The Things We Bring Back: Travel Mementos With Meaning

Whether they’re knickknacks that capture the essence of a place, sentimental somethings from someone you met at a destination, or local finds from faraway markets – souvenirs have a wonderful ability to rekindle travel nostalgia, spark conversations, bring smiles and spread happiness.

We asked ten seasoned globetrotters to reflect on their most memorable souvenirs, in hopes of inspiring others to bring back special commemoratives of their own. From the practical to the unexpected and the gifts that mattered most, here’s what they gathered, as well as the meaningful stories behind them.

Blue And White Ceramics
Abigail King of Inside the Travel Lab

“Many of the souvenirs I have bought stand out in my mind, although not always for the best reasons. Of course, there were the souvenirs from my twenties: herbal liquors that seemed a good idea at the time, that itchy alpaca sweater that I never had the confidence to wear outside of Peru, and too many traditional hats to mention.

“I had reined in my souvenir impulses as I hit my thirties, but that all changed once I had a house to call my own. Now, I have space and a (semi)genuine need to kit it out. Enter these blue and white ceramics from Andalusia. Not only do they look beautiful, but the workshops that make them, nestled alongside the Guadalquivir River that threads through Seville, are the best of their kind in the world. So popular are these azulejos that Sevillanos use them for their street signs and house numbers as well as indoors. They are hardy and practical, yet soothingly beautiful.

“The workshops themselves are welcoming, dusty places. To enter, you need to step over stacks and piles of ceramics, always within a whisker of sending the whole lot flying. You can browse, undisturbed, along the streets of Triana and then pause in the tapas bars by the water, soaking in the view of the Torre del Oro.

“Getting them home again presents an additional frisson and challenge. Will they crack, will they break? Will your souvenir-loving heart be fractured into as many pieces as they will? Well, so far, so good. They’ve all made it back in one piece. So, on top of reminding me of the allure of Spain, they also remind me to take a chance every now and again.

“Because I’ll probably make it back in one piece as well.”

Abigail King is the founder of Inside The Travel Lab, described by National Geographic Traveller as “Essential Reading” and Lonely Planet as “one of the best travel blogs in the world.” She writes for those who care about the people, places and cultures that they visit. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

The Mighty Indispensable Borkota
Will Tang of Going Awesome Places

“While there are always patches, magnets and postcards, when it comes to what to collect when travelling, the memorable ones are those that you don’t necessarily plan for. One particular souvenir that we proudly display at home is something that most people wouldn’t even recognise, and it came from one of the most off-the-beaten-path challenging trips I’ve ever taken.

“During my 9 days in Ethiopia, I had a chance to visit the indigenous tribes of Omo Valley. While it was easy to pick a miniature statue, necklace or hand-carved bowl from one of the local markets we visited, I was somehow drawn to a piece of furniture called a Borkota. Like a wallet or handbag, everyone carries one of these small wooden carvings in their hand. Tribe members use it as a chair while sitting, and as a headrest when lying on the ground. When they’re on the move, it isn’t a smartphone that they carry in their hands, it’s the mighty indispensable Borkota.

“Arriving at Dimeka Market, I leaned over to our guide and asked him to help negotiate a decent price. I didn’t know what made a good chair or headrest, but nevertheless, I looked at some designs and tested a few (as you would with furniture). It certainly wasn’t the plan to bring a Borkota home, but I felt that it was emblematic of the everyday lives of Ethiopian tribes and a central part of what I experienced in Omo Valley. And the best part is that if I ever need an emergency stool, I know where to go.”

Will is the Chief of Awesome at Going Awesome Places, specialising in outdoor adventure and experiential travel. He shares detailed itineraries and travel guides for better and more confident travel. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

A Fish Bone Bracelet
Kristin Addis of Be My Travel Muse

“Speaking of memorable souvenirs, mine would have to be my bone bracelet gift. I was hitchhiking through China and was offered a ride by a couple of businessmen bound for Chengdu. On the way, we passed a town that’s famous for its fish, and they treated me to lunch there (in China, it’s common practice to feed a hitchhiker!).

“The fish is, apparently, well-known for a sword-shaped bone in its head, so my gracious hitchhiking host asked the waitress to make the bone into a bracelet. This must’ve been a common request as she presented it to me in a red jewellery box and everything. I’ve never had the urge to wear such a sharp gift but nonetheless, it’s still my favourite.”

