Souvenirs that Represent Countries
 

I have a multi-country trip planned: UK, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Spain.

I like to bring back little souvenirs that will remind me of my visit. Something that represents the culture of that country.

For example, in Belgium I brought back lace, from the Netherlands I brought back Delftware, Germany was a beer stein, and trips in the Caribbean I often bring back carvings/masks, etc.

I'm a little stuck on my upcoming trip though....I don't want keychains/t-shirts, etc.I also don't want things you can wear....it's more things that I can display on my bookshelves or hang on my walls.

What would you buy from each of those countries, or what have you bought?

For Turkey I was thinking of a small rug. I was told that they sell small rugs that could serve as a table runner.

For Italy I was thinking of a Pinocchio doll.

Not sure about the other countries.

Where are you going in Greece? It will help us think.

Sorry! I should clarify...

Will have just a quick stop in London (I've been several times, but never brought anything but food back).

Will be in Rome for 9 days.

Then we are on a cruise, visiting Sicily, Athens, Ephesus, and Crete.

Then an overnight in Madrid.

I have bought ceramics in Italy & Greece.
In Greece my husband fell in love with beautiful icons (religious images painted on small wooden panels) if this genre appeals to you.
In Italy, Greece & Spain you can find bowls and other objects of olive wood.
I have received decorative gifts of copper from Turkey. Their textiles - pillows & kelims - are very handsome. Of course, they have pottery, too.
In the UK I have bought botanical prints.

My husband insists the best souvenir of Italy is a Ferrari purchased right off the line in Maranello!

I have a Pinocchio marionette. Cute, but certainly not my favorite souvenir. We also saw marionettes in Sicily, and there's a museum in Palermo.

Ask your hotel in Rome if they can direct you to sources for authentic Italian-made items. Verify what you buy is made in Italy and not China. Silk scarves, ties, and clothing, leather goods, hand-painted ceramics (also in Sicily), olive wood, olive oil, wine, Murano glass, wood intarsia, stone mosaics, carved alabaster, cameos, rosary beads from the Vatican.

Waggis: Thank you! I didn't even think of olive wood or copper.

Jean: Rosary beads from the Vatican are on my list (since the Vatican is an independent country)....I didn't even think of ceramics or mosaics! Thank you!!

GREECE Insta-touring & shopping ---

Your cruise alas will probably only allow you "drive-by" time in Athens (9 am - 5 pm) and less than that in one port of Crete. Typically it will dock in Heraklion, and everyone will dash off to the Palace Knossos. Some advice that will make both stops a bit less hectic for you... and may even allow you time to quickly pick up a souvenir to prove you've been there:

ATHENS -- The "excursions" offered by cruise ships are usually horrendously expensive. But FINALLY, there is a great alternative. The Hop-on-Hop-Off Bus company called "City Sightseeing" has inaugurated a trip that is much better for cruisers than taking the Metro to central Athens. [The Metro strategy requires walking about 3/4 of a mile along the busy portside street to reach the station] The City Sightseeing Bus (HO-HO) starts right at the 2 Cruise Docks; you get the one that is #2 on the website (€22 vs €18) and it takes u right in to Central Athens, and you have a choice of busses to return to the ship. http://www.city-sightseeing.com/inde...nations=athens

You can "hop off" to go up to the Acropolis, walk down, go to the Nw Acropolis Museum (its open terrace is a lovely place for light lunch, looking up at the Parthenon), then shop nearby in Plaka-district shops for your souvenir... then find your way to your HO-HO bus stop.

HERAKLION, CRETE -- Again, rather than ship excursion, take local public bus... the station is a couple hundred yards from where your ship docks... local bus costs ?? 5 Euros or less, takes about 30 minutes... you & friends can pick up a licensed Guide at the gate if you wish....

