Londonholly

When I am travelling I am sonetimes buying things because I like them-sometimes just because I need them at this moment and forgot to take them with me.

Sometimes these things are much better then I ever thought-or better then the things I have forgotten at home.

Do you have made the same experiences?

Which things you bought are wonderful to use or look at long after you are back home?

JulieVikmanis

probably the knives I bought in Toledo made of their famous steel, or the nogent paring knives I bought at a Paris street market. For sure not the gizmo that makes potatoes into curly things like giant pasta that I bought from a pitch man at the Campo di Fiori in Rome--though I'd buy one all over again to watch that guy work.

elaine

My favorite best value, is a colorful ceramic spoon rest that I bought in San Gimignano for the equivalent of about $5.
People mention how pretty it is, I only wish I'd bought some as gifts

tpatricco

A beautiful handmade intarsia box that I bought in Sorrento makes a perfect jewlery box for my most often worn earrings. It's home is right on my nightstand where every day I use it and am reminded of a wonderful time in Italy. Also, although we're not big on souvenirs, we do try to collect a cookbook from every destination. That way when we're missing our travels, we can make a dish to remind us. They're all on a bookcase in our kitchen, and also remind us of all the places we've visited.

Fodorite018

Dishes from Italy, tableclothes and jewelry from several countries, and then our admittidly odd thing we buy each place to go...bug bite cream. Started out on our first trip abroad...dd was bitten by mosquitos and we had to go to a pharmacy to get some cream. Over the years it became a joke and we buy bug bite cream in every country we go to. I said it was odd! lol!

ron

In Rome in 1966, I was about 4 weeks into my 6 week Europe on $5 per day grand tour, and had reached the point where my suitcase was ready to burst. On many street corner in central Rome there were vendors selling little black suitcases for 1500 lira. At a more remote corner I purchased one for 1000 lira. It served me well for the rest of my trip, and I still use it occasionally for overnight trips where I am packing not much more than a clean shirt and underwear. I still remember with pleasure the look of sheer disgust from the bellman at the Ritz Carlton in Montreal when he picked it up to lead me to my room.

Marianna

I fell in love with aprons in Italy and France. The fabrics, colors, styles, etc. are different from what I might find here at home in MA. I bought one in Positano a few years ago and several in Sorrento and also in Menton just recently. Since I usually cook while on vacation (we have rented villas and apartments), I have many pleasant memories of trips when I use the aprons at home while cooking. I cook a lot so I use them all the time.

harzer

I stillhavethe carved wooden platter that I bought after some haggling over price from some Gypsies in the south of Spain in 1974.

It serves as a fruit bowl and without it there I am sure I would not eat nearly as much fruit as I do.

Harzer

flanneruk

A charity shop in Peshawar was selling leather bags made by Afghan refugees in the early 90s. For $5 I bought a Gladstone bag: for 50c, a beautiful A4 ring binder in matching leather.

Still, by far, my favourite travelling companions. Well, actually, Mrs F is, but it's a pretty close thing

skatterfly

Fake "pashminas" that I bought in San Lorenzo market in Florence a couple years ago. I am not a really "girly girl" and I never wear scarves or wraps, much less colorful ones. Well, I was buying one, then another, then another, in pastels that were popular then and now. Lilac, rose, and sky blue. I swear I wear them now all the time, winter or spring, and am taking one of them with me to Paris this trip.

I never would have bought myself 1 real pashmina because of the cost factor, and these were so affordable, about $8 each, paid for in those lovely Lire notes that are now gone!

dln

I bought a beautiful leather pocketbook in Rome. I hadn't brought one with me, opting to use a tote instead, but I really missed carrying a pocketbook! Or maybe it was just an excuse to sample Rome's beautiful accessories?

Daisy54

Over the course of several trips to Great Britain I've purchased stacks of tea towels - such a typical British item, not expensive, easy to transport, some have typical tourist scens and some are very beautiful and artistic. Though I gave a bunch as gifts (my original plan in purchasing them) I still have lots for myself. They make perfect dresser scarves and I have them on my desk at home to keep the computer etc. from scracthing the wood. A little table in my living room sports one from the new Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, and hanging in my cubicle at the office is a really pretty one from the V & A museum in London with swans on it.

Fodorite018

Thanks to dln for reminding me...my purses! I fell in love with a few on various trips and those are the only ones I use. I don't even both to look at purses in the stores here anymore, and I get many compliments on them

Kayb95

It has to be the bone china tea jar I bought at a National Trust gift shop in England. I keep my tea in it and use it daily. It's very pretty - local flowers hand-painted on it.

vinolover

On our honeymoon in New Orleans in September 1978 we came upon a Christmas store and bought a tree ornament that represented the area, That started a tradition and now on every trip we try to find an ornament or two. Favorites from Europe are our hand painted Delft ball from Holland, a glass Santa in a gondola from Venice, a ceramic colosseum from Rome, a tiny St. Francis statue from Assisi, a pewter view of Salzburg. If we can't find an actual ornament we buy something and glue a small gold string on it like our small Eiffel Tower statue, our miniature Oktoberfest beer mug and our tiny Beefeater doll.

After 26 years of travels all over the world our tree is filled with about a hundred wonderful memories every Christmas.

dancintomusic

I received a very special gift from a very special person in Scotland. She sent a wooden spurtle to me, and I use it for stirring hot cereal and to stir frozen orange juice in a pitcher of water, among other things. Here, take a look! http://www.sunrisewoodcrafts.ns.ca/spurtles.html

I buy teapots to bring home from England, and right now my favorite one from there is blue with white polka dots. It is large enough for two large cups of tea, and we use that pot just about every day.

I also buy at least one cup and saucer in every country that I visit. I use different ones every day, and they always make me feel good. Right now, my favorite one is from Portugal. It is blue on the outside of the cup, with yellow on the inside, and it has a blue saucer. I got this in a store similar to Pier One. It cost around $5, that's all, but I love it.

jsmith

In 1958 I spent 25 shillings for a marriage license in Scotland - much the best expenditure ever though the upkeep has been substantial.

allisonm

jsmith, LOL!!

My name is Allison and I buy teaspoons...I buy them in Ireland every trip, I bought some lovely ones in Harrods, and I bought some in a Chinese store in Paris. (That Chinese store was terrific, I only found it the morning of our flight home so didn't have a chance to buy any of their pretty little tea sets etc..) We use these teaspoons every morning, and I have given them as gifts as well. I'm sure I'll come home with more in October!

ninasdream

My all-time favorite is the lightweight Italian wool print shawl that I bought at Portobello Market. It goes everywhre with me.

Julie- I just recommended on another thread here to pick up steel knives in Toledo- mine from 2000 hasn't needed sharpening yet!

KS452

... a variety of books, maps, old stamps/coins/currency, works of art, eyeglasses frames, sweaters, antique curiosities...