Kristin Addis is the CEO of Be My Travel Muse, one of the biggest solo female travel blogs in the English-speaking world. Her vision of a better world is one where more women are empowered and living out their dreams. See her on Instagram and YouTube.

An Authentic Hookah
Deb and Dave of The Planet D

“We love gathering memories from our travels, and one of the best ways to relive our moments abroad is to take a piece of it home with us. Be it a didgeridoo from Australia, a Masai walking stick from Tanzania or a drum from Indonesia, we have our house decorated with travel memories.

“One souvenir that really stands out is our hookah from Jordan. We spent our time searching for one at every market while travelling through the country with our guide, Ali. He kept telling us to wait to buy one, and on our last day when we were setting out to finally make our purchase, he, and our driver Mahmoud, presented us with an authentic hookah as a gift. They had watched us eye them all week long and decided to give it to us as a parting gift to remember them by. It stands in our living room beside our fireplace, and we always think of them and our time in Jordan when we are relaxing by the fire. “

Deb and Dave founded ThePlanetD.com in 2008 after cycling the continent of Africa, and have worked as full-time travel bloggers, videographers and photographers since 2009. Named by Forbes among the top 10 travel influencers in the world, they continue to inspire adventure through their award-winning visual storytelling. Look them up on Instagram and YouTube.

A Collection Of Faded Polaroid Photos
Daniel James of Dan Flying Solo

“My favourite souvenirs from my travels are a collection of faded polaroid photos that decorate my walls. Capturing a moment in time, often with a new friend (a fellow traveller or a local I’ve met), and not knowing quite how it will turn out, makes for a perfect souvenir of a snapshot in time, compared to nowadays when we have the ability to take countless re-takes until we get the ‘perfect photo’ on our cameras or phone.

“I always make sure to take two photos of the same kind at once. Knowing that the people I’ve met might also have the same photo on their wall somewhere, long after our encounter has ended and we’ve lost touch, makes every captured memory extra special.

“Two photos really standout for me: (1) of an elderly lady I shared a meal with somewhere along an Indian highway when the bus stopped for lunch, and (2) of a family that welcomed me into their home for tea in the Peruvian mountains. These are moments that can never be recreated, yet somehow stay alive in a little white square.”

Daniel James is a British travel writer and photographer currently living in Lisbon. Happiest lost with a camera in a new destination, his passion for travel focuses on local experiences, interactions and culture. Follow him on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Beer Coasters And An Authentic Cuckoo Clock
Nadine Sykora of Hey Nadine

“One of my most memorable trips was to Slovakia and the Czech Republic, where my dad was born and raised. It was his first trip since he immigrated to Canada in the 1960s. We spent a lot of time walking around and eating in many of the local pubs. Each place had different coasters with various Czech beer brands on them, and after we’d finish eating, we’d also take them back with us as souvenirs. Now we have the coolest beer coasters for home! As well as some matching glasses, too (which we bought)!

“My best/worst souvenir was an authentic cuckoo clock from the Black Forest in Germany. I bought it at a typical tourist shop that all tour buses stop at, but it was beautiful, and I fell in love with it. It was large, delicate and very expensive, but I was determined to bring it home. I made the terrible mistake of packing and carrying it around with me for the rest of my trip.

“After two weeks of lugging it around Europe, I made the decision to finally ship it back home, for an additional, whopping £87. But shortly after setting it up at home, we disabled the clock. Listening to the cuckoo every single hour was far too annoying. So now it’s just an expensive decoration hanging on the wall, but it’s good for a laugh.”

One of the top travel vloggers on YouTube with over 48 million views, Nadine Sykora’s content is full of advice and adventure to help and inspire new travellers as well as seasoned globetrotters. Visit her on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

A Handcrafted Berber Rug And A Handmade Chullo
Paul and Mark of Anywhere We Roam

“We always try to support the local community as much as possible when we travel, so some of our favourite souvenirs are also ones that are handmade by the locals. Watching entrepreneurial people pour their creativity into their livelihood is such an enriching part of travel!

“During our trip to a small Berber village in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, we saw adult women catching up on education they had missed in their youth. And the funds for their education were being raised by an entirely women-run co-operative selling handmade woven carpets.

