What kind of souvenirs can you buy at Baikal —
and where can you buy them
and where can you buy them
What kind of souvenirs can you buy at Baikal —
and where can you buy them
and where can you buy them
What kind of souvenirs can you buy at Baikal?
One of the great rituals of traveling abroad is when you bring home souvenirs as a gift for friends and family. What better way is there to share the sensations and impressions that you've just experienced as a traveler. Of course, you can always keep a special something for yourself, as a reminiscence of your vacation. Here at Baikal, for example, you might want to pick up a packet of our fine Siberian teas or other aromatic herbs. When you get home, they will certainly remind you of the way we Russians love to gather in our kitchens, to enjoy a bite or two (or three!?) of those delicious sweetcakes or candies that are full of local berries and nuts!
So what is there to bring home from Baikal? And where could you look to find the kind of gift that is both out of the ordinary, and attractive or delectable (and produced locally in a sustainable way)?
Well, for starters, you can never go wrong with local food items. It's a classic gift to bring home, especially if it's one of our delicacies produced here at Baikal. You always know that this kind of gift will never gather dust on some shelf!
So what is there to bring home from Baikal? And where could you look to find the kind of gift that is both out of the ordinary, and attractive or delectable (and produced locally in a sustainable way)?
Well, for starters, you can never go wrong with local food items. It's a classic gift to bring home, especially if it's one of our delicacies produced here at Baikal. You always know that this kind of gift will never gather dust on some shelf!
What kind of souvenirs can you buy at Baikal?
One of the great rituals of traveling abroad is when you bring home souvenirs as a gift for friends and family. What better way is there to share the sensations and impressions that you've just experienced as a traveler. Of course, you can always keep a special something for yourself, as a reminiscence of your vacation. Here at Baikal, for example, you might want to pick up a packet of our fine Siberian teas or other aromatic herbs. When you get home, they will certainly remind you of the way we Russians love to gather in our kitchens, to enjoy a bite or two (or three!?) of those delicious sweetcakes or candies that are full of local berries and nuts!
So what is there to bring home from Baikal? And where could you look to find the kind of gift that is both out of the ordinary, and attractive or delectable (and produced locally in a sustainable way)?
Well, for starters, you can never go wrong with local food items. It's a classic gift to bring home, especially if it's one of our delicacies produced here at Baikal. You always know that this kind of gift will never gather dust on some shelf!
So what is there to bring home from Baikal? And where could you look to find the kind of gift that is both out of the ordinary, and attractive or delectable (and produced locally in a sustainable way)?
Well, for starters, you can never go wrong with local food items. It's a classic gift to bring home, especially if it's one of our delicacies produced here at Baikal. You always know that this kind of gift will never gather dust on some shelf!
Delicious treats
Probably the most popular items to bring home are our local pine nuts—either whole or shelled, roasted or raw. Some people prefer buying entire pine cones with the nuts still inside; or maybe one of the honey & nut chocolates made by our Angara or Amta candy companies.
There is also a local thyme-like herb, as well as other powders and leaves made of flowering plants that are really delicious to add to your black tea. The Sagan-Daylya tea is likely the most famous in our region, and is often used in special shamanistic ceremonies here in Buryatia and nearby Mongolia. You can actually buy an assortment of all kinds of teas and herbs in packages, and then invite your friends at home over for a Siberian tea-tasting ceremony! You can even experiment by mixing a tea concoction made up of Baikal currants and raspberries, with rowan leaves, maybe adding a little bit of Russian honey for more sweetness.
There is also a local thyme-like herb, as well as other powders and leaves made of flowering plants that are really delicious to add to your black tea. The Sagan-Daylya tea is likely the most famous in our region, and is often used in special shamanistic ceremonies here in Buryatia and nearby Mongolia. You can actually buy an assortment of all kinds of teas and herbs in packages, and then invite your friends at home over for a Siberian tea-tasting ceremony! You can even experiment by mixing a tea concoction made up of Baikal currants and raspberries, with rowan leaves, maybe adding a little bit of Russian honey for more sweetness.
Fish
Another fun option: bring packages of dried fish home to share. Many larger markets will have a variety of fish to choose from, either smoked or dried, all packaged tightly to stay fresh on your travels home. These fish can be stored in your fridge as soon as you get home, and should last a full month before they need to be eaten up! Best to buy fish just before your return home, however—or ask your hotel to store it in one of their downstairs refrigerators—since these packages can leave a very strong odor of fish in your hotel rooms! :)
In the end we recommend that you make any food purchases at the larger outdoor markets, or at specialized kiosks or stores.
In the end we recommend that you make any food purchases at the larger outdoor markets, or at specialized kiosks or stores.
Souvenirs
We also think that the best souvenirs are ones that are crafted together by master artisans who live here in Siberia. There are many nice items that you can find in smaller souvenir shops along the way, the kind of things that will bring back pleasant memories of your trip to Baikal! Plus, when you buy these local goods, you will come away knowing that you've given good business to our local artists and craftsmen.
Many of our ceramic mugs or other hand-made kitchen items are particularly unique and attractive. The same can be said of some of the brooches and other jewelry that are made out of Russian amber and other precious and colourful stones. A number of postcards (with views of Baikal!) are created by famous local photographers, or illustrated by Siberian artists.
