We’ve all seen them on our travels – shops selling the same souvenirs that you don’t really need and have little to do with the place you’re visiting. Avoid buying yet another magnet or keychain, and get an authentic souvenir that reflects the culture and history of a place. Here is our guide to the best travel souvenirs from 13 countries around the world.
Brazil
They are colourful and bring luck: what’s not to like about the Bonfim ribbons?
In today’s world it’s easy to find the same things everywhere … like everyone’s favourite flip flops, the Havaianas. With a history going back to the early 1960s, the sturdy rubber sandals are a fundamental part of Brazilians’ lives. Though you can get them at home, buying a pair in their home country will add emotional value to this fairly basic item. Couple your colourful Havaianas with a bunch of Bonfim ribbons. Originally made out of silk and bearing ink writings, they are mostly worn as bracelets, but also on hats, in home decor and even on backpacks for good luck.
Find a flight to Rio de Janeiro
Italy
Make your own tagliatelle with the classic Italian pasta machine
Do you have a special place in your heart for pasta? Especially the fresh ones you’ve ordered every day throughout your holiday? No reason to give up on them: get your own pasta machine. Every self-respected Italian has one of these miracle workers at home.
For the fashion-conscious travellers, the Borsalino hat is making a comeback. Among the world’s famous fedora hats, the Borsalino became highly popular at the beginning of the 20th century due to its quality materials and innovative styles. Embrace the Italian look!
Read more: Road trip through Tuscany
United Kingdom
Scrumptious and inviting: the British high tea
Once entering the universe of dedicated tea-drinking that is the UK, you’ll quickly understand why the Brits love their tea. Afternoon tea, or high tea, was originally thought to be a complete meal bridging the gap between lunch and dinner. Today it’s more of an indulgent snack and includes a pot of tea, finger sandwiches, scones served with clotted cream and a variety of cakes and pastries. It’s easy to bring high tea back home when you have all the right utensils: from tea pots to tea pot cosies and funny tea strainers, there’s a whole world of souvenirs for you to explore. Throw in a pack of Yorkshire tea, the classic black tea blend Brits like to guzzle.
France
The beautifully fragrant Savon de Marseille
Home to household names such as Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior, the French know a thing or two about fragrances. Get yourself one of the perfume greats like Chanel No. 5 or find artisan perfumes that focus on a more personal touch, like Annick Goutal or Frédéric Malle.
The perfume universe extends further to well-known items such as the lavender sachet from Provence and the handcrafted soap Savon de Marseille.
Read more: Explore the French wine reasons
Sweden
Sweden’s national symbol: the multicoloured Dala horse
Interested in a piece of Swedish design? Get an iconic Dala horse. Many Swedes will have at least one quietly sitting in their houses and some people love to collect them. Initially designed as a toy, these small colourful horse figurines have turned into a national symbol. You can get cheap, mass-produced ones in tourist shops, but for the real deal, invest in a hand-carved and hand-painted one. Scandi noir has taken the world by storm, and what better way to emulate the cool Swedish look than when visiting the country? From high street brands H&M and Cos to the luxury casual label Acne Studios and premium fashion brand Tiger of Sweden, finding your version of the Swedish style is easier than you imagined.
Spain
You’ll want to collect these once you see them: the Spanish Lladró porcelain figurines
Spain is easy to fall in love with: the food, the beautiful handicrafts, the vibrant colours … With a couple of well-chosen travel tokens, you’ll be able to recreate the Spanish atmosphere at home.
The Lladró porcelain figurines are highly beloved in Spain and with so many options – flamenco dancers, angels, ballerinas, baseball players, dogs, just to name a few – it’s easy to find one that will happily decorate your shelf at home.
For the Spanish look, bring home a colourful hand-held fan and a classic wool cape to keep you warm. Want to showcase your paella skills back home? Get a paella pan while trotting around the country – if you can fit it in your luggage, that is.
Read more: The taste of Spain
Mexico
Spruce up your place with a traditional Mexican rug
Souvenirs such as donkey figurines dressed in serapes and sombreros are available at every step, and it might prove difficult to leave the country without one. This is acceptable, as long as you also bring back a piece of Mexico’s lovely handicrafts. With a long history in artisan craftsmanship, you will find unique and everlasting items that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the country. There’s plenty of choice: from colourful wool rugs to rowdy masks portraying angels and demons, and the outstanding Barro Negro pottery famous for its black colour and sheen.
