5 unexpected European souvenirs to buy on your next trip

Need an excuse to book a trip to Europe? You’re in luck. The euro hasn’t been this low in years. Not since 2003, according to CNBC. With an exchange rate hovering around $1.10 per euro, now is the perfect time to check Europe off your list (or re-check it). And with your American dollars stretching quite a bit further, you’ll have plenty leftover for European souvenirs and gifts.

So what European swag should you stuff inside that spare duffel? To find out, we talked to the professionals, those well-traveled globetrotters dedicated to finding local gems, souvenirs and delicacies everywhere they go—that’s right, travel writers.

Per their advice, skip the tourist shops (how many Eiffel Tower scarves do you need anyway?) and pick up these European souvenirs that can be difficult to find in the U.S. If you can’t grab everything, don’t worry—you may be able to find some of these on U.S. soil. Just be prepared to pay a much heftier price.

1. German Skincare & Beauty Products

If you find yourself in Munich, Berlin or another German city, keep an eye out for Weleda, the Dr. Hauschka, Lavera and Annemarie Borlind beauty and skincare products, all of which produce all-natural lines of skincare cleansers, moisturizers and other beauty products. Though some of these brands are available in the U.S. or through online stores, you’ll save 10-20% if you buy them in Germany. You’ll also be able to shop the full product line whereas you can only pick from a small selection on U.S. shelves.

Look for them in German pharmacies, called Apotheke, which are easily identifiable with a bright red A. These brands are also sold at drogeries, which sell non-prescription health, beauty and household products. Check out Rossman, a Germany drogerie chain, which also sells its own line of quality and inexpensive products.

Here’s a tip from travel writer Naomi Kaye Honova to save even more: If you buy online via amazon.de while you’re in the country, you can save a ton more—sometimes up to 40 percent or 50 percent.

A few of Honova’s favorites include Weleda’s White Mallow Face Cream (in German: Weisse Malve Gesichtscreme), Pomegranate Body Wash (in German: Granatapfel Schonheitsdusche) and Wild Rose Deoderant (in German: Wildrosen Deodorant.)

For a full list of products available in Germany, check out this list.

2. French Skincare & Beauty Products

La Roche Posay

French beauty products have a cult following. Similar to Germany, many of these brands are expanding sales stateside, but you’ll pay higher prices and may choose from a limited selection.

Next time you’re in Paris or elsewhere in France, try La Roche Posay and Avène products. Their claim to fame is thermal water, which is natural spring water that allegedly has miraculous qualities (particularly for sensitive skin conditions like eczema, rosacea and psoriasis). Other French brands worth stocking up on are Bioderma and Vichy. For the widest selection of the full product lines of these brands, look for stores displaying a bright green cross sign. Those are French pharmacies, where both prescription drugs and these brands are sold.

Travel writer Nicola Brady, who has sensitive skin, particularly loves Avène’s Antirougeurs Jour Redness-Relief, La Roche Posay Serozinc Astringent Toner and La Roche Posay sunscreen. Bioderme’s Créaline H2O is an unscented makeup remover that’s pricey everywhere but France, and is especially loved by makeup artists and models. (Brady reports that you can buy it in twin packs.)

The consensus between Goop, Vogue and Buzzfeed on must-buy French beauty products: Bioderme’s Créaline H2O, Nuxe Huile Prodigeuse, Homeoplasmine and Avène’s Thermal Spring Water.

3. Cold-Pressed Artisanal Rapeseed Oil

Italian rapeseed oil

Want to be the first to hop on the next big trend in cooking oils? Pick up a bottle of cold-pressed rapeseed oil. This high-end canola oil is already all the rage in the U.K. and is growing in popularity in Germany, France and Italy.

Travel writer Anne Bramley explains that even though canola oil is a basic, not-at-all-respected cooking oil in the states, it’s reached an elevated status in Europe for a few reasons. Though American canola oil is made from genetically modified seeds, GMOs are banned in Europe. Also thanks to a cold-pressed production process, rapeseed oil is more flavorful than its American counterpart.

Look for l’huile de colza in France, olio di colza in Italy and rapsöl in Germany at supermarkets and street markets.

4. Local Spirits in Italy and Austria

schnaps

Though you have the weight of your suitcase to consider, friends and family will appreciate the effort (and deliciousness) of local liquor. Several writers we asked had two resounding recommendations: In Austria, try the Marillenschnaps, or apricot schnapps, and Italian fennel liqueur.

Travel writer Antonia Malchik recommends Bailoni apricot schnapps, which you can pick up from a grocery store in Austria for about €20.

In Italy, while you’re on the hunt for the more widely known Limoncello, Laura Shin suggests you keep your eyes peeled for fennel liqueur. “It has this herby, delicate flavor,” she says. “It was like taking a field of summer wildflowers and herbs and putting it into alcoholic form. So delicious. My friends and I were blown away.” Other Italian spirits to look for include Vin Santo, Amaro and Grappa.

Pro tip to save on packing space and weight: Look for these at duty free shop before you board and you can take bottles on the plane. But this can get tricky if you have a connecting domestic flight once you land. You’ll go through customs when you first land, then will need to recheck your luggage for your next flight—meaning you can’t carry them on and will have to pack bottles in your checked bags.

5. Quality Underwear in Austria

Palmers underwear

While you’re splurging on fancy oils and spirits, you might as well pick up a few practical things.

The Vienna-based Austrian brand Palmers has been in the underwear biz since 1914 and is best known for their racy lingerie and swimwear. But travel writer Antonia Malchik also recommends heading there to stock up on comfy, basic cotton underwear. When she lived in Vienna, they were sold from large bins outside the store.

“I think they were about €10 each, which is pricey if you’re used to shopping at Target or Wal-Mart,” Malchik says. “But the quality was noticeably high and finding 100 percent cotton underwear that doesn’t fall apart fast is such a rare thing in the U.S.”

Whether you’re a regular traveler to Europe or this will be your first trip, it’s not too late to slot a vacation for the summer or fall. Take advantage of the almost-too-good-to-be-true exchange rate before the euro starts creeping up so you can maximize your European vacation.

travel deals

Tagged: Europe