Food souvenirs: the Med

Go to market
The most entertaining way to shop is from street markets – the best bet for local specialities. The atmosphere of a busy market will also provide the happiest memories. As to which local shops are best for particular treats, here’s where your tasty waiter comes in. Ask him or your hotel manager, or even the bedroom-cleaning staff where they buy their groceries. If you’re in Greece, Italy, Spain or Portugal, talking to the locals is the best way of finding out where to buy locally pressed olive oil – the finest cooking souvenirs of all. If you are lucky enough to hear of a nearby oil latheropoleion or fattoria, take along a clean plastic bottle for filling. You’ll be stunned at the difference in taste between this ‘liquid gold’ and the oil you’re used to buying from your nearest supermarket.

Otherwise, try the supermarket in your village or the nearest town. It may not sound glamorous, but they purchase in bulk and turn over their stock on a regular basis, so you are probably being offered fresh supplies and only paying what the local market will bear. Smaller shops near resorts and hotels may well be geared to tourists and the prices will probably reflect this.

Meat treats: if you want to bring back salamis and cured meats like Serrano and Parma ham from Spain or Italy, buy them in large pieces – unsliced. They won’t dry out as quickly as pre-sliced meats and they’re cheaper bought in bulk. The same goes for hard cheeses, such as Parmesan and Pecorino.

Pass on the plonk: when buying wines, particularly from France, it makes much more sense to buy at the higher priced end of the market than at the lower. You will get a wine that you probably couldn’t afford at home. Pudding wines, like Sauternes and the cheaper Monbazillac are a good investment, particularly if you buy in half bottles for more regular indulgence.

Pots and pans: nearly every Mediterranean country produces terracotta dishes – useful for gratins, lasagnes and bakes. In Spain, look out for special paella pans and in Greece, cheap plastic-handled serrated knives can be found in almost every corner shop. They stay sharp forever.