As travelers, we strive to collect more moments than things, but sometimes it’s those things we carry with us that make the moments even richer. These 13 Valentine’s Day gift ideas are sure to do just that.
1. Bon Appétit
The Farm to Table French Phrasebook is the perfect travel-size present for Francophiles, and aspiring home chefs, wine connoisseur wannabes and the farmers market flâneur are sure to devour it. $12.93, amazon.com
2. Message in a Bottle
Discover philosophy’s renewed hope in a jar or the brand’s tried and true loveswept fragrance—either way, 1% of all philosophy.com product sales will now support community-based mental health efforts. $47 and $48, philosophy.com
3. Carry On
Brighten up your winter wardrobe and get inspired to pack for a romantic weekend away with MZ Wallace’s Large Metro Tote. As for where to take the tote? Co-founder Monica Zwirner has been going to Montauk for 15 years and says “the pure natural beauty has remained unchanged. Every time we arrive in Montauk, I marvel at the fact that 120 miles from New York City you can find deserted beaches, a classic old lighthouse and miles of unspoiled walks in undeveloped parkland.” $225, mzwallace.com
4. Sounds Good
The Soen Transit XS Bluetooth portable speaker has surprisingly great sound for such a small size. The tripod mount and included clip allow it to be installed on your bag, bike, or anywhere you feel like dancing. $129.95, amazon.com
5. Well Hung
If you’re not one to let winter stop you from enjoying the great outdoors, ENO Hammock’s Vesta Top Quilt and Vulcan Underquilt are must-haves; whether you’re just out for a day hike or camping overnight (at 35 degrees and above), this easily compressible velvety cocoon is the warmest place to stretch out and stare at the sky. $169.95 and $174.95, eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com
6. Muse-ic to My Ears
Whether typing emails, riding the rails or flying high, these Tracks HD2 headphones from Sol Republic will tune out the world to help you get through your day with no interruption. $79.99, solrepublic.com
7. Bite Me
It’ll be love at first bite when you sink your teeth into the chocolate wafels and spekuloos cookies, a few of the many goodies tucked inside the Wafels & Dinges Box. New York would not be the same without this company’s delicious concoctions and neither will Valentine’s Day. Available at 15 Avenue B, the Cabana in Herald Square, the kiosk in Bryant Park, and the trucks around the city. $20, wafelsanddinges.com
8. Man’s New Best Friend
Commute to work in style with the classic Filson Original Briefcase from Standard & Strange. The rugged build of this water repellant cotton twill and leather bag will convince you that you’ll still look this good carrying it decades from now. $325, Filson.com
9. Write This Way
In The Directions to Happiness, the gallant globetrotting New Yorker Bruce Northam writes that smiles “can inspire contagious winds of change.” Well, so too will this captivating book inspire you to start a travel log and fill its pages with tales of adventure. Whether you follow in Northam’s footsteps in 135 countries—hiking Nepal’s Himalayas, setting sail for Cuba, volunteering in East Africa—or forge your own path, you’re certain to be carried by the book’s undercurrents of “If not now, then when?” $14.99, amazon.com
10. FEED the love
Show her how much you love her—and making a difference—with these festive FEED 5 Bracelets. FEED is an organization that provide five school meals to hungry people around the world. $18 each, feedprojects.com
11. Love Sack
Classy and practical and as precious as its namesake, The Pearl Bag from Lo & Sons won’t leave your side on your next day trip or weekend getaway. $248, loandsons.com
The co-founder and editor-at-large at offMetro, Lauren is a sustainable travel specialist and freelance journalist with frequent bylines in National Geographic, Bicycling Magazine and Shape. Follow Lauren’s adventures at @laurenmati.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram