What souvenirs should I buy in Istanbul, Dubrovnik, Athens, Naples and Barcelona?

Question

I'm going on a cruise and want to buy items that are specific to that area and that will be good keepsakes from the trip

Please note: I'm not asking what you all think I might need, I'm asking what these places are known for (such as olive oil from Modena, rugs from turkey, nesting dolls from Russia, art glass from Venice, etc).

Answer 1

In Istanbul make sure to try the sweets and candies, you can find them in small shops in a bazaar called the Spice [Egyptian] Market. I recommend Turkish Delight. By the way, the thing they call ' Turkish Viagra' [it's a sweet] is delicious, but not working ;)
For more 'material' items, you can buy a Turkish evil eye amulet, its lovely and you can get it anywhere.
In Athens you should drink original Ouzo, it also comes in tiny bottles that you can give to your friends.
Dubrovnik doesn't really have a specific souvenir, but trust me once you see the place, the memory of it alone should be enough. In that sense, you could buy a really nice photo book or a simple postcard.

Answer 2

I think you should always look for personal souvenirs.
I prefer things I can use, so I bought a Swiss knife when in Switzerland, a kangaroo leather purse in Australia, and a belt when I was in Norway, because I was loosing my trousers.
You get the idea.
These things you use, but if you buy the things the souvenir shops are selling, mostly you end up with things you regret buying.
One thing I do buy in the souvenir shops, T-shirts with the name of the town or area.
When I leave home I only bring a few T-shirts, the rest I buy when I find a nice one, (or when I need to do laundry.)
I also buy postcards, to take home, as an addition on the photos I take, they are souvenirs too.

So have a good look around in each place you come, buy what you can use, being mugs, clothing, a bag, and so on.
And not the standard miniature acropolis.

Answer 3

I'm not sure about the others, but in Barcelona make sure to go to one of the many many walking malls. There's artists all over the place. I got a beautiful painting of a cafe and one painted on multiple layers of glass. It's gorgeous. :) There's also a small shop next to that really tall, spiky church with some really great souvenirs in it. I'm probably not going to get best answer, since I only covered one, but I wanted you to know about the art. :)