gift for a person they know inside and out—either way, we have you covered. Whether they're stepping into the professional world, furthering their education, or pursuing their passions, our curated list of 37 unique gifts ensures that every graduate receives something truly special to mark this achievement. This selection includes the latest tech gadgets, luggage for the jet-setting grad, and travel accessories that will help make their next trip smooth and comfortable.

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, it's high time to start shopping for the moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and mother-in-laws in our lives again. Whether you're celebrating with a large family brunch or taking your mom out for a spa day, a well-thought-out gift is always appreciated. For those who can’t be with their mothers this year but still want to send something to make her smile—we’ve got you covered. Below, we've rounded up dozens of thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ideas for all kinds of moms, from the ones who taught you to love the great outdoors to the ones who appreciate a trip to a winery, and the ones whose ideal vacation is sitting in a beach chair with a good book in hand.

Whether you’re hopping on a plane en route to a dreamy, faraway beach or road tripping for a closer-to-home sandy retreat, packing the right bag helps ensure you have just what you need to make your trip to the beach as easy and relaxing as possible. Of course, a solo traveler’s idea of the best beach bag can be quite different from someone on a family vacation who is in charge of carrying everything for everyone. We’ve got both of those needs covered, and everything in between.

The best lip balms consistently earn a spot in our travel bags year round. Nothing dries out your skin quite like a long-haul flight, so having a go-to lip product that you know will hydrate and soothe is crucial. Finding a coveted lip balm you actually love is not always as easy as it should be—some are greasy or sticky, others overly scented, and then there's the ones that simply don't last.

Of the many conveniences that hotels offer, few are as welcome as the in-house breakfast. Whether you’re raring to go or still slumped over after that early morning wake-up, there’s no better reward for having made it out of bed at all than the sumptuous spread that awaits. Here, we’ve rounded up the most sublime hotel breakfasts our editors have enjoyed this year, comprising national dishes, pastry repasts, snow-day bread baskets, and so much more.

Finding the best walking shoes for travel can be tough. You want something comfortable enough to get you through a full day of wandering around, but not so comfortable that it screams “I'm a tourist!” And since nobody wants to tote around a bag (checked or otherwise) filled with shoes, the ones that do make the packing list cut need to be versatile enough to wear with multiple outfits.

Food and travel are an inseparable pair—one bite can bring back a rush of delicious memories. Whether it's memories of a special trip, a city once called home, or a bucket list destination, there's no doubt that an edible gift can do more for its recipient than taste delicious. Fortunately, shippable options abound. Bagels from a classic New York deli can create the brunch of holiday dreams, small-batch chocolate can add sweetness to someone’s day, and home cooks will find delight in luxe kitchen ingredients and so much more in between. This list isn't just for the holidays, either: Bookmark it for those future special occasions—birthdays and “just because” days included.

The holidays are upon us and so is the chance to stock up on thoughtful gifts for others or, just maybe, treat yourself to something nice on Cyber Monday. One thing is for sure: Our Traveler editors won't be sleeping on this year's deals. Thousands of Cyber Monday deals have landed, including sales from travel-friendly brands we love like Away, Calpak, Nordstrom, New Balance, Girlfriend Collective, and more. We asked our editors what goods are on their wishlists this year, and luckily, many of them are on sale. Read on for what our editors are shopping this Cyber Monday, from in-flight tech essentials and kitchen appliances to new bed sheets as comfortable as the ones in your favorite hotel.

The holidays are upon us and so is the chance to stock up on thoughtful gifts for others or, just maybe, treat yourself to something nice on Black Friday. One thing is for sure: Our Traveler editors won't be sleeping on this year's deals. Thousands of Black Friday deals have finally landed, including sales from travel-friendly brands we love like Away, Calpak, Nordstrom, New Balance, Girlfriend Collective, and more. We asked our editors what goods are on their wishlists this year, and luckily, many of them are on sale. Read on for what our editors are shopping this Black Friday, from in-flight tech essentials and kitchen appliances to new bed sheets as comfortable as the ones in your favorite hotel.

