Just buy it!

What’s one piece of travel advice you always follow?

I’m not a giant spender while traveling, but if something strikes my fancy and will fit in my luggage, I buy it on the spot. I’ve never regretted it.

If you hem and haw and think you’ll have a chance to return to that exact same spot and buy it later, you’re probably wrong.

If you’re in a foreign land and a locally made item beckons to you (and you can afford it), just pull the trigger. The item will always remind you of that place and of that trip. It’s special.

Bud vase I bought spontaneously while on a tour of Dingle Crystal in Ireland. Sure, I could’ve ordered this online when I got home, but I wanted that exact one.
Bonus, the artist/designer signed it for me because he was standing right there.

Full disclosure, I put this tiny crystal vase in a carryon (my only bag) and TSA thought it looked like a hand grenade or something and made me unpack my entire bag. Very annoying! Even so, I’m glad I bought it IN the factory IN Ireland.

An artisan working at Dingle Crystal, County Kerry, Ireland

Life is short. If you are fortunate enough to get to travel abroad, make the most of it. Support the places you visit by buying their wares and bring home something so much more meaningful than your next Target or Amazon purchase.

AMERICANS: History has its eyes on us.

VOTE!

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