Top Destinations: Shopping Holiday

New York

Taking its cue from recent films like Confessions of a Shopaholic and The Devil Wears Prada, New York is a bastion of fashion and style making it a top choice on a shoppers holiday list. Shopping and New York are inherently synonymous as it is virtually impossible to separate the two.

If you visit New York, you will undoubtedly be drawn in to the famous department stores, chic boutiques, trendy shops, and vintage stores that are scattered all over the city. New York’s Fashion District is rivalled by few, Madison Avenue is a shoppers iconic heaven, and every year in Bryant Park, New York’s Fashion Week displays the latest from designers enticing shoppers from all around the globe to lay siege to the city.

Dubai

Dubai is one of the top ten destinations in the world for shopping. It offers you every opportunity to shop and shop and shop. Wonderful if your passion or interest is shopping, a nightmare if it is not. There are compensations as shopping malls and hotel retail outlets in Dubai are air conditioned, particularly important in the hot summer months, parking is plentiful and there many distractions such as food halls, some with licensed bars, even cinemas, skiing at the Mall of the Emirates and a giant aquarium at the Dubai Mall, the worlds largest undercover shopping center in the world. A shopping holiday in Dubai is for everybody and there is much to do to entertain children and dads.

Dubai’s rapid development is extricably linked to shopping and with each new development comes a new mall. The Walk at Dubai Marina is a kilometer strip on the beach front with shops, restaurants, pavement cafes and street artists giving it an exciting Mediterranean feel.

A modern Gold and Diamond Park located near the Mall of the Emirates is a good place to shop for jewelry at discount prices. The designs are without doubt eye catching and exquisite. Gold is charged according to weight, there is no charge for workmanship.
Slightly out of the city you will find Global Village, Dragonmart, Deira City Center and Festival City which offer food, shopping and entertainment from many countries.

Dubai is not just about modern malls and branded fashion goods, there are also traditional souks and shopping neighbourhoods where you can buy material, clothing, spices, perfumes, gold, jewelry, electrical goods and relax and enjoy local food and drinks at very cheap prices. Bur Dubai, Kerama and Satwa are the favourite places to shop for the traditional and cheaper goods.
 

Madrid

El Corte Inglés is Spain's best known chain of department stores, and they are so big they could almost be counted as districts of their own - plus they sell anything. Many try and shop in the independent and smaller shops, as they are more interesting and El Corte Inglés is renowned for its convenience. Ortega y Gasset is the classy district, where the likes of Victoria Beckham and the other footballers' wives go shopping in Madrid. Not far away, you'll find ABC Serrano, a three floor shopping mall with some of Europe's most expensive clothing outlets, so be prepared for some big price labels.

For cheaper shopping head to the fantastic and charming weekend flea market, El Rastro. It is even better for people watching and bargain hunting. All in all, a shopping holiday in Madrid isn't really for those on a tight budget but there are bargains to be had in the markets and chain department stores - as well as women's clothes shops like Mango.

Bangkok

Some people only visit for a shopping holiday in Bangkok. That is testament to the sheer volume of malls, mega malls, markets, street stalls and shops offering the widest variety of products available. You could shop for luxury brand names in the air controlled malls or hit the markets for bargains and knock off goods. Whatever you are looking for, it is all here. A shopping holiday in Bangkok is a unique experience which offers nothing short of the most amazing products available.

Whether it is fine hand tailored clothes, traditional Thai silk, Asian antiques from specialist shops and dealers, stunning local handicrafts or simply a special gift for someone back home, you will be sure to find it in Bangkok. There are even malls here only for certain products such as Panthip plaza, a mall dedicated to electrical goods such as computers, TV’s, cameras and much more. During shopping trips, enjoying Thai cuisine at the food halls or in one of the restaurants that fill up the malls or take a break and have a massage to make your shopping holiday in Bangkok experience even more memorable.

