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Collette’s Cruising tours call out to travellers who think the world’s best sightseeing comes from the deck of a boat. These tours offer a variety of experiences, and culturally curious travellers are drawn to small ships and private yachts charted for adventure. From drifting back in time along Egypt’s Nile to exploring remote corners of the sea in Patagonia, these travellers are exploring on water and immersing themselves in local culture on shore.
But how should you share your epic seafaring journey with loved ones back home? And what mementos should you pick up to remember your trip by?
I connected with the destination experts behind our Patagonia: Edge of the World, Treasures of Egypt, Machu Picchu & Galapagos Wonders, and Venice and Croatian Islands Cruise tours to get their advice on the best souvenirs from these adventures.
Souvenirs from Patagonia
Product Design Manager Sam Kern is Collette’s in-house expert for all things South America. In a recent podcast episode, she detailed that connecting with people and trying local food are some of her favourite parts of travel. Her nature as an adventurer and an adventurous eater are definitely at play in her Patagonia souvenir recommendations.
Yerba Mate Tea
Yerba mate tea is a traditional South American caffeinated drink. In addition to offering a quick punch of energy comparable to a cup of coffee, the beverage is also culturally significant. It’s considered a symbol of national identity to Argentinians. Many families gather together for daily “mate breaks,” and sharing the tea is also a common act of hospitality.
Sam says that yerba mate is traditionally prepared in a hollowed-out gourd and drank through a metal straw called a bombilla meant to help filter the tea. Giving the yerba mate with the cup and straw is a great gift to share a cultural story, and show how much you care.
Dulce de Leche Sweets
The origins of dulce de leche are unclear, but there are several rumors. One tale says that it was created by accident in the 1800s, when an Argentinian milkmaid accidentally overcooked a batch of milk and sugar.
There are similar versions of this legend in other countries. But whatever the truth may be, the fact remains that dulce de leche has a significant presence in Argentina. It’s hugely popular and considered a symbol of the country’s gastronomy. And it’s versatile! Drizzle it on fruit, use it as a filling in cakes, or even eat it straight out of the jar.
Sam suggests buying alfajores for the sweet tooth you’re shopping for. These traditional Argentinian cookies are two pieces of crumbly shortbread with a layer of dulce de leche in between.
Calafate Berry Products
Calafate berries are native and specifically significant to Patagonia. The almost purple berries could almost pass for blueberries if you saw them growing, and they’re commonly spotted in Torres del Paine National Park.
Calafate berries are symbolic of the region, and also carry some lore: It is said that those who eat calafate berries are destined to return to Patagonia.
Sam’s go-to calafate berry product is jam, which has a similar texture to blackberry preserves. This is a great gift to grab a travel companion – it’s a literally sweet moment to reminisce and think about getting back on the road with your morning coffee and a slice of toast.
Souvenirs from Egypt
Egypt is a bucket list trip. Travellers are drawn to the home of one of the world’s most ancient civilisations that was built around the Nile River. Adventurers are excited to retrace its ancient history by land and water.
Senior Product Design Manager Shannon Levi, Global Contracting Manager Usama Sokker, and their team work hard and offer a wealth of knowledge. They bring our Egypt journeys to life and make sure to include the local insight that you can only find with the experts.
Here are their souvenir suggestions to help mark an unforgettable trip, and share this destination with loved ones back home.
Cartouches
Historically, a cartouche was an oblong sign, indicating royalty in hieroglyphics. They could be sculptures, or amulets. The first cartouches date back to the 2600s BCE, and there are centuries of superstition that have stuck with them. The oval shape surrounding a royal’s name was said to protect them from evil spirits both in life and after death. Today, they have become symbols representing luck and protection from evil. Shannon said that today, cartouches are commonly sold as jewellery, in silver or gold, and are inscribed with a person’s name spelled in Egyptian hieroglyphs. These custom pieces are a unique and thoughtful souvenir for the ancient history buff waiting back home.Paper Goods
From ancient-inspired gifts to something more modern, paper-based souvenirs are a great gift that won’t take up too much space in your luggage.
Papyrus
Papyrus is the oldest form of paper in the Western Hemisphere. From around 2560 BCE to the 10th century, the papyrus plant grew widely in the Egyptian Nile Valley. Its stalk was cut into thin strips, pressed, and dried to create the world’s earliest paper.
Whilst the plant isn’t as widespread as it was then, it still grows and there are artisans making the paper using the traditional means still today.
Shannon says that papyrus scrolls are often decorated with images inspired by decorations found in ancient Egyptian tombs. She suggests those with traditional motifs, like the tree of life, make a great souvenir to bring home.
Historic Photos
King Tutankhamun’s tomb discovery in 1922 took the world by storm, and really elevated the popularity of Egyptology around the world. Another significant advancement of the early 20th century: Photography was becoming commercially available and accessible to the general public.
Shannon suggested that travellers who want to bring home some historic photos check out a store called Gaddis & Co. in Luxor. The century-old shop sells black and white re-prints, so you can bring home real snapshots of history. In addition to their photography, the shop carries a collection of books and other art recreations.
