Give a plan, not a booking
If you don't know when the person can travel, give them a plan. A booking locks in dates, flights and a hotel, and if their calendar doesn't match, the gift turns into a chore. A plan is a day-by-day itinerary with real places, times and maps. Nothing is bought, so they choose their own dates.
On Highlights, any trip plan can be given as a gift from the plan's page for $5 a plan. The plan is copied into the recipient's own account, and they can move the dates, swap stops and share it with whoever goes along. It's a one-time price with no subscription, and there's a 7-day refund.
Pick a destination you know they'd enjoy, and say up front who is paying for flights and hotels. A plan on its own covers none of those costs, so a short note saves an awkward guess later.
Three ways to reveal it
The simplest reveal is a card. When you give a plan, you add their name, your name and a note of up to 500 characters, and you get the gift link by email. Print it as a card, or forward it. You can also have it emailed straight to them.
For something with more drama, wrap a clue instead: a guidebook, a small object from the destination, or a printed QR code that opens the link. A box inside a box inside a box works if you like a slow reveal.
Or just send the link on the day. The recipient opens it whenever they like and needs no account beforehand. Give it at breakfast and the planning can start that weekend.
Christmas in London for a winter gift
The Christmas in London plan is four days built around lights, markets and winter shows, with a candlelit carol service on Sunday morning (confirm the time on the church's site). It suits couples and friends who like walking at dusk and don't mind a full evening schedule. Its dates have to fall in the festive season.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland runs Nov. 19, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027, and everyone, children included, needs a pre-booked timed ticket. Christmas at Kew runs Nov. 13 to Jan. 3, except a few closed dates, with timed entry from 4:20 p.m. London's Underground has no service on Christmas Day, so the recipient should avoid Dec. 25 for travel.
- Hyde Park Winter WonderlandTimed-entry winter fair in Hyde Park, open until 10 p.m.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, KewEvening light trail; wrap up warm and use your booked slot.
- Regent StreetSpirit of Christmas angels glowing overhead along the street.
- Somerset HouseOpen-air rink beneath a 40-foot tree; book a slot ahead.
Seven days in Portugal by train
The Portugal plan runs a week from Lisbon to Porto without a car. Four days cover Alfama, Belém, the Baixa and a Sintra day trip, then the Alfa Pendular train goes to Porto, with a Douro Valley train day and a Porto farewell to finish.
It suits people who like walking, long lunches and a loose pace, and it works in most months. The plan has you buying train tickets yourself, so it helps to tell the recipient to check the rail operator's site once dates are set.
- Castelo de São JorgeCastle ramparts with views over the Tagus; pre-book timed tickets.
- Pastéis de BelémPastry shop · 4.6 ★
- National Palace of PenaHilltop Sintra palace; book the first slot.
- Quinta do BomfimEstate tour and vintage port tasting above the Douro.
Albuquerque and the Balloon Fiesta
The Balloon Fiesta plan is four days of Old Town, Sandia Peak, a Santa Fe day trip and two early mornings at the field. The 55th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is Oct. 2-10, 2027, so this gift comes with a date window, and the recipient should plan around it.
Dawn Patrol inflations begin at about 5:45 a.m., and mass ascension balloons launch from about 7:00 a.m., weather permitting. Park and Ride includes round-trip bus service and admission, with no service Monday through Wednesday. Cancelled sessions are rain-checked, so keep the ticket.
- Balloon Fiesta Park and RideDawn Patrol and mass ascension; arrive before 5:15 a.m.
- Old TownAdobe lanes and courtyards around a historic plaza.
- Sandia Peak TramwayTram to 10,378 feet; book timed tickets and bring a jacket.
- Canyon RoadMore than 100 galleries and sculpture gardens in Santa Fe.
Seven days in Ireland, and how to give a plan
The Ireland plan is a week by car from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Dingle and Killarney. It suits anyone who likes pubs with live music and scenery, and who is comfortable driving on the left, with an automatic recommended. It works well for parents or couples who want a single trip with a lot of variety.
To give any of these, open the plan's page and choose the gift option. Add the recipient's name, yours and a note of up to 500 characters, at $5 a plan. You'll get the link by email to forward or print, or it can go straight to them. A refund before they open the gift cancels the link. For more ideas, see the gift of travel ideas and experience gifts for parents, or browse gifts.
- The Book of Kells ExperienceIlluminated gospel and the great Long Room library.
- Cliffs of Moher214-meter sea cliffs, near-empty before 10:00.
- Fahan Beehive Hut (Tóchar Maothaithe)Ancient stone huts on the Slea Head loop.
- Kate Kearney's CottageStart of the glacial pass walk to Wishing Bridge.
Frequently asked questions
Can you gift a vacation without knowing their dates?
Yes. Give a trip plan instead of a booking. A plan is a day-by-day itinerary with no flights or hotels bought, so the recipient picks their own dates and can change stops.
How much does it cost to give a trip plan on Highlights?
It's $5 a plan, a one-time price with no subscription. There's a 7-day refund, and a refund before the recipient opens the gift cancels the link.
Does the recipient need an account?
No. They open the gift link whenever they like, and the plan is copied into their own Highlights account.
How can I reveal a trip gift?
Print the gift link as a card, hide it behind a QR code in a wrapped clue, or send the link on the day. You can add a note of up to 500 characters.
