Sweet Souvenirs
When on vacation, I indulge a little and buy locally made chocolates and pastries. I must say, the best ones I've tried come from Central and Eastern Europe.
I have very fond memories of the delectable and truly affordable pastries from there. How I wish we had them in the same quantity and quality here in San Francisco. I am a bit embarrassed to admit it but the sweets I buy to take home hardly reach the US shores. I finish them even before our vacation is over.
Often, just so I wouldn't take home bagsful of coins which I most certainly wouldn't use again unless I returned, I spend the loose change buying local chocolate bars and candies.
The night before our departure from Budapest, I collected all the loose change we had amassed over our stay and bought these treats.
Berlin Chocolates in Kadewe, Germany. It was here in Kadewe where Marc and I began our journey eating Sacher Torte everywhere we saw them sold. From here, we got the same pastry in Vienna, then Prague, then Budapest.
Marc told me that Fazers is to Finland what Ghirardelli is to San Francisco. Thinking that it would be great to get some as gifts to family and friends, I bought several big ones in Stockmann. While the intent was good, the idea was not. I had to schlep them all throughout our Baltic vacation and they made our suitcases very heavy. I decided to eat them all before we even left the old continent.
Sweet treats in Fazers
Fazers, Helsinki, Finland
Sweet treats in Fazers, Helsinki, Finland
Sweet treats at Stockmann Department Store, Helsinki, Finland. Marc and I visited this place almost every afternoon when we were in Helsinki. These pastries were to die for and very affordable.
Because of an earlier confusion upon our check in, we were assigned an upgraded room at the PK Illmarine as a goodwill gesture. Upon our entry into our suite, were given these gifts as well. Unfortunately, we had to leave the champagne. It was simply to big and heavy. The chocolate? Well, it didn't last long. Though it was huge, it really lasted only a day. You can guess who the culprit was.
Pastries from the Stockmann's Tallinn; allthese cost 3.5 euros, cheap, cheap, cheap. In San Francisco, a comparable teeny tiny delectable dessert, $8!