These travel gifts are really a trip

Anyone who has ever tried to squeeze a cruise ship under the Christmas tree or jam an African safari into a stocking knows how hard it is to buy for the beloved travelers on your list.

In many cases, it's not just size and scope we must consider, but also the price tag. Sure, we'd all love to surprise our spouse with two round-the-world plane tickets or send our sibling off to a spa in Bali, but c'mon, we have bills to pay.

So here's a sampling of travel-related gifts in all price ranges, from under $10 to over $100. They can be ordered directly from companies; many can be found in Seattle-area stores.

Lightweight Travel Pack, $70, Patagonia, 800-638-6464, www.patagonia.com

Give your favorite vagabond this lifetime-guaranteed backpack and the warm feeling that comes from knowing that the manufacturer donates 1 percent of every sale to conservation and environmental projects. The pack comes in green, red, blue and black; is quick-drying; and light as a feather. When not in use, it can be rolled and stuffed into its top pocket — conservation of space indeed.

iGo PowerXtender , $16 (tips extra) at Brookstone, www.brookstone.com

Charge your cellphone, MP3 player or other electronic device anywhere with the tiny iGo PowerXtender. Pop in a couple of AA batteries and select the tip to match your device when you're on the go and don't have room for bulky chargers.

Travel Paint Set, $10 at Restoration Hardware (stores only), www.restorationhardware.com

A digital camera may be essential for quick snapshots, but the pleasure of painting in the park can't be overstated. Pop off the ends of this set to use as water cups and get your Monet on.

Buck Head Suiter Duffel Bag , $90 at eBags, 800-820-6126, www.ebags.com

The suiter duffel is the Transformer of the luggage world. Completely open, the garment bag holds and protects full-size suits. Then, when the sides are zipped up, the carrier converts into a spacious duffel, for all of your non-pinstripe outfits. The carrier is generous with pockets, too, providing pouches for smaller items such as tie pins and socks.

"Transit Maps of the World" by Mark Ovenden (Penguin), $25 at most bookstores.

For the public transportation nut on your list, here's "the world's first collection of every urban train map on Earth." Maps and histories of more than 100 subway systems are depicted in loving detail.

Ultimate Hoodie Microfleece , $70 at Scottevest, 866-909-8378, www.scottevest.com

This high-concept hoodie is the James Bond of sportswear. The microfleece jacket has 11 pockets, each one with a different function — to attach a key, to hold a stylus, to grip a bottle. The highlight, though, is the arm pouch, which is sized for an iPod or other small music player and has a secret tunnel through which headphones can be threaded. Yes, even super-agents hate cold ears and fingers.

OTTO Isolating Ear Buds, $70, OTTO, 888-234-6886, www.hearotto.com

Headphones with noise-canceling circuitry are very effective at muting the roar of airplane engines, the cries of babies and the snores of seatmates. But they can be pricey. OTTO Isolating Ear Buds don't electronically erase the noise, but they block your ear canals effectively and fairly comfortably, with a choice of three tip sizes (included in the package). They also come in a range of colors that match iPod hues. The sound reproduction is much better than with the standard iPod buds, which also seem designed to fall out of many ears.

World Wildlife Fund Animal Adoption , $100, World Wildlife Fund, 800-225-5993, https://secure.worldwildlife.org/ogc/

Know someone who fell in love with the meerkat she saw in the Kalahari Desert, or the whale shark she swam with in Belize? Delight your exotic-animal-lover by adopting. The World Wildlife Fund's program features 80 animals and birds, ranging from the cuddly (panda) to the comical (giant anteater). The donation helps with conservation efforts, and you receive a stuffed animal of your chosen species, a framed adoption certificate, a photo of the "pet" and a world map featuring all 80 creatures.

Personalized World Travel Map, $170 at Hammacher Schlemmer, 800-321-1484, www.hammacher.com

For international wanderlusters, using a passport to reminisce about travels hardly cuts it. Instead, let them show off the places they've gone with this personalized world map. The 52 color-coded flags and pins highlight destinations they've visited, plan to see next, hope to visit and count as favorites. The wall map is framed in mahogany and includes a metal plaque on which you can inscribe a personal message.