After nearly 18 months of celebrating anniversaries, birthdays and graduations through video chat, people are vying for in-person connections with friends and family. With the holiday season around the corner, there is no better way to reconnect with loved ones than through gifting a new experience or favorite pastime to create lifelong memories.
Below is a list of five experiential travel gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list — including the person who has everything.
Tickets to live events
For the friend or family member who shares new music before it hits the radio, or is counting down the days for their next Broadway show.
There’s nothing quite like seeing your favorite band take the stage to play their top hits live or sitting courtside to cheer on your hometown team. Hilton Honors offers fans the ability to pay for thousands of event Tickets with Points, using all or a portion of Hilton Honors Points on Ticketmaster.com or LiveNation.com, through its partnership with leading live entertainment company Live Nation. The hotel loyalty program is also offering select ticket packages to several upcoming music festivals through its Hilton Honors Experiences Platform. From general admission seats to VIP access, gifting just got sweeter by cashing in on loyalty rewards for these types of experiences.
Art class series
For the friend or family member who spends their weekends covered in paint and clay.
From the painting of Mona Lisa in Paris to the sculptures in Central Park of New York City, you can find beautiful art all over the world. Give the gift of craftsmanship through a series of classes with local artisans in their city or a far-flung destination. They can try their hand behind the potter’s wheel or see professional glassblowers at work during a trip to Venice. If your giftee is an interior design fanatic who’s always down for a DIY project, a woodworking or upholstery class could be the winner.
Culinary adventures
For the friend or family member who is constantly testing out new flavors in the kitchen.
Culinary tourism is a growing trend as travelers are looking to indulge in unique, palate-expanding experiences. For their next weekend getaway or long-haul jaunt, consider gifting a cooking class that dives into regional dishes and local ingredients. Culinary walking tours offer the best of both worlds as they can explore multiple neighborhoods while trying new cuisines. Whether you choose to delight in a romantic garden picnic or opt for an eight-course wine pairing dinner, you can book culinary adventures that will suit any taste.
Action-packed escapades
For the friend or family member who is always seeking their next adrenaline rush.
From jumping out of planes at 14,000 feet to swimming with sharks in the Bahamas, this loved one has nerves of steel. Help them chase their next adventure and give the gift of once-in-a-lifetime moments. Whether that be channeling their inner speed demon with a race car test drive or cheering on their daredevil nature with extreme whitewater rafting, these heart-pumping experiences are available around the globe, making it the perfect addition to their next vacation itinerary.
Wellness essentials
For the friend or family member who indulges in self-care daily.
Known as a regular in the local apothecary shop and an avid self-improvement podcast listener, this giftee has mastered their wellness routine. Help rejuvenate their path forward with unique experiences they have yet to discover. From aerial yoga and tai chi classes to 24-karat gold facials and cupping therapy, spa and wellness packages at hotels around the world will open the door to new cultures and opportunities to boost personal care.
Put a bow on top
Wrap any of these gifts up with a hotel stay! Many hotels offer unique experiences, so be sure to research or contact hotels in your sought-after destination to learn more. Plus, travelers who join Hilton Honors can earn Points — and status — faster when they sign up for the latest promotion and stay at any Hilton around the world.
So, get a head start on holiday shopping and put those loyalty rewards to use by gifting an unforgettable experience.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 8,300 properties and over 1.25 million rooms, in 138 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No.1 World's Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 200 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
About Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors is the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s world-class brands comprising more than 8,300 properties in 138 countries and territories. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app, where members can check in, choose and access their room using Digital Key. Hilton Honors offers more than 200 million members hundreds of ways to earn and redeem Points, including with select co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem Points for free nights, purchases on Amazon, exclusive experiences, charitable contributions and more. The program is free to join and travelers can enroll online at hiltonhonors.com. Learn more about Hilton Honors at stories.hilton.com/hiltonhonors, and follow Hilton Honors on Facebook, X and Instagram.