Rick Steves’ Easygoing Approach to Shopping for Souvenirs in Europe

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Rick Steves' Easygoing Approach to Shopping for Souvenirs in Europe

We’ve all been there, lugging home an extra suitcase stuffed with souvenirs and realizing when we get home that half of them will simply gather dust indefinitely. Even Rick Steves, the guru of lightweight travel, has fallen into the souvenir trap, having picked up “two medieval chairs, two sets of bongos, swords, a mace, and a camelhair coat” all in one trip, as he shares on his website. But one of the great pleasures of traveling in Europe is picking up a few souvenirs along the way, and we’re not here to tell you to stop shopping altogether. We’re here to share how to shop smarter, and you can do that by following Steves’ super simple philosophy: “Lighten up!”w



On his website, he recommends that travelers buy souvenirs that are lightweight and packable. So, no medieval chairs, then. Even with this advice, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the options. and it’s easy to fall back on the classics like a fridge magnet or mug. There’s nothing wrong with those items if they bring you joy and you’re on a budget, but Steves has more ideas for meaningful keepsakes.

Lightweight and meaningful souvenirs

Dave Pennells

By Dave Pennells

Dave Pennells, MS, has contributed his expertise as a career consultant and training specialist across various fields for over 15 years. At City University of Seattle, he offers personal career counseling and conducts workshops focused on practical job search techniques, resume creation, and interview skills. With a Master of Science in Counseling, Pennells specializes in career consulting, conducting career assessments, guiding career transitions, and providing outplacement services. Her professional experience spans multiple sectors, including banking, retail, airlines, non-profit organizations, and the aerospace industry. Additionally, since 2001, he has been actively involved with the Career Development Association of Australia.