On your last day of vacation, you find yourself in a supermarket in Palma, wondering what to bring home. The honest answer: less than you think, and different things than what the souvenir shelves suggest. Here is a list sorted by what actually survives the journey.
What is always worth it
Flor de Sal. Lightweight, break-proof, small, and significantly cheaper on the island than in delicatessens in Germany. If you only take one thing with you, take this.
Pimentón. Mallorcan paprika powder, sweet or spicy, weighs almost nothing and makes a noticeable difference in your own kitchen.
Almonds. Roasted with sea salt, with the protected origin "Ametlla de Mallorca." They have a long shelf life and make a good souvenir for others.
Coffee. Vacuum-packed, easy to pack in a suitcase, and the quickest way to bring back that vacation feeling in the morning.
Cookies and pastries. Only in sturdy tins, not in paper bags.
What regularly fails in the suitcase
Olive oil in glass bottles. It breaks more often than you would hope, ruining half your suitcase in the process. If you must, use a tin, wrapped twice in clothing and inside a plastic bag.
Ensaimada in a cardboard box. This classic is also the biggest source of frustration. It takes up a lot of space, must go in your carry-on, and is dry after two days.
Fresh products. Cheese, sobrassada, and anything refrigerated rarely survive a hot rental car and several hours at the airport well.
Liquids and carry-on baggage
The most common annoyance occurs at the security checkpoint. Liquids over 100 milliliters are not allowed in carry-on baggage. This applies equally to wine, gin, liqueur, and olive oil, regardless of how well they are packed.
Those flying without checked baggage have only one option: buy in the duty-free area after security, in a sealed bag. Even this can cause problems with connecting flights.
Rules can change and may vary depending on the airport, so it is worth checking your airline's website before your return flight.
Customs and quantities
The Balearic Islands are part of the EU and the EU customs territory. Therefore, no customs duties apply to private quantities. However, there are indicative limits for alcohol and tobacco above which authorities may check whether it is still for personal use. If you pack two bottles of wine and a gin, you are far from those limits.
The uncomplicated alternative
Everything that is heavy, fragile, or liquid doesn't have to go in your suitcase. That is exactly what we are here for. We ship wine, olive oil, and spirits to Germany and Austria in break-proof packaging, leaving you room in your suitcase for the things that are really worth it.
A good starting point is our gift boxes from Mallorca or the individual classics under delicacies from Mallorca.
0 comments