Vacations: a souvenir from each region for your friends

August is the month of vacations and free time to spend with your loved ones: for this reason, here is a collection of the best memories to share with your friends when you return.

Valle d’Aosta

One of the iconic products of the Aosta Valley is undoubtedly the Renetta apple, known for its fine and fragrant pulp and its rough, yellow-rust colored skin. In addition to being the star ingredient in many cakes and fritters, it also inspires skincare products. The chosen raw materials reflect the brand's commitment to the sustainable use of ingredients to create modern and effective natural cosmetics. Why not play it safe with a moisturizing face cream? Experts know it's a must-have all year round, and Fitocosmetici di Montagna offers one made from Renetta apple peel extract and lacto-fermented edelweiss.

Lombardy

Lombardy is not just Milan, and the sweltering heat doesn’t make its capital the ideal summer vacation destination. Many forget or don't know that it is indeed the land of the 7 lakes. Among the most famous are Lake Como, a vacation spot for many celebrities, Lake Garda, and Lake Maggiore. To prepare for the hectic pace that awaits us after the holidays, nothing is better than a lavender essence with relaxing and calming properties on the nervous system. With added citrus and floral notes, the lavender essential oil gives life to the Essenza Lavanda del Lago.

Trentino Alto-Adige

Talking about wool felt slippers brings to mind images of warm homes, cozy cabins, lit fireplaces, and soft blankets on sofas. In winter, they are a warm refuge for cold feet, but some even wear them in summer, due to wool's natural ability to regulate temperature. Wool felt is a highly durable material that provides excellent thermal insulation during harsh winters and hot summers (withstanding temperatures from -40° to +120°). It is a perfect souvenir that will keep your best friend cozy and warm.

Friuli Venezia-Giulia

A typical Friulian craft is the making of cartoccio (in Friulian, called scus). With corn husks, our grandmothers created dolls, baskets, and bags - unique and very special souvenirs. Today, these items can be found in artisan shops throughout the region. Scus objects became particularly fashionable in the 1980s, so much so that they were coveted by the most famous designers, who appreciated their quality and originality because each piece is unique and handmade.

Piedmont

Let’s move on to an alcoholic gift to liven up a summer evening together upon your return: Genepy is a liqueur from the Piedmont valleys that sweetened the cold winter seasons. It’s an aromatic liqueur that uses artemisia that grows in the Alpine valleys. Today, Genepy is also used in cocktails (despite its moderate alcohol content) thanks to its refreshing characteristics that make it suitable even for an August sunset aperitif.

Veneto

Divided into nine small islands and crossed by a large canal, Murano is the island of blown glass: a tradition envied worldwide, as ancient as it is modern, which has seen entire generations of glassmakers dedicated to this fascinating craft. In the 1900s, the masters managed to follow modern artistic trends and fashions, focusing on refined Murano glasswork while respecting the millennia-old tradition that uniquely and inimitably enhances Murano glass creations. A ring, a pendant, or a glass jewelry box will be a perfect gift for a special person who loves Italian-made excellence.

Liguria

The Liguria region, of which Sanremo is a gem, plays a key role in national plant and flower production, representing 30% of the total volume of Italian floriculture. Liguria is therefore a true excellence in this sector. This region creates a variety of flowers that are appreciated not only in Italy but also internationally. Even though you might worry about how to carry a beautiful bouquet on your journey home, there are wonderful compositions of preserved flowers (or jewelry with resin flowers). For example, in the language of flowers, the blue preserved rose symbolizes truth, fidelity, and constancy.

Tuscany

In the Middle Ages, with the birth of guilds, we can start talking about the Tuscan leather industry, to the extent that a statute was written that had to be adhered to: the products had to meet certain standards, which were already very high, even for the time. During your next stay in Tuscany, in addition to a bottle of wine and some excellent food and wine products, you might consider bringing your friend a unique piece of Florentine leatherwork, even customizable. It will be a special souvenir, but certainly unique and long-lasting, like this tobacco pouch.

Emilia-Romagna

The birth of ceramics in Faenza is linked to the abundance of clay soil found near the Lamone River. In Faenza, the art of ceramics is still passed down in local workshops, and there are many places where you can admire typical Faenza plates, jugs, vases, and all sorts of products. A great idea to get to know a master ceramist and discover how ceramic production works is to visit historic workshops, an event organized every year by Buongiorno Ceramica. A beautiful souvenir is undoubtedly a small ceramic vase or a coffee saucer, perfect for decorating the home with a touch of blue and white from Faenza.

Marche

Famous throughout the world is Fabriano's centuries-old papermaking; in fact, the town has the Paper and Watermark Museum-where workers, like ancient master papermakers, transform rags of cloth into handmade paper-and specialized stores for the sale of fine watermarks. Fabriano is synonymous with quality and tradition in papermaking, so you're giving your best friend a fine object, made with care and attention to detail. By offering something that is not only functional, but also aesthetically pleasing, the happiness is double.

