Nyet

Was wondering what would be yr must have souveniers or otherwise from these places? I won't have much time in each of them and would like something really special to bring back as souveniers or even day-to-day stuff like knives from Germany?

Jody

Regarding Amsterdam purchases . . .<BR>Every spring when our tulips from Holland bloom, memories of our trip come flooding back. I also love houseware gadgets and found a wonderful wine cork contraption that sucks the air out of the bottle. Its called Vacuvin. (www.vacuvin.nl) it is a grey rubber cork with a slit in it and you put this white piece over it and pull out the air with a few pumping motions. I liked it so much, I found it again in England and put it in a basket for some friends with a bottle of wine as a gift. Another item I found in Europe that I like is a stainless steel tuna fish drainer that fits right into the open tuna fish can. It has holes all over it and little side handles. You push it down into the open tuna can and tip all the water out without getting squirted! These suggestions aren't souveniers per se, rather practical gadgets and items I enjoy.

souveniers

Depends on your budget, but here goes (less expensive option first):<BR><BR>Amsterdam: Tulips! Delft -- the good stuff -- cups and saucers, bowls, vases, etc., but I would even consider the "ok" Delft for everyday, saving the good Delft for something special.<BR><BR>Paris: Love the different fridge magnets (bistros, bread, etc). Kitchen towels with the breads, cheeses or wines of France (I love that kind of stuff). Stop in a wine shop and look for gadgets. Get a set of espresso cups (make sure they're made in France!)<BR><BR>Can't help you for Lucerne or Heidelberg. <BR><BR>For souveniers in general, I try to collect something from the same "family" from each country we visit. Like pottery (I have a pitcher from almost everywhere we've been) and fridge magnets (every time I go to/past/near the fridge there are my trips!)

Ursula

Jody:I agree with you about Vacuvin. It's great, if you want to keep a bottle of wine until the next day. It's much better to buy these little useful things, rather than cheap souvenirs made in China or Taiwan.<BR>Nyet: You can get Vacuvin also in Switzerland.

dan woodlief

I always try to get a tiny beer stein from each German city I visit. It will have some scene on it from the city or region. Lucerne has a lot of shops, but prices are not going to be cheap. I like the wood carvings from the Berner Oberland region. I picked up one about 8 inches tall for $110 four years ago in a small Lucerne shop.

Julie

In Amsterdam I became addicted to their licorice (I believe they call it dropje). It comes in all sizes/shapes/sweet/salty etc and is certainly worth a visit to one of their candyshops. By the way, the Dutch don't believe there is such a thing as "Red" licorice (very American). They take their licorice seriously. I also love their chocolate, there's Droste and another famous one that starts with the letter "V" (anyone)? I can't even think about returning from a trip to Amsterdam without bringing back some of these goodies. Cheap and easy to pack too!

carolyn

In Lucerne, I bought pretty embroidered handerchiefs for gifts and embroidered batiste curtains that I loved.