Super Souvenirs

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Tired of tourist tat? Most vacation spots boast a local product that makes the perfect keepsake. Visitors to Portugal's Alentejo region can fly back with an Arraiolos carpet. Check out Tapetes de Arraiolos Califa (tel: [351-96] 5538829; www.freewebs.com/califa/). A Welsh lovespoon, a token of affection since the 17th century, can stir up holiday memories. Hand-carved by artisans such as Richard Downes (tel: [44- 1792] 369726; www.lovespoon.co.uk), the spoons use symbols to spell out sentiment. In Brussels, workshops like Louise Verschueren (tel: [32-53] 84 86 80; www.belgian-lace.com) produce handcrafted needle lace for anything from wedding veils to T shirts. Craftsmen in the villages of Palekh, Mstera and Kholui northeast of Moscow have became world-famous for their detailed lacquerwork paintings (www.russian-classics.com). Almost anywhere you'll find a souvenir that's memorable in its own right. And if you still hanker after tat, there's always the airport shop.