Generally, as travellers, we rarely do much shopping. Initially, Suvendu (My husband) used to buy postcards and other items as souvenirs. At that time, I was not interested in souvenirs and did not understand their sentimental value. Later, we started reminiscing about our trips while looking at the souvenirs. Since then, I have realised and understood their importance. As souvenirs, we generally buy postcards, paintings, handicrafts, display pieces, wall hangings and similar items. We always select souvenirs very carefully, keeping in mind their uniqueness, connection with the location and links to its culture or history.
Souvenir shopping in Hanoi (L), Souvenir shop at Roma
Street Art in Rome and Colourful Souvenirs in Siena
After travelling for nearly 15–16 years, we have collected a large number of souvenirs. Although it was difficult to choose just a few from among them, I carefully sorted through our collection and considered which ones resonated most deeply with me before selecting my absolute favourites. These are the nine carefully selected souvenirs that I cherish the most.
My Travel Souvenir Display
1) Small Venetian Masks
We bought three dainty Venetian masks during our visit to Venice. Decorated with pink, blue and gold feathers and beads, they were simply too attractive to resist. They are so delicate and beautiful that I wish to preserve them safely for a lifetime. Venetian masks have a fascinating history dating back to the 13th century, and their use gradually became embedded in Venetian culture. People traditionally wore them during the Carnevale di Venezia, usually held in February before the beginning of Lent. The masks were used to hide people's identities, allowing them to mingle with those from different social classes during the celebrations.
Earlier, the masks were simple and undecorated; decorations using beads and feathers came from New Orleans and Rio. There are mainly six types of Venetian masks, from which we selected Colombina masks because of their elegant appearance. A Colombina is a half-mask that covers the eyes, nose and upper cheeks and is often embellished with feathers and beads. Learn more about Venetian Carnival Masks. These three colourful masks are among the most delicate and charming souvenirs in our collection, bringing back memories of the magical streets and canals of Venice.
Small Venetian Masks
2) Ceramic Table Bell
This lovely Delftware ceramic bell, featuring a Dutch landscape and windmill, is a souvenir we bought in Amsterdam. I cherish this table bell because of the beautiful Dutch scenery depicted in its subtle colours. Delftware originated in the 17th century in the city of Delft as an alternative to imported Chinese porcelain. Traditional Delftware features classic cobalt-blue designs on a white background, inspired by Chinese porcelain. Later, Dutch potters introduced a multicoloured style known as Polychrome Delft, similar to the table bell we purchased.
Table bells became part of European households during the 19th and 20th centuries and were commonly used to call domestic staff. The windmill painted on the bell represents the Netherlands' engineering excellence and is a national symbol of resilience and pride. It is a perfect souvenir that will always remind us of our journey to Amsterdam.
Ceramic Table Bell
We bought this adorable set from Chiang Mai Night Market. The market was filled with stalls selling clothes, jewellery, paintings, handicrafts, food and much more. Our late-evening stroll through the lively market streets was a wonderful experience. Among the many souvenirs, this elephant-shaped cocktail pick and holder set immediately caught my attention. The elephant, Thailand's official national animal, played an important economic role in the country before industrialisation. Historically, the kings of ancient Siam used elephants in battles to defend their kingdom, which gave these animals royal and sacred status. The holder, shaped like an elephant's head, and the small cocktail picks decorated with elephant motifs look truly adorable. This lovely set has found the perfect place in our souvenir cabinet.
Thai Metal Elephant Cocktail Pick and Holder Set
4) Florence Duomo Miniature – An Iconic Souvenir from Firenze
We bought this miniature of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. I still reminisce about my first glimpse of this grand Gothic architectural wonder while walking from the railway station to our accommodation during our first visit to Florence. The Duomo, adorned with horizontal and vertical patterns of pink and green on white Tuscan marble, looked majestic and awe-inspiring. Of all the places where we spent time, the area surrounding the Duomo remains my favourite in Florence. It has the perfect ambience for strolling around, admiring the architecture and observing fellow travellers from different countries. The small miniature displayed on my souvenir rack still catches my eye whenever I browse the collection. It has the power to bring back the beautiful memories associated with our time in Florence.
Florence Duomo Miniature
5) Pattachitra – Tree of Life
We bought this Pattachitra painting—patta means cloth or canvas, while chitra means painting—from Raghurajpur, a heritage village renowned for Pattachitra art. We visited the village while travelling from Cuttack to Puri in the Indian state of Odisha. However, the painting we bought is different from traditional Pattachitra. Traditional Pattachitra is created on a canvas prepared by joining multiple layers of cotton cloth using a paste made from tamarind seeds and chalk. Historically, Pattachitra mainly depicted religious and mythological stories. However, artists now also create paintings featuring decorative and contemporary subjects. If you want to know more about the historical and cultural significance of Pattachitra, read here.
