You have to admit that a lot of us plan our travels as per our shopping list. Yes, that’s how much we absolutely love to shop. And even those who have other agendas tend to at least spend some part of their trip filling up shopping bags. As much as we try to shop within a budget while traveling, a dazzling, comfortable pair of stilletos or the dress that fits like a dream always gets the better of us. If you are one of those who either carries an extra suitcase from home or especially buys one last minute while heading back to fit in all those new, precious products, chances are you will be interested in the best shopping destinations of the world:
Barcelona, Spain
Whether you view it more as a party hub or a cultural mecca, one thing’s for sure—Barcelona has some fabulous shopping to offer. Passeo de Gracia is the city’s most fashionable area, with labels like Gucci, Chanel and Prada as well as niche boutiques. Head to the charming barrio of El Born for a less crowded spree, and enjoy Barcelona’s famously whimsical architecture while you’re at it.
Hong Kong
It’s hard to find an area in Hong Kong that’s not packed with fun stores but you can’t beat the glitz of the Central District. The city’s main claim to retail fame is Lane Crawford, a high-end department store where you can check all those $5,000 handbags off your shopping list. Much less massive but just as chic is EDIT, a colorful womenswear store. For sturdy yet affordable shoes and sunglasses, pay a visit to Square Street.
Dublin, Ireland
Need a day spent wandering from store to store after a night of one too many pints? Most guidebooks will recommend Grafton Street, but you can escape the chain stores by heading a few blocks west to Dublin’s Creative Quarter. The aptly named area is bursting with artsy stores and cafes, including the Irish Design Shop, which offers Irish-made souvenirs and workshops in its in-house studio. There’s also the all-inclusive Powerscourt Centre with more than 40 shops and restaurants—step into Article for housewares and MoMuse for local jewellery.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok provides a vibrant cultural experience for any visitor and the best way to see where locals shop is to venture afield from the bigger shopping malls and plazas. Pick up a souvenir at ManopRachote, whose gorgeous picture frames and boxes can feature up to 5,000 pieces of mother-of-pearl or swing over to the Pak KhlongTalad market for rows of fragrant flowers and spices—even if you don’t buy anything, the visual displays of colorful lotus flowers, jasmine, and Kaffir lime are prizes in their own right.
Paris
Paris houses flagship stores for some of the most renowned fashion labels in the world—Chanel, Hermès, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton—most of which can be found in the bustling 8th arrondissement. However, if you’re looking for something a little less traditional, head to the 3rd arrondissement for an array of trendy shops.
New York City
The city that never sleeps can also be called the city that always shops. Head to the Upper East Side for a morning spent shopping at institutions like Tiffany’s, Barneys, and Bergdorf Goodman. If you want to revamp your wardrobe, visit Soho’s busy streets for fast fashion brands like Zara, UNIQLO, H&M and big names like Prada, Phillip Lim, Chanel. Don’t limit yourself to just Manhattan—Brooklyn Flea offers a wide variety of kitschy clothing and artwork you won’t find at any chain store.
Bicester Village, UK
Set in Oxfordshire an hour from London, Bicester Village is one of the world’s premier luxury shopping destinations. Whether its browsing through prestigious boutique stores at leisure for great value buys or sampling fine food and drinks in the village cafés, Bicester Village has a lot to offer. It is home to over 130 leading fashion and lifestyle brands like Tods, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Versace, DKNY, Hugo Boss, Salvatore Ferregamo, Ted Baker to name a few.