Barcelona

Shopaholics will not want to leave Barcelona; such is the selection of shopping opportunities which range from the bustling local markets to department stores. In fact, there are over 35,000 shops to choose from, and the city is also renowned for its 5 kilometre (3-mile) shopping line which stretches from the top of Las Ramblas, through Placa de Catalunya along Passeig de Gràcia and up Avenue Diagonal. Much of the shopping line is pedestriansed making it a pleasant experience to wonder from shop to shop without worrying about traffic. In Barcelona, shoppers will find many of the big and most well-known brands including Versace, Giorgio Armani, and Calvin Klein. There are equally mean high quality Spanish designer shops offering a large range of clothes, shoes, jewellery, apparel and accessories with chic European style.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a hotspot for world-class shopping. The city takes shopping to a new level offering something for everyone. There are several shopping districts such as the world famous Strøget the main pedestrian street and home to top international designers such as Gucci, Burberry and Louis Vuitton. The side streets around the Strøget are also a great place to find boutiques, speciality shops and alternative shopping choices. Local fashion, arts and crafts shops can be found scattered throughout historic Copenhagen near the Town Hall Square and H.C. Andersen Boulevard. The Kronprinsensgade is also a promising area, as is Nansensgade, located on the outskirts of the old town. Norrebro is great for second-hand shops, and caters to a youthful clientele. Former red light district Vesterbro also offers good bargains and is home to gourmet food shops and art shops. Copenhagen offers shoppers unique home and interior design, Danish fashion, and flea markets full of antiques in the summer. Copenhagen also has an up and coming market for second-hand and vintage boutiques. If you’re looking for a mall head to Fisketorv Shopping Centre situated on the waterfront.

Brussels

Built on its mercantile trade Brussels has been a shopping haven since the Middle Ages. The city is best known for its speciality shops and high quality design. Visitors can stake out any number of streets and find fashion gems, but a walk along Rue Antoine Dansaert Straat should not be missed. Here shoppers will be impressed by avant garde Belgian designers and fashion boutiques. Keep an eye out for top Belgian designers such as Jean-Paul Knot, Maison Martin Margiela and Annemie Verbeke. Equally impressive is Avenue Louise which is home to all the major international designers such as Chanel, Hermes, Dior and Belgium's own Diane von Furstenburg. The pleasure of this street is that amidst high end brands you will also find affordable shops. Innovation, a large department store is also located here. For bargains, and one of Brussels's most bustling shopping areas go to Rue Neuve in the city centre. Shopping lovers in Brussels can also pay a visit to Gallerie St. Hubertis (the first shopping arcade in Europe). Admire the glass and iron roof, while perusing the shops, known for their unique window displays. Belgium is also famous for its tapestries, crystal and antique shopping and of course chocolates.

Beirut

A shopping holiday in Beirut is a great experience, whatever you're interested in buying.  As the fashion capital of Lebanon, Beirut is a fantastic place to shop for clothes, being home to some fashion designers - like Elie Saab, Pierre Katra and Robert AbiNader -who easily hold their own amongst the best of the world.  For designer shopping when on holiday, make your way to Downtown Beirut with its wealth of designer boutiques, and the Rue. Verdun which has several department stores and shopping malls. If your fashion forward, this is definitely shopping heaven.

If you’re after some bargains when shopping on holiday, then try out Beirut's Mar-Elias Street or Hamra Street, where you'll find many of the shops selling Lebanese brands which tend to be local and cheap.  There are also a few regular markets which can be a great place to buy crafts and souvenirs or to shop for local foods and farm produce.  If this is the sort of shopping you're after on holiday, then check out Beirut's Souk El Tayeb, which is held on Saturdays in Beirut's Saifi village and is the first organic famer's market in Beirut as well as a great place to buy artisan crafts.  Or, try the early morning Sunday Market, next to Beirut River, where you can shop for an eclectic range of clothing, beads and jewellery.  Alternatively, there's the Burj Hammoud, in Beirut's Armenian quarter - a good place to shop (and haggle!) for souvenirs, crafts and copperware.

Paris

From designer clothing to antique furniture, books, and fine jewellery, Paris is known the world-over as a place where quality and elegance come first. Shopping in Paris is geared for the most part toward the youth market, but what's especially appealing is that, since this is one of the oldest parts of the city (some of the streets here date back to the eleventh century) there remain a large number of specialty stores and unusual little boutiques. If you’re not on a tight budget, then Paris is definitely a great option for a shopping holiday. If you are, then it’s important to know the secret of shopping cheap in Paris.

From a shopper's perspective, the city is divided in broad sections where stores of the same trade tend to congregate. There is a mosaic of many colors, tastes, and price ranges – around the Saint Sulpice metro station for example, you’ll find many clothing stores offer cheaper garments and accessories. Outside the sales seasons, shoppers looking for bargain-basement prices and irresistible clearances must look elsewhere. The best bargain prices on clothing offered in Paris are generally found at designer depots.

