Skip to content

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

Nov. 25, 2021
5 min read
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.

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.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter.

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).

Sign up for our daily newsletter
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.

TPG featured card

NEW BENEFIT! TAKEOFF15!
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards

1 - 3X points
3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

Annual Fee

$250

Recommended Credit

670-850
Excellent/Good
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees
Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees