What To Bring Back from Vacation

Deciding what to bring back from a vacation can leave many travelers stumped. With each trip offering unforgettable experiences, rich cultural traditions, and unique cuisines, choosing the perfect souvenir can feel overwhelming. Whether you're exploring Japan, Italy, or another destination, every journey offers something special to take home or share with family and friends.

However, with limited space in your suitcase, finding the right memento can be tricky. To help, here are some keepsakes to consider when visiting destinations around the world.

Hungary: Paprika

Hungary feels about paprika the same way we feel about potato chips, in the sense that there are entire aisles in Hungarian grocery stores devoted to paprika and other similar spices.

The flavor profile of most paprikas is warm but not incendiary, making them the perfect add-in to sauces and marinades, as well as traditional dishes like chicken paprikash and goulash.

Stocking up on the powdered variety is fine, but you’re going to want to double down on the spice and bring back multiple tubes of paprika paste.

It’s good stuff. According to Food & Wine, paprika paste should be used alongside of, not in place of, powdered paprika, and “pairs well with pork, shrimp, and meaty whitefish like swordfish or cod,” especially on the grill.

Sounds great. Let’s eat!

family walking around with a city from greece behind them

Greece: Artisanal Olive Wood Products

A popular souvenir to bring back from Greece is handcrafted olive wood products, which reflect the country’s deep connection to the olive tree, a symbol of peace and prosperity.

From beautifully carved kitchen utensils and cutting boards to decorative items like bowls and jewelry boxes, these unique pieces are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Sourced from the wood of olive trees all over Greece, each item carries a rich history and showcases the skill of artisans who have honed their craft through generations. With distinctive grain patterns, these pieces are perfect for home décor or everyday use, offering a lasting reminder of the country's Mediterranean charm and artisan traditions.

Learn more: Why You Should Get Travel Insurance for Shorter Trips

Canada: Maple Syrup

One of the craziest facts about maple syrup in Canada is: It’s responsible for 85% of world’s maple syrup with Quebec producing 90% of that!

This underscores just how significant maple syrup production is in Eastern Canada. Travel throughout eastern Ontario and Quebec and you’re inundated with opportunities to buy the sweet stuff in all its shapes and sizes including maple sugar, maple cream, infused syrups, and bourbon-barrel-aged varieties.

Whoever you choose to patronize, you won’t be disappointed. Canadian maple syrup is the best of the best. And you don’t even have to like pancakes to know that.

Japan: Kit Kat bars

Japan is known for many things globally but one thing that might surprise Americans especially is a chocolatey candy most of us take for granted, the Kit Kat bar.

It makes more sense to buy Japanese Kit Kat bars. They come in the most amazing flavors – more than 300 different flavors, according to the Kit Kat connoisseurs at Wikipedia – including kinako soybean powder, purple sweet potato and matcha flavor.

You can order them online and have them shipped to the States, but where’s the fun in that? The fun is in buying a “happy bag” of mystery contents and discovering a Hokkaido-roasted-corn-flavored Kit Kat– and then bringing it home and foisting it on an unsuspecting coworker.

Nigeria: Mixtapes

Like so much else in Africa, the marketing of music is dynamic and free-spirited, and the good music that comes out of this creative energy is ridiculously infectious and reflective of multiple cultural influences.

The place to buy mixtapes in Nigeria is Lagos’s sprawling Alaba International Market. There’s no way to separate good from bad, and you can expect each CD to be a compilation of popular songs mixed with new music from unknown artists that promoters are paid to push. But the grab-bag character of these tapes is exactly what makes them fun.

London: Shoes

London may not be the ultimate sneaker destination – Tokyo and New York City might vie for that crown – but London is plenty good enough, with stores like End, BSTN, and KershKicks. Even Harrods has gotten in on the act.

If your taste runs to something punkier, try the New Rock Leather and Boot Store in the definitely edgy Camden Town area.

And of course, if you crave the classics Oxford Street is where you should beat your feet.

Italy: Olive Oil

One of the most popular souvenirs to bring back from Italy is a bottle of authentic extra virgin olive oil. This golden liquid, often referred to as "green gold," is a staple in Italian cuisine and a cherished item for food lovers worldwide.

Sourced from regions like Tuscany, Puglia, and Umbria, Italian olive oil is renowned for its rich, fruity flavor and high quality. Visitors often seek out artisanal brands, which are produced in small batches and offer a true taste of Italy's culinary heritage.

Not only does it make a thoughtful gift, but it also adds a touch of Mediterranean flavor to your kitchen, reminding you of your Italian adventure with every drizzle.

What’s the secret for getting the perfect souvenir of your travels? Perfect travels! And travel protection from Generali Global Assistance can help give you the peace of mind you need.

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