Greece is an amazing country surrounded by seas, whose life is filled with sunshine. It is a unique center of all cultures and has a rich historical background. The gentle sun warms residents for more than nine months a year, forcing tourists from different continents to return here again and again. Hospitable beaches, olive groves, ancient excavations leave no one indifferent. Like any country, Greece is filled with its own unique traditions, a piece of which every guest dreams of taking with him.
The country is rich in souvenirs, exquisite products, and chic clothes. Each tourist, arriving in a new place for himself, thinks about how to have time to relax and at the same time not forget about their loved ones, because they are waiting and will be pleasantly surprised by a souvenir from a distant overseas state. When rest fades into the background, each visitor goes to shops, markets, since the trading life of any country is saturated with its national customs, culture and symbols. We will tell you what to bring from Greece.
Natural fur coats
There is no real winter here, but it is here that many people go for fur coats. For centuries, craftsmen honed their craft until it reached an incredible level. The cities of Kastoria and Katerini are famous for their factories and salons, which sew fur coats from natural fur. Models vary in price and quality and are affordable for most buyers.
Every year in Kastoria there is an exhibition-sale, which is known all over the world as "EDIKA". Tourists from all countries come here who want to bring themselves a quality male or female fur coat made of natural fur. There are special fur coats tours that are organized in order to increase sales. You can buy a natural fur coat at any time of the year in a specialized store, but sales of previous collections begin in winter after January 15th. It is at this time that you can make a serious purchase.
Alcoholic drinks
Fans of spirits will be able to enjoy their wide selection. The exquisite Greek Metaxa has been one of the symbols of the country since 1888 and is distinguished by its rich taste and aroma. A drink with a different aging period and, accordingly, price is available for buyers. Soft, velvety Metaxa will become a real holiday for any evening and will warm yours with warmth.
Such a gift will be highly appreciated by a friend, colleague or boss. The exotic taste of Retsina or, in other words, resin wine will allow you to truly fall in love with wine. Such wines have been made in the country for more than one millennium and are distinguished by a resinous taste and a strong aroma. Resin has long been used by the Greeks to prevent souring.
It is also famous for its special anise vodka, which is called Ouzo. The beneficial properties of the drink, such as improving digestion and sleep, are combined with excellent taste characteristics. Ouzo cocktails with the addition of orange or tomato juice will adorn any evening.
Corfu is famous for its unique Kumkuat liqueur. It has an original taste thanks to the citrus fruit kumkuat, which is a cross between orange and tangerine. Jam made from this tasty fruit will appeal to jam lovers. But Raki, a vodka made from grapes with a tart aftertaste, is famous for its strong aroma.
Olives
The olive tree has been growing for over 500 years and is sacred on Greek soil. For their love for this tree, the ancient Greeks were nicknamed "olive trees". It should be noted that Greek olives have nothing to do with the canned food sold in Russian supermarkets. The Greeks do not pickle them, but pickle and stuff them; moreover, various seasonings are often added to souvenir options for taste. On the market they are bought by weight, and you can also try them there.
Good quality fruit should be shiny with a thin skin and a pleasant color. They are very salty, so they are usually soaked in water for several hours before eating. This is a delicious, high-calorie and healthy delicacy, without which no meal is complete. It is better to buy them for a gift in a glass container, as they look more attractive, besides, such a product is always pasteurized.
Olive oil
Greece has long been considered the birthplace of olive oil. It is not only a symbol of the country, but also its visiting card. In the old days it was used instead of money and was called "liquid gold". He was used in religious rituals, and he was prescribed divine origin. In terms of the amount of substances valuable for health, this product has no equal.
It is packaged in glass, plastic bottles or tin cans, and its classification by grade is indicated on the label. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - has the best quality, which is achieved by cold pressing. Pomace Olive Oil is considered the cheapest option, and it is obtained from the seeds hot.
Like any food product, it has a shelf life that should not be exceeded, otherwise the "liquid gold of Greece" will turn into a slow-acting poison. Small bottles, as well as sets with balsamic vinegar and spices will be an excellent gift. Various cosmetics are made on the basis of olive oil, but it is better to buy them in pharmacies, and not in stores.