You will not find quality souvenirs near Knossos or near the Dock ... The only Guidebook I have that is geared to Cruisers/Shoppers is Frommers 2004 edition. It recommends "the premier store in Iraklion for folk art/crafts." Eleni Kstrinoyanni Cretan Folk Art on 3 Ikarou Street, opposite the Arch. Museum (currently closed for renovation). ... has "finest in emroidery, weaving, ceramics and jewelry, all new but reflecting traditional Cretan folk methods & motifs."
BTW, if you don't want to bother going to Knossos, you can instead in an hour or 90 minutes view the 400 greatest treasures of the Museum, which are in an exhibit room next to the Museum on CHatzidaki Street --- This map shows that it is walkable, up from the port not too far: http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-ma...n-city-map.gif

For Greece there is one obvious thing, κομπολόι (komboloi). They are also known as worry beads. You will see men of all ages using them, there are various ways, just flicking them back & forth, seperating the beads one by one, & also some more complicated moves.
They come in all sizes & colours, some very decorative, most importantly they can be found everywhere as the Greeks buy them all the time! Also light & small enough to pack easily.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombol%C3%B3i

Get Christmas ornaments (sold throughout the year). Every Christmas you will be reminded of your travels and they are typically representatives of an iconic image of the country.

I really enjoy what I call "street art" a painting from an artist set up on the street either at a fair or just on their own. They are usually fairly inexpensive and most are cityscapes or country views (somewhere I have been on the trip), I get it nicely framed when I return home and hang on my wall. A favorite reminder of my trip!

IMO, a nice souvenir to bring back from Greece is an icon as waggis suggested. From Turkey, a carpet or a nargile (water pipe). Most nargiles you will find are quite tacky but it is possible to find really beautiful ones. Going back to your post I realise that you will only visit Ephesus in Turkey. Not the best place to pick up souvenirs. Music is also great if you happen to like Greek or Turkish music. Myself, I am a great fan of Turkish and Arabic music.

Hey twiggers:-) Don't think you can go wrong with any Museum gift shop..they carry wonderful artifacts/objects that not only make great souvvies..but great gifts as well;-) Totally agree that the Kombologi is a 'classic';-) Have fun..and EnjOY!

Thank you for the suggestion re Greek worry beads!

Our stop in Crete is actually Chania. We have independent tours booked for all of our stops. We don't do ship excursions...too expensive!

If it' Chania you are lucky. This Old Town has more tasteful, beautiful crafts than anywhere on Crete. There's a shop on Halidon directly across from Cathedral. There used to be a handcrafts exhibition - pottery -- right next to the Turkish bulding on the harbor. I hear they tore it down. You could ask if there's another place for it.

Jan: Thank you very much! I am hoping our Turkey tour does a rug stop because I really want a small one to bring back as a souvenir.

In Chania look for cretan knives with olive wood handles. The blades can be plain or etched with sayings. I read about this somewhere-a place called the street of knives. Also olive wood bowls.


In Athens for Byzantine icons and traditional art look in the Plaka and Monastiraki areas. Museum shops are great. The worry beads (Komboloi) are a classic Greek souvenir. Brightly colored embroidery (kentima), wall hangings, or maybe a copper coffee pot (mpriki) used to make Greek coffee.

Bring bubble wrap with you for any ceramics you decide to buy to put in your carry on.

Thank you Chris!!

And the bubble wrap suggestion is great. I'll line my suitcase with it :-)

as for Greece :
Chania : there are plenty of nice shops in the old city, where i am sure you will find something very nice to take home.Frequent travellers have usually a trained eye and can see the difference between touristical souvenirs of mass production ( made in China...) and original handcrafted works of art...
Athens : pay a visit to the shop of the Benaki Museum, located on Vasilisis Sofias Avenue, right next to the parliament.... They have the best souvenirs i have seen, even though some are really expensive.... but there is something there for everyone...

Blue (evil ) Eye, cooperware, tea glasses, Turkish Coffee Set, Original copies of museum pieces at Pasabahce mostly glassware, Rugs, kelims, ceramics, Arthemis statue, Turkihs Delight (you will remember Turkey until the box is empty :-, books from Museum shops, replicas from Museum shops, jewellery....List is too long, just decide while travelling...

Murat

A wineskin (bota de vino) in Madrid
http://spanishfood.about.com/od/drinks/a/botas.htm