I’ve brought home enough unopened snow globes to know that returning with the perfect travel gift for those you left behind is something like picking a birthday gift for distant relatives: you’ll spend a lot on something that will end up collecting dust in a cabinet if you don’t choose correctly.

Here, in all their pride and glory, are some of my favorite souvenirs, and the best places to score them.

Scarves from Ethiopia

During a painfully long overnight layover I wandered in and out of the same two badly lit duty free shops about a hundred times before I noticed a tiny little wagon in an off corner of the terminal. There, a woman was selling a basket of hand woven cheap scarves of all types and colors of fabrics. The array was beautiful and as many travelers know, a scarf can be the difference between a pillow and none, a chill and some warmth, and many more predicaments. It’s a must-have.

Rosary Beads from the Vatican

Okay, here’s a little known secret for anyone who hasn’t been there. The Vatican has an awesome gift shop. I mean, amazing. At the end of the museum tour, past the glorious display that is Sistine Chapel and a few fantastic modern art displays, you end up in a winding hallway full of trinket boxes, shelves and shelves of books, and display cases as far as the eye can see. For a shopper, it was almost too much to take in. However, the carved rosary beads were beautiful, delicate, symbolic, and always remind me of the surprisingly updated curve of that little Italian cove.

Puppets from Prague

When I left for Prague I was a week into dating the fella who would eventually become my fiance. Needless to say I didn’t know him too well and brought him back what I thought was the holy grail of Prague gifting: Czech beer! That beer stayed in the back of his fridge almost as long as this relationship. However, the little rosy cheeked, kerchief-wearing girl I brought home for myself garnished a lot of loving stares. My handmade lady puppet, purchased from a kiosk off the Charles Bridge, has become the subject of cooing and awing for just about every guest shindig. Sorry about the beer, C.

Hot Sauce from Austin, Texas
When in Austin, it’s very tempting to reach for the bottle of BBQ sauce. I know, I did. I don’t need to get into details but between airport security, plastic bags, and sharp object, let’s just say this is an idea who’s day has come. Instead, take home some hot sauce to adorn the barbecue you’ll grill in your own backyard. Tears of Joy is an adorable shop of hot sauce and only hot sauce, from the amateur mild flavors to the wacky like dips and jellies, and even dangerous sauces like Habanero Pepper and Ghost Pepper.

Comics from Brussels

Another beer no-brainer city is the beautiful capital of Belgium. Belgian beer! Do it! Well, turns out many places in the US also sell Belgian beer and, oh boy, was that a waste of shipping or packing or being extra careful with your carry-on. Brussels is also home to Tintin, a fictional 20th century reporter that grew out of World War II and onto the walls of numerous murals across Brussels. Stop by The Tintin Shop near the Grand Place and bring home a piece of the plucky little guy.

Woven Baskets from Rwanda

In Rwanda it’s considered a sign of warmth and friendship to give your guest a basket. I found that smaller baskets come in gorgeous colors, many shapes and sizes, and fit right into my carry-on. At home they’re fantastic for keys, coins, and other random items. From local shops to larger markets, you can also bargain for a well-priced basket in just about every corner of major cities like Kigali.

A few years ago I had the misfortune of missing my flight from JFK to Prague- and the great fortune of having to take a necessary detour to Germany. Though I only spent a few hours in Dusseldorf, it’s prescence at this weekends New York Times Travel Show reminded me why I love this city so much!

If you ever find yourself taking a detour in Dusseldorf, get out of the airport! Many major attractions in Old Town are just 15 minutes from the terminals, and a few are even closer. Don’t be shy to hurry to Old Town and grab a beer at one of the 200+ bars and restaurants. Plus, the culinary delights of Media Harbour offer Italian, Cuban and tons of variety other than standard fare German cuisine, views of the Rhine.

Fashion lovers can take a break from peanuts and dirty seat blankets by shopping on the Ko, that is, Konigsalle, the boulevard of fashion. Besides being home to International outfitters and local boutiques, there are several fashion trade shows that call this Dusseldorf region home.

Art and architecture fans get a special treat in this hip German city. It’s no surprise to FSD readers that I’m a HUGE fan of Frank Gehry’s work, particularly the Fred and Ginger Building in Prague. But, Dusseldorf has quirk times three. The city’s famous Dancing Towers have become iconic, and frame nearby skyscrapers and the modification of Rhine Harbour.

Look for children doing cartwheels by the harbour. This cute tradition started in 1288 when kids celebrated battle success.

One more tip: If you’re planning a visit, look into the Dusseldorf WelcomeCard. At 9 euros you are getting a great deal with complimentary rides on trains, buses, and trams, plus entrance to exhibits at around a dozen cultural institutions and meal deals.

