I am drawing a blank and thought Fodorites would be creative for me. My college junior daughter will spend her spring semester in Italy. I'd like to get her some gifts that would come in handy. They can be for living in Italy or for traveling in Europe. Anyone have anything to share with me? I'd appreciate your ideas.

Some ideas:

- railpass
- luggage
- bookstore gift card to purchase travel books or a journal
- a digital camera
- pocket money

Well not creative but my I am giving cash to my grandson who will be going to Sweden and Norway this spring. I figure that way he can use the money for however he wants be it transportation, meals etc.

I gave my daughter a "gift certificate" good for two Inter-Europe flights or train rides to be used during the time she was studying abroad - though she was away for 2 semesters, not 1. She did indeed use them to travel during the school breaks to Morocco and Poland.

GPS, suitable for "walk around" as well as auto use. Make sure it is preloaded with European maps!!!!

Laptop with Skype and skype payments for the semester. Or cell phone skype enabled.

They maybe more of a gift for you than she but... well she will need phone for sure and computer too.

Rail pass for the semseter so she may travel weekends is great - if she has funds to travel weekends. Otherwise - go with the phone and a monthly budget.

cash/euro
moneybelt
Italian phrase book
Italian dictionary
luggage tags
small flashlight
swiss army knife

I'm assuming you'll already be taking care of the practicalities - computer (if any), camera, arrangements to buy travel, etc.

#1- some euro cash would top my list. Sure, you'll pay some premium to get it in the US before she gets to Italy, but having cold, hard, (crisp?) euro bills in hand could be pretty cool.

#2 could be a cell phone - even a used, unlocked european band cell phone into which she could plug an Italian SIM card.