Mary Louise Posted October 17, 2017 #1 Share Posted October 17, 2017 hi, In June, I will be going to,Stockholm, Helsinki, Riga, Tallinn, and St. Petersburg. What did CC members buy for souvenirs in these ports? What stores are good for buying souvenirs? Thanks ML Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllieR Posted October 17, 2017 #2 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Things I have purchased... Stockholm: a wooden Dalahorse Tallinn: wool sweaters and hats, a linen tablecloth Saint Petersburg: replica Faberge eggs, a picture book of the sights in Saint Petersburg (because those photos are better than anything I could ever take :)), and some crystal Helsinki: handmade knitted items and crafts from the marketplace, plus the book, "Finnish Nightmares" (which could have just as easily been titled, "Canadian Nightmares"). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GradUT Posted October 17, 2017 #3 Share Posted October 17, 2017 The only souvenirs I bought were in Tallinn as Christmas gifts for friends and family. I got several handmade round trivets (hot plates) made of fragrant juniper wood. (The juniper smell is enhanced when a hot item is placed on the trivet.). Apparently Tallinn is known for their juniper handicrafts. The trivets were small, flat, lightweight and unique. I saw them in the couple of souvenir shops we went to, but I bought them at a stall on the Sweater Wall market for less than the stores charged. Two years ago, I paid 9 euros each for the trivets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onyx007 Posted October 17, 2017 #4 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Sounds about right what EllieR wrote, alternativly if you like booze, you can buy some Vodka. And in Finnland I bought a nice knife, with a wooden sheet and handle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljandgb Posted October 17, 2017 #5 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Tallin has nice shopping at reasonable prices at the pier. Wool, juniper, and linen are they're main focus. I actually bought a small wooden and wool sheep, and a felted wool hat. Dd bought a thick sweater. I bought clogs in Stockholm with lingonberries painted on them, found in one of the many little stores in Gamla stan. SPB has all the usual Russian items - eggs, nesting dolls, lacquer boxes, fake furry hats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Louise Posted October 17, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Thank you everyone for these ideas. Did anyone buy amber? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljandgb Posted October 18, 2017 #7 Share Posted October 18, 2017 are they're main focus Holy cow, where is my brain. ...their main focus... I need to refrain from posting until my second cup of coffee. Sorry, no amber here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Louise Posted October 18, 2017 Author #8 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Lol. No judgement zone in this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishfulone Posted October 19, 2017 #9 Share Posted October 19, 2017 In Tallinn we bought two small water colour drawings of the town and its towers from a lady in the Long Street. They're now framed and a beautiful reminder of our visit to such an historic town. They were not expensive, about $15 each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quasar1011 Posted October 19, 2017 #10 Share Posted October 19, 2017 In Tallinn we bought two small water colour drawings of the town and its towers from a lady in the Long Street. How did you get them home? I wouldn't mind buying some art in the Baltic countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishfulone Posted October 19, 2017 #11 Share Posted October 19, 2017 How did you get them home? I wouldn't mind buying some art in the Baltic countries. The drawings are about half an A4 size each. The artist packed them in cardboard and I just kept them flat with other paper, a guide book to St Petersburg, etc as support. They travelled very, very well in the inner lid section of my reasonably solid carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g0ingn0w Posted October 22, 2017 #12 Share Posted October 22, 2017 I bought amber jewelry in Tallinn in a jewelry store near the port. Buying amber in Estonia instead of St Petersburg was recommended in a couple of the travel books I read preparing for the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mort&fran Posted October 23, 2017 #13 Share Posted October 23, 2017 How did you get them home? I wouldn't mind buying some art in the Baltic countries. We bought a somewhat larger picture from an artist in a craft mart in Durban, South Africa. He apparently was experienced dealing with tourists, because he had a small supply of appropriately-sized cardboard tubes. He rolled our picture into a tube and sealed it, and the picture made it home intact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desdichado62 Posted October 23, 2017 #14 Share Posted October 23, 2017 two older threads https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2501604 https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2490754 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynncarol Posted October 28, 2017 #15 Share Posted October 28, 2017 Thank you everyone for these ideas. Did anyone buy amber? It's been years since we went, but in St. Petersburgh, at our request the Alla tour guide took us to two shops that sold gorgeous and reasonably priced amber. In fact, I was wearing one while attending a big craft show 2 years ago and at an amber jewelry booth, the vendor, who was busily waiting on others, saw it, stopped in his tracks and exclaimed, "Where did you get that? I love it!" PS...I know I paid less than $50 for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shofer Posted October 28, 2017 #16 Share Posted October 28, 2017 The woolen items in Estonia are of very high quality and make great gifts. I purchased a Russian headdress for my granddaughter in St. Petersburg. Of course I had to get the matching blouse and dress. She was thrilled to receive it. I also make it a priority to get a Christmas ornament from each county. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Louise Posted October 28, 2017 Author #17 Share Posted October 28, 2017 It's been years since we went, but in St. Petersburgh, at our request the Alla tour guide took us to two shops that sold gorgeous and reasonably priced amber. In fact, I was wearing one while attending a big craft show 2 years ago and at an amber jewelry booth, the vendor, who was busily waiting on others, saw it, stopped in his tracks and exclaimed, "Where did you get that? I love it!" PS...I know I paid less than $50 for it. You purchased your amber in SPB? If so do you remember where? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Louise Posted October 28, 2017 Author #18 Share Posted October 28, 2017 These are great ideas everyone. I am compiling a list. I think I will need to bring an additional bag to bring Home Souvenirs. Please keep sending your lists. Thank you ML Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynncarol Posted October 30, 2017 #19 Share Posted October 30, 2017 You purchased your amber in SPB? If so do you remember where? Thanks Sadly, I don't as it was quite awhile ago. However, both were high-end type of shops and apparently government approved. I bet if you are taking a private tour and asked, they would know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Louise Posted October 30, 2017 Author #20 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quasar1011 Posted November 2, 2017 #21 Share Posted November 2, 2017 Will Baltic ports have a decent selection of polo shirts? I can wear business casual polo shirts to work, and would like to pick up a couple shirts with Baltic themes. I plan on sailing August-September of 2018, and I know these shirts can be seasonal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailingpeace Posted November 3, 2017 #22 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Favorite souvenir : my kuksa cup ( careful , some are manufactured, some are hand made) Yes, it takes a few cups of coffee ( or tea) to break it in, but after that you have it forever and you choose one that fits your hand perfectly. https://ultimathule.fi/en/291-kuksa-cups/ Beautiful wool sweaters in Tallin ( still great condition after years of use) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drakes2 Posted November 3, 2017 #23 Share Posted November 3, 2017 You purchased your amber in SPB? If so do you remember where? Thanks I bought an amber pendant while on a tour with SPB tours. It was on day 2 in Russia and was the last stop before returning to the ship. A small souvenir shop which had a great selection of amber pieces. It's a nice shape and size with various shades of amber in a Sterling silver setting. I have received many compliments on it. Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Louise Posted November 4, 2017 Author #24 Share Posted November 4, 2017 I love all these great ideas. I am making a list of what to look for at each port. Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Keep the replies coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giantfan13 Posted November 22, 2017 #25 Share Posted November 22, 2017 We bought the usual nesting dolls, but we bought them in Tallinn as we felt the prices were better there. In St Petersburg, my DW admired a music box with a Russian church on it. It was selling for about $100 on our ship. We saw the exact same thing at one of the push cart vendors. We sort of snuck away from our tour for a few minutes and purchased the same music box for $25 after some haggling. We paid in US dollars and got US dollars as change. Cheers Len Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now