Travel-Inspired Perfumes That’ll Teleport You To Rome, Egypt and Beyond
Table of Contents
The power of scent is undeniable, invoking memories and transporting us to distant realms. Much like the aroma of freshly baked plum cake evokes childhood Christmases, or petrichor brings back the tranquillity of a laidback monsoon day. Our dresser, with its beautiful perfume bottles, is also a window to the world’s glorious landscapes. While Atelier Cologne’s Lemon Island is reminiscent of Rodrigues Island’s tropical escapades, Vilhelm Parfumerie’s Chicago High evokes the smoky memory of the ride up a Chicago skyscraper. Explore our curated collection of the market’s most distinctive travel-inspired perfumes, each intimately tied to a dazzling destination on the global map.
Embark on a scented voyage with these travel-inspired perfumes
Lemon Island by Atelier Cologne
The wafting scent of Lemon Island will lure you onto a hammock, gently swaying in the salty coastal breeze of Rodrigues Island, Mauritius. This everyday scent encapsulates the sweetness of Indian Ocean lemons, complemented by mellow notes of vanilla and jasmine. Crafted with 92 percent natural origin ingredients, this citrusy Eau de parfum features the exclusive lemon of Rodrigues Island, making its debut in the world of fragrances. Available in 30 ml, 100 ml, and 200 ml bottles.
Notes: Lemon, Madagascar Vanilla, and Indian Jasmine
Buy Lemon Island by Atelier Cologne here
Tiger’s Nest by Memo Paris
Complex but never heady, Tiger’s Nest by Memo Paris is a 2018 fragrance that emerges from the sacred mountains of Bhutan. Powerful ingredients like lime, amber, ylang-ylang, papyrus, and tolu balsam dance their way into this meticulous mix, packaging a memoir of a tiger’s lair, tucked amidst the lush forests and tufts of clouds in the region, overlooking the infinite valley.
Notes: Absinthe, Aldehydes, Lime, Amber, Saffron, Incense, Osmanthus, Ylang-Ylang, Rose, Papyrus, Vanilla, and Tolu Balsam
Buy Tiger’s Nest by Memo Paris here
Portal by Kingdom Scotland
A window into the Caledonian forests of Scotland, Portal boasts a woody and herbaceous persona. Mimicking the ancient forests of Scotland, this perfume is earnest and earthy with a hint of floral notes. Every 50 ml bottle of Kingdom Scotland perfumes, including Portal, is exclusive, hand-bottled, and numbered, adding a touch of luxury to this scent inspired by summer woodlands.
Notes: Herbaceous Botanicals, Bergamot, Verdant Flora, Vetiver, Bark & Scots Pine
Buy Portal by Kingdom Scotland here
California Dream by Louis Vuitton
Master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud bottles the no-holds-barred exhilaration of driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in California with California Dream. Musky and citrusy in equal measure, this perfume features oriental notes and explosive freshness, packing a whiff of California in every spritz. The unicorn-hued bottle, available in 100 ml and 200 ml, is designed by LA artist Alex Israel as ‘Sky Backdrop’. They can be refilled at Louis Vuitton stores using a perfume fountain.
Notes: Mandarin, Ambrette, Benzoin
Buy California Dream by Louis Vuitton here
Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne by Jo Malone London
Go on an olfactory journey to the balmy summer of London with Jo Malone’s Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne. This fragrance captures the essence of London’s breezy summer cruises, open-air theatre nights, and unmatched tea culture. The fragrance bottles the invigorating notes of Earl Grey, a burst of Bergamot’s citrus freshness, and crunchy cucumber.
Notes: Bergamot, Cucumber, Beeswax, Musk, Virginia Cedar, Angelica, Jasmine, Vanille
Buy Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne by Jo Malone London here
Chicago High by Vilhelm Parfumerie
An ode to the Roaring Twenties and Chicago’s sybaritic lifestyle, Chicago High by Vilhelm Parfumerie evokes similar ideals of luxury and hedonistic pleasure. A potpourri of ingredients like tobacco, leather, patchouli, amber, and champagne unite to create this sharp fragrance.
