The gift of travel

Here’s an idea whose time has come: Smart & Co., a French design and marketing group, offers travel packages in a box. You book and buy Smartboxes online or at the company’s Paris shop. They send your designated recipient a box with a gift certificate and guide that describes available destinations. The face value of the gift certificate is not made known to recipients, though booking details are included. Gift recipients simply call the establishment of choice, such as L’Ombricolo, north of Rome (above), and make a reservation. Smart & Co. also offers gastronomic, well-being and adventure gift getaways in several European countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Spain. A U.S. version will be available in October. Info: www.smartbox.com.

-- Susan Spano