The Women’s Travel Group does not include shopping on our trips. You will have some time to do it on your own. Kitchenware is the go -to for shoppers. European kitchenware is of the best made. Items are usually better designed, cheaper, and serve uses you did not know existed. Since European decor is different, colors of kitchenware are also different. And, of course, there are special items for special foods. You can shop budget wise at what we recognize as Woolworth type stores. You can splurge at fancy food emporia for up market items. From a few dollars to a splurge, you can have fun kitchen shopping and impress your friends. Below: sorry you cannot take the cake home.
Let’s start with what you cannot carry on: knives or anything with a sharp edge. You can still buy and pack knives carefully. In Britain, look for knives with natural bone handles. Another unique knife from most European countries is a cheese knife. The more pricey knives come with bone handles; less expensive, yet still elegant, are knives with high performance plastic handles. Do not freak. Bone is harvested from stags or cows. Want a bargain? Shop a street market for vintage knives. The cheapest deal will be cutlery missing its full set. You can even often find silver hallmarked pieces which work alone- a single spoon or knife.
Another European speciality is a tea strainer. These are found everywhere in Europe. OR for cocoa, a big bowl for sipping. The bowl might be marked with some cool title in another language. I use mine for peanuts, not cocoa. Also you will find cocoa and tea in cans you will save for their gorgeous labels.
In France, go for the super budget Monoprix; in Italy on our Florence to Rome tour,look for any shop that says COOP. In Germany you might already know Lidl and Aldi. In India, there is endless lovely brass cookware. Make a dash for the food areas. Here you need to spend time. First you have endless spices, jams, honeys and pates, many with elegant 19 century labels. Oven mitts with Eiffel Tower motif are cheesy in Paris and cool at home. Stunning earth tone Parisian linens are easy to pack. A net shopping bag which you have seen in films weighs nothing. Grab the jar for Salt which says SEL on the outside and comes with a wooden scoop. This cork topped jar of French salt called Fleur de Sal; is the perfect budget gift for your friends. In all of Europe you will find all kinds of wooden spoons for jam, salt, herbs. Small, cheap and truly a cool piece of European lifestyle.
German carving sets of the best quality. Henckels is famous. Aluminum pans are world known. German glass ware can pass for crystal, even the glasses sold in a supermarket. Christmas cookie molds in wood can even be mounted on your kitchen wall as art.
Italy, of course, offers unusual pasta implements: terracotta anything and especially those with a Christmas decoration. Try a heavy duty garlic press, magnificently decorated kitchen towels and aprons. These scream Italy. Alessi, the famous Italian brand, will be cheaper in country.
Generally European supermarkets are well worth your time. Spices, one does not see here and which make great gifts are: dried shallots, restaurant quality Indian spices (UK), Pomegranate syrup, vanilla beans, small cans of pate, or any canned food you like, that has a beautiful label.
Set aside an hour to browse a European supermarket. See nothing you want? Still check out the carrier bags sold at the cashier. They can be fantastically decorated and you and your friends will love showing off. Travel Tips from Award Winning The Women’s Travel Group. See our tours here. Contact https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/contact/ here. And call if you prefer 646 309 5607
