mikewalsh

When we travel, we like to bring back home gifts for our children, family, and close friends and coworkers.

Because there are so many to buy for (big family) we usually can't buy individual gifts (except for our 3 kids); rather, we usually choose a category and get a lot of those items--nothing too large or expensive.

For example, last year (Ligurian Coast) were jars of home-made pesto from Genoa; the year before (Coasta Brava)were ceramic plates from La Bisbal d'Emporda', etc. My arms are about an inch longer from carrying those plates through the airport.

Ideally, they would be something unique (and small so we can carry them back home--I recall the shipping costs for some items was several times the cost of the items!).

Some ideas I've collected from travel books (we'll go, with a car: Taormina-Siracusa-Piazza Amerina-Enna-Agrigento-Palermo. If possible, would prefer to buy stuff at our last stop in Palermo:

Ceramics, terra cotta items, hand-made wooden marionettes, traditional Sicilian puppets, mosaics, statuettes, hand crafted toys.

Any thoughts are very much appreciated!

Mike

mikewalsh

(sound of cricket creaking...)

chiarachiara

You will have no problem finding very nice small gifts in Sicily. A few suggestions are the wonderful "sweets" - really to die for. You will find all kind off orange and almond flavoured cookies (do not really know what to call them!)Individually wrapped, or they will put a selection together for you and wrap it nicely. If you like marzipan, you will have a good time - it is actually presented as small works of art - and can also e individually wrapped or as bigger packets.

I also bought the very nice almond wine - forgot the name now. This can be bought in small bottles that make nice gifts. Limoncello in lovely ceramic jars. And then I do not even mention the ceramics - there you will not know what to take and what to leave! I really found lots of smaller items e.g tiles and real small plates that are not heavy and could be packed easily between your clothes.

I also bought beautiful black and white postcards with typical scenes from Catania - light to carry and it makes nice small gifts. There are also very nice colour prints and very affordable original watercolours and oil paintings.

We have only been to Taormina and Palermo and Taormina has a very wide selection to choose from.

I envy you - enjoy every minute!

mikewalsh

Dear Chiarachiara,

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

Mike

ekscrunchy

For about 5 euro you can buy a huge bag of sun-dried tomatoes or salted capers; either would make a great gift for someone who enjoys cooking. And they are lightweight.