Some people travel for food, seeking out the local haute cuisine. Others travel for natural beauty, chasing scenic landscapes and blue water. There are even people who travel solely to take in the historical sights of a city. And then there are those who travel to exotic places for a shopping spree. Honestly, is there anything better than hitting the markets, malls and fashion districts of a new place, trying on shoes, clothes and jewelry, and ending the day with arms stocked full of bags? Didnโt think so.
Sure, it can get a little pricey, but you could always save up, or max out your credit cards, or see if you won the lottery jackpot โ the bottom line is that there are ways of making it happen. So with that in mind, letโs look at the top four destinations for the ultimate shopping spree.
New York
Itโs no surprise that this list would open with the Big Apple herself, the grandmother of glitz โ New York City. NYC has everything a shopper could want, from the high-end fashion of Fifth Avenue, the hip street fashion of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, or the curated vintage couture shops in lower Manhattan. So vast and plentiful is the shopping scene in New York that you can even find a number of shopping tours that take you to multiple locations. It’s the perfect place for a shopping spree!
Tokyo
With a metropolitan population over six times the size of New York, Tokyo is a massive city. And with that large population comes a lot of shops, ranging from the high-end all the way down to the small, boutique and handcrafted. When you land in Tokyo, head straight for Ginza or Shibuya. The former is mostly an upmarket district, while the latter caters mainly to a younger crowd, with hip fashion trends always on display just waiting for your shopping spree.
London
For a shopping spree rooted in tradition, itโs tough to beat London. The luxury department stores, like Harrods, offer a wide array of fashionable clothes and accessories โ some British, some not โ while older British brands like Dunhill or New & Lingwood offer up bespoke clothing that really typifies the restrained, sophisticated London style. Of course, as with any large metropolis, the variety doesnโt end there, and you can find everything from punk paraphernalia to yoga pants with minimal effort.
Dubai
Whereas the previous three entries featured a wide variety of styles and sensibilities, Dubai is all about luxury, all the time. Arguably the worldโs richest city per capita, Dubai plays host the worldโs elite, and youโll see more gold here than in a Scrooge McDuck swimming pool. If youโre there in January or February, donโt miss the Dubai Shopping Festival, with street fairs, fireworks and city-wide sales. For any other month, head straight for the shopping malls โ if for no other reason than to avoid the heat! Sounds like a great place for a shopping spree!
Whether you have to save for years, or buy a few lottery tickets every week until you win big, youโll want to leave these destinations with a stuffed suitcase. Traveling the world certainly has its other rewarding cultural experiences, but none can deny the universal thrill of a good shopping spree!