Cheese
The most famous of the Greek cheeses is Feta. This is a real gift for gourmets and cheese lovers. It tastes like feta cheese, is made from sheep's or goat's milk, and is sold in supermarkets. To keep "Feta" fresh for a long time, it is stored in a strong saline solution in plastic sealed containers or vacuum packages.
In the summer, the transportation of such a souvenir is a little more complicated due to the heat, but it is quite possible to do it in the winter. Popular varieties include Graviera cheese. It is a salty cheese, hard in consistency, made from sheep's or cow's milk, which has a sweetish taste and caramel flavor.
Another type of hard cheese "Kefalotiri", which in translation sounds like "Greek hat". It comes in both white and yellow colors and has a slightly pungent aftertaste. As a rule, it is served as an appetizer to the alcoholic ouzo drink. Sheep cheese "Manuri" belongs to soft varieties. Its distinctive feature is a weak citrus aroma and a viscous consistency. Produce "Manuri" in the form of oblong cones weighing two to three kg.
Honey
Honey lovers will find a real abundance of this delicacy on the islands of Crete, Rhodes and Thassos. It is produced here of the highest quality and sold everywhere. You can find it in any grocery store or supermarket, but the most delicious honey is made in monasteries and villages.
The beekeeping product, which is obtained in apiaries high in the mountains, is considered to be especially tasty and of high quality. You can buy several varieties of monastery honey during an excursion, and you should not be afraid of a fake at all. In each region, the product is completely different in taste.
Pine and spruce honey are the most unusual, but there are other rare varieties such as thyme, lemon or orange. Honey in small glass jars with nuts inside will become a wonderful souvenir. On the island of Rhodes, a whole museum is dedicated to this healing product. It is in the museum shop that experienced tourists recommend buying good honey.
Sweets
Halva and sweets have long become traditional souvenirs for many tourists. Local baklava looks like a puff cake with all sorts of goodies inside.For the filling, they usually choose nuts, raisins, various spices, and season them with delicious natural syrup. An interesting feature is that there are 33 layers of dough in the cake, which symbolizes the age of Christ.
Treats are packed in souvenir boxes, or sold by weight. People who know a lot about sweets say that baklava by weight is more expensive, but it is also much tastier than packaged sweets. Turkish delight is very popular - an oriental sweetness reminiscent of soft candies. The filling can be different, like the shape itself. For the production of such sweets, only natural ingredients are used, such as nuts, fruit juice, honey, figs. In terms of shape and size, it is divided into: solid, cubic, cut and other types.
Locally produced kozinaki are especially appetizing. This sweet treat is made with different types of nuts, sesame seeds and honey syrup. In pastry shops you can find chocolate products called “chokolatakya”. This is a cross between candy and cake. They are sold by weight, and prepared without a strict recipe in front of buyers.
Spice
Every cuisine has its own preferences, but spices are loved by all nationalities. Greek women also actively use them in the kitchen, so there are spices and seasonings in every souvenir shop. It is they who add an exquisite and original flavor to food, and are also used as tea.
As a rule, each variety is packaged in sachets, but there are also mixtures of herbs designed for certain dishes. Saffron is highly valued all over the world. It grows near the city of Kozani, therefore in Greek it is called Krokos Kozanis. Tea is made from it and added to various dishes. Bringing such a gift is much more interesting than a fridge magnet.
Especially it will be appreciated by housewives who love to spend time in the kitchen. In addition to their wonderful taste and amazing aroma, spices and seasonings are also powerful antioxidants. Their unusual properties are useful for humans, but they should not be abused, because the consequences may not be entirely pleasant.
Orthodox symbols
Since Greece is an Orthodox country and has many operating monasteries and temples, believing tourists can buy Orthodox Christian items in the monastery shops, such as lamps, amulets, hand-painted icons made by hardworking monks. In monasteries, they can be endowed with special power by attaching them to the relics of saints.
During excursions to holy places, many want to bring a piece of them home and buy icons. They are ordinary or in the form of a book, on carved wood, as well as in a setting made of silver or with gilding. Small handmade icons of saints are suitable for friends, but if you want to really surprise someone, you can make a good expensive gift in the form of a handwritten icon purchased on Mount Athos. In the production of Byzantine icons, silk-screen paints are usually used, which helps to convey the technique of icon painting as accurately as possible and leave the colors unchanged.
