Next to noshing on local goodies, shopping for exotic souvenirs tops many travelers' lists of must-do activities. Luckily, there's no shortage of markets, boutiques, and roadside vendors around the world hawking clothing, art, liquor, jewelry, and other authentic knick-knacks. And while some are certainly tourist-trap tchotchkes, others are iconic goods that are worth snatching up. In fact, the latter are often items crafted by locals with hundreds of years of experience between them. So whether you're looking to shower your friends and family with tokens from your adventure or simply want treat yourself to something you'll treasure for years, here are some local goods you have to bring home from these eight countries.
1. Hammocks in Mexico
From hand-painted folk art to reposado tequila, Mexico is famous for all kinds of items. But perhaps the destination's most charming souvenirs are its hand-woven Mayan hammocks from the Yucatan Peninsula. Not only do they economically benefit the rural Mayan families who make them, they commonly serve as sofas and beds in local homes.
Traditionally, Mayan women and children use a loom to tightly weave the cotton or nylon hammocks before dyeing them an array of colors. There are plenty of shops in Cancun and Playa del Carmen where you can pick them up, but we recommend going straight to the source -- the main market in Merida, the Mayan capital of the Yucatan. For a slightly off-beat experience, there's a local prison outside of the town of Valladolid, where industrious inmates also sell the products for under 200 pesos.
2. Leather in Italy
Salvatore Ferragamo and Guccio Gucci are Italian names that have become synonymous with luxury leather. Craftspeople around the country have plied their trade for centuries, creating the softest, supplest leather in the world. Milan, of course, is the fashion capital of Italy. The array of ultra-chic boutiques on the city's popular Corso Vittorio Emanuele II thoroughfare can make a shopping spree tempting, but you don't have to splurge at high-end stores to find the good stuff.
Head to Milan's East Market, where you'll score vintage bags and shoes for staggering discounts. Or, make your way to Tuscany. Thirty minutes outside of Florence, outlet centers like The Mall dole out name-brand items up to 75 percent off. For a more immersive shopping experience, check out Florence's Scuola del Cuoio. Located outside the monastery of Santa Croce, the school offers custom embossed goods from artisans who are learning the age-old trade.
3. Jewelry in India
India loves its glittering jewels. In fact, one of the world’s most famous diamonds, Koh-i-Noor, was mined in Andhra Pradesh and passed down to Britain’s Queen Victoria. For lavish weddings and festivals, Indians deck themselves out in shiny glass and gold bangles. Treat yourself to a set from the iconic Laad Bazaar in Hyderabad.
Delhi, which boasts dozens of markets and shops, is also a shopper's paradise. Chandni Chowk, where you can find affordable textiles and antique jewelry, is one of the oldest wholesale markets in the country. And Dilli Haat, another great bazaar, is set up like traditional village with amazing trinkets.
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