We have found a very compact and inexpensive souvenir in France, and to a lesser extent, in Italy and Greece. These are assemble-it-yourself paper models of "typical" houses, and are often sold where post cards are sold. They are called Carte Maquette, and are manufactured by Editions Mirontaine (I haven't checked to see if these are available on the Web). These come precut and require no glue; the instructions are in English and easy to follow. When sold, they are flat and measure around 5"x5".We have a collection now in our living room of approximately 12 houses to remind us of our voyages.

Very cool. I got a Hoverspeed channel ferry in the flat like that.

Lately, I've been adding to a collection of HO-gauge railroad cars, one from each country we visit.

We bought one in England years ago that was a favorite, until it collapsed and fell apart: a wooden gallows, an executioner with an axe, a prisoner, and a bucket for the latter's head. There was a handle to turn, and when turned, the entire thing enacted the execution. Brilliant...

I have bought those for our kids. Another very compact souvenir are the lovely post-it notes available at the museums with a border of a famous painting.

Most stationery boutiques in Italy have beautiful paper products.

here is another recent thread that included information about
Carte Maquette

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34563775

Silk scarves are sold at many of the markets.

If any of you are in smaller towns in Italy find out what day is market day. Vendors come in on a certain day each week (usually early in the morning) and set up their stands.

It is amazing how quick they can set them up. They usually last until about 1:00pm.

You can find wonderful items to buy. Cost is reasonable and furthermore it is just fun to wander around and see what is avaiable. The residents do their shopping in these markets, so it is not a "tourist" type of market.

Uhm, only got ripped off once, received a $10.00Lira bill for change. About a week later my friends husband was showing me his collections of old Lira he had in an album. The only one he did not have was a $10.00Lira bill. I recognized it as the one I had received as change at the market. It had no value at the time I received it. Of course I did not know that at the time.


So I pulled it out of my wallet and gave it to him. It completed his album. He was amazed as evidently he had been looking for this currency for ages. So my getting cheated turned out to be a very nice way to give something to a friend who is always so kind and generous.

I have purchased tableclothes for my daughter (she still uses them), tea towels, small kitchen tools, napkins etc. A fun way to shop and collect souvenir's or gifts.