Everyone loves to shop while on holiday. There is just something thrilling about spending your hard-earned cash on souvenirs, food and clothes while you are travelling. And for those who love to shop even more than normal, these are the World’s top 10 best shopping holidays.
World’s Top 10 Best Shopping Holidays
There are numerous shopping holiday places in the world. Here we have curated a list of such top 10 destinations to reduce your search efforts.
Italy
Italy’s mouth-watering food markets are one of the best ways to experience authentic local life and appreciate the Italians’ love affair with food. The medieval market square at Campo dei Fiori in Rome hosts one of the country’s most famous markets and is where you’ll find some of Italy’s best seasonal produce, with everything from oils and spices, fish and flowers to toys and tablecloths on sale.
If fresh fish is your thing, try the Rialto market in Venice, which fringes the Grand Canal, and shop alongside some of Italy’s most respected restaurateurs. In Naples, work your way through its 60 markets or head straight to Pignasecca to experience the city’s oldest. Italy’s outdoor market scene stretches throughout the country, all the way down to Sicily where the 1000-year-old Ballaro market in Palermo is one of its best; it offers a true cultural experience, where you can taste everything from fresh ricotta and cured meats to speciality dishes and fried Sicilian snacks.
New York
New York is synonymous with shopping, with designer malls like Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Barneys almost more famous than the city itself. To experience some of the world’s most extravagant boutiques try Madison Avenue in Manhattan, or seek out fresh designer talent in SoHo’s cobblestone streets and soak up the wonderful local atmosphere. If you’re travelling with kids, they’ll thank you for taking them to the FAO Schwarz flagship store on 5th Avenue – the city’s ultimate toy emporium.
Even the museums in New York are a snooper’s paradise, with world-class artworks on sale at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim and the Museum of Modern Art.
Dubai
Go for gold in Dubai’s souks and shopping malls. With some of the world’s lowest gold prices and best-value designer goods, pack light and be prepared to check in extra bags on the flight home. Visit the Gold Souk in the old quarter of Deira where the labyrinth of stalls sparkle with gold bangles, chains and trinkets – for the best rates get clued-up on the latest gold prices and be prepared to smooth-talk the shopkeepers.
Duty-free Dubai is also a great place to pick up designer bargains and its fifty-plus malls are some of the most extravagant on the globe. For the best bargains, visit in February when Dubai hosts its annual shopping festival of discount designer goods, accompanied by light shows and family entertainment.
Bangkok
Bangkok is bargain-hunting heaven and you can choose between air-conditioned shopping malls, frenetic food markets and sprawling stalls. Find t-shirts and tailored suits in stylish Siam Square, hit Kho San Road for imitation brands or breathe deeply and buy fresh in the flower market. There are even great discounts on hotels in Bangkok year-round that offer great accommodations. When visiting the city the more you save on your living quarters and transportation the more you can spend on leisure activities like shopping and nearby restaurants. Several of the most popular attractions are very close to the metro area of the city, making it easy to enjoy a lot in one place in Bangkok.
With an estimated 15,000 stands, Chatuchak weekend market is said to be the largest in the world; come here to get lost in the warren of alleyways and plazas and find everything from second-hand Levis and unbranded cosmetics to hill-tribe jewellery, paper lamps and the work of Asia’s latest fashion and interior designers.
When you’re all spent out, relax in the jazz café, peruse the pet section or refuel at the food stalls.
Scotland
Scotland is full of wonderful things to buy. Visit Edinburgh the country’s beautiful capital and walk in Royal Mile to buy top-quality cashmere and specialty products that will keep you warm and stylish. Head east to the Stockbridge area to discover some of the finest foods produce.
Make sure to get there earlyish to find the freshest Scottish food including salmon, scallops, mussels and oysters in the friendly, local fishmongers. If you are an avid culture lover, you should pay a visit to Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city devoted to art and culture. Go to the Barras market, a world-famous indoor antique market, to discover low-priced culture bargains and eat traditional Scottish haggis.
San Francisco
San Francisco is the most charming shopping centre in California. Visit Napa Valley to indulge in world-renowned wine tours and fine wine shopping. The Historic Napa Mill complex will be your next stop for buying unique chocolate wine and handmade chocolates.
If you want more culinary adventures, go to the Greystone Culinary Institute of America to join workshops and cooking courses such as chocolate tasting and “Test like a Chef”. After these foody experiences in action, you can get to the Spice Islands Marketplace to buy the necessary kitchen gadgets for every food enthusiast.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a colourful and lively marketplace. You can find several markets for all kinds of bargains-whether you are looking for food, herbs and flowers. With an estimated 12 open markets like Albert Cuyp market and Noordermarkt-Boerenmarkt, you will be attracted to special local foods such as cheese, bread and herbs.
Whether you are easily impressed by flowers or not, go to Bloemenmarkt Flower Market, one of the few floating markets in the world to discover very rare flowers like black and blue tulips.
India
India is full of exotic aromas and flea markets to get lost in. There are countless markets but the most famous bazaars can be found in Mumbai and Delhi. Start with a visit in Sunder Nagar and Janpath markets in Delhi to indulge in textiles shopping, Indian handicrafts and jewellery. Get a good taste of local fashion in the Fashion Street market in Mumbai and make sure you bring on your bargain skills to negotiate for best deals.
Finish your shopping journey in Crawford market, one of the most impressive markets in India, famous of its architecture more of a palace than a community market.
London
Lastly, a list of the world’s shopping breaks couldn’t be complete without a reference to London. Walk down the trendy Portobello market to discover bargains in almost everything you can imagine from antiques, clothes and accessories to books and DVDs.
Take a break in one of the cosy cafes on Portobello Road and get ready for your next shopping stop in Camden Town. In Camden Town’s market, you will enjoy the urban vibe and special industrial architecture as many indoor markets can be found on renovated industrial developments. Finish your shopping spree with a unique culinary experience in the Borough Food Market, where you can find the best seasonal food and vegetables at very good prices.
Do you love to shop? Have we missed anything of our list of the World’s top 10 best shopping holidays?
Also Read: Wellness: 7 Transformative Healthy Habits for a Healthier Life