Another form of this art is known as Tala Pattachitra, in which designs are engraved on palm leaves using a sharp iron stylus. The Pattachitra we bought is a contemporary painting created on tussar silk. Although the Tree of Life is not usually among its traditional themes, I was immediately drawn to this piece because I had long wished to own a Tree of Life painting. I am delighted that this charming artwork now holds an important place among my most cherished souvenirs.
Pattachitra - Tree of Life
6) Miniature Traditional Kerala Nettipattam (Elephant Caparison)
Adorned in golden, red and blue colours, the stunning Nettipattam holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. It is especially close to my heart because of its vibrant colour combination and its association with adorable elephants. Historically, war elephants wore caparisons and protective plates, which gradually evolved into decorative ornaments. The Nettipattam also has mythological significance. According to legend, Lord Brahma first adorned Airavata—Lord Indra's war elephant—with this ornamental caparison. During our trip to Thekkady, after some scouting, we finally found this captivating Nettipattam. It was available in different sizes, ranging from 55 cm to 270 cm. We selected a small 55-cm Nettipattam, which now hangs beautifully on our wall.
Miniature Traditional Kerala Nettipattam
7) Thai Lai Rot Nam Bangle
We found this exquisite gilded bangle during a stop at a shopping complex on our way from Chiang Mai to Doi Suthep. If you want to know about our trip, read our blog on Chiang Mai. The well-established, mall-like complex had several traditional craft workshops, including one dedicated to Lai Rot Nam. Here, the artisans provide information about different Thai art forms, and visitors can watch the live process of creating them. Lai Rot Nam, which literally means “water-rinsed gold motifs,” is a traditional Thai technique used to create intricate decorative patterns. A wooden panel is made glossy by applying multiple layers of black lacquer, after which artisans create decorative patterns or motifs on its surface using a water-soluble yellow gum paste. Earlier, they used gold leaf to create the patterns. This art form developed during the Ayutthaya period and became particularly popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. Earlier, the art form was created using real gold in Buddhist temples and royal palaces. We were fascinated by this beautiful art form and wanted to take home something that would remind us of it. This elegant black bangle, decorated with delicate golden patterns, immediately caught our attention and became a cherished souvenir from Thailand.
Thai Lai Rot Nam Bangle
8) Himalayan Pack Yak
We bought this elegant little yak from a small shop in Kathmandu. The shop had a wonderful collection of handmade, needle-felted figurines. Among them, we selected the yak because of its connection with Nepal and the Himalayan region. The yak is a large, long-haired bovine that lives in the Himalayas. It is often called the “ship of the Himalayas” and has long played an important role in the lives of Himalayan communities. It can survive in sub-zero alpine and oxygen-deficient conditions and, moreover, can carry loads of around 60–80 kg. Apart from being used for trade and transportation, it provides milk, butter, cheese, meat, fibre and leather. Generally, Himalayan people are highly skilled in knitting and needle-felting. This handicraft figurine captures the animal's gentle appearance very well. For us, it is not only an adorable souvenir but also a reminder of the resilience of Himalayan life. It also represents the lovely bond between Himalayan communities and the yak.
Himalayan Pack Yak
9) Stone Faces of Bayon Temple
The magnificence of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom was beyond anything I had imagined. The vast 12th-century Angkor Archaeological Park, spreading across 400 sq. km, contains more than 70 major temples and monuments. Bayon Temple, located at the centre of Angkor Thom, is one of its most important temples and is renowned for its serene stone faces. When we entered the complex through the South Gate for the first time, our first glimpse of Bayon Temple left an impression on my mind that will remain forever. Our miniature of the stone faces of Bayon is a modest yet evocative souvenir. Despite its small size, it has the power to bring back memories of the wonderful time we spent there. I am certain that Angkor will always remain one of the destinations closest to my heart, and this souvenir will continue to remind me of that unforgettable journey.
Stone Faces of Bayon Temple
To us, souvenirs mean much more than pretty objects; they tell us about the memories, the cultures, and the feelings associated with our travels. Whenever we see them, they remind us of where we went and what we did there. Even though these nine souvenirs were acquired from different places around the globe, they all combine perfectly to showcase the years of our travels. We want to add many more souvenirs and stories to this collection.
Posing with a Local Artisan
