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In March 2020, an ordinary birthday suddenly became a complicated thing. The table might be set for two rather than ten. A friend who would normally arrive with a cake was on the other side of a closed border. Grandparents waved from a screen, and plans for a weekend away were postponed indefinitely.
It was a strange moment to be talking about travel. Yet perhaps that was precisely why a picture of somewhere loved could mean so much.
A present for someone you couldn't visit
When we originally published this story, many of us were confined to our homes. Celebrations were happening at a distance, and sending something thoughtful was one of the few ways to make ourselves present. A travel poster was never going to replace a hug or a shared meal. It could, however, bring a familiar landscape into a room and remind someone that there would be other days, other journeys, other reunions.
Think of a town where two friends spent a summer together, a beach visited every year as a family, or a city that still feels like home long after someone has moved away. A place can hold an extraordinary amount of personal history. That is what makes a travel-inspired artwork more than a decorative object: it can become a small, everyday reminder of a shared story.
Why the freedom to choose matters
There is a catch to giving art as a present. Even when you know someone very well, you may not know which colours they would choose for their walls, which destination means the most to them, or whether they prefer a quiet coastal landscape to a bold city composition.
That is why, back in 2020, we were drawn to the idea of a gift card. Rather than guessing, the person giving the present could offer an invitation: choose a place that means something to you. The recipient could take their time, explore different destinations and find the image that felt right.
That freedom is part of the gift. One person may choose the island where they first learned to swim. Another might select a city they have never visited but have been dreaming about for years. The most meaningful destination is not always the most famous one.
Small gestures, lasting places
During lockdown, the ability to send a message or gift without meeting in person felt especially important. But the idea outlived those restrictions. Distance is not always imposed by an extraordinary event. Sometimes people simply live in different countries, work on different schedules, or cannot be together for an occasion that matters.
A thoughtfully chosen poster can speak to that distance without dwelling on it. It says: I remember where we went. I know what this place means to you. Or perhaps: one day, we should go there together.
Unlike a bouquet or a box of chocolates, an artwork can become part of someone's surroundings. It might hang near a desk, brighten a hallway or find its way into a collection of souvenirs. Over time, the story attached to it may become as important as the picture itself.
A little piece of 2020, and an idea worth keeping
Looking back at this article, we are reminded of how quickly ordinary habits changed in the spring of 2020. The original announcement spoke about instant gifts, international delivery and specific prices. Those were details of a particular moment and are not a reliable guide to what is offered today.
What we still recognise is the feeling behind it. Giving someone the freedom to choose a place, a memory or a future journey is a personal gesture, whether the occasion is a birthday, a thank-you or simply a message from far away.
If that idea appeals to you, explore our travel poster collection or the current last-minute gift options. Please check the linked pages for up-to-date availability and purchasing conditions.
Editor's note, October 2026: First published on March 24, 2020, during the first COVID-19 lockdowns. This story retains its original perspective; outdated prices and gift-card terms have been removed. Please refer to the current shop pages for available options and conditions.