Valley in liechtenstein, surrounded by the alps ()
Since some of Europe’s tiny countries like Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Monaco and Andorra are often associated with wealth and luxury shopping, it is safe to say that finding something to bring home will not be a difficult task when you visit one of them. But deciding on what to buy and how much to spend are different, and maybe more difficult, questions to answer. Other than unique stamps in your passport, what should you think about bringing home from one of these lesser-known countries? From traditional foods and drinks to apparel and household goods, here are a few ideas to get your shopping started.
Andorra – With its unique mountainous environment and elevation, it’s worth it to seek out some of their cured meats, cheeses, preserved jams and chocolate. To compliment these goods, find some Andorran wine, beer or a special liqueur called Ratassia de la Carmeta, made of nuts and hand-collected herbs from the mountains.
Liechtenstein – Situated between Austria and Switzerland and surrounded by beautiful alps, be sure to visit the capital city of Vaduz. Here you will find the tourist center and the shop Hoi Laden, full of Liechtenstein memorabilia and unique goods. Grab some local chocolate and wine, delicious products you may not be able to find anywhere else.
Luxembourg – Something special to Luxembourg are “Peckvillchen,” ceramic or glass whistles shaped like birds that are most popular on Easter Monday. These beautifully decorated pieces were a popular tradition until World War I, when their production was stopped. Luckily for us, the whistles can be found around the country, especially if you head to the town of Nospelt for their annual bird festival.
Malta – Keep a look out for “ganutell,” or intricately designed pieces, often flowers, made from wire and beads. These pieces became popular in Malta in the 18th century, but then fell out of favor after World War II caused the loss of many pieces, and it has taken decades to reinvigorate the practice. Today, artists and historians are trying to bring the practice back of ganutell.
Monaco – Do you have any car lovers in your family? Home of the famous Grand Prix Formula One racing event, a trip to Monaco should include a piece of memorabilia from this historic event. This race has been happening annually in Monaco since 1929, and one of the coolest souvenirs might be the vintage race posters that can bring a little Monaco glamor back home.
San Marino – Beautiful ceramics are the thing to look for in this country within Italy. For its size, the number of pottery shops you will come across will surprise you and lead you to add to your own collection of dishware.
Vatican City – Being one of the most visited tiny countries, you will have no shortage of souvenir options. If you want to take home a piece of the religious culture of Vatican City, you could grab a holy-water bottle, in addition to the crosses, rosaries or Bibles. You could also snag a beautiful leather piece, since Italy is known for its high-quality leather, or Italian meats and cheeses, vacuumed-packed for safe transport.
