Advice on the World’s Best Shopping Destinations
Everyone enjoys shopping; men and women alike. It is no wonder that more and more people are taking off around the world to find some of the best shopping districts. From bargains to brand names, it’s all about knowing where to shop. For example, what are the best districts for shopping in Paris?
Paris is a large city and unless you know exactly where to go, you may miss out on a variety of unique shopping opportunities. So, when you plan for your shopping holiday, start by knowing exactly where you are headed.
When you shop on holiday, you are bringing home memories in the form of apparel or other items that will remind you of the good time you had. Once you decide where you want to shop while you are in the city of your choice, you can easily book your accommodation to cater to your needs.
Say, for example, you want to visit Manchester and check out the shopping there. You can easily find rooms in Manchester by HotelClub that will provide you with a great base of operations while you scour the stores.
So, where can you find the best shopping districts in the world for that shopping holiday? Let us take a look.
Downtown Copenhagen has made a name for itself by offering visitors the longest pedestrian mall in the world. It is a safe place to shop to your heart’s content without having to worry about traffic and breathing in exhaust fumes.
You can find a variety of designer stores, such as H&M, here as well as smaller shops that cater to Scandinavian home decorations. What is interesting about this particular mall are the side streets that fan off of it and offer you additional interesting shopping options. You should plan to spend at least two to three days here in order to make sure you see everything and experience this unique open air environment.
Marrakesh, Morocco, is another great place to go shopping, especially if you are looking for unique items. Most of the wares sold in Marrakesh are handmade, ranging from ceramics to jewellery to leather goods. It will take at least a day to wander through the many souks (open air bazaars) in order to see everything. If you find a nice piece of furniture that would look fantastic in your home, consider buying it and arranging shipping to enjoy later.
While you may have never considered travelling to Bangkok, Thailand, it is the city that holds a marketplace covering 35 acres with more than 15,000 different stalls to peruse. This place is known as Chatuchak Market and every weekend is packed with people buying, selling and haggling. If you enjoy haggling over prices, this is the place to do it. Watch out as the vendors can spot a tourist a mile away and they will try to overcharge you. If you are prepared to haggle, though, they are prepared to sell you the item you want at a fairer price.
Returning to Paris, the Marais district is where you will find the best shopping in the French capital. Paris may be filled with some of the finest shops in the world but what makes the Marais district really special is that it contains a really unique selection of items.
It’s hard to believe that this entire area was once a swamp. Indeed, this is how it got its name. Steer clear of this area if you shop on an extreme budget. While you will find some great vintage clothing stores, the items found here are still a bit pricey. If you are on a budget then you can save a bit of extra money by making the most of the great deals on accommodation in Paris that can be found online.
Buenos Aires’ Palermo Viejo district offers you a hip locale to shop in at prices that are more affordable than what you will find in Europe. The shops are painted in pastel colours and it is less crowded than other places. Here you will find leather products, clothing, hand crafted jewellery and home decor that you can bring home and enjoy all year round.
On your next visit to Tokyo, Japan, make sure you visit the Shibuya District. This area is the Japanese version of Times Square, with over two million people passing through it every day. It is here that the current Japanese trends in fashion and entertainment are found.
The district is a labyrinth of streets that offer you boutiques filled with designer labels, private labels, and vintage second hand stores. Even if you do not care for loud and crowded areas, you need to experience this just once.
Milan has always been known as a shopping mecca when it comes to fashion. The Via Montenapoleone is the best place to find all of the upcoming fashion trends before they hit the stores anywhere else.
You will pay top dollar for anything you buy here, especially clothing, so this is not the place for a budget. There are some boutiques along the side streets that may fit your wallet better, but make sure you at least do a little bit of window shopping as you go along.
If you want a bargain, go on holiday in Milan during January and July. This is when all of the shops have major sales that may allow you to purchase that $5,000 (£3,100) dress for a mere $500 (£300).
No matter where you decide to shop, you will find some great places to eat along the way. There are cafes and pastry shops in just about every city. Don’t be afraid to try something new in places like Bangkok and Japan; you never know when you might find something that tempts your taste buds in the same way clothing tempts your closet.
Shopping around the world is a way of making sure you have souvenirs of your trip that will stay with you forever. Luxury hotels in Manchester, Paris, Milan or Tokyo offer you the best place to base your shopping sprees. Don’t skimp on your accommodation. After all, it will be a great place to nap before heading out to shop some more.