Egyptian Perfume
Ancient Egyptians are often credited as the world’s first perfume makers. And it had many uses. From religious rites and burial rituals to its place in personal hygiene and superstitions, perfume has always been culturally significant in Egypt.
Shannon explains that even today, Egyptian perfume is made following an ancient process, and that the perfume is oil-based versus the typical alcohol-based perfumes most common today. It allows perfume to retain their scent for longer. This is a souvenir that tells a story, and remains top of mind whenever someone wears it.
Shannon says that these perfumes are typically a single scent, like rose or jasmine. In addition to perfuming the hair and body, it can be used for aromatherapy. She says mint can be used to help clear congestion, as an example.
Souvenirs from Peru
Exploring the Land of the Incas is an experience rich with so much history and culture. You’ll encounter hidden wonders in Peru. Delving deep into ancient cultures at Machu Picchu and retracing Charles Darwin’s steps in one trip is priceless.
What should you bring home from such an epic adventure? Tour designer Sam Kern has some tips.
Alpaca Textiles
Alpaca are a symbol of Peruvian culture and heritage, dating back to the Incan civilisation. The Inca people believed the animal to be sacred, and alpaca wool was a feature in religious ceremonies and rituals.
The quality of alpaca textiles speaks to that level of reverence. Alpaca fibers offer an incredible combination: They’re soft, warm, durable, and naturally water resistant. It’s also a good option for folks that typically have wool allergies, because it doesn’t contain the lanolin found in the more common sheep’s wool.
Around 80% of the world’s alpaca fibre is produced in Peru. With time in handicraft markets those in the Pisac village and local markets in Cuzco, there are some good opportunities to shop for this meaningful gift on your tour.
Ceramics and Pottery
Whilst ceramics and pottery serve as art pieces, they were practical and ceremonial pieces to ancient Peruvians. Pottery and ceramics also account for some of the most ancient artifacts recovered in Peru, making them gifts perfect for historians and art enthusiasts alike.
Some of the oldest ceramics found here pre-date the Incas. From the ancient Chavin people, these early pieces date back more than 5,000 years.
Sam says that ceramics are a great gift to bring home for loved ones and notes a visit to a ceramic studio on tour. Travellers visit the studio of artist Pablo Seminario, and see how he utilizes the intricate techniques inspired by ancient Peruvian cultures.
Pisco
Pisco sour, anyone? Pisco is the national liquor of Peru and the perfect gift for the aspiring mixologist on your shopping list.
There are different varieties of pisco, based on the grapes used and any sort of flavour additives like berries or herbs. Overall though, the spirit is often compared to grappa. Non-aromatic grapes and herbal, earthy notes are traditional in Pisco, and the standard in Peru.
Sam is a pisco sour fan, and says it’s a yummy souvenir to bring home.
Souvenirs from Croatia
Vasja Ostric is our tour designer for the Balkans. Based in Croatia, this product design manager offers a ton of great insight on what souvenirs to bring home from the country she calls home.
Neckties and Scarves
Croatians are very proud of the fact that they invented the necktie, Vasja says, and neck accessories make a great gift to acknowledge this piece of history.
“In the 17th century, Croatian soldiers wore a piece of silk fabric around the neck as a part of their standard uniform,” Vasja says. “The French, seeing Croatians do this, have embraced this custom, and today’s tie was born!” Vasja says that the most popular brand for these gifts in Croatia is Croata.
“They have ties, scarves, and different accessories, which make great Croatian gifts for him and her,” Vasja says. “They come in various colours and with traditional motifs like Croatian interlace or the Glagolitic script (an old Slavic script from the 9th century).”
Bukaleta Jug
Vasja says that if you visit any of the Istrian restaurants, you will notice a bukaleta — a traditional, handmade, bird-shaped Istrian clay jug.
“It was used initially to make and serve Istrian soup,” she says. “Contrary to its name, the soup isn’t really a soup but an Istrian version of mulled wine. It is one of the most popular Istrian souvenirs.” You can buy the real jug or a smaller version in many souvenir shops and market stalls in all Istrian coastal towns.
Truffles
Calling all foodies! Croatia is the spot to grab truffles.
They grow in this Mediterranean country because of its unique climate, soil, and forests, which provide ideal conditions for the fungi to thrive.
And Vasja offered some tips on the best spots and seasonality to grab truffle goods for yourself or a foodie back home.
“White and the black truffles have their natural habitat in Istria, mostly in the River Mirna’s valley and Motovun Forest,” Vasja explains. “The season of the white truffles, the most expensive and the most valuable truffle, is short, from October to December. And in this period, you can find lots of hunters in Motovun selling them.”
Truffles themselves can be tough to transport, but Vasja has the next best bet.
“If you have a friend at home who is really into truffles, then go to Uje or Prodan’s truffle shops and buy something from their wide range of truffles-infused products like truffle oils, truffle butter, honey, or tartufata — a ready-made truffle and mushroom sauce.”
