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The smell of travel: 6 scented product lines that will make you feel like you're on vacation

Nov. 25, 2021
5 min read
Cozy atmosphere indoors
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We've all heard that scent is closely tied to memory. Whether a smell is good or bad, it can evoke strong reactions and cause you to recall where you were or what you were doing each time you catch a whiff of something familiar.

Lately, we've noticed popular aroma-producing brands touting travel- and destination-themed collections that mimic the vibes of popular cities and travel experiences via smell. From oils and candles to toiletry offerings, here are our top picks to put you back in the jet-setting frame of mind -- whether you're between trips or not quite ready to travel just yet.

AromaTech's Cities and Journeys diffuser oils

AromaTech's Cities Collection. (Photo courtesy of AromaTech/Facebook)

AromaTech's Cities Collection features six scented oils designed to embody the ambiance of Vancouver, British Columbia; New York; London; Moscow; Dubai; and Tokyo. Using fun combinations like coffee, chocolate, Baileys Irish Cream, almond and sandalwood (New York) and plum brandy, leather, tobacco, cedar, vanilla and tolu balsam (London), the selections will have you reminiscing about that time you backpacked across Europe or took your first trip to the Big Apple. Similarly, the brand's Journeys Collection comprises Bora Bora Serenity, Alpine Summit, Amalfi Revelry and Redwood Nocturne.

Homesick's destination-specific candles

Some of Homesick's state candles. (Photo courtesy of Homesick Candles/Facebook)

Whether you're trying to decide if you want to stay domestic or venture abroad, nothing screams "travel" like Homesick's Cities, States and Countries collections. In addition to candles inspired by each of the United States' 50 states, the brand also sells candles designed to remind the burner of various cities in the U.S. and Canada. At the national level, customers can choose from olfactory representations of the U.S. (Granny Smith apples with vanilla and cinnamon), Canada (butter, maple and vanilla) and the United Kingdom (rain, tea and sticky toffee pudding), as well as Brazil, China, France, India and Mexico.

Park Scents' theme park candles

Park Scents' Wizard Beer candle. (Photo courtesy of Park Scents/Facebook)

While we're on the subject of candles that make you feel like you're really there, the candle options from Park Scents are fun and will make you nostalgic. From rides, resorts and attractions to food and drinks, you can reminisce about your last trip to Universal Orlando or one of Disney's theme parks with this brand's offerings. If you're a Disney fan you might be drawn to Poly Lobby, Mansion, Delicious Grey Stuff or Oranges. If Universal is more your jam, try Halloween Horror, Wizard Beer or Extra-Terrestrial Adventure.

 XC Candle Co.'s Aviator's Candles

XC Candles' Jet Fuel in the Morning candle. (Photo courtesy of XC Candles/Facebook)

If the smell of Dole Whip, churros and the Haunted Mansion aren't for you, enter Etsy shop XC Candle Co. Ideal for any AvGeek or pilot, the candles come in more than three dozen scents. The most amusing options include Fly Good, Don't Suck (lavender); Line Up & Wait (salty breeze); Mile High Club (dry gin and tonic); Wake Turbulence (Mediterranean fig); Airplane Mode (mango and coconut milk); Redeye (fresh ground coffee); New Airplane Smell (leather); and Jet Fuel in the Morning (Jet A fuel).

Diptyque's Le Grand Tour body scents

Diptyque's set of three Venise travel perfumes. (Photo courtesy of Diptyque/Facebook)

If all this talk of jet fuel has you feeling like you need to freshen up, Diptyque's Le Grand Tour products can also figuratively whisk you away to several great locations, including Greece's Milies with soap that marries notes of fig, cypress and Mediterranean breeze; Venice, Italy, with a set of three travel-sized perfumes that combine fresh basil, green peppers, mandarin and vetiver; and Kyoto, Japan, with a bottled perfume that mixes rose, incense and vetiver. (You can also travel to Paris and Byblos, Lebanon, via candle.)

Demeter's Destination Collection fragrances

Demeter Fragrance Library's Destination Collection. (Photo courtesy of Demeter/Facebook)

For more bath and body products to ignite your wanderlust, check out Demeter Fragrance Library's Destination Collection. Snag one of the line's six fragrances in a cologne spray, roll-on perfume, body and massage oil, shower gel or lotion. Scents represent six countries, including Thailand (warm, gentle, spiced breeze), Morocco (freshly ground spices in an open-air market), Ireland (an unspoiled meadow with a river running through it), Cuba (tobacco leaves, sugar cane and Latin spices), New Zealand (leaves, bark, grass, snow, ocean, river and stone) and the Great Barrier Reef (coral reef, shoal and islet).

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
  • In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
  • Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.

Cons

  • The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
  • Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
  • Top rated mobile app