Gift ideas for the independent traveler

If you’re an independent traveler, packing light is essential — not only to reduce weight, but also to make sure that no clutter gets between you and the experience of your journey. Indeed, less gear means more freedom on the road, and the only downside to this principle is that it can be hard this time of year to shop for indie travelers on your gift list.

Thus, I suggest a few “light travel” gift ideas for independent travelers this week in my Yahoo! News column. Included among gift ideas are:

• Sturdy footwear.
• A small and lockable backpack.
• A small, inexpensive digital camera.
• A good guidebook or two.
• Pack even lighter and help the world: Give an alternative gift.

Full details and rationale for these travel gift items can be found online here.