No exciting journey is complete without acquiring memorable souvenirs. Every country is famous for its signature attributes and national symbols that tourists strive to purchase to please their friends, relatives, colleagues, and loved ones, or simply to keep at home.
Many shopping enthusiasts can already imagine what unique souvenirs they can bring back from Switzerland. This European country combines the images of its closest neighbors, but at the same time, it has its own unique identity.
The Alpine republic is renowned for producing high-quality food products, multifunctional household and industrial items, and original personal items. These can be delicious, healthy gourmet treats or luxurious and prestigious industrial goods.
Modern shopping centers, brand stores, and cozy souvenir shops captivate tourists with their abundance and variety of a wide assortment of various product groups. Many beautifully perfect items in all respects meet high global standards of design and production.
Chocolate
One of the country’s most famous symbols is chocolate, produced in this European mountain country in an incredible amount and variety of types. This exquisite treat will make a great gift for family and friends.
Popular chocolate brands include Toblerone, Lindt, Teuscher, Maestrani, Läderach, Villars, Goldkenn, and DeLafée. They offer their sweet products in the form of classic bars, sticks, loose chocolates, or whole chocolate chunks by weight.
Supermarket shelves and branded stores display white, dark, and milk chocolate with various fillings. The traditional Swiss chocolate recipe uses only three main ingredients: butter, cocoa powder, and milk. For a richer taste, almonds, hazelnuts, puffed rice, raisins, sugar, and even salt are added.
Sets of chocolates shaped like mountain ranges, gold bars, or national symbols are sold in a wide assortment and quantity. Gift sets of small chocolates are worth noting. They feature several different varieties. Small sets cost about 5 francs.
Cheese
Cheese is considered a true treasure of the country and its recognizable brand. As souvenirs, it is recommended to choose only hard and semi-hard varieties of this dairy product, as they have a long shelf life. In stores, cheese prices start at 20 francs per kilogram.
Such cheese varieties as Appenzeller, Tilsiter, Sbrinz, Gruyère, Hobelkase, Emmentaler, and Schabziger are perfect as edible souvenirs. The delicacies differ in their degree of maturity, taste, and aroma. Each type of dairy treat has a sufficiently firm consistency for long transportation.
Local cheeses are famous for their valuable nutrients derived from whole milk. Each cheese contains calcium, a small amount of salt, and the aromas of herbs growing on local Alpine meadows. Many cheesemakers add aged dry white wine and special brine to the raw materials as additional ingredients.
For gifts, you can buy original sets of cheese slices rolled into tubes or a collection of gourmet varieties in wooden boxes. The pleasant creamy, moderately spicy, or slightly salty taste of the cheeses will leave no one indifferent.
Basler Läckerli Gingerbread
An interesting sweet souvenir is the famous Basler Läckerli gingerbread. Its honey flavor will conquer any sweet tooth. The original name of this delicious treat indicates that the gingerbread comes from the canton of Basel. Local confectioners first baked it in the mid-fourteenth century according to a secret recipe passed down from generation to generation.
Basler Läckerli products are small rectangular gingerbreads covered with a thin layer of glaze. The honey pastry filling includes coarsely chopped candied fruits, nuts, and almonds. Confectioners do not skimp on spices such as cinnamon and cloves with lemon for the sweet bread.
The gingerbreads are sold packaged and have a limited shelf life. It’s important to remember that after opening the packaging, they should be eaten without delay. Such sweetness creates a special festive mood and is perfect for a family tea party. The cost of gingerbread directly depends on its weight. On average, a package costs 6-7 francs.
Sausage Delicacies
A food gift from the central European state can be sausage delicacies. Notably, the entire assortment of sausages is mainly produced from organic pork. Tourists should visit food shops and stores where appetizing garlands representing gastronomic sausage masterpieces are hung.