Morocco
Create your own Moroccan atmosphere with a hanging lantern
You have got lost in the whirling streets of Morocco’s medinas; been seduced by the fragrant spectacle of the many spice markets, and spent moments of bliss sipping mint tea. The holiday is over, but you’re still dreaming of Moroccan nights? Bring back a few items and extend the Moroccan atmosphere to your everyday life. Get your own tagine pot and learn how to prepare the mouth-watering North African dishes bearing the same name. Stack up on spices as well, and your guests will stand in line to find out what your secret ingredient is. Paprika and saffron are among the most popular spices travellers bring back, but turmeric and cumin are important for the aspect and taste of tagine dishes. If luggage space permits, get your hands on a traditional hanging lantern, and build your own Moroccan corner at home.
Portugal
Azulejos, Portugal’s delicate decorative tiles
The brilliant Azulejos tiles are by now among Portugal’s most iconic cultural identifiers. Travellers love to rip them off the walls of abandoned buildings or buy original ones sold by locals on the streets. We get it, they’re beautiful and authentic, yet this custom is hurtful to the local architecture. Instead, get yourself a brand new Azulejo tile to remind you of the ones you admired on your trip. With half of the world’s supply of cork coming from Portugal, the Portuguese found innovative ways to use this eco-friendly material: from postcards and wallets to jewellery and shoes, you’re sure to find a gift for everybody at home.
Denmark
The perfectly hand-painted Royal Copenhagen porcelain is Denmark at its best
With many months of rainy, grey weather, Danes spend most time inside, and they made it their focus to create interiors where you want to linger. Hop on the Danish design craze and give your home a Scandi look. Classic items such the Blue Fluted Plain porcelain from Royal Copenhagen and the wave-shaped Georg Jensen candle holders, make for wonderful mementos from your Danish getaway. Pop by any of these seven Copenhagen-based design shops and you’ll surely find something to fall in love with. Denmark is also home to the world-beloved Lego toy brand, so buying a gift for the little ones is an easy feat here.
Japan
The handmade Kokeshi dolls make for a beautiful decorative memento from Japan © nSeika
Japan’s handicrafts have a long tradition, going back many centuries; if you want a one of a kind souvenir, opt for the hand-carved Kokeshi doll made of wood and painted in red, black and yellow. Want to improve your chopsticks game? Get your own pair! The Japanese chopsticks are usually shorter than other chopsticks and taper to a fine point. Traditionally made of bamboo or wood and lacquered, you can find beautifully designed chopsticks in both sombre and lively colours, with Japanese inscriptions or geometrical patterns. If you’re a city dweller, browse through an electronics shop: you’ll surely find a piece of equipment you didn’t know existed and you suddenly need. Like a steam inhaler that’s designed to alleviate allergy symptoms such as a runny nose.
Thailand
The only challenge here will be how many scarves to get
How can one take home a piece of Thailand’s colourful landscape – white-sand beaches, jungles and rice paddies? It’ll be impossible, but silk scarves come close to it.
They’re everywhere here: pink, red, blue, green, purple, striped, multi-coloured, with floral patterns and geometric shapes. You’ll quickly notice lots of people wearing the same colours on each day of the week; that’s because in Thailand it’s believed that wearing certain colours each day will bring luck. On Tuesdays you’ll notice pink everywhere – this is the lucky colour of the day, but also the king’s colour, who after long illness embraced pink as his lucky colour; and so have most people in the country.
Get your own pink scarf for good luck.
Read more: The best islands in Thailand
Australia
Australian black opal: who would say ‘no’ to a piece of jewellery featuring one of these?
Australia has a rich source of opals, the fine precious gemstones that come in various colours. If you’re looking for a distinctive gift for someone special, get a gorgeous opal pendant or a pair of exquisite opal earrings. With a history spanning 100 years, the Ugg boots peaked as a worldwide trend in the mid-2000s. The comfy unisex sheepskin boots originate in Australia, and were highly beloved by surfers for their warmth. If you’re not a fan of the style, you can always get the Ugg slippers instead – your toes will forever be warm and cosy.
