Some people may travel for the food, other for the views or museums. And then there are the ones who get out of town on a quest to find the best shopping.
For those who love to shop ‘til they drop, we’ve got some expert tips for you courtesy of Hilton
1. Dubia
The famous Mall of the Emirates, considered the world’s first shopping resort, features a wealth of stores to suit every budget. From the ultra-luxurious to popular high street brands there is something at every price point. Open until 10pm every day, shoppers can shop until they drop, before enjoying one of the many restaurants or entertainment options to finish off the day. Shoppers with kids can keep the entire family entertained at Magic Planet, the entertainment district of the mall which features several international award-winning rides and games.
2. Paris
Galeries Lafayette stands at the centre of Paris, holding 3,500 brands from affordable to luxury. Not only does the plaza ensure a spectacular shopping experience, Galeries Lafayette also serves as a channel for up-and-coming fashion and design. As an alternative to the big brand names, head south of the river to independent bookstore Shakespeare and Company to browse and read in the same location as Hemingway, Fitzgerald and countless other prolific authors of the 1920’s.
3. Seoul
Fact: South Korea has a serious addiction to shopping. The most serious in the world, in fact.
South Korea recorded more credit card transactions per person than any other country in 2011, and all merchants are required by law to accept credit cards no matter how low the price. Yes, that means the phrase “cash only, please” is technically illegal.
This translates to a capital city bursting with shops of a dizzying array of types and sizes, from LED-fish-scale-studded luxury department stores to towering all-nighter shopping malls to trendy street carts, which all reflect the ever-changing hottest item of the moment.
While foreign luxury goods tend to get a hefty mark-up (except at the airport, which boasts the first Louis Vuitton airport duty free store, as well as cheap prices for most foreign brands), local boutiques tend to be cheap and chic.
The city also has a good mix of the old and new, according to the Globe Shopper Index, which recommends the Seoul Folk Flea Market, Namdaemun Market and Gyeongdong Market for a shopping spree of more traditional goods.
4. Milan
Home to many of fashion’s biggest names such as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace, it’s little wonder this beautiful city is full of glamorous locals and shops that cater to them.
One of the most beautiful (if expensive) shopping experiences can be found at Quadrilatero della Moda or Quadrilatero d’Oro (‘rectangle of gold’), which many fashion insiders consider is the world’s most important fashion district.
The interwoven pedestrian streets are lined with jewelers, boutiques and lifestyle showrooms that make for great window shopping.
While the boutiques cater to the alligator-bag-and-black-card-toting crowd, luckily for bargain shoppers, yesterday’s styles are tossed aside so fast, outlets and sales racks are always full.
Il Salvagente (“the lifesaver”), Milan’s best known and longest established outlet, has three floors of goods discounted up to 60%, all organized by size and color.
No one back home needs to know it was bought at an outlet mall — Milan fashions are always months ahead of the trends elsewhere.
5. Madrid
Madrid mostly gets our credit cards warm simply for being Madrid, though it’s worth noting that the city ranks third for best prices on general luxury items in the Globe Shopper Index.
But we can’t wow our friends with statistics (not our shopping friends, anyway), so what about the goods?
When searching for items unique to Madrid, we fell in love with Capas Seseña.
Established in 1901, the shop sells traditional wool and cotton velvet capes for men and women. The clientele includes Pierce Brosnan and Hillary Clinton. Picasso was reportedly buried in his cape from the store.
6. London
- The UK capital is a shopper’s paradise and my personal favourite city to shop in. The world-renowned Harrods department store is the most notable in London, known for its outstanding window displays. In the heart of the city you’ll also find Oxford Street, famous for its excess of high street shops. Scattered around other parts of the city are various retail havens including Hatton Garden, Westfield shopping centres in Shepherd’s Bush and Stratford and multiple markets such as Spitalfields and Borough Market, which specialise in everything from vintage clothing and flowers to antiques and world cuisine.