Smoked Cervelat, dry-cured Salsiz, and Luganighetta sausages deserve special attention. Different types of sausages are seasoned with cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, and Marsala. Smoked products made from pork, beef, bacon with spices will delight guests with excellent quality and taste.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages pleasantly surprise with their variety, originality, and high quality. About fifty grape varieties are cultivated in the country, allowing for the production of original exquisite wines. The highlands, warm climate, many sunny days a year, and warm, dry wind contribute to this.
Swiss alcohol is not exported. Therefore, you’re unlikely to find it anywhere else. Thanks to its exclusivity, it can make an unforgettable gift. The average cost per bottle does not exceed 30 francs.
White dry wine Fendant is particularly popular. It is made from Chasselas grapes grown at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level. First-class vintage wines are aged in oak barrels for a long time, which helps to saturate the wine material with extractive substances. Gift bottles of strong drinks such as Williams pear brandy and Kirsch cherry vodka can be found in specialty stores.
Vitamins
You can purchase high-quality vitamins – Burgerstein and Swiss Energy. These well-known brands are undisputed leaders in the pharmaceutical market in their category. They offer a rich complex of vitamins and minerals that help strengthen the body. Burgerstein and Swiss Energy are available in various series.
There are vitamin-mineral complexes for maintaining immunity, strengthening the nervous system, and preventing bone and joint diseases. A wide range of beneficial substances for beauty and slenderness holds a special place. A unique series for fitness enthusiasts and maintaining athletic physical form is in demand.
The vitamins do not contain preservatives, artificial additives, colorants, or flavorings that could be harmful. The pharmaceutical products are released in capsules.
Watches
Watches have deservedly been the country’s main brand for many decades. They symbolize reliability, precision, style, and luxury. This is one of the best gifts tourists prefer to buy in Switzerland. Both wall clocks with a cuckoo and wrist models, considered status accessories, are popular.
Worldwide famous brands such as Swatch, Rolex, Tissot, Omega, Patek Philippe, Hublot, Breguet, Breitling produce various watch models to suit all tastes. They can be purchased in specialty stores and large department stores. Each collection features its elegant style of dials and bracelets. Swiss watches are made from high-quality materials.
Cases made of stainless steel, titanium, brass, silver, gold, or platinum can be adorned with precious stones. When purchasing a watch, the store must issue a certificate confirming the authenticity of the item. Swiss watch prices range from 70 to several tens and hundreds of thousands of francs.
Jewelry
Tourists should pay attention to jewelry. Renowned companies such as Chopard, Gubelin, Piaget, and De Grisogono offer a considerable selection of magnificent items made of gold and precious stones. In their masterpieces, jewelers skillfully combine centuries-old traditions with modern design solutions.
Attractive jewelry not only vividly highlights a person’s sense of style but also serves as a reliable assistant in creating elegant fashion images. Jewelry companies annually create new collections of jewelry using such precious colored stones as aquamarine, tourmaline, and spinel. They can be combined with diamonds and framed in yellow gold.
The dazzling shine of natural stones merges into a single symphony of timeless splendor. Earrings and rings, bracelets and pendants, lockets and chains, and other elegant unique items can capture anyone’s heart. The cost of jewelry can reach hundreds of thousands of francs.
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife is always in demand among tourists. It is an ideal gift for men. Multifunctional items come in all imaginable combinations: from a manicure set, screwdriver, and corkscrew to a complete assortment of all knives that might come in handy in life.
The army knife is made in a workshop with an impeccable century-old reputation. It will undoubtedly bring real joy to its owner thanks to its practicality, stylish laconic design, originality, and impeccable quality. The compact item, which is lightweight, easily fits in a trouser or jacket pocket.
The standard toolset, which includes the folding knife, contains a sharp blade made of durable, stainless steel. Stores offer a vast assortment of models, allowing you to choose a folding knife according to a man’s hobbies. Prices vary depending on the configuration and size but start at 30 francs.