They are coated with a special compound that preserves the original appearance of the icons for many years. The icons painted by monks in monasteries have special power and are amulets. To endow them with special properties, they are applied to the relics of saints, and left so for some time. In addition to icons, the monastery shops also have other Orthodoxy items - icon lamps, natural wax candles, handwritten prayers and crosses.
Ceramics
The pottery is very beautiful and of amazing quality. In ancient times women were engaged in pottery, and each family had its own pottery. Now more than ten people work in the workshops, and the potter himself rarely paints his products. A vase painter was considered a separate profession. Some vases have signatures. Sometimes the signature of the potter is accompanied by the word "made".
The craftsmen of Crete create truly original utensils with special ornaments, but the largest markets are in Athens at the foot of the Acropolis. Here you can find inexpensive vases, painted mugs and plates, as well as unique souvenirs - amphorae. They are so similar to ancient products that when exported from the country, a certain certificate is usually required, which confirms that the souvenirs are not of artistic value.
Jewelry
In memory of the trip, you can bring gold and silver jewelry with pearls, precious stones or intricate patterns. Jewelry is quite luxurious and resembles old jewelry, moreover, their prices are lower than in Russia. Gold and silver have always been held in high esteem here, and jewelers still cherish the traditions of the Byzantine Empire.
Large cities have a wide variety of gold jewelry, many of which look pretty interesting. The cutest things are brought by craftsmen from the island of Thassos. They make jewelry in the form of flowers or decorate them with original patterns. In Crete, jewelry shops create jewelry in the form of bees. The prices for non-gold items are low, so even handmade earrings and bracelets can become quite affordable souvenirs. Gold should be bought in the form of products, and not by grams, as it turns out cheaper.
Clothes and footwear
There are always good and high quality clothes on sale. But if brands are fed up with the order, the choice may fall on more interesting things. Locals sew original clothes that have an unusual design and are in demand among foreign tourists. Usually these are shawls, scarves or sweaters with some kind of ornament.
Handicraft is highly valued, yet there is a demand for it, besides, any product can be ordered from a master to your liking. Regular T-shirts for adults and children with different images are on sale everywhere. They look like cheap China, but almost all the shops are covered with them. Supermarkets prefer local produce, but there are also goods from neighboring countries such as Italy and Turkey.
Boutiques and chains of famous clothing stores such as Zara, H&M, Marks & Spencer are located in larger cities. The most famous shopping malls are in Athens, but there are also mid-range shops with reasonable prices and a good selection. Discount season usually starts in the second half of July, so it is better to plan your trip during this time.
Footwear products are represented by the following trademarks: "NAK Shoes", "HarisKazakos", "Boxer", "Haralas", "Migato". As a rule, these firms produce stylish quality footwear, and are designed for the middle price segment. In addition to footwear, you can look for stores where there are all wardrobe items for both men and women, from sportswear to outerwear.
Home textiles
To create coziness in the house, many people buy home textiles and other interior items. Textiles in Greece are sold not only in shops, but also in numerous workshops. They are created in the same style and decorated with elaborate embroidery. Sometimes real masterpieces come out from under the hands of the master, which can be bought right at the place of their manufacture.
In cities or villages, there are quite large enterprises and craftswomen in weaving and embroidery. For the production of textiles, sheep are bred, and their wool is used to make peculiar products with thick pile. The most popular are the "Flokati" carpets, which look very interesting in any interior.
In Crete, carpets, rugs, blankets, bedspreads and furniture covers are on stream. Today, every self-respecting housewife strives to get an ultra-fashionable fluffy carpet, in which feet are buried ankle-deep. Thin flocati made of knitted fur are also at the peak of popularity. Both carpets are made from environmentally friendly raw materials, moreover, they are original and beautiful.