Many of our ceramic mugs or other hand-made kitchen items are particularly unique and attractive. The same can be said of some of the brooches and other jewelry that are made out of Russian amber and other precious and colourful stones. A number of postcards (with views of Baikal!) are created by famous local photographers, or illustrated by Siberian artists.
Eco friendly
We also recommend those specially printed shopping bags that you can take home with you, helping you avoid those awful plastic bags that just pollute our environment! Other fabric items that are fun to buy would include napkins, tablecloths, shawls, and bandanas, as well as t-shirts and other clothing (including backpacks), each with a photo or other artistic impression printed on them.
The quality of all this merchandise is usually very high. This can also be said of the reusable thermos bottles that you can use to keep your tea warm while moving about. Of course, you can find lots of magnets and pins (some made out of birch bark) and other unusual gifts in the best souvenir shops in town.
The quality of all this merchandise is usually very high. This can also be said of the reusable thermos bottles that you can use to keep your tea warm while moving about. Of course, you can find lots of magnets and pins (some made out of birch bark) and other unusual gifts in the best souvenir shops in town.
Delicious treats
Probably the most popular items to bring home are our local pine nuts—either whole or shelled, roasted or raw. Some people prefer buying entire pine cones with the nuts still inside; or maybe one of the honey & nut chocolates made by our Angara or Amta candy companies.
There is also a local thyme-like herb, as well as other powders and leaves made of flowering plants that are really delicious to add to your black tea. The Sagan-Daylya tea is likely the most famous in our region, and is often used in special shamanistic ceremonies here in Buryatia and nearby Mongolia. You can actually buy an assortment of all kinds of teas and herbs in packages, and then invite your friends at home over for a Siberian tea-tasting ceremony! You can even experiment by mixing a tea concoction made up of Baikal currants and raspberries, with rowan leaves, maybe adding a little bit of Russian honey for more sweetness.
There is also a local thyme-like herb, as well as other powders and leaves made of flowering plants that are really delicious to add to your black tea. The Sagan-Daylya tea is likely the most famous in our region, and is often used in special shamanistic ceremonies here in Buryatia and nearby Mongolia. You can actually buy an assortment of all kinds of teas and herbs in packages, and then invite your friends at home over for a Siberian tea-tasting ceremony! You can even experiment by mixing a tea concoction made up of Baikal currants and raspberries, with rowan leaves, maybe adding a little bit of Russian honey for more sweetness.
Fish
Another fun option: bring packages of dried fish home to share. Many larger markets will have a variety of fish to choose from, either smoked or dried, all packaged tightly to stay fresh on your travels home. These fish can be stored in your fridge as soon as you get home, and should last a full month before they need to be eaten up! Best to buy fish just before your return home, however—or ask your hotel to store it in one of their downstairs refrigerators—since these packages can leave a very strong odor of fish in your hotel rooms! :)
In the end we recommend that you make any food purchases at the larger outdoor markets, or at specialized kiosks or stores.
In the end we recommend that you make any food purchases at the larger outdoor markets, or at specialized kiosks or stores.
Souvenirs
We also think that the best souvenirs are ones that are crafted together by master artisans who live here in Siberia. There are many nice items that you can find in smaller souvenir shops along the way, the kind of things that will bring back pleasant memories of your trip to Baikal! Plus, when you buy these local goods, you will come away knowing that you've given good business to our local artists and craftsmen.
Many of our ceramic mugs or other hand-made kitchen items are particularly unique and attractive. The same can be said of some of the brooches and other jewelry that are made out of Russian amber and other precious and colourful stones. A number of postcards (with views of Baikal!) are created by famous local photographers, or illustrated by Siberian artists.
Many of our ceramic mugs or other hand-made kitchen items are particularly unique and attractive. The same can be said of some of the brooches and other jewelry that are made out of Russian amber and other precious and colourful stones. A number of postcards (with views of Baikal!) are created by famous local photographers, or illustrated by Siberian artists.
Eco friendly
We also recommend those specially printed shopping bags that you can take home with you, helping you avoid those awful plastic bags that just pollute our environment! Other fabric items that are fun to buy would include napkins, tablecloths, shawls, and bandanas, as well as t-shirts and other clothing (including backpacks), each with a photo or other artistic impression printed on them.
The quality of all this merchandise is usually very high. This can also be said of the reusable thermos bottles that you can use to keep your tea warm while moving about. Of course, you can find lots of magnets and pins (some made out of birch bark) and other unusual gifts in the best souvenir shops in town.
The quality of all this merchandise is usually very high. This can also be said of the reusable thermos bottles that you can use to keep your tea warm while moving about. Of course, you can find lots of magnets and pins (some made out of birch bark) and other unusual gifts in the best souvenir shops in town.
For example many of the items listed above can be found easily at several stores in Irkutsk, such as the Lesnoy Lavka, the Bronstein Gallery, and the Belaya Vorona (or the White Crow) Café, amongst many other places. Our particular favourite is the small souvenir shop run by the Great Baikal Trail Association that is located in downtown Irkutsk.
For example many of the items listed above can be found easily at several stores in Irkutsk, such as the Lesnoy Lavka, the Bronstein Gallery, and the Belaya Vorona (or the White Crow) Café, amongst many other places. Our particular favourite is the small souvenir shop run by the Great Baikal Trail Association that is located in downtown Irkutsk.