In response to Cristina, in Italy souvenir shops and hotels aren't allowed to sell postage stamps. I believe the same is true in some other European countries, maybe also France?

In looking this up, I read that the obligation for a tobacchaio to sell postage stamps no longer exists, since the postal service is now semi-private.

Mispelled tabaccaio!

WT, I know the difficulty finding an open Post Office, what with lunch closing and limited work hours! I have gotten "all the stamps I will need on this trip" (always less than 10) when I land at the Zurich airport Post. When the stamps run out, I am done. Unless I can't resist...just one more...Then, I get to experience the great Post bureaucracy!

I see postcards for sale everywhere I travel in Europe but rarely send them. Postage is expensive if you want to get them home before you.
I only send them to an elderly friend and a godchild who is a young child.