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Whether you’re looking for trinkets to take home, or wanting to splurge on designer labels, shopping is an essential part of most holidays. Shopping centres, malls and bazaars have become attractions in their own right with an increasing number of shopping enthusiasts travelling with the sole purpose of scooping a great deal.
Our personal travel managers have travelled the globe in search of the most extravagant shopping meccas to share their top five with you.
Dubai Mall – Dubai
Dubai Mall is considered the world’s largest shopping centre, and is also one of the most luxurious. Boasting 1,200 shops from luxury brands to everyday necessities, it’s also home to; the Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre, the world’s largest candy store – Candylicious, a 7,060m2 indoor theme park and an ice rink. Also inside the mall is Reel Cinemas, which features 22 screens and KidZania, an interactive edu-tainment centre. Take a break from shopping and watch the Dubai Fountain water and light show, which shoots jets of water to heights of 152 metres and features over 6,500 Superlights in 25 different colours.
Fifth Avenue – New York
You know you’ve hit the big time when you find yourself shopping on Fifth Avenue in New York City. This street offers all of the high-end fashion stores and latest trends, as well as American souvenirs and shops to suit every budget. The lavish shops and affluence that adorn the streets of Fifth Ave are a sight to see. It’s no wonder that this area is considered amongst the most expensive and best shopping in the world. As the locals say, “If you can’t find it on Fifth Avenue, it probably isn’t worth finding”.
West Edmonton Mall – Canada
There is so much more to this mall than just shopping. Go beyond the 800 stores and indulge in its themed areas, including a haunted house, a 3-D fun house as well as a full-size replica of the Santa Maria Expedition Ship. If you’re feeling sporty or in need of an adrenaline hit, then you’ll be in for a treat at the world’s largest indoor triple-loop roller coaster, an amusement park, a miniature golf course, the largest indoor water park in the world and a shooting range. Alternatively, dance up a storm at one of the many night clubs, discover the petting zoo or the indoor lake which is home to several sea lions, then rest your weary legs at the mall’s lavish hotel.
Villagio – Doha, Qatar
This shopping centre is designed to look like you’re strolling through Venice. There are man-made canals, gondolas and street entertainment. In addition, Villagio also features separate areas to represent Venice at different times of the day – one section shows the beautiful morning colours of the city, then in another section, see the beauty of Venice by night. The mall also has a theme park which features an indoor roller and water coaster, with a range of other theme park rides. Shoppers can also try the glow-in-the-dark bowling alley, the 4D cinema or the laser arena. And don’t forget to take a spin on the ice rink, which provides a cool change from the outdoor Arabian temperatures.
Vivo City – Singapore
Shopaholics will be spoilt for choice when visiting Singapore, as the country is home to more high-end shopping malls per capita than anywhere else in Asia. Vivo City is situated on the Harbour Front and is billed as a shopping, entertainment and lifestyle destination offering both quality and quantity. This mega mall features Singapore’s largest cinema and toy store, an amphitheatre, wade pool and four food courts. Shopaholics will delight in the extensive range of designer brands as well as high street labels that cover everything from fashion to homewares, jewellery and accessories.
When booking your next shopping adventure, consult your personal travel manager or find one near you.
We at Travel Managers Australia recognise the traditional owners of the country where we live and work. We recognise and celebrate the diversity of Indigenous people and their enduring cultures and connections to the land and waters of New South Wales.
