When someone you love is heading to Italy, it’s hard not to feel a little excited (and maybe just a tiny bit jealous). Whether it’s for a dream vacation, a study abroad trip, or a big life adventure, you probably want to send them off with something thoughtful — something that’s useful, meaningful, or just makes their journey even more special.
But finding the right gift can be tricky. Do you go practical? Sentimental? A little bit of both? Don’t worry — we’ve put together a list of great gift ideas for someone traveling to Italy, from must-have travel essentials to fun little touches that’ll make their Italian adventure even better.
Gifts for Someone Traveling to Italy
1. Travel Journal
For their Italian adventure, this vintage-style travel journal feels like a keepsake from day one. The soft, waterproof faux leather cover slips easily into a tote, while an elastic band and ribbon bookmark keep tickets and notes tidy between gelato stops and museum lines. With 256 thick, low-glare pages that lie flat, your traveler can jot espresso-bar memories, sketch Tuscan views, and preserve every piazza and train-ride moment.
2. Italy Travel Guidebook
Give them the confidence of a seasoned traveler with Rick Steves Italy. This fully updated guide packs candid tips, self-guided walks, clear maps (including a fold-out), and smart itineraries that link Rome, Florence, Venice and beyond. It’s honest about tourist traps, generous with hidden gems, and light enough to toss in a day bag. A thoughtful send-off that turns every piazza into a plan, not a guess.
3. Streetwise Rome Map
Slip a little peace of mind into their pocket. This laminated, accordion-fold Streetwise Rome map opens to clear city, historic district, and metro layouts, so your traveler can navigate from the Colosseum to Trastevere without burning phone data. It’s durable, rain-friendly, and folds back neatly after each gelato stop. At 4″×8.5″ folded, it tucks into any day bag—perfect for quick reroutes and confident wandering.
4. Italian Phrasebook
Pop this in their carry-on: a friendly phrasebook packed with 1,500 everyday expressions, clear English translations, and easy pronunciation guides. It goes beyond textbook grammar to the chatty, real-world Italian they’ll hear in cafés, train stations, and tiny trattorias. From buongiorno to ordering espresso like a local, it helps them connect, be polite, and feel braver starting conversations—no apps, no data, just pocket-size confidence.
5. Italy Food Tours
If there’s one thing you have to experience in Italy, it’s the food. Gifting an Italy food tour is a delicious way to help your traveler dive into the local flavors, from fresh pasta to gelato to regional wines. It’s not just a meal — it’s a memory, a story, and a chance to taste Italy the way it’s meant to be enjoyed.
6. Passport Holder
Help them travel through Italy with peace of mind using this RFID-blocking passport holder. Worn discreetly around the neck, it keeps passports, credit cards, cash, tickets, and even a large smartphone safe yet easy to access at airports, train stations, or busy markets. Made from rugged ripstop nylon with sturdy zippers, it’s lightweight, comfortable, and built for a lifetime of adventures—perfect for stress-free wandering.
7. Portable Language Translator
Make their Italian trip smoother with a pocket-sized translator that speaks over 138 languages, including Italian, with remarkable accuracy. Perfect for ordering in a bustling trattoria or navigating a remote village, it works both online and offline. With clear audio, photo translation, and even currency conversion, it’s like having a personal interpreter in their pocket—helping them connect, explore, and feel confident anywhere they go.
8. Italian Cooking Class
What better way to experience Italy than by learning to cook like the locals? An Italian cooking class is a fun, hands-on gift that lets your traveler dive into the heart of Italian culture — whether they’re making fresh pasta in Rome or perfecting a classic sauce. It’s not just a class, it’s an unforgettable memory (and they’ll probably come home ready to show off their new skills, too).
9. Handy Travel Camera
Give them the joy of capturing Italy in stunning detail with this compact 4K travel camera. From the cobblestone streets of Florence to the pastel cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, it shoots vibrant 48MP photos and crisp 4K video. The 180° flip screen makes selfies and vlogs easy, while features like time-lapse and slow motion spark creativity. Lightweight, durable, and ready for adventure, it’s perfect for preserving every unforgettable moment.
10. Incredible Airplane Reads
Slip this page-turner into their carry-on, and the flight to Italy will fly by. Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling tells the dramatic, true story of how a reluctant sculptor took on one of the greatest artistic challenges in history. With vivid storytelling, it weaves art, politics, and Renaissance intrigue—setting the scene for their own journey to Rome, where they can stand beneath the masterpiece they’ve just read about.
11. Franmara Corkscrew
Perfect for the wine lover heading to Italy, this Franmara corkscrew is a travel-friendly essential for enjoying a bottle straight from a Tuscan vineyard or a charming countryside market. Its sturdy nickel-plated build and comfortable grip make opening wine effortless, while its compact size slips easily into a bag or picnic basket. A small but thoughtful gift that turns every scenic stop into an impromptu celebration.
Share this post with your friends!