This May, we will be staying/visiting the following countries; Germany (Munich and Trier), Austria (Salzburg, Innsbruk), Liechtenstein, Switzerland (Luzern) and France (Strasbourg). <BR> <BR>In Munich, I know I will want some beer steins (very old, not the junk tourist stuff) and cutlery (add to my J.A. Henckels). <BR> <BR>What else should I be looking for? We like glass and just about anything really unique to an area. No cuckoo clocks please. <BR> <BR>Help!! <BR> <BR>Dick

Christmas ornaments. You'll have a blast putting up the Christmas tree and thinking back to the trip. <BR> <BR>Chocolates and postcards. I use the postcards to enhance the photo albums. <BR> <BR>I wasn't overly impressed iwth Liechtenstein, you pay a hefty toll to cross/drive thru it. The view of the Royal Palace perched on the hilltop is beautiful, but tourists are not allowed. We parked in the souvenir shop in front, bought postcards and continue on. <BR> <BR>Make sure the cutlery is WELL wrapped and secured. I would ship it, wouldn't bring it into the plane to be honest.

Too much is much is made of the THINGS you can BUY when travelling. Europe is more than another place to shop.

Forgot your happy pill this morning, eh xxxx?

Germany: Buy a Christmas Smoker Man. Fun to put out at Christmas time and burn the incense. Most shops have many types of these wooden smoker men. <BR> <BR>Christmas ornaments are the best in Germany. Many different types. Ask about the "pickle story" and then buy a pickle ornament. <BR> <BR>Cuckoos are fine if you get a good one. You re probably burned out on the cheap ones you see in the US. Find a good clock shop and have the expert tell you the difference. <BR> <BR>Austria: The Svaorski (sp) factory and shop is not far from Innsbruck if you like that glass. <BR> <BR>We also buy local beer steins from the restaurants if we find one we like. This is usually no problem.

Dick- got my mom an awesome cookcoo clock-very different from the junk you see here--of course,it drives me nuts to listen to it,but I don't live at her home! <BR> <BR>Another definite yes from Germany is their crystal and china--there is a discount crystal and china area outside of Nurenburg-has Rosenthal china and crytal at 1/3 US prices and also carries off brands that are beautiful-=--can get gorgeous vases for $15-20 and ship them home......

Two things to pick up in Austria--pumpkin oil and schnapps. Pumpkin oil is very popular with the Austrians and they use it in salad dressings instead of the usual oils. Has a delicious taste. Very good for you, too. I like the schnapps from the Steiermark region. Smooth! <BR>Also, look at bed linens in both Austria and Germany. Outstanding quality. And don't limit your cutlery search to Henckels. WMF makes excellent cookware and kitchen utensils. Visit the Gossl store in Salzburg for some updated, beautifully made Austrian made clothing.

TT

Luzerne has some really beautiful music boxes. I brought one back for my mom in 1990 and she loved it. It's still one of her favorite gifts I've given her. They can be a little pricey though.

Dick, <BR>When shopping in Europe, I try to concentrate of the works of local craftsmen and artisans. My wife looks for articles that she considers to be of unique quality. A couple of suggestions come to mind: In Munich, visit the Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein. It's the museum of the Bavarian Association of Artisans at 7 Pacellistrasse. Its shop has a large collection of handcrafted wood carvings, ceramics, glassware and Christmas ornaments. <BR> <BR>The Bavarian villages of Oberammergau and Mittenwald (between Munich and Innsbruck) have any number of shops featuring the craftsmanship of wood workers. <BR> <BR>In Luzerne, look for the shop Sturzenneger at 7 Schwanenplatz. It sells exquisite (and costly) embroidered items as well as needle-point and some folkloric pieces. <BR> <BR>If you do consider a Swiss music box, rather than a cuckoo clock, check out <BR>some of the shops in the old part of town. Be sure the music box has mechanisms made by Reuge, true craftsmen. <BR>

After reading another thread, I'm thinking maybe a waiter!