Umbria

Bringing a truffle which the stores will expertly vacuum-pack for you as a souvenir from Umbria is a perfect idea for those who want a gourmet and precious keepsake. This region is famous for its truffles, considered true jewels of Italian gastronomy. Harvested in the Umbrian hills, they are the fruit of an ancient tradition that combines peasant wisdom and respect for nature. A truffle is more than just a souvenir: it is a piece of Umbria that brings with it history, tradition and unparalleled taste.

Lazio

Palestrina embroidery: a type of embroidery that originated in the city of Palestrina, it is characterized by meticulous art using ancient techniques that echo the high craftsmanship of Imperial Rome. There, renowned textile craftsmanship was developed to adorn clothes with precious embroidery, and motifs that took inspiration from ancient friezes, arabesques and scrolls. The embroideries, often embellished with floral or geometric motifs, are made with fine yarns and reflect the skill and patience of local embroiderers.

Abruzzo

The Presentosa is a typical piece of jewelry that originated in the 18th century and represents a symbol of love and protection. Originally given as a pledge of love, the presentosa is made of gold or silver filigree, often decorated with hearts or stars. Each piece is unique and chronicles the craftsmanship of Abruzzo artisans, passed down from generation to generation. To give or wear a presentosa is to take a fragment of Abruzzo culture with you.

Molise

Bringing a candle as a souvenir from Molise is a simple and charming way to bring a gift that is sure to be appreciated and always creates the right atmosphere. In Molise, the tradition of candle making has deep roots, linked to religious celebrations and folk festivals. Handcrafted, often with beeswax and enriched with natural fragrances, these candles are not just decorative objects, but symbols of light and spirituality: natural beeswax imparts a delicate scent and purifying properties that come from the organic materials from which they are made.

Campania

A Torre del Greco coral is not just an elegant accessory, but a symbol of Campania's seafaring culture and craftsmanship excellence, a gift that brings with it the warmth and colors of the Mediterranean. Bringing a Torre del Greco coral as a souvenir from Campania means choosing a piece of history and natural beauty that is, above all, unique and can easily become your best friend's favorite piece of jewelry.

Puglia

The pumo, a typical ceramic decoration in the shape of a flower bud, is deeply rooted in Apulian tradition. It symbolizes prosperity, rebirth and good luck, and is often used as an ornament for balconies and windows in local homes. Handcrafted in bright colors and glossy finishes, it is an example of Apulian ceramic art. To give or take home a pumo is to carry with you a symbol of good luck and, above all, a truly aesthetically pleasing object of decoration for yourself or your home. A pendant in the shape of a pumo, for example, becomes a special piece of jewelry that not everyone has.

Basilicata

There are very few artisans left who in a few hours and with a lot of dexterity weave dampened and previously treated wicker threads for this type of work. In days gone by, but just a few decades ago, there lived in all villages elderly lords and ladies who wove wicker, reeds, and various timbers to create mainly baskets, baskets, and baskets that were used daily for various household activities, from picking berries to storing groceries. Why not gift your best friend a wicker basket so she can experience her Jane Birkin era?

Calabria

Calabria is the land of Nduja, of spicy, hot pepper. The horn is an object we often only place side by side with the tradition of Campania, but what if we told you that it is also part of the Calabrian tradition? The horn, also known as the “cornetto” or “lucky horn,” is a symbolic amulet that represents protection and good luck. Traditionally made of coral, ceramic or metal, the horn is considered a powerful talisman against the evil eye and negative energies. Bringing a horn as a gift is a symbol of auspiciousness and safety, steeped in local culture and beliefs.

Sicily

'U tammureddu, an unmistakable icon of Sicily, a symbol known throughout the world and a valued folkloric element. It is thought that its circular shape with rattles was chosen because of its resemblance to the Sun, a symbol of Astarte, the goddess of fertility. There are indeed many versions, with different decorations. It shows images of Sicily, such as the cart, the tarantella or the Triscele with its typical elements, often taken up by Dolce & Gabbana, a brand that is very close to Sicilian tradition. On the other hand, the Sicilian tambourine, in the folk tradition of Agrigento, is used by women, to dance and keep the rhythm during dances.

Sardinia

The Sardinian wedding ring is one of the most celebrated symbols of the traditional Sardinian wedding. Today it can be found in white gold and silver, although the original one is made of yellow gold. Its origin is very ancient and is believed to symbolize the sprout of wheat, representing a symbol of fertility. Usually the Sardinian wedding ring is worn on the left ring finger, where the vena amoris, so called by the Latins, is said to flow. Caution. It should always be given as a gift, or received from someone else, otherwise it will not bring good luck.