Munich

Shopaholics will not want to leave Munich, such is the selection of shopping opportunities which range from the bustling local markets to department stores. The ‘must do’ is the central pedestrian zone at Alstadt, comprised of Kaufinger Strasse, Neuhauser Strasse and Marienplatz. Shoppers can find department stores and some of the most-well known brands including Kenzo and Armani.

During a Munich shopping holiday, the city also has several flea markets, which is a cheaper alternative to conventional stores and offers visitors the opportunity to try a spot of bargaining. Viktualienmarkt, the bustling, colorful food market at the eastern end of the Marienplatz pedestrian zone, is one of the city’s major attractions.
 

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a shopaholic’s dream come true. There are numerous fashion malls and boutiques in Los Angeles to occupy even the most dedicated on their shopping holiday. The Beverly Center, The Grove, Fashion Square at Sherman Oaks, and the Sherman Oaks Galleria are just a few of the amazing centers filled with dozens of stores for the avid shopper. Don’t forget to visit the trendy boutiques on Robertson Blvd, West Third St, and Ventura Blvd. A shopping holiday to LA cannot be complete without visiting the Fashion District – 90 blocks of over a 1,000 shops where some of the best bargains on the most cutting edge fashions are found. Shop ‘til you Drop!

Moscow

Shopaholics may well to start to hyperventilate when they see the complex malls and upmarket boutiques, home to shopping in Moscow. All the big brands are represented as well as some pricey local ones. Russians are known to like looking good and they are prepared to splash their Roubles to do so. The fun begins across from Red Square with one of the largest malls in Moscow. The city also plays host to markets where you can find particularly cheap trinkets.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a hotspot for world-class shopping, evident by the many well dressed women and men. A consumer's paradise Hong Kong suits all tastes and budgets. If you can't find what you're looking for here than you'll never find it anywhere. Almost everywhere in the city you will find boutiques, shops, markets, outlets and air conditioned malls. Some of the giant malls are Langham Place in Mong Kok, Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong and Pacific Place in Central. Street markets are the best places for bargains; sales generally take place in July and August. For luxury designer fashions go to Central (Des Voeux Road and Chater Road); you can also find street market items in the nearby The Lanes. For antiques and traditional Chinese goods walk along Hollywood Road. Soho is nearby with trendy eateries and trendy fashion boutiques with the latest items. Shops will typicallly close over Chinese New Year for two days.

Montreal

Montreal is a hotspot for world-class shopping, evident by the many well dressed women (arguably the best dressed in Canada). Try heading first to Ste Catherine Street for some serious trends. For some truly unique pieces go to “the Main' Saint-Laurent where you will just about everything. Chinatown is an upbeat alternative for speciality items.

For classic designer brands go to Sherbrooke Street. The Underground City in Montreal also boasts some fine shopping, particularly in winter. The Underground City is home to many shops and eateries including the Eaton Centre and Place des Arts. Old Montreal is the perfect place to do some simultaneous exploring and shopping and check out the antiques. Montreal's downtown also has no shortage of shopping complexes including Place Montreal Trust, Place Ville Marie and Place Alexis Nihon.
 

London

Shopping holidays are becoming increasingly popular and what better place to shop until you drop than London! There are no shortage of shopping opportunities in London and you will find plenty of packages available for short breaks and even longer holidays. Why not combine a city break with some shopping? Many breaks do just that, with a combination of theatre, sightseeing and shopping all rolled into one trip.

Of course, London is not the cheapest city in which to shop, but the vast number of different shops available mean that there is going to be something to suit every budget and pocket. You will love the shops on Oxford Street and Regent Street, which are well-known to the visitor and Londoner alike. Here you will find such famous names as Libertys and Selfridges and there are many tax-free shops in the vicinity that cater for overseas visitors. Perhaps you would like to visit Harrods? Well, the world famous store is only a short ride away in Knightsbridge. If antiques and fine art are your thing, why not try a visit to Portobello Road? Then there are all of the shops in London's many and diverse ethnic communities, which live in many of London's suburbs and Boroughs.

Then there are London's many markets. For a taste of alternative shopping, try a visit to Camden Lock. If you want a taste of London at its most diverse and vibrant, take a visit to Brick Lane Market on a Sunday. You will see everything here, from bric-a-brac to furniture that is made in workshops that line the streets between Brick Lane and Bethnal Green. If shopping malls are what you crave, then try Brent Cross in North London or Bluewater, which is just outside the M25 motorway near the Kent town of Dartford. London is a great location for a shopping holiday.