Dusseldorf Tourism

AOL Travel in Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf Hotels on Trip Advisor

Prague is not the first place most people look to when taking a European vacation. Between Paris, Rome, and London, there are so many Western European cities to consume the energy of Americans that we sometimes forget all of the beautiful history lying just slightly to the left. Because of that- or in spite of- it can be difficult to round-up a unique souvenir when visiting Eastern Europe. Case in point: Prague.

This beautiful, regal, funky Czech Republic capital makes for an amazing vacation. A great dollar to koruny ratio, plenty of free sites, and lots of English speaking natives really do make it an excellent trip for anyone who needs a travelers education. But what to bring home? Steer clear of cheesy shops lining Old Town, grab your cash, and make your way to the Charles Bridge.

To many, this 15th century bridge simply serves as pathway from hotel to Prague Castle, but on my most recent trip I learned that the Charles Bridge is a sight in itself. In early evening, serenaded by the sounds of the violin players that line either end, visit the craftsman’s kiosks and pick up a few gifts for the people at home, and even yourself.

From little old ladies selling handmade earrings to delicate crystal perfume bottles; from artists painting views from the bridge to puppeteers shaping marionettes and Russian dolls; from mulled wine to hand knitted mittens, there’s a wealth of goods here- and for much less than tourist target shops.

One more major plus? At this hour, while the sun is setting over the Vltava River, you can take near expert level photographs of the bridges archaic architecture. An awesome gift to print out and frame when you get back home.

I’ve wanted to see the world since I first ran out into my backyard as a young child, was promptly yelled at by my mom, and locked back inside.

Though I credit a certain amount of curiosity, I also believe my love of reading had a great deal to do with it. Books can take you anywhere you wanna go, for a short time, but when the pages closed, I longed to be in the lands for-real and forever.

Below you can find a few of my childhood favorites, that gave me a sense of adventure, and made me question life outside of my bedroom. I hope they give your kids a new outlook on life, too.

Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson

Nothing rips out your heartstrings like kids in danger, but tragedy and emotional strife aside, Terabithia is a place in every one’s minds that we wish we could go to when life isn’t exactly what we want. From lonely children to the office worker locked in a dark cubicle for the entire day, doesn’t it feel good to let you mind wander, to turn the backyard, or bus stop, or coffee room, into a place where you’re Queen (or King) and everything is beautiful for just a few minutes?

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, E. L. Konigsburg

I was born in New York City, and sat up at night watching the B train (now the D train) sail past my house, wishing I could hop on and live in the City alone. In this Newberry winner, a brother/sister team run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They live the dream of anyone who has ever visited, by sleeping in historic beds, viewing statues at night, and finding their own treasures in the process.

James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl

Dahl’s famous story of escaping tragedy gets a lot of grief from children’s book censors for it’s somewhat graphic content. The idea, though, of taking a common household object, using it to run away from your problems to a place full of magic and friends, is acceptable to all ages. It just took one read for me to understand the title character’s need to see someplace, be somewhere else, in order to find himself.

Jumanji, Van Allsburg

Can’t get to a safari? Let the safari come to you! I think we’ve all wished travel was as easy as opening a board game. What also sneaks into the book, however, is the idea that you must play the rules of the game to survive in it; a meaning us adults can take on real safari by knowing that when we respect every place we travel to, we’ll fit in just fine.

Madeline, Ludwig Bemelmans

Francophile Anna, age five. I dressed up as Madeline for the annual town Halloween contest and haven’t gone back since. The idea of strolling the city, balloon in hand, meeting a mysterious and well-dressed boy, and coming home to a house of caring BFF’s is something I’d love as much today as in 1989.

Meet Kirsten, Janet Beeler Shaw

Anyone who grew up in a house full of travel could appreciate the American Girl books. For me, Kirsten rang true to what my family experienced, coming over from Italy. I could see my grandmother, arriving in New York City, scared and excited, finding other Italian families, and creating communities. Of course, it just made me long for friends from different lands, and the chance to see the countries, too.

Number the Stars, Lois Lowry

Striving through difficult times has always inspired me, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the classroom when this book was assigned, but a lot of people forget how important a part the city plays in this story of WWII era Europe. Copenhagen has become one of my favorite places to travel in my adult life, and the stories of Ellen and Annemarie (I’m sure the name-in-common helped too!) solidified that in my heart.

