By Sandi Barrett
Contributing Writer
REGION – Holiday gifts can be more than a simple trinket. Gifts that speak to the recipient’s passions show thoughtful planning – and travelers love planning! Spending time with your loved ones is another precious gift, consider an overnight stay or long weekend getaway with your favorite person or your entire family.
Photo/Pixabay
Beach breaks
Booking a gifted beach getaway is a surefire way to set the stage for an unforgettable adventure. Massachusetts has so many gorgeous beaches. Consider Gloucester and the Beauport Hotel for a luxurious beach getaway. A pre-planned summer toes-in-the-sand weekend will surely chase away the winter blues.
For the younger generations, Skillmaticks makes an outdoor game for ages 4-7. “Found It! At the Beach/Smart scavenger hunt” comes with 50 waterproof cards to keep busy little bodies engaged in the adventure.
Waterproof and sandproof beach mats are one of the best beach creations ever. No worries about lugging heavy, wet, and sandy blankets. Amazon has lots of beach mat options for you to compare. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and patterns.
Hiking adventures
Great day hikes await your footfalls across the Commonwealth. From the Blue Hills Skyline Loop in Quincy to the Cape Cod Rail Trail to Bish Bash Falls Trail in the Berkshires, you will enjoy gorgeous scenery while racking up your step count.
For a luxurious treat, wrap up your Berkshires hiking adventures with a wellness stay at Canyon Ranch in Lenox. With an array of spa services, outdoor recreation, pool, and dining room, it is the perfect gift for a health-conscious enthusiast.
An unusual gift are the Firefly recovery devices; they help with circulation to speed recovery. They are a great option for a strenuous hiker. They are also perfect for long haul flights by stimulating blood flow.
Cold weather escapades
There are several wonderful local ski areas, perfect for day trip skiing.
An overnight option is Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock. They offer great skiing and several on-site resort options. Perfect for a family getaway gift – downhill and bonding.
If you are out and about in the chilly New England weather, car batteries can be a troublesome issue. A remote car battery charger is the perfect gift for the winter outdoor enthusiast. Amazon has lots of great options.
The traveler who loves to ski will enjoy the illustrated book “The Man Behind The Maps: Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues.” A collection of 200 ski resort trail maps.
Camping escapes
Book a yurt at Nickerson State Park and experience an untraditional way to camp. Located on the Cape in Brewster, the state park is close to tons of Cape Cod fun.
Campers who enjoy cool weather camping will love wearing a heated vest. The battery-operated heating elements circulate throughout the vest keeping the wearer toasty without impeding arm movement. Amazon offers several vendors for you to peruse.
Massachusetts has over a dozen National Park sites including Cape Cod National Seashore, Minute Man National Historic Park, and other historic sites and recreation areas. The “National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States” book from Layitflat.com is a comprehensive National Parks guide and would make a great gift for the National Parks wanderer.
Travel guides
A travel guide can open your eyes to adventures you never knew existed. The “Massachusetts Travel Guide” and the “Massachusetts Bucket List Adventure Guide” are both available on Amazon along with other great local guide books.
A great planning app, Wanderlog offers a free version for basic trip planning and a pro version with a monthly and yearly rate. The pro version has offline access (important for travel where Wi-Fi is intermittent), road trip route optimization, and a document attachment feature. Planning the trip is half the fun and Wanderlog is a solid planning assistant.
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