For better or worse, Instagram is guilty of installing a sense of wanderlust and FOMO—scrolling through independent traveler “influencer” types who travel the world, post professional pictures from exotic locations, and somehow take your likes and shares with them to their next place. They may have the presentation down pat, but so many of them seem to lack depth.
Also, it’s hard to gift someone a subscription to an Instagram feed. I’ve tried, it doesn’t work well. There is a certain authenticity and expression of appreciation lacking in a digital gift.
If you’re looking to encourage someone’s drive to travel this year, why not give them something that goes deeper than the infinite scroll of social media. Magazines are the perfect medium for inspiring travel and a sense of wanderlust in the everyday traveler. Gorgeous photos, in-depth reviews, profiles, gear—all of it consumable offline. A gift subscription can deliver an issue that might inspire the next great adventure. Here are a few of our favorites to consider:
Travel & Leisure
The editors and writers for Travel & Leisure have been everywhere you can think of and have arrived in style while doing so. With beautiful photography of resorts, hotels, and attractions from all over the world, this magazine is sure to inspire your next vacation destination. The editors compile frequent best-of and top-100 lists so you can be sure you’re hitting the best spots at the right time.
Cereal
The downside of magazines: the next issue often shows up before you have had a chance to finish the last one. They also tend to wind up in the recycle bin. Cereal changes all of that by publishing biannually in a format that is worthy of space on your bookshelf or coffee table all year long. Based out of the UK, each issue of Cereal focuses on exotic destinations and interviews about design, art, and fashion.
Rock & Ice
For those that can’t travel without coming back with a few fresh scrapes and bruises, there is Rock & Ice. Featuring articles about techniques, equipment, destinations, and interviews with some of the best climbers in the world, a subscription to Rock & Ice is a welcome gift for the adventurous monkey who is always taking things vertically.
Alpinist
Alpinist is a quarterly publication dedicated to the craft of alpinism and adventure climbing. Whether your loved ones spend their vacations gearing up and ascending to great heights or enjoy reading stories about those who have, Alpinist presents all aspects of mountaineering in high quality, archivable editions that look great all year round.
Outside
Widely known as the flagship publication for outdoor recreation, Outside covers everything from gear reviews, mountain festivals, and travel destinations. Their regularly featured profiles have been home to some of the most enormous adventure stories of our time, including John Krakauer’s Everest epic Into Thin Air and the story of Chris McCandless Into The Wild.
Sidetracked
Sure to stoke any sense of adventure, Sidetracked regularly collects personal stories of adventure travel, journeys, and expeditions. Their goal is to capture the emotion of experiencing the world in its most raw form and to inspire others to explore something new. Their stories and photography range from hikes, scuba dives, bike rides and so much more. This is a magazine that is sure to whet the appetite of anyone who loves to travel.
ROVA
America is known for its roads, and the road trips those roads inspire. ROVA is a magazine dedicated to the art of the American road trip and all of the places they can take us. Featuring interviews with travelers and RVers from all walks of life, ROVA hits at the core of what it means to live life on the road, eat from diners, and explore the natural beauty throughout North America.
Adventure Journal
Everything outdoors in all of its forms, Adventure Journal has been publishing everything great about the out-of-doors experience for over a decade. With their tongue fully implanted into their cheek, the contributors of Adventure Journal cast a different life to adventure travel. Most notably: a feature called “Historical Badass” which profiles figures throughout history who endured the worst, and had a great story to tell at the end of their adventure.
Roads & Kingdoms
Not entirely a magazine, but it’s hard to talk about travel publishers without bringing up Roads & Kingdoms. Aimed at telling stories of places through food and culture, Roads & Kingdoms gained a voice in the field after winning an Emmy with their work featuring the late Anthony Bourdain. Today they produce web-based content highlighting various delights all over the world. Still want to give the gift of something in hardback? They have a selection of gorgeous books you can give.
National Geographic
nationalgeographic.com/magazine
For over 130 years, the National Geographic Society has been regularly publishing photography, stories, and dispatches from all over the world. Known by its iconic yellow border, National Geographic has won awards time and time again for the imagery it brings to the public. A subscription is sure to bring about a sense of wonder about the world.
Gray’s Sporting Journal
For the most discerning sportsmen in your life, consider a subscription to Gray’s Sporting Journal. Blending an excellent mix of fishing, hunting, shooting sports, arts, and literature, Gray’s is the perfect compliment to an overstuffed chair next to a roaring fire on a cold day. If you and yours aspire to a higher quality in your outdoor experiences, Gray’s Sporting Journal would be right at home in your home.
Jungles In Paris
Every generation attempts to redefine what came before it. Jungles In Paris is doing just that by telling stories of the crossover between nature and culture. Exploring planet Earth and all of its cultural curiosities, Jungles In Paris works with writers and photographers from all over the world to restore a sense of wonder and enchantment to travel and exploration.
