Tag: travel gifts

With a month to go until Christmas, it feels like the right moment to share the things Ben and I genuinely use while adventuring in Montenegro and the wider Balkans. If you're looking for a thoughtful Christmas travel gift, especially for someone who loves hiking, kayaking or just being outdoors, these are the bits of kit (and a few edible treats) we genuinely use, love and happily recommend. NB. We've mostly left out product links because we don't want to be beholden to any one retailer and, in any case, it's always worth checking for something 'preloved' first. 1. KEEN 'Rose' sandals (Emma's pretty-but-practical staples) I get asked about where I got my sandals so often. KEEN's 'Rose' ones tick so many boxes: they protect your toes out hiking, they look good, and they’re fine to get completely soaked. No more awkward footwear changes at the side of the river or stream. These shoes are perfect for summertime hikes that involve a bit of water, and with the Balkans being Europe's so-called 'Blue Heart' full of rivers and waterfalls, that's often. They’re great for sightseeing or casual evenings too, which saves precious packing space. 2. KEEN 'Newport' sandals (Ben's "wear-them-til-they-fall-apart" shoes) Ben wouldn't be seen dead in my KEEN Roses, but he swears by his Newport sandals as the comfiest shoes he's ever worn (and that's coming from someone who hikes with two arthritic toes). They're also ideal for kayaking because they stay on when you're getting in and out of the boat on uneven ground, avoiding cuts and gashes on rocks, or accidentally losing one in the water. Essential kit for outdoorsy types. 3. A quick-dry skort (my secret weapon on warm days) Hike, scramble on rocks, or wade down a river and emerge presentable enough to head to