Gift shopping in Europe
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A
Mr Wood’s Fossils
Founded by the famous fossil hunter who discovered ‘Lizzie’, the oldest fossil reptile yet discovered, this fascinating speciality shop has a wide range of minerals, gems, fossils and other geological gifts.
reviewed
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B
Stenelux
Buy an old fossil for that old fossil you left back home. Stenelux has a smart collection from this world and beyond (including meteorites).
reviewed
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C
Madera
Double-takes are a given at this modern design showcase, where wooden spoons look like tongues, elegant pasta bowls are made of recycled plastic bags and teapots in foam-rubber tea cosies look like they’re wearing scuba gear. Most pieces are by owner-designer Francesca Meratti and other Italian designers, with some Scandinavian and Japanese influences, in a well-curated collection of original design objects starting at €15.
reviewed
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D
Manner
Manner – Vienna’s favourite sweet since 1898, a glorious concoction of wafers and hazelnut cream – has its own concept store now decked out in the biscuit’s signature peachy pink. Buy the product in every imaginable variety and packaging combination (tip: it’s a fab snack to carry around sightseeing). There’s a second location at Vienna airport ( [tel] 7007 335 40; Terminal C; open 7am to 8pm daily).
reviewed
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E
Aqua Altra
Global-minded but with Italian tastes firmly in mind, this volunteer-run fair trade co-op sells single-origin chocolate from Sierra Leone growers’ collectives, mod graphite-silver sandals made by Palestinian artisans and match-standard footballs made by a Pakistani cooperative. The group also occasionally organises organic food stalls around town, including near Piazzale Roma.
reviewed
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F
Le Botteghe
Italian design sensibilities meet global awareness at this fair-trade boutique on the steps of the Rialto. Gondola rides call for foldable straw hats, made by a Bangladeshi collective, in rich shades of saffron and fuchsia, while kids expecting gifts back home will be suitably impressed by recycled cans fashioned into toy airplanes and clever coin-purses by West African artisans.
reviewed
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Alimentari Principi
Foodie gifts, picnic supplies, hundreds of bottles of wine – it's all here. Alimentari Principi will package and ship anything in the store, from jars of truffles to wild-boar sausage and fresh pasta, perfect for sending home a few culinary souvenirs. (Check on import laws in your country first, as some items such as meats and cheeses aren't allowed.)
reviewed
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G
Herrlich
Next time you’re looking for a gift for ‘Him’, peruse the racks of this fun store stocked with carefully culled men’s delights. From retro alarm clocks to futuristic espresso machines – even a walking stick with hidden whisky flask – it’s all here without a single sock or tie in sight.
reviewed
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H
Market Hall
Just behind St Nicholas' Church is the large Market Hall, constructed in the late 19th century after the Dominicans were expelled by the Prussian authorities and their monastery standing on this site was pulled down. Wander through to check out the various shops and their contents, including food and clothing.
reviewed
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I
Mat
A hobby that turned into an obsession for the late national chess champion Athanasios Diamantopoulos has put this tiny shop on the world map for chess enthusiasts. His wife continues to sell a large range of his original chess piece designs (from around €60 to around €1000), including the popular 'Athenians'.
reviewed
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Sargadelos
Santiago's old town is littered with shops selling handicrafts, including the characteristic local jet or jet-and-silver jewellery, which is beautiful and ornate. You'll find plenty of traditional Galician lace here, too. Sargadelos sells the attractive ceramics made in the Galician village of Sargadelos (near Lugo).
reviewed
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K
Själagårdsbodarna
The shop that time thankfully forgot, this lovingly cluttered burrow belongs in a bedtime book. Squeeze your way in for cute knick-knacks like moose-shaped cookie cutters, pressed-tin trams and original 1920s bookmarks. Best of all, the affable owner will wrap it all up in Emily the Terrible gift wrap.
reviewed
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Nieuws
A mind-boggling array of kooky trinkets crams this entertaining store – from quirky action figures (we love the Crazy Cat Lady, the Obsessive Compulsive, Rosie the Riveter and Albino Bowler!) to mini patron saints, foreplay dice and voodoo dolls. Travellers love the Wash Away Your Sins soap.
reviewed
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M
Sunday Flea Market
The big Sunday Flea Market takes place at the end of Ermou, towards Gazi, where traders peddle their stuff from the crack of dawn and you can find some bargains, interesting collectables and kitsch delights among the junk. This is the place to test your haggling skills. It winds up around 14:00.
reviewed
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N
Aha Ha Ha
The guys at Aha Ha Ha have enough plastic poo, fake vomit, stink bombs and remote-control electronic farting machines to keep your average Dennis the Menace happy for a month or more. It’s also a good place to go if you’re looking for Halloween masks, costumes, magic tricks and practical jokes.
reviewed
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O
La Ninja
Off-the-wall indie design from Sweden and beyond, including comic-print wallets, pop-art clogs, super-kitsch Anne Taintor tote bags and fairy-tale tank tops from Singapore’s Lynda Lye. The retro-print bedsheets from Farg Form are a huge hit with nostalgic generation-X Swedes.
reviewed
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Duty-free Shops
Andorra has over 2000 shops - more than one for every 40 inhabitants. Most of Andorra la Vella's duty-free shops border the eastern part of Avinguda del Príncep Benlloch, the length of Avinguda de Meritxell and into its continuation, Avinguda de Carlemany in Escaldes.
reviewed
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P
Cats & Things
Head here when the cat (or cat lover) back home deserves a souvenir. There’s the expected assortment of kitty toys, sculptures, grooming needs, beds and climbers, but this shop proves that feline-themed merchandise need not be kitschy and can even be cool.
reviewed
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Q
Sabbie e Nebbie
The latest East-West trade-route trends begin here, with Japanese-inspired Rina Menardi ceramics, woven opera wraps that are saffron on one side and paprika on the other, and handmade books from Bologna made with Japanese paper-marbling techniques.
reviewed
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R
La Maison du Cerf-Volant
‘The Kite House’ has just that – kites in every conceivable size, shape, colour and design, as well as kits with which to make them. You’ll also find quite a nice collection of boomerangs and Frisbees, including ones that light up in the dark.
reviewed
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Roullier White
Back-to-basics shop with wooden floors and Victorian-style display cabinets flogging hard-to-find household products and gift items from often long-forgotten manufacturers (slippers, glassware, towelling, cleaning products). Worth the trip.
reviewed
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T
Aldo Fefè
Started by the owner’s father in 1932, this tiny arched workshop produces beautifully handpainted paper. Products include wrapping paper, little chests of drawers, writing paper, picture frames and photo albums, among other things.
reviewed
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U
Efeoğlu Spice, Herbs & Turkish Delights
If you're keen on culinary keepsakes or looking for a pressie for mamma, then this shop sells all sorts, from mountain tea and strings of dried chillies (so urban-chic) to wonderful spices and delicious Turkish delight.
reviewed
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V
Cereria Subirà
Even if you’re not interested in myriad mounds of colourful wax, pop in just so you’ve been to the oldest shop in Barcelona. Open since 1761 and at this address since the 19th century, it has a voluptuous, baroque feel about it.
reviewed
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W
Gio Batta Delia
Behind a photogenic façade close to City Gate, this browse-worthy store sells the big names in fine chinaware and glass (eg Wedgewood, Meissen) alongside more Malta-specific treasures such as prints, pottery and old lace.
reviewed
