Shop 'til You Drop: All Around the World
1/30/07
Travel & Company Tour Consultants Share Shopping Tips, from High Fashion to Low Cost
The French phrase for window shopping is faire du leche-vitrines, meaning "to lick the windows!" Read our shopping tips so you can do more than drool over the beautiful merchandise available in destinations around the world.
Spain
The British Isles
Italy
France
Germany
The Americas
Asia Pacific
European Size Chart Conversions
Spain
Spain: Barcelona
"Barcelona is one of my favorite European Cities to shop in. It is the home of avant-garde attire, asymmetrical hair-do’s and two of my favorite stores in the world… Zara and Mango. These shops are now all over European Cities but they started in Barca and this is where you can get the best prices and newest designs. These are must visit shops for all the latest fashions. The best thing about shopping in Europe is that you are almost guaranteed that what you buy will be in fashion in the U.S. a year later. It’s longevitiy of fashion.
Europe has two big sales a year. One is in January after the holidays, and the other is in July. It’s called 'Rebajas' in Spain, 'Solde' in France and 'Saldi' in Italy. Even designer clothes go on sale during these times. You can get some incredible deals!!!"
- Liz Burns, Senior Tour Consultant
"Barcelona is home to the famous 5 KM shopping line. The shopping line stretches from the top of the Ramblas, through the Plaza Catalunya, along Passeig de Gràcia and up Avenue Diagonal. Much of the shopping line is pedestrianized making it a pleasant experience to wander from shop to shop without worrying about traffic.
Barcelona has a lot of independent boutiques selling Spanish designer clothing. They are usually accessible on the metro.
There is a huge El Corte Ingles department store in the Plaza Cataluyna.
'Las Ramblas,' right off the Plaza Cataluyna, has stands with bizarre items to purchase, including live animals, plants, and very unique accessories! There is also a fantastic food market on Las Ramblas called, 'La Boqueria' with an amazing seafood section. Everyone who visits Barcelona should see it!"
- Molly Eckman, Product Director
Spain: Madrid
"In Spain, shops are usually closed in the afternoon, between about 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. In Madrid, 'El Rastro' is an enormous open-air flea market open on Sundays from around 10-2. It is between the Plaza de Cascorro, La Latina and the street of Embajadores (between Metro 'Puerta de Toledo', Metro 'La Latina' and Metro 'Antón Martin'). Everything imaginable can be found here from valuable antiques to used clothing, including collector cards, books, records, paintings, etc. You need to beware of pick pockets there!
Calle Serrano (north of the Prado museum) has a bunch of upscale designer stores. For “hip” affordable clothes, the neighborhood of Chueca is a great place to go. You can reach this on the metro (Chueca metro).
'El Corte Ingles' is the main department store and has virtually everything you need! There are several locations throughout the city, including one right near the Puerta del Sol."
- Molly Eckman, Product Director
The British Isles
The British Isles: London
"A great place for delicious gourmet food is the Borough’s market open only Friday/Saturday which sits alongside the older fruit and vegetable wholesale market where many of London’s fabulous restaurants get their produce daily.
Major sales all across the city are January/February and then June/July. Bargains can be found everywhere in almost all retail shops during these times (true for most of Europe actually)!
Carnaby Street — known in the 60s for being the center of all that was hip, now the area is full of little shops containing not only the trendiest clothes, but stuff for around the home and delightful restaurants as well."
- Alicia Kohanski, Product Director
The British Isles: Dublin
"Great Pedestrian Streets for shopping are Grafton Street and Henry Street.
Nassau Street is the main street for shopping for all things Ireland! From woolens to hand crafted pottery, celtic jewelry to crystal — it can all be found here!
Guinness memorabilia — while it can easily be found everywhere, head close to the source and choose from the best selection of goods at the Guinness Storehouse."
- Alicia Kohanski, Product Director
Italy
"For tax refunds spend more than Euro 155 at a store with a tax free sticker on the door. Save about 15% when you get the export stamp at the airport.
Look for a Saldi sign in Italy!
Hit the outdoor markets! While they don’t carry designer names you can pick up lots of fun and neat stuff cheap. Almost every city in Italy has a market during one day of the week."
- Julie Torra, Product Director
France
France
"The best tip for shopping in France is to remember to say ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Au Revoir’ when entering and exiting a shop, even if you are not buying anything. Not only is this considered to be mandatory politeness, it also ensures that you will get better service and are less likely to be treated as a mere tourist.
Other helpful phrases are:
‘Je regarde’….I’m just looking
‘C’est combien?’….How much is it?
‘(En) Soldes’….(on) sale
‘Je peux l’essayer?’…..Can I try it on?
‘C’est quelle taille?’…What size is it?
‘Je cherche..’…..I’m looking for…"
- Maggie Hancox, Product Director
France: Paris
"The largest Flea/Antique Market in the World is located in Paris just north of Montmartre. It’s open on Saturdays and Sundays and this market is huge and full of everything and anything your heart could desire. The metro stop is Porte de Clignancourt on line 4. It’s the last stop and the market is only a few blocks away… just follow the crowds."
- Liz Burns, Senior Tour Consultant
"Be sure to pick up Petit Bateaux t-shirts in Paris."
- Joel Cody, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer
Germany & Central Europe
"If you by chance need to purchase medicine while you are in Germany, don't bother looking for it in the Supermarkt. German grocery stores sell only food and limited paper products. The Drogerie (or drugstore) might have what you need, but these stores concentrate mainly on hygiene and cleaning supplies. Your best bet is to find an Apotheke, which will carry a full range of over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Just look for the neon green sign in the shape of a cross. Every Apotheke seems to have one!"
- Jeff Hild, Vice President of Marketing
The Americas
The Americas: Mexico
"The main street ('Quinta Avenida' or Fifth Avenue) in Playa del Carmen, Mexico (on the Yucatan Peninsula) has a ton of little shops will all kinds of souvenirs. This is a great place to browse, compare prices, and sometimes barter."
- Molly Eckman, Product Director
The Americas: Costa Rica
"In San Jose I love to go El Pueblo. It is a good place to go in the evening because it is safe to walk around and the stores are open late. You can go your last night on the tour so you don't have to carry around your presents for the entire trip! Warning: it also has a lot of bars, so be forewarned."
- Laura Smart, Vice President of Sales
Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific: Kyoto
"Nishiki market is a must-see destination —it has a food market, Japanese knives, clothing and more.
JR Kyoto Isetan is a department store at the main train station—one of the few places that accepts credit cards.
There is also an underground shopping mall at the train station. It has long hours, so it's good for last-minute souvenirs."
- Tracy Miller, Assistant Regional Director, Sacramento
Asia Pacific: Beijing
"The best shopping tip I can give, which is crucial, would definitely be to know how to wheel and deal. A lot of shopping is street and vendor shopping, where they love to take foreigners for a ride if they get the chance. Don't be intimidated or feel bad about negotiation… it's all part of the game and is really fun once you get the hang of it. I even bargained for pearls in a jewelry store while I was there."
- Alexa Leonard, Tour Consultant