Ideas for a Travel themed Party for adults
Planning a travel-themed party opens up a world of possibilities, allowing for endless creativity and personalisation. Whether you want to focus on a specific destination or embrace a broad, global theme, the options are limitless.
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Choose the Travel Theme Style
Literal Travel: Use actual destinations the guest of honour has visited (Paris, Rome, New York).
Symbolic Journey: Focus on life milestones—childhood, young adulthood, raising a family, retirement, etc.
Vintage Travel: Think steamer trunks, maps, globes, and postcards.
Modern Jetsetter: Airports, boarding passes, passport stamps, and sleek travel design.
Travel party Invitations
Set the tone with invitations that hint at adventure! Design boarding pass invitations, postcards from exotic locations, or even miniature passports. Include essential details like the date, time, and dress code (encourage guests to dress up representing a country!). A catchy phrase like “Join us for a journey around the world!” adds to the excitement.
You could request guests RSVP with their favorite travel destination for a fun icebreaker.
Here’s one I designed on Zazzle. I tried to make it look a bit like a passport. Take a look.
Decor & Setup
Decorate different areas to represent travel stops or eras:
“London Pub Years”
“Parisian Café Retirement Dreams”
“Backpacking in the ’80s”
Use suitcases, globes, paper airplanes, and vintage postcards as table centerpieces.
Create a ‘Timeline Wall’ with photos from each decade and location-based stories.
A giant world map, would be great- this is one I found on Ebay – a lot bigger than a poster!
World Map Backdrop: A large world map instantly sets the theme.
Suitcases: Stack vintage suitcases for a travel-inspired display.
Globes: Use globes as centrepieces or decorative accents.
Flags: Hang flags from different countries.
Photos: Display travel photos or postcards.
Bring the world to your party with creative decorations! Think about incorporating iconic landmarks and cultural elements. For example, create a mini Eiffel Tower from cardboard, hang paper lanterns for a touch of Asia, or display sombreros for a taste of Mexico. Use themed tablecloths, napkins, and balloons to complete the look. Don’t forget travel themed fairy lights or string lights to add to the ambience!
Waterstones has some inflateable globes, I think they’d be great at the party!
Food & Drink
Take your guests on a culinary adventure with food inspired by different countries! Set up food stations representing various regions, such as:
Italy: Pasta, pizza, bruschetta
Mexico: Tacos, guacamole, quesadillas
Japan: Sushi, edamame, gyoza
France: Crêpes, macarons, cheese and baguette
Morocco: Tagine, couscous, mint tea
Inform your guests what the food is by labelling the dishes with its country of origin, (or supposed country of origin!! – hide the Lidl label).
Consider dietary restrictions and offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
These Travel themed cake toppers from Etsy, look great.
Some cocktails are always nice, this book will give you plenty of ideas.
Activities & Games - passport to fun!
Travel Trivia: Test your guests’ knowledge of world geography and culture. Or about the guest of honour’s life and journeys.
Photo Booth: Set up a photo booth with props like hats, scarves, and sunglasses from different countries.
Language Lessons: Teach guests a few basic phrases in different languages.
Music: Play a playlist of international music.
Keep your guests entertained with travel-themed activities! Create a “passport” for each guest and have them collect stamps at each food station or activity.
Here’s a capital cities quiz.
Travel party favors
It’s not just the kids that get a little treat at the end of the party, nowadays everyone gets one!
Send your guests home with travel-themed party favours to remind them of their journey! Consider miniature globes, luggage tags, compasses, or small treats from different countries. You can also create personalised passport holders or travel journals. Package the favours in small suitcases or travel-themed bags for an extra touch.
These cute paper suitcase would make great favours, you could put some sweets inside, or a note, or something else.
So have fun with your around the world party – whether it’s to celebrate someones significant birthday, and to remember their life journeys so far, or to celebrate someone just starting out on their travels, it’s a great party theme. Or you could just have a party for the sake of it too! Why not.