The Best Souvenirs for the Curious Cruiser

The Best Souvenirs for the Curious Cruiser with Collette

Collette’s Cruising Tours call out to travellers who think the world’s best sightseeing comes from the deck of a boat. These tours offer a variety of experiences, and culturally curious travellers are drawn to small ships and private yachts charted for adventure. From drifting back in time along Egypt’s Nile to exploring remote corners of the sea in Patagonia, these travellers are exploring on water and immersing themselves in local culture on shore.

  

But how should you share your epic seafaring journey with loved ones back home? And what mementos should you pick up to remember your trip by?

Yerba Mate Tea
Sam suggests buying alfajores for the sweet tooth you’re shopping for. These traditional Argentinian cookies are two pieces of crumbly shortbread with a layer of dulce de leche in between.
Sam’s go-to calafate berry product is jam, which has a similar texture to blackberry preserves. This is a great gift to grab a travel companion – it’s a literally sweet moment to reminisce and think about getting back on the road with your morning coffee and a slice of toast. We connected with the destination experts behind Collette’s Patagonia: Edge of the World, Treasures of Egypt, Machu Picchu & Galapagos Wonders, and Venice and Croatian Islands Cruise tours to get their advice on the best souvenirs from these adventures.

Souvenirs from Patagonia

Collette Product Design Manager Sam Kern is Collette’s in-house expert for all things South America. In a recent podcast episode, she detailed that connecting with people and trying local food are some of her favourite parts of travel. Her nature as an adventurer and an adventurous eater are definitely at play in her Patagonia souvenir recommendations.

Yerba mate tea is a traditional South American caffeinated drink. In addition to offering a quick punch of energy comparable to a cup of coffee, the beverage is also culturally significant. It’s considered a symbol of national identity to Argentinians. Many families gather together for daily “mate breaks,” and sharing the tea is also a common act of hospitality.

Sam says that yerba mate is traditionally prepared in a hollowed-out gourd and drank through a metal straw called a bombilla meant to help filter the tea. Giving the yerba mate with the cup and straw is a great gift to share a cultural story, and show how much you care.

Dulce de Leche Sweets

The origins of dulce de leche are unclear, but there are several rumors. One tale says that it was created by accident in the 1800s, when an Argentinian milkmaid accidentally overcooked a batch of milk and sugar.

There are similar versions of this legend in other countries. But whatever the truth may be, the fact remains that dulce de leche has a significant presence in Argentina. It’s hugely popular and considered a symbol of the country’s gastronomy. And it’s versatile! Drizzle it on fruit, use it as a filling in cakes, or even eat it straight out of the jar.

Calafate Berry Products

Calafate berries are native and specifically significant to Patagonia. The almost purple berries could almost pass for blueberries if you saw them growing, and they’re commonly spotted in Torres del Paine National Park.

Calafate berries are symbolic of the region, and also carry some lore: It is said that those who eat calafate berries are destined to return to Patagonia.

Souvenirs from Egypt

Egypt is a bucket list trip. Travellers are drawn to the home of one of the world’s most ancient civilizations that was built around the Nile River. Adventurers are excited to retrace its ancient history by land and water.

Collette Senior Product Design Manager Shannon Levi, Global Contracting Manager Usama Sokker, and their team work hard and offer a wealth of knowledge. They bring Egypt journeys to life and make sure to include the local insight that you can only find with the experts.

Here are their souvenir suggestions to help mark an unforgettable trip, and share this destination with loved ones back home.

Cartouches

Historically, a cartouche was an oblong sign, indicating royalty in hieroglyphics. They could be sculptures, or amulets. The first cartouches date back to the 2600s BCE, and there are centuries of superstition that have stuck with them. The oval shape surrounding a royal’s name was said to protect them from evil spirits both in life and after death. Today, they have become symbols representing luck and protection from evil. Shannon said that today, cartouches are commonly sold as jewellery, in silver or gold, and are inscribed with a person’s name spelled in Egyptian hieroglyphs. These custom pieces are a unique and thoughtful souvenir for the ancient history buff waiting back home.

Paper Goods

From ancient-inspired gifts to something more modern, paper-based souvenirs are a great gift that won’t take up too much space in your luggage.

Paper Goods

From ancient-inspired gifts to something more modern, paper-based souvenirs are a great gift that won’t take up too much space in your luggage.

Papyrus is the oldest form of paper in the Western Hemisphere. From around 2560 BCE to the 10th century, the papyrus plant grew widely in the Egyptian Nile Valley. Its stalk was cut into thin strips, pressed, and dried to create the world’s earliest paper.

While the plant isn’t as widespread as it was then, it still grows and there are artisans making the paper using the traditional means still today.

Shannon says that papyrus scrolls are often decorated with images inspired by decorations found in ancient Egyptian tombs. She suggests those with traditional motifs, like the tree of life, make a great souvenir to bring home.

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