Notes: Champagne, Pineapple, Bergamot, Honey, Tobacco, Leather, Patchouli, Amber
Buy Chicago High by Vilhelm Parfumerie here
Atelier de Fleurs Papyrus by Chloé
Inspired by the abundance of fragrant flowers and aromatic leaves in nature, the House of Chloé partnered with master perfumers to create its Atelier des Fleurs line. Papyrus is one such perfume from the collection that boasts a contrasting duality of the refreshing papyrus and its simultaneously smoky aroma. This Egypt-inspired scent was concocted by perfumer Alexis Dadier. As a child, Dadier’s grandparents bought him a papyrus covered with hieroglyphs as a souvenir from Egypt. Fast-forward to several years hence, Dadier found himself on a boat ride down the Nile, where he conceived the idea of this woody fragrance.
Notes: Papyrus, Citruses, Coumarin (Tonka Bean Note), Jojoba Oil, Clove
Buy Atelier de Fleurs Papyrus by Chloé here
Petit Matin by Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris
Storybook Parisian arcades, the delicious freshness of mornings, and the vibrant energy of the city. Petit Matin by Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris packs all this among other nuances of The City Of Love. The citrusy zest of the fragrance is balanced by Litsea Cubeba, hawthorn, and sweet lavender from Provence. The scent is then enveloped by musky amber notes.
Notes: Lavender, Litsea Cubeba, AmbroxanTM, Musks, Hawthorn, Lemon, Orange Blossom
Buy Petit Matin by Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris here
Mumbai Noise by Byredo
Formulated by Ben Gorham and his memories of Mumbai, Byredo’s Mumbai Noise encapsulates the city’s vibrant cultural crossover, the smoky haze of incense that lingers on the streets, and the individualistic passion that forms its backbone. Expect hints of leather, bitter coffee, and Tonka Beans.
Notes: Davana, Coffee, Tonka Beans, Labdanum, Sandalwood, Agarwood
Buy Mumbai Noise by Byredo here
Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream by Valentino
Immerse in Rome’s ornate architecture bathed in eternal yellow light, with Valentino’s Born in Roma Yellow Dream. With rose petals, peonies, and white musks, a medley of floral fragrances come into play, promising a powdery softness that’s almost instantly addictive. A contrasting clean accord and citrusy burst make this perfume widely loved.
Notes: Bergamot, Primofiore Lemon from Italy, Turkish Rose, Peony, Musks, Madagascan Vanilla, Virginia cedarwood
Buy Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream by Valentino here
(Feature Image Credit: Kotkoa/Shutterstock)
Related: 8 of the Most Weird and Wonderful Wellness Treatments Out There
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What are travel-inspired perfumes?
Travel-inspired perfumes teleport the wearer to the city their ingredients are influenced by. For instance, the Egypt-inspired perfume Atelier de Fleurs Papyrus by the House of Chloé is reminiscent of a boat ride down the Nile, and Portal by Kingdom Scotland represents the herbaceous highlands of Scotland.
– How are travel-inspired perfumes different from regular perfumes?
Travel-inspired are not only known for their fragrance but also for evoking nostalgia and aspiration about travels, old and new, in the wearer.
– Are travel-inspired perfumes unisex?
While some travel-inspired perfumes are unisex, some are formulated specifically for men and women.
– How do I choose a travel-inspired perfume that suits me?
The best way to pick a travel-inspired perfume is to jot down three points: your favourite place that you vacationed in (or a bucket-list destination works too!), what kind of aromas you prefer (oriental, floral, musky, or woody, among others), and the price bracket. This list will help you home down to the best travel-inspired perfume for you.
Written By
Yashita Vashishth
Writer by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has previously worked at Condé Nast India and Times Internet. When not working, you can catch her binge-reading the latest thriller on the block, re-watching Friends, trying a new recipe or hosting her friends.