Leather products
Greece has an excellent selection of leather goods.They are of high quality and are valued all over the world for their beauty. For yourself, you can bring comfortable leather shoes, such as sandals, but the choice is wide enough for shoes, moccasins and sandals. Everything about the skin looks right here. Connoisseurs of high-quality and beautiful things will not pass by belts and jackets. Wallets and bags are made of fine leather and have fanciful designs.
Leather goods should be purchased from specialized stores. The check will become a guarantor of quality, which means that, if necessary, the goods can be returned or exchanged. The leather goods market is full, and there is a huge selection in almost every city. You can even order any product from a local craftsman. For elderly relatives, orthopedic shoes are the best solution. These models are sold in pharmacies. They have a beautiful appearance and have soft insoles and good instep supports.
Cosmetics
The amazing nature has left its mark on the cosmetics that are made here from natural ingredients, without any chemical additives. The main ingredient in local cosmetics is olive oil, which is why it has such beneficial effects on hair and skin.
For girlfriends from the trip, you can bring the world famous olive soap with and without flavors, or natural sea sponges. Such a souvenir will be useful and pleasant for almost any woman and even a man. As a rule, soap is sold in pieces, by weight, or in sets.
Various scrubs, shampoos and gels are somewhat more expensive in a pharmacy, but in a shop or store the price is much less. Counterfeit goods are usually not found, because it is unprofitable to add chemicals to products. Among the large manufacturers of organic cosmetics, one can mention: "Aphrodite", "Olivelia Macrovita", "Olive Way", "Mastic Spa". Usually their products are of the best and seldom disappoint the consumer. In the Russian market, cosmetics from these companies are three times higher.
Souvenir products
The most inexpensive souvenir products are figurines, fridge magnets, small ceramics and shells. You can find them in any shop or in a spontaneous market, besides, there will be no problems with exporting them from the country. Connoisseurs of paintings will love the hand-painted canvases on which sights or simply colorful landscapes are depicted in oil or watercolors. The price of such work depends on the skill of the artist, technique and the size of the canvas of execution. Also, the price may include a picture frame.
The original komboloi rosary is brought to the boss or beloved man as a present. Although they are considered an indispensable attribute of a criminal authority, they still serve for decorative purposes and are used for relaxation. Sometimes beads can be seen in the hands of monks, but they have nothing to do with religion.
Summarize. Each region here is known for its own works and products. Legendary Athens is rich in unique and expensive antiques, as well as carpets made by famous craftsmen. Fans of ancient culture will find here figurines of the gods and heroes of Olympus. Exquisite jewelry will light up a spark in the eyes of any lady. Crete is famous for its handicraft carpets and leather masterpieces. And of course, traditional figurines of heroes will decorate the interior of every apartment or house. Unique herbal cosmetics will bring back beauty, youth and freshness.
Delphi are famous for their silver jewelry, as well as wool bedspreads and rugs. Ioannina gained great popularity thanks to the production of silver pieces. Local craftsmen are deservedly considered the best in the country. The trump card of Delos is the famous Delos mosaic. Outerwear with her images can only be found on this ancient island.
In Mykonos, you can buy perfumes from the sacred Mount Athos and reproductions of icons. Rhodes woolen products will warm you in the most severe frosts. The ceramics with the image of the Kolos of Rhodes, one of the "Seven Wonders of the World", is very popular among tourists. Also Rhodes is the right place to buy a new handbag, purse or belt, because Rhodes leather works have won great love throughout the continent. High-quality Rhodian ceramics will be a worthy decoration for every home. In Santorini, buyers will find high quality gold works and handcrafted jewelery.
And of course, the country is the homeland of exquisite alcoholic beverages, as well as olive oil, which has long been considered a symbol of the country, its hallmark. The olive tree gave Greece, in addition to a useful product, also miraculous cosmetics based on olive oil. Natural, fragrant, it will be a great gift for the fair half.
Those with a sweet tooth will be pleasantly surprised by national sweets, delicious fresh pastries, and aromatic sweets. Orthodox icons created in the Byzantine style and hand-painted by Greek craftsmen are very popular among believers. They can be found in souvenir shops and temple shops. But in a few words it is impossible to describe the whole gamut of the wealth of Greece, because it is ideal for shopping. Fashionable modern things will delight you not only with their originality, but also with first-class quality.