The Boxcar Children, Gertrude Chandler Warner

Finding a new place to live, in a new area… sounds great, doesn’t it? The Boxcar Children made a simple old train car into a home, in a secluded area of nature, where they learned how to adapt to their surroundings, and created the life they wanted to live. In a less backwoods sort of way, I dream of packing a bag, moving to Prague, or Buenos Aires, or Vancouver, making a new home, and being happy forever.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis

This first Chronicles of Narnia book is packed with wanderlust from the first page: a mysterious mansion, the doorway to an adventurous land, a foreign people filled with secrets. Sure, the Bahamas may not be through your closet door, but the steps the children take when meeting new friends in Narnia can be approached on a Caribbean island as much as a fictional storyland.

Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak

For a book with no words, Sendak’s illustrated classic has stuck to the hearts and minds of generations of kids, including director Spike Jonze, whose adaptation of this story hits theaters this fall! Our hero, Max, is going through a little bit of a hard time. To cope, his mind takes him to a land where his new friends expose him to adventure and excitement, and he ultimately becomes the hero by learning exactly what he has to offer the world. Sometimes we can become so scared in our daily lives, that we get stuck. Sometimes, all it takes is something foreign and new, like being in a place where we don’t speak the language, or having to navigate our way around, or making a week last on just a few dollars, to remind us what we have in ourselves.

Continuing Architecture Week on Frill Seeker Diary, I want to pay homage to the works of my other favorite Frank, Frank Gehry, a man who has caused a lot of personal excitement and grief in my life.

Gehry, whose latest design incarnation is supposed to shadow my little Prospect Heights Brooklyn apartment, has a unique way of highlighting whatever area of the city he decides to plant his projects in- and I both yearn for, and fight against, seeing a Gehry stadium in Atlantic Center, Brooklyn.

This project aside (for now), let’s turn out attention to the other magnificent works of this architect. Below, find a few near you.

Walt Disney Concert Hall. Los Angeles, CA, USA
Anything Disney, you say, shaking your head. Before you write this off as a Disnophile entry, check out this amazing concert space. LA is known for shiny, happy buildings but Gehry’s sparkling masterpiece sparked a revival in the LA Philharmonic, and added a fourth building to the LA Music Center. A pretty worthy cause, if you ask me.
More: Wikipedia, Daily Dose, WDCH.

The IAC Building. New York, NY, USA
Perfect, perfect, perfect. As if all involved knew what would someday become of this once deserted strip of land, the IAC Buildings now sits as the backdrop to Highline Park, one of the city’s most beautiful strips: lush with green, yet striving with city. The grey and white panels of the building in stark contrast with the flowing wildlife, but teeming with New York energy, one needs only to walk along the newly opened park for the most spectacular view of this avante garde yet totally 100% useful space.
More: IAC Building Interactive.

Dancing House (aka The Fred & Ginger Building). Prague, Czech Republic
I’d heard a lot about this teetering modern masterpiece before my trip to Prague and had it on my to-do list, but it wasn’t till I actually was driven past the waterfront monument, in a cab at 4am, after a drunken night in Karlovy Lazny, that I fully realized why. It’s hard to describe the Fred & Ginger Building except to say that it both repulses and delights you at the same time; somewhat unfinished, like you want more, but totally giggling inside at the joke Gehry has played on the world by crafting this leaning Art Nouveau tower that hugs itself.

More: Wikipedia, The Prague Experience.

Gehry Tower. Hanover, Germany.
A much calmer installation of Gehry, with the same witty twist, this Hanover Building more closely resembles it’s city backdrop than many of his other works. Tough, by feminine, utilitarian, but aesthetically pleasing all at the same time. The giddy twisting design is actually the work of a genius; making the best use of the tiny lot the building was created on, and lending a hand to it’s spectacularness.
More: Structrae.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Bilbao, Spain.
Most museums attract art lovers for the work on the inside, but this amazing museum is well known across the world for it’s not too shabby exterior view, too. The Guggenheim Bilbao is a stainless steel looking sexy, curvy statue, filled with works of similar proportions and design. Gehry has noted that each random shape and buckle of the exterior is to catch the light, so on any given day, on any given time, you could have a myriad of sparkles, created by sun on man-made materials, that might never be replicated again. Now that is art.

More: Bilbao Museum, Guggenheim Museums, Frank Gehry Works.

Prague has been getting a ton of attention, due in part, I’m sure, to the Czech Republic’s “visit for under $100/day program.” I dunno if I spent under $100 per day when I visited, but regardless, today I’m missing cobblestones, castles, and Kafka.

They also have a funky series of Travel Guides, hosted by real flight attendants, to cities like Prague, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, and New York City. These videos are a great example of how some amateur camera work, simple editing, and real employees can make it seem like a corporation is in-touch with it’s customers.