A trip to Italy is definitely swoon-worthy. But should the swooning stop once you step into the plane that will take you back home? Of course not! That's what souvenirs are for: memory preservation and so that you can take home a piece (or pieces) of a destination that you really love.

But first, let's tackle the pasalubong for officemates and acquaintances who will most likely be aware of your trip (practically all of your friends in Facebook) and who expect that you think of them while you sigh over the romantic roads and exciting sights in the country. Seriously?

• Keychains. I have a collection of keychains in my drawer, all from co-workers who went to different places all over the world, but none of them is from Italy. So I guess getting keychains along the streets of Venice is your no-brainer pasalubong for everybody.
• T-shirts.
• Ref magnets.

 After you get that over and done with, you can move on to the more special stuff for the more special people – think boyfriend, parents, siblings, best friends and bosses.

• Food items. Perfect pizza and pasta exists in Italy. It's common sense to try and bring home all the ingredients to make them – olive oil, cheese, noodles, sundried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar. And oh, don't forget to take home some chocolates too! Check out Moriondo e Gariglio in Rome for the finest local chocolates to take home. Just make sure that you plan your shopping well, preferably towards your scheduled flight to preserve the freshness of the items you buy. Another tip: store liquids in 100ml bottles, and pack fresh foods well. You don't want to leave good food in the airport just because you weren't able to pack them right. Also be aware of the airport rules at home, whether you are landing at the NAIA or at Clark Airport in Pampanga.

• Glass. Italy is famous for Murano glass, which you can buy anywhere and in any form or shape. Just make sure that you check its authenticity though, as a lot of imitation products now abound in the country. Look for the certificate of authenticity; even the smallest Murano item has one.

• Leather. Italian leather can be your mom's/dad's/anybody else's favorite possession. Get it straight from the leather school in Santa Croce in Florence for a deeper appreciation for the product and the craftsmanship that goes into it.

• Clothes. Ah, Italian fashion. By the time that you're leaving Italy, the fashion bug will most likely have bitten you. If you want to take home Italian street fashion, shop for genuine Italian clothes that you won't find anywhere else at home. Where to look? Milan is a great start if you are prepared to burn some money. If you want to bring home some more affordable items, walk the streets of Rome and buy silk scarves.