25 Best Italian Gifts Italy Souvenirs to Buy on Your Trip
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There are many things you could give your friends and loved ones this holiday season, and with so many perfect Italian gifts to choose from it’s hard to know where to start. Whether your budget is large or small, we’ve put together a list of the ten best Italian gift ideas to put a big smile on your loved one’s face and a warm feeling inside everyone! We hope you are lucky enough to be traveling in Italy for the holidays so, that you can explore these options in the little shops where you are staying. If not, many of these things can be found online or made at home, wherever home might be. If you have a few more days in your travel budget then you could spend some time in southern Tuscany enjoying the Val D’Orcia. Some of the below Italian gifts as we mentioned are region or city-specific.
But if you don’t know that yet, you can book tickets to La Spezia and pick up a regional train to any of the towns Cinque Terre towns last minute. The Amalfi Coast is a gorgeous stretch of coastline that you could honestly spend weeks in, lazing away on the picturesque beaches and soaking up the sun. But if you’re on a mission to see it all, take an entire day to relax and enjoy the sites. There are many small towns dotting the winding coastline. I recommend picking one and spending a few hours at the beach. I’ve compiled 5 itineraries for your 10 day trip to Italy.
World Map Wall Art
I believe there’s nothing more beautiful in someone’s house than a library that has a nice diversity and quality books. Romance and fiction do not count as quality in this case! So, for those who can understand Italian would be worth visiting some antique book stores or exploring flea markets. Sometimes the local hidden gems can be your favorite part of your trip to Italy! Lake Como is one of the best places in Italy and one of my favorite places on earth.
My favorite is the Rick Steves Italian Phrasebook because it’s got everything you’ll need as a traveler with some fun phrases thrown in for humor, and it’s also got a small dictionary in the back. Benvenuti al Sud – If you love the Italian south, you’ll love this film. Benvenuti al Sud is Italian for “Welcome to the South,” and tells the tale of a Milanese postal worker who’s punished with an assignment to work at an office on the coast near Naples.
Florence Cathedral Print, Italy Travel Poster Gift
Wine jellies are something that many Americans have never heard of. They are also easy to purchase or make at home by mixing wine and pectin with flavors like amarena or melon; the result is tasty jellies with the consistency of a soft gumdrop. These will certainly be a conversation starter and it’s always a treat to give something sweet and homemade.
This applies to the coffee made and sipped in Italian homes, too, where the Moka pot is a key appliance. The little aluminum coffeemaker sits on a stovetop's flame and uses pressurized steam to churn out three cups of espresso—one for you, one for your friend, and one for the house. If the penultimate Italian food for Americans is pasta, then the penultimate Italian cooking toy just might be a pasta making machine.
Clothes Line: Stocking stuffer gift under $15 for travelers
It’s like no canned tuna you’ve ever had in your life, they tell me. I’m going to have to ask for some myself this year to see what all the fuss is about. You’ll know it’s the real thing by the imprint on the rind. Perugina Baci Chocolates – Perugia is home to one of the biggest chocolate festivals in Europe, Eurochocolate, and it’s also home to Perugina, the big chocolate maker. For a delicious taste of Italy, a box of Perugina Baci Chocolates is a great choice.
The material is durable, like a rain coat, so it’s easy to wipe down and keep clean. It wasn’t long into our nomadic life that we invested in a couple sets of packing cubes. This is a great gift for travelers who plan to visit multiple countries. It saves the headache of having to navigate foreign data plans or set up SIM cards in each new place. Of course, to see the very best of Italy, combining a trip to classic destinations like Rome and Florence with the lesser known hidden regions gives you a unique insight into this fascinating land.
Then look for an Italian cookbook that emphasizes authentic recipes. A favorite in my house is Jamie’s Italy by Jamie Oliver, and Mario Batali’s Simple Italian Recipes comes recommended as well. For desserts, the fabulous Dolce Italiano is a must-have. Ready to be inspired by other people’s travel stories?
While many people tend to use balsamic vinegar for savory dishes, this versatile vinegar also works well in desserts. A classic pandoro has a simple vanilla flavor, which in itself is delicious. A dusting of powdered sugar, said to resemble the snowy alps of the Dolomites during winter, completes the cake. Where panettone comes from Milan, pandoro originates from Verona. In the Venetian language, ‘pan de oro’ or golden bread was something that only the rich would eat. For one, it has more of a cake than bread-like texture, and two, I don’t like raisins.
I should note that despite the gloomy title, the book is written by someone who truly loves Italy – he’s just trying to understand what makes it tick. Italy Guidebooks – Get the trip planning started on the right foot with a couple of good guidebooks. Personally, I’m a particular fan of Rick Steves Italy and Lonely Planet Italy – I tend to buy both before a trip, and bring both with me, although that usually ends up being overkill. The LP guides contain more history (good for pre-trip reading), and the Steves books are lighter-weight.
Sure, these days you can rely on Google Maps to get around Italian cities. But for anyone who a) isn’t so sure about using their data abroad or b) still trusts a map they can hold a bit better, the Streetwise Rome map remains the most usable one of the city I’ve seen. It’s laminated, so you don’t have to worry about spilling wine getting rain on it. And the map has much more detail than you’ll find on the free tourist maps in the city, but is still pretty easy to read and use. Let’s just say it got me through my first 3-plus years of never knowing where I was. This will be the perfect pick of Italy gifts for those who love collecting books as much as I do.
Travel insurance protects you and your family against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I’ve been using World Nomads for the last few years and love how easy it is to use. Compare rates to see which is best for the coverage you need. Flying into Naples and driving 4.5 hours down the coast can be beautiful and gives you the option of stopping in the Amalfi coast if you have time.
This olive oil is one gift that’s practical and delicious too. A popular cake, which has a slight bready consistency, originates from Milan. Italians traditionally eat panettone at Christmas and it’s rare to visit a home during the holidays without seeing one. Living in Italy, I’ve got a pretty good idea of the type of gifts your Italophile might enjoy. Authentic, practical and delicious, I’ve put together a list of 20 Italian gifts ideal for any special occasion. Are you friends with, or are related to someone who’s an Italophile?
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