Cosmetics
The production of cosmetic products is highly developed in the country. Swiss firms such as La Prairie, Valmont, Cellcosmet & Cellmen, Rausch, Bronx Colors, and Swiss Image offer high-quality products that undergo high-level laboratory and clinical testing.
The vast majority of cosmetic products are designed to address specific tasks divided into certain areas. In branded stores, you can buy special creams, gels, and oils for hair, face, the area around the eyes, neck, lips, and the whole body.
The compositions of cosmetics use exclusively high-quality natural plant raw materials grown in the Alps – edelweiss, juniper, mint, manuka, comfrey, and Alpine rose. The first-class pharmaceutical industry allows unique rejuvenating, toning products to be made from natural raw materials according to the most complex formulas. The average cost of a 50 ml cream is about 50 francs.
Manicure Set
A Swiss manicure set is a great gift for both women and men. The set may include universal scissors, tweezers, clippers, nail files, and other tools. The tools are made of high-quality stainless steel, ensuring the product’s durability and wear resistance.
Manicure tools feature a highly convenient design and high productivity in use. The sets come with functional cases where each item has its designated place. Thanks to the case, the set becomes a stylish accessory that can be carried around constantly. The price of a manicure set starts at 30 francs.
Tableware
Universal tableware sets can be brought back from the trip as souvenirs for family and friends. Swiss companies such as Swiss Diamond, Bodum, Kuhn Rikon, and Spring produce reliable, stylish kitchen utensils and accessories. Brand stores sell a wide assortment of tableware that may be needed for cooking culinary masterpieces. The cost of sets is 80 francs and above.
Unique aluminum pans with diamond non-stick coating, sauté pans, woks, and roasters made of cast aluminum, enameled cast iron pots, as well as tea and coffee accessories made of porcelain and heat-resistant borosilicate glass, deserve attention. The products are characterized by functionality, high-quality materials, simplicity and convenience of use, and attractive design.
Cowbell
Among the souvenirs, the cowbell stands out. These ringing decorative bells have become a kind of symbol of the country. They resemble the bells hanging on the necks of cows grazing on picturesque Alpine meadows.
It is believed that the bell ringing drives away evil spirits, so such a gift will always be welcome. Souvenir shops sell cowbells with ribbons and leather straps. The items are beautifully decorated with traditional ornaments, various drawings, and the country’s coat of arms. Their price is 6-10 euros.
Reuge Music Box
An original gift can be a music box from the Reuge company. The manufacturer of these extraordinarily beautiful items has been engaged in its craft since 1886. The skilled craftsmen of the Alpine country give the music boxes a special appeal that attracts tourists.
Music boxes have characteristic shapes. They can be designed as a chalet, barrel organ, piano, or mahogany chest. When the top lid of the item is opened, pleasant melodious music plays.
Sometimes inside, a tiny human figure performs a dance to traditional Swiss tunes.
Reuge boxes have always served not only as a place to store valuable items but also as interior decorations. Their price starts at 60 francs.
Caran d’Ache Pencils and Pens
Caran d’Ache is a world-famous company producing writing instruments, luxurious accessories for fine arts, and various stationery items. The assortment of this company, founded in 1915, offers a wide variety of products.
Premium writing instruments are not only a great gift for a significant occasion but can also be a promising area for business development. Elegant, presentable writing tools can evoke positive emotions associated not only with the gifting process but also with establishing a friendly connection between business people. The average cost of a branded writing pen is 40 francs.
Caran d’Ache stationery items are made following the highest quality standards and unparalleled sophistication. Fountain pens and rollers, ballpoint pens, and ordinary pencils, as well as bottles of ink, have a large margin of strength.
Collections of office pens and pencils are characterized by color diversity. Wallets, business card holders, organizers, and key cases are made exclusively from high-quality natural leather. Modern technologies make it possible not just to gift an item but to engrave the necessary logos or symbols on it, understandable only to the recipient.
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