A new season means it's time to refresh your travel wardrobe, but there are some staples every packing list should include: comfortable shoes, a functional bag, and enough basics to mix-and-match outfits for days on end. When it comes to the pieces that make up those outfits, Condé Nast Traveler readers often turn to Nordstrom. The department store is a one-stop shop for everything from popular Béis luggage to soft, stretchy basics (looking at you, Zella joggers) to cozy Ugg slippers. To zero in on some of the top Nordstrom products for travelers, we turned to you: Below are 32 vacation essentials Traveler readers purchased most in the last year and a half, after reading our reviews. Keep scrolling to see your fellow readers' Nordstrom bestsellers, or jump right to the section you're shopping for.

Whether you’re going for a 30-minute stroll along a neighborhood trail or tackling a multi-day trek in Alaska’s Denali National Park, one thing’s for certain: “hiking” can mean a lot of different things. No matter where your adventure may take you, it’s crucial to find a pair of hiking boots or shoes with excellent grip, good ventilation, and solid waterproofing—if you expect to encounter inclement weather.

Another massive two-day sale from Amazon is here: Prime Big Deal Days, fall's answer to Amazon Prime Day, ends today; October 11. Travelers can save big on everything from luggage to packing cubes to travel accessories. It should come as no surprise that Condé Nast Traveler editors have been going through their wishlists to see what's on sale. Read on to see what travel gear we’re eyeing for last minute price drops, from face serums and rain jackets to alarm clocks, steamers, tech necessities, and cameras. For more ideas, check out the best early Prime Day travel gear deals we have found so far.

Another massive two-day sale from Amazon is here: Prime Big Deal Days, fall's answer to Amazon Prime Day, runs through October 11. Travelers can save big on everything from luggage to packing cubes to travel accessories. It should come as no surprise that Condé Nast Traveler editors have already started to put together their wishlists of the items they're hoping to see on sale. Read on to see what travel gear we’re eyeing for price drops, from face serums and rain jackets to alarm clocks, steamers, tech necessities, and cameras. For more ideas, check out the best early Prime Day travel gear deals we have found so far.

Nothing ruins your day like getting caught in the rain without the shield that is a trusty rain jacket. As travelers, it's not always convenient to halt plans when a downpour strikes—a lightweight rain jacket can make all the difference the next time your afternoon hike gets interrupted by an expected shower. The best designs for travelers are completely waterproof, windproof, and packable (bonus points if it stashes down into one of its own pockets). To help narrow your search, we rounded up 13 versatile and durable rain jackets to bring on your next adventure, whether you're anticipating some less-than-perfect weather or want something compact just in case.

Figuring out what you need to pack for a trip can be challenging—especially if you like to travel carry-on only. But whether you’re heading for a weekend away with your best gal pals or a week-long jaunt to a new city, the tech you pack is important. From portable batteries and small location devices to headphone adapters for planes, we’ve tested multiple items to see what the best travel gadgets really are, and which ones simply aren't worth the space.

When it comes to luggage, travelers are generally either team hardshell or team soft-sided. While both have their perks, soft-sided suitcases rarely get the praise that they deserve. If you’re in the market for a new piece of luggage, you may want to consider a soft-sided suitcase for flexibility and durability while traversing airport terminals, narrow cobblestone streets in Europe, and beyond.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here, and that means major discounts on new arrivals across all categories—luggage, shoes, clothes, beauty, accessories, and bags. Nordstrom's annual event began with early access for select cardholders on July 12, but there are still plenty of new travel-friendly deals to shop now that the Anniversary Sale is open to all. The deals only runs through August 6, though, so it's best that you fill your cart before your favorites sell out. 

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here, and that means major discounts on new arrivals across all categories—luggage, shoes, clothes, beauty, accessories, and bags. Nordstrom's annual event began with early access for select cardholders on July 12, but there are still plenty of new travel-friendly deals to shop now that the Anniversary Sale is open to all. The deals only runs through August 6, though, so it's best that you fill your cart before your favorites sell out.