The Best Destination And Travel-Inspired Candles

Few items are more well-received as gifts than stylish scented candles. So for the people you love who are missing their favorite vacation spots this time of year, help them recreate the magic by gifting them these destination and travel-inspired candles on Valentine’s Day.

Takamichi x Nine Orchard Scented Candle, $76

Snap up this sleek collaboration between two of downtown New York’s most iconic spots: Takamichi Beauty Room, the city’s coolest and quirkiest gift shop, and buzzy boutique hotel Nine Orchard. The genderless scent is warm and alluring, with hints of bergamot and neroli, orange flower, and cedar, while the minimalist design evokes the free, creative spirit of the 1970s.

Elorea Water Candle, $75

Founded by Korean-Americans Wonny Lee and Su min Park, Elorea honors Korea’s storied fragrance culture — which up to now, was sadly lesser-known by outsiders. Produced in small batches with indigenous Korean ingredients, the brand’s Water Candle channels the sensation of kicking back at Busan’s beloved Haeundae Beach, with your toes in the sand and a calming breeze kissing your skin.

Le Monde Gourmand Spicy Chai Candle, $30

For almost a decade, beloved brand Le Monde Gourmand has made fine fragrances available to everyone without a hefty price tag. Made from a clean-burning soy wax blend, this candle releases a scent that’s equal parts sweet and spicy with Violet Fig, Muguet Musk, and Blonde Woods that’s also deliciously reminiscent of everyone’s favorite beverage from India, chai.

Tap Capri Candela, $46

Lighting this bright and cheerfully-packaged candle will instantly whisk you to the storied island of Capri with its shimmering aqua waters, seemingly endless stretches of blue sky, and air gently kissed with juicy grapefruit. While citrus notes like grapefruit can have a tendency to dominate, in this it’s elegantly softened with ripe, creamy melon.

Queen Marie Axel Candle, $100

No detail was spared in this limited-edition burner (only 100 were made) by Queen Marie Candles, a woman-owned line rooted in French history. The warm, earthy fragrance of cedar, rose, and sandsalwood comes by way of Grasse, the world’s perfume capital. The vessels are made of delicate porcelain from a traditional house from 1768, and the name nods to Queen Marie Antoinette’s not-so-secret lover, Swedish count Axel de Fersen.

Aerangis NO. 26 Lost In The Souk Candle, $78

Few worldly experiences activate your sense of smell more profoundly than ambling through Marrakesh’s legendary souks and open-air markets. But if a trip to the historic Moroccan city isn’t possible in the near future, consider this pick marrying heady notes of Moroccan neroli, orange blossom, and amber in a handcrafted, artisanal vessel that’s ready to be repurposed after the candle is done.

Aromatique Sparkling Currant Candle, $30

Longing for an excursion to Scandinavia this time of year? Try lighting this recently-launched candle by the woman-owned American brand Aromatique. Though it won’t replace an actual visit, the uplifting mix of red fruits and rhubarb will remind you of a stunning destination where the air is crisp, the water is bracingly cold, and the forests are carpeted with pines.

Literie Afternoon In Central Park Candle, $28

If you’re a New Yorker who’s already looking forward to spring’s warmer temps and the sights and sounds of nature coming back to life, you’re not alone. With that in mind, Literie founder Erica Werber created this verdant scent comprised of freshly-cut grass and zippy bergamot to help conjure up the sensation of a leisurely picnic in America’s most beloved park under the warm, shining sun.

Greenville Soy Candle Company Redwoods Candle, $29

There’s so much to adore about this small, independently-owned company tucked away in Greenville, South Carolina, one of the country’s most charming towns. Only pure soy wax is used, to ensure an even, soot-free burn. All of the jars are refillable, to be kinder to the planet. Last but not least, the memorable scents are all developed in-house, like this onewhich help bring the great outdoors in with woody notes such as cedar, pine, and balsam.