Really Cool Italian Souvenirs

I’ve spent a lot of time with groups in Italy. Shopping is a major concern. People want to take home something that reminds them of the experience. I’m not sure how a plastic gondola that glows when you plug it in provides lasting memories, but they get bought a plenty.

But you don’t want cheesy crap, do you? There are lots of things that respect the traditions of Italy while providing memories. If you’re a foodie, that might mean a cookbook. If you don’t read Italian, finding one in Italy could be a problem.

Enter the “DIVA” of Divina Cucina, Judy Witts. She used to copy her cooking school notes and bind them for her students so they could see how Italian menus come together when visiting a market. Now she’s replicated the experience by designing a font that mimics her handwriting and getting a local publishing company to publish her cookbook with ample space for you to scribble notes in. You can even order a signed copy.

Judy’s recipe book, like the fine Italian hand in in the kitchen, is simple and homemade. What a gift it would make! See: Secrets from My Tuscan Kitchen

If you’ve ever been to Italy, it’s not so apparent that real men don’t wear pink. Houses here are often painted pink. Men live in them. Even big trucks of the kind that haul big, manly metal things are often painted pink. And the pink jersey of the Giro d’Italia is hard to earn. Which is why you need one.

Andy Hampsten pedaled like a madman in the snow to win the 1988 Giro d’Italia, and you can buy a maglia rosa of top quality from Andy, who runs Cinghiale Cycling here in Tuscany. See: Pink Wool, Got Yours? You can get it signed by Andy and frame it if you wouldn’t be seen dead in a tight pink sweater. I understand.

Ya know, if you’ve got the legs, the Cooking and Cycling in Castagneto tour in September sounds mighty enticing.


Really Cool Italian Souvenirs originally appeared on WanderingItaly.com , updated: Dec 10, 2020 © .

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