This Christmas, give the gift of travel. (Shutterstock)

Q: I'm not into exchanging big Christmas gifts but I am interested in giving a travel-type of gift this holiday season. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

-- G. BRUNO, ETOBICOKE

A: Companies like Gift Wrapped Travel -- giftwrappedtravel.com -- are responding to this need.

"Our business allows you to buy a travel experience for someone at their holiday destination. We have over 4,500 sightseeing and activities in 80-plus countries. Depending on what is available in the destination, shoppers can gift wrap gourmet and wine tours, cycling and walking tours, city tours by Segway, special interest tours -- photography, literature, even pubs," says Robyn Arthur about the Australian-based company.

Some gift ideas include a Chocolate Lover's Tour in Paris; a Foodie's London Tour; a Wine & Cooking Class in Paris and an Edgar Allen Poe Greenwich Village Tour in New York.

Arthur says if the recipient doesn't like the gift experience, they can exchange it for another in their database. It doesn't matter where your gift recipient is or where they're going. "We ship anywhere," she says.

ilona@mycompass.ca