Souvenirs from Vienna
 

Planning a trip to Austria soon. Have just started researching on things to do and what to see etc.
I am always excited to do some little souvenir shopping at different parts of the world. Have a newly married daughter and want to bring something really nice for her brand new home.
Wondering if you all will share your ideas since you have visited the region. I dont want to get the junky stuff, thus planning ahead to just shop for the best.
I have heard the chocolates are delicious and thus will get those and of course some music by Mozart, but that can be bought in the US also.
Thanks, have a great weekend.

I haven't been yet, but I would look in the museum gift shops to see if they have replicas of Wiener Werkstatte jewelry or silverware.

These for example: http://www.makdesignshop.at/index.ph...&view_mode=pic

i love gustav klimt
does your daughter?

i got a tshirt of' the kiss'
but wouldve loved a print

it's an oldie but goodie in my opinion
and romantic

of course it can be bought elsewhere but so can practically everything
i did buy some liqueur chocs for my son at the airport

theres a lot of souvneirs based on sissi the princess but hers is such a sad story- id not be buying anything for my daughter in that range

Hello Ileen
I would second the Gustav Klimt . . . I brought home a bookmark of 'the Kiss', but wish I had also opted for a silk scarf of the same print! I generally buy scarves because I like to remember the places I've visited when I wear them.

The other fascinating art works and buildings I really enjoyed was Hundertwasser. You can google his name to see the style - it may also appeal to your daughter.

Happy travels, Di

oh yes
good one di2315!
id forgotten there was that gallery at hundertwasser
it looked pricey as most galleries do but it might make a fitting gift indeed

Thanks for your thoughtful replies. I have written the ideas in my diary. I have never been to Austria, thus am getting excited to travel and enjoy some memorable adventures.
Truthfully, the little things we buy during our trips abroad become so precious and meaningful after we come home. They are perfect to keep memories alive.
I hope to find something exquisite for my daughter and thus keeping your valuable ideas handy.

I love the jewelry in museum shops. Most are reasonably priced. I usually buy myself something and also something for my Mom. I enjoy the memories it brings each time I choose to wear it for the day.

I like scarves as well, although I never seem to wear them. It sounded like a good idea at the time, though.

Something else I like to do is buy a Christmas ornament which can usually be found in the museum shops as well. Other interesting things that are small but useful are items like trivets and calendars because they will pack flat.

I love Gustav Klimt's works and a print of his would be wonderful.

One other thing I currently do is purchase a key ring at every destination. My goal is to eventually have a small Christmas tree with nothing but key rings as the ornaments.

Swarovski crystal.

Wow! More great replies.
My list is growing and I am dreaming of some good shopping in Vienna. Thanks a bunch.

I have a silk scarf print of The Kiss (from the MOMA in Boston) and I had THAT framed. It's spectacular. It shimmers in a way that paper prints don't

If you like crystal, you should visit the Lobmyer showroom, Karntnerstrasse 26. They make some of the finest crystal in the world including the chandeliers at the Vienna State Opera and at the New York Metropolitan Opera. They also make smaller pieces and the showroom has a mark-down table where we found and exquisite "orphan" bowl (had been part of a set) at an excellent price. The second floor of the showroom is a crystal museum.

We also found, in a small shop, a set of DVDs of Mozart operas, where the characters are puppets and the voices were done by well known opera stars. The DVDs do not play on a US DVD player, but do play on my computer drive. It was also not expensive.

Augarten has beautiful porcelain, modern and traditional. Not just tableware, lamps, vases, figurines, etc. It's near the Cathedral at Stock-im-Eisen Platz 3.

Behind the cathedral is Michaela Frey, beautiful enamel jewelery.

A wonderful street of little shops, Wollzeile (?) is just off the cathedral square--interesting paper/card shops, bookstores and shops with creches--I loved a simple, hand carved, unpainted one but I remember the donkey alone was expensive!

Loden Plankl near the Hofberg carries beautiful Austrian woolens--Geiger jackets, etc. Our hotel gave us a discount coupon.

All high end suggestions, I'm afraid. I must have felt rich the last time I was there!

Each capitol city in Austria has a Heimatwerk, a shop that carries the specialities of that area. I find them to be a good place to find really nice, often hand-made items.

This link is to the Vienna location:
http://www.heimatwerk.at/wienwerk.htm

~Liz

For film buffs, take the Third Man tour and purchase the fabulous book "The Third Man's Vienna" at the tour's conclusion.

I second the suggestions of:

Museum shops

Heimatwerk on Kartner Strasse (it sells works only made in Austria). That shop has 3 floors of very nice stuff.

The Lobmyer store is like a mini-museum itself. I went in and was worried I might knock something over! They even sell first edition works by Josef Hoffmann at $$$$$.

So wonderful to see many experienced travelers and shoppers who come to Fodors to share their experiences and help others.

All these replies are truly a great treasure for me because now whenever I travel to Vienna, I will know beforehand where to go instead of looking like a lost tourist and purchasing wrong stuff in wrong places.
Now I will go to the recommended shops. museums and galleries and enjoy window shopping and also do some souvenir selecting. THANKS

Not Viennese as such, but a delicacy from Austria is pumpkin seed oil from Styria (Steiermark). Fantastic on salads. You may be able to get it as an import where you live - where I live it is hard to obtain. Yum!