Give the gift of travel with a Smartbox

Here’s an idea whose time has come. Smart & Co., a French design and marketing group, has made gift-giving easier by offering travel packages that come in a box. You book and buy Smartboxes online, by phone or at the Smart & Co. shop in Paris. They are then sent to the recipient with a gift certificate and guide that describes available destinations.

For instance, a Chambre d’Hôte Prestige Smartbox, priced at about $200, includes a one-night stay for two people, including breakfast, at any of 50 charming little French inns.

The face value of the gift certificate is not made known to recipients, though booking details are included. When they get a Smartbox, they simply call the establishment of choice and make a reservation, adding nights at their own expense, if so desired.

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 debut in October.

Smart & Co., 14 Rue Saint Marc, Paris 75002, 011-33-821092, www.smartbox.com.

– Susan Spano, Los Angeles Times staff writer

[Photos: top, www.lombricolo.com and, bottom, an inn north of Rome included in Smartbox options; by Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times]

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 3:16 pm by Susan Spano and is filed under Europe, France, Italy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.