If your idea of a holiday is hunting market bargains or
discovering one-of-a-kind designers, then this
guide to fabulous shopping destinations
is for you. We'll help you save time and money on your
overseas holiday, with the best shopping the world has to
offer.
1. New York
Live your ‘Sex and the City' fantasies in this
shoppers paradise. New York caters for all budgets –
from Fifth Avenue to downtown designer bargains at Century
21 department store. For quirky boutiques head to SoHo or
East Village. And for bargains from America's greatest
retail brands, it's well-worth the journey one hour
north to Woodbury Common, with 220 discount outlets.
2. London
London has some of the world's best department stores
– so indulge yourself in Harvey Nichols, Selfridges,
Harrods and Liberty's. Then head straight to Oxford
St, where you'll find the latest catwalk fashion at
high street prices at Top Shop, H&M and Zara. Portobello
Road markets are a great place to find new designers and
one-off pieces, as well as antiques and homewares.
3. Shanghai
Known as the ‘oriental Paris”, Shanghai is a
shopper's paradise. Head for Nanjing Rd, the biggest
commercial street in China, with its modern shopping malls
and old-style shops.Huaihai Road is the elegant Fifth Avenue
of Shanghai, and if you're looking for discount
designer brands head to Xiangyang Road Market – but
beware of fakes! If it's made in China (and what
isn't?), you'll find it here.
4. Bangkok
With buzzing street markets and modern shopping centres,
Bangkok has plenty of places to blow your baht. Chatachuk
weekend market is a sprawling maze of wares – from
Indochine antiquities to the latest trainers. Don't
forget to haggle – but do so politely. Patpong and
Khao San Road's night markets teem with counterfeit
goods. For funky homewares, try ZEN – a lifestyle
megastore in the huge CentralWorld shopping centre.
5. Paris
Paris has been the fashion world's epicentre for
hundreds of years. Department stores Printemps and Galleries
Lafayette have great prices on clothing and shoes. And
you'll also find unusual homewares and gifts in the
many boutiques in neighbourhoods like the Marais and
Bastille. In a single week, you can visit 58 different
markets – Saint Ouen, at Clignacourt, is one of the
largest flea-markets and has plenty of antiques, objets
d'art and modern treasures. Just watch out for
pickpockets!
And the best purchase you'll make? Your international travel
insurance – at least you'll be covered if your
new purchases get lost in transit!
