The world's great shopping destinations
July 5th 2009 08:57
Perhaps you don't travel for the sites, perhaps you don't travel for the cuisines. Everyone travel with a different reason and sometimes, we travel to experience a passion in a different world.
In fact, when we ask clients (mostly female) what they would like to do when they are in [their chosen destination], a lot o f the time, the answer is 'shopping!'
Just where to travel to for great shopping? Sure there are markets everywhere in the world that sells local handicrafts and art. However we are talking about shopping right? Shopping for brands and styles that we normally can't get back home or normall would cost us an arm and a leg....
If you are thinking Singapore already, don't. Yes, they do claim to have the world's best shopping but the price tag is hardly worth the airfare and the attitude of the service you get in the shops. A great travel destinataion, but overrated in terms of a 'shopping' destination.
Try one of the following
Dubai
Dubai is an emerging travel destination. Besides the well known gold markets the city is building itself as a modern, upmarket fashion destination. International fashion shows and annual shopping festivals are now part of the important calendar for international visitors.
Hong Kong
Already enough said. Not only does Hong Kong have streets full of designer brands, this fascinating city is also full of its own fashion talents where you can grab pieces of equally quality fashion for fraction of the international brand prices. Its night markets are also a treasure chest of jewellery and quirky items to add to your collection!
Once a year Hong Kong holds a shopping festival (which is on right now throughout July to end of August) where sale prices are up to 80% off the normal retail price! Not a bad idea to plan your trip around that time to make sure you get your bargain!
Buenos Aires
Ah ha! Those not familiar with this South American city would never guess this would be one of the greatest shopping destinations! I didn't know it myself until visiting personally in 2006. Buenos Aires is officially the second cheapest city in the world for fashion shopping and not only are its mall streets lined with brands we are familiar with, there are also independent tailors that will offer you tailor made leather jackets for an average of AUD70. Yes, real, soft, beautiful leather tailored, branded with your name for AUD70.
Good huh?
Buenos Aires is also full of little boutique surprises that only locals know of. Perhaps you would enjoy a little shopping tour to find out and enjoy some of the best shopping in the world!
BA Boutique Tours does fashion tours, garden tours and photography tours. Kirsty, the owner of BA Boutique Tours is originally a garden writer in Sydney and will make sure you enjoy your time in Buenos Aires with someone in the know!
Kuala Lumpur
Yep. Back to one of my favourite Asian cities. Think of it as an alternative to Singapore. Not only it is cheaper to stay and to eat here, the people are much more friendly than their counter-parts across the border. Kuala Lumpur has Asia's largest IMAX theatre, biggest ever Borders Store and an in door theme park. I have in fact written about this a little while ago in my Kuala Lumpur post, and I am just about to go again (next week) to see if anything has changed!
Of course, there are the wonderful European cities such as fashion capital Milan and Paris, as well as parts of London and Frankfurt are great shopping cities too!
In fact, when we ask clients (mostly female) what they would like to do when they are in [their chosen destination], a lot o f the time, the answer is 'shopping!'
Just where to travel to for great shopping? Sure there are markets everywhere in the world that sells local handicrafts and art. However we are talking about shopping right? Shopping for brands and styles that we normally can't get back home or normall would cost us an arm and a leg....
If you are thinking Singapore already, don't. Yes, they do claim to have the world's best shopping but the price tag is hardly worth the airfare and the attitude of the service you get in the shops. A great travel destinataion, but overrated in terms of a 'shopping' destination.
Try one of the following
Dubai
Dubai is an emerging travel destination. Besides the well known gold markets the city is building itself as a modern, upmarket fashion destination. International fashion shows and annual shopping festivals are now part of the important calendar for international visitors.
Hong Kong
Already enough said. Not only does Hong Kong have streets full of designer brands, this fascinating city is also full of its own fashion talents where you can grab pieces of equally quality fashion for fraction of the international brand prices. Its night markets are also a treasure chest of jewellery and quirky items to add to your collection!
Once a year Hong Kong holds a shopping festival (which is on right now throughout July to end of August) where sale prices are up to 80% off the normal retail price! Not a bad idea to plan your trip around that time to make sure you get your bargain!
Buenos Aires
Ah ha! Those not familiar with this South American city would never guess this would be one of the greatest shopping destinations! I didn't know it myself until visiting personally in 2006. Buenos Aires is officially the second cheapest city in the world for fashion shopping and not only are its mall streets lined with brands we are familiar with, there are also independent tailors that will offer you tailor made leather jackets for an average of AUD70. Yes, real, soft, beautiful leather tailored, branded with your name for AUD70.
Good huh?
Buenos Aires is also full of little boutique surprises that only locals know of. Perhaps you would enjoy a little shopping tour to find out and enjoy some of the best shopping in the world!
BA Boutique Tours does fashion tours, garden tours and photography tours. Kirsty, the owner of BA Boutique Tours is originally a garden writer in Sydney and will make sure you enjoy your time in Buenos Aires with someone in the know!
Kuala Lumpur
Yep. Back to one of my favourite Asian cities. Think of it as an alternative to Singapore. Not only it is cheaper to stay and to eat here, the people are much more friendly than their counter-parts across the border. Kuala Lumpur has Asia's largest IMAX theatre, biggest ever Borders Store and an in door theme park. I have in fact written about this a little while ago in my Kuala Lumpur post, and I am just about to go again (next week) to see if anything has changed!
Of course, there are the wonderful European cities such as fashion capital Milan and Paris, as well as parts of London and Frankfurt are great shopping cities too!
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