“Outside, a hand-painted sign on a red mud hut proudly displayed ‘Tapis Berberes’ (Berber Carpets). Inside, rugs were being handcrafted by a colourful group of women. We purchased one, and it’s one of the most memorable travel souvenirs we have.

“Speaking of a practical souvenir, we picked up a chullo (a Peruvian knitted hat with earflaps made from Alpaca wool) from a man selling his handmade chullos, while we were on tour of a bustling market town in the Sacred Valley in Peru. These hats are traditionally made by men for their sons; the colours, motifs and patterns identify local Andean tribes, giving the simple creation a rich cultural heritage. Not only did the chullo keep us warm on those cold nights in the Peruvian mountains, but it also continues to remind us of local encounters that make travel such a rewarding experience.”

Paul & Mark are travel writers who discover hidden gems and local specialities on their blog, Anywhere We Roam. They help travellers get more out of a destination with curated guides, natural scenery and achievable adventures. Follow them on Instagram.

A Mini Hiking Stick
Sarah and Eric of Chopsticks On The Loose

“As we prefer to travel with backpacks over wheeling around a suitcase, it’s very rare that we have space in our bags to fit souvenirs – that’s also why most of our favourite souvenirs are actually photographs we’ve taken throughout our trips. But one exception to this was the mini hiking stick we picked up when we climbed Mount Fuji during our year travelling across Japan.

“The stick itself isn’t anything special, it’s literally an octagonal wooden stick with a bell tied to it that we bought from a store at the start of the hike. But as you climb Mt Fuji, you pass by several mountain huts that can brand your walking sticks with unique stamps – some serve as blessings for wealth and luck while others are a reminder of reaching the highest point in Japan.”

Sarah and Eric co-run Chopsticks on the Loose, a media company that focuses on creating travel content that inspires others to get out and explore more of our world. Visit them on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

A Friendship Bracelet
Nastasia Yakoub of Dame Traveler

“During a trip to Cambodia in 2019, I visited the popular ‘Ta Prohm’. As I was waiting for crowds to clear to capture a photo, I saw a little girl sitting on the floor next to me. We exchanged smiles and greetings. She looked at my camera and asked if she could take a photo of me, and I willingly obliged. She had a blast, giggling and taking a bunch (of very good shots, might I add!) as a man started yelling at her. She snapped right back at him fearlessly. I was quite impressed. We ran around the grounds, taking goofy selfies, giggling, and having so much fun. She had an incredible personality!

“But just as I was about to leave, I noticed her innocence vanish as she tried to sell me a souvenir. It broke my heart to see a ten-year-old feeling pressured to earn a living at such a tender age. Instead of walking away, I sat her down and asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. She giggled and looked down in sadness. Looking her in the eye, I reminded her how smart, beautiful and well-spoken she was – that she was capable of doing anything she dreamed of and to never to forget that. She gave me a hug and handed me a friendship bracelet. I’ll never forget her, and I pray that she finds her way.”

Nastasia Yakoub is a labour and delivery nurse turned photographer, travel blogger and author. She has leveraged her passion for travel and photography by founding a revolutionary women’s travel community, Dame Traveler, where female travellers can inspire and connect with one another. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, and get a copy of her book, Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure.

Local Currency Notes
Kach Umandap of Two Monkeys Travel Group and Filipinopassport.com

“Since quitting my corporate job in 2013 to go backpacking, I was always on a very tight budget and had a limited luggage allowance. I only carried a 15 kilogramme backpack and a small hand-carry bag.

“Only in 2015 did I switch to a suitcase, so I really wasn’t able to collect anything besides currency notes. I made sure to always save a note at the end of each trip. I remember my trip to Venezuela and Somaliland (Somalia) where I ended up exchanging a lot of local money and giving it away as souvenirs. Now, these currencies are framed and displayed in our house.

“Other than that, I only collect passport stamps and have filled up 4 of my passports from the 170 countries and territories that I’ve travelled to.”

Kach Umandap is the co-founder of Two Monkeys Travel Group and Mr and Mrs Howe sailing blog. Having left the Philippines when she was twenty, she has travelled to over 170 countries and territories on all 7 continents while running her online businesses. Look her up on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.