Gift for a family about to take a year out travelling

[MothershipG]

A friend of mine is about to do this and I would like to get her a Bon Voyage gift. Obviously it needs to be easily portable as some of the travelling will be in a camper van but some of the trips will also involve plane travel.

Has anyone who has been travelling got any ideas? Any little things that were supremely useful or enjoyable?

This is all a bit out of my frame of reference!

What about a lovely travel journal?
for example?

Pack of waterproof playing cards?

How old are the children?
Useful stuff - they've probably got the essentials - a travel washing was always useful but a bit obvious (so they've probably got it already). Swiss cards, torches.
Nice to have - little games (although you get inventive!) - pass the pigs, Yahtzee are both good and small!
Vouchers for photo developing?
One of those maps that you scratch off the place where you've been?

Solar powered iPod/phone/stuff charger.

The DC are 12 and 10 but it was really my friend I was thinking of.

I like those journals Blue but it felt a bit like I was assigning her homework! I've already told her she has to do a blog so I can live vicariously.

monopoly What are Swiss cards? and where do you get scratchy maps??

becca That's a good idea!

Swiss card is a credit card size tool that fits in your purse - it has mini scissors, knife (think letter opener not machete), tweezers, pen etc - dead useful.
I've seen the map in museum shops! But had a quick look on www.notonthehighstreet.com and they have them there.

Peg-free washing line.

Just trying think of things that were useful for us when we were travelling.

SD card for cameras.

I found them on Amazon Monopoly

All these ideas are great, I think I'm going to put together a little package, so far I have;
Scratch world map
Waterproof cards and a book of 101 family card games
A solar charger
Waterproof kindle bag
Lifesaving towels
A useful, yet amusing book

I think I'm going to steer clear of sharp objects, just to be on the safe side!

Thanks becca Did you have a solar charger? Is there a model you'd recommend?

One of those magic plugs that fit any sized plug hole. It's small but very useful if you need one.

I took one round Africa and one hostel had a bath tub (but no plug). Oh how I enjoyed that bath! It was heavenly. But she might use it for washing up, washing clothes etc.

Yes the washing line should be peg free ( just realised we've lost ours and it was so useful!). Even if they've already bought one, 2 would be useful & not take up loads of space.
Those life saving towels look good, lovely idea to do a pack - what about some character plasters?
The book link took me to the towels - is there a small book that has "hello, please & thank-you" in every language in the world, that would be so useful!