Souvenirs with a Story

Published in the Sunday Gujarat Samachar on 23 March 2025

Unique Gifts to Bring Back from Around the World 

Every week at Veena World’s corporate office, we host a tour manager training session where we dive deep into different destinations, their culture, and unique travel experiences. During last week’s session, an interesting question came up—what are the best souvenirs to bring back from a trip? Our tour managers, who have travelled the world countless times, shared some fantastic insights about gifts that go beyond the usual fridge magnets and postcards. 

So, we decided to explore this topic further and share it with all our tour managers—and now, with you! Here’s a handpicked list of unique souvenirs from different parts of the world that make for meaningful gifts and lasting memories.

1. Japan – Omamori (Lucky Charms)

Japan is a land where tradition and spirituality blend seamlessly with modern life, and one of the most cherished souvenirs you can bring home is an Omamori—a small silk pouch that carries prayers and blessings from a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple. 

These charms are believed to offer protection and good fortune in specific areas of life, such as health, love, success, and safe travels. Each Omamori is unique to the shrine where it was purchased, with some temples being famous for specific blessings. For instance, Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto is known for love and matchmaking charms, while Naritasan Shinshoji Temple near Tokyo is famous for business success charms. 

Unlike typical good luck charms, Omamori are never opened, as doing so is believed to release the blessing. Many Japanese people carry them in their wallets, or purses, or hang them on backpacks. If you’re looking for a meaningful and deeply cultural gift, an Omamori is a wonderful way to share a bit of Japan’s spiritual heritage with your loved ones.

2. Morocco – Hand-Painted Tagine

Walking through a Moroccan souk is like stepping into a sensory wonderland—colourful textiles, aromatic spices, and intricate ceramics line the narrow alleys. Among these treasures, one of the most iconic souvenirs you can bring back is a beautifully hand-painted tagine. 

A tagine is a traditional North African clay pot with a conical lid, used for slow-cooking rich, flavorful stews. The unique shape helps trap steam, allowing food to cook gently while retaining its moisture and aroma. While some travellers buy tagines for decorative purposes, many are fully functional and can be used to cook authentic Moroccan dishes at home. 

When choosing a tagine, you’ll find a wide variety of designs—from earthy, rustic clay pots to vibrant, hand-painted pieces adorned with intricate geometric patterns and symbols. If you plan to cook with it, be sure to ask for a lead-free and heat-resistant version, as some decorative ones are purely for display.

3. Peru – Alpaca Wool Scarves

Peru is a land of breathtaking landscapes, from the towering Andes Mountains to the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu. But beyond its natural beauty, Peru is also home to one of the world’s finest natural fibres—alpaca wool. 

Alpacas, native to the Andean highlands, produce wool that is softer, warmer, and lighter than sheep’s wool. This fiber has been treasured for centuries, dating back to the Inca civilization, where only royalty could wear the highest-quality alpaca garments. Today, local artisans continue this ancient tradition, hand-weaving stunning scarves, ponchos, and shawls using intricate patterns that reflect Peru’s rich cultural heritage. 

When choosing an alpaca wool scarf, you’ll come across different varieties—baby alpaca (the softest and most luxurious), royal alpaca (even finer than baby alpaca), and alpaca blends (mixed with other fibres for durability). Authentic alpaca wool is hypoallergenic and incredibly insulating, making it perfect for cold weather.

4. South Africa – Zulu Beadwork

In South Africa, storytelling doesn’t just happen through words—it happens through colour, craftsmanship, and centuries-old traditions. One of the most meaningful souvenirs you can bring home from this diverse country is Zulu beadwork, a vibrant art form that carries deep cultural significance. 

The Zulu people have been creating intricate beadwork for generations, with each piece serving as a form of non-verbal communication. The colours and patterns woven into the beads tell a story about the wearer—white represents purity, blue signifies fidelity, red symbolizes love and passion, and green is linked to contentment and happiness. In the past, young women would craft beaded necklaces or bracelets as love letters, subtly conveying messages to their suitors. 

Today, you can find Zulu beadwork in various forms—bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and even home decor pieces. Many of these items are handcrafted by local artisans, making each one unique. 

5. Turkey – Evil Eye Talismans (Nazar Boncuk)

Walk through any marketplace in Turkey, and you’ll notice a common yet captivating sight—deep blue and white evil eye talismans, known as Nazar Boncuk. These charms believed to protect against negative energy and misfortune, have been part of Turkish culture for centuries. 

The concept of the evil eye dates back to ancient civilisations, where people believed that envious gazes or ill intentions could bring harm. The Nazar Boncuk is designed to counteract this by reflecting negative energy away from its owner. You’ll find these charms in various forms—necklaces, bracelets, keychains, wall hangings, and even embedded in ceramics or home decor. 

While widely available in Turkey, the best place to purchase an authentic Nazar Boncuk is from artisan markets in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, the coastal town of Bodrum, or the handicraft villages of Cappadocia. 

6. Switzerland – Swiss Army Knife with Engraving

Switzerland is known for its precision and innovation, and nothing exemplifies this better than the world-famous Swiss Army Knife. Originally designed in the late 19th century for the Swiss military, this multi-functional tool has since become a global icon of quality and practicality. 

The Swiss Army Knife, produced by Victorinox and Wenger, comes in various models, each equipped with different tools such as blades, screwdrivers, scissors, and bottle openers. Whether you’re an adventurer, a camper, or someone who appreciates clever design, this pocket-sized gadget is incredibly useful. 

What makes it an even better souvenir is the option to personalize it. Many Victorinox stores offer on-the-spot engraving, allowing you to add a name, initials, or a special message to your knife. This small customization turns an already remarkable tool into a meaningful keepsake. 

 

While souvenirs are wonderful keepsakes, the real treasures of travel are the experiences we collect along the way. Whether it’s discovering a centuries-old art form, learning about local traditions, or sharing a meal with a stranger in a distant land, the most meaningful souvenirs are the ones that come with a story. 

So, the next time you travel, look beyond mass-produced trinkets and seek out souvenirs that carry history, craftsmanship, and culture. These gifts will always remind you of the incredible world waiting to be explored. Chalo Bag Bharo Nikal Pado...