3 Unique Places To Stop When You’re Traveling The World

Many people like traveling the world for some unique ways to hunt down some retail therapy in interesting places. However, if you’re looking for a truly unique way of dressing yourself, and perhaps your home, then locating independent stores full of contemporary and old items will fill your suitcase with items that potentially no one else in your country will have.

1. Flower Markets

If you turn into a magpie at the mere sight of something shiny or pearlescent, then swinging by an international flower market is a great place to stop by when you’re traveling the world. The reason for this is that it’s often not just flowers that they sell. You’ll often see other interior decorations such as tall jars of spiraling conch shells and iridescent flat shells can make even the most conservative souvenir purchaser begin to fill a bag full.

For example, if you’re in East Asia, then a souvenir store with a difference would be travelling to Singapore of Shanghai for their world-class flower markets. For example, Caojiadu is described as a “multi-story building with flowers and plants on the first floor and gifts and fake flowers on the second.”

2. Antique Stores

When you are traveling the world, you’ll find all the usual suspects: old furniture, paintings and boxes of odds and ends to rummage through. However, doing this when you’re traveling the world means you will find antique treasures that you wouldn’t otherwise find at home.

For example, in Holland, you’ll see old pieces of Delft Blue pottery, which are iconic and unique to Holland. Amsterdam is even home to Holland’s biggest antique market, which is a heaven for anyone looking to spend a day trawling through second-hand items. Belgium and France are also home to a wealth of flea markets where you’ll uncover original Art Nouveau paintings and furniture that you will be able to say is authentically chic.

3. Fashion and Design Boutiques

Scouring independent clothing and design boutiques when you’re traveling the world is a great way to find one-of-a-kind items that you’ll be able to say with some certainty that you won’t be able to find them at home. If you’re travelling by plane, then it’s best to leave a little bit of room in your luggage.

Finding vintage stores with second-hand clothing of brands from the country in will feel truly unique. Finding a second-hand dress in China will look nothing like a second hand dress you pick up at home in the USA. If you spend time in a flower market, then pairing your findings with items from a design boutique abroad will give your home a custom look that no one else will have.

While it might take a bit more digging than finding the local chain stores, uncovering independent stores while traveling the world can be incredibly rewarding both in terms of what you buy, but also in terms of understanding the local culture. Having fun perusing these unique places is a great way to reduce travel stress.

These are just a couple unique places you should plan on stopping at when you’re traveling the world. If you think of any other, please leave a comment and let us know!