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If you feel like giving your credit card a work out in a different environment, why not visit one of these top shopping destinations? TravelManagers can arrange your flights and accommodation, but you’re on your own when it comes to choosing between the handbag and the shoes. If it were our holiday.. we’d choose both!
Singapore
Singapore is famous for it’s reliable and efficient public transport network, making it that much easier to get from markets to luxury stores in no time at all.
The five kilometre tree-lined boulevard of Orchard Road is the perfect place to start your shopping expedition, with a wide variety of stores selling everything from antiques to electronics. If you can’t find it for sale on Orchard Road, the likelihood is that it doesn’t exist.
However, if you’re 100% sure it exists and you still can’t find it, then jump on a predictably on time bus down to the Harbour and visit VivoCity.
Vivocity was designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, and spans a whopping 24 hectares, making it as much an architectural masterpiece as a mammoth mall. The development hosts 25 retailers specialising solely in bags and shoes, and 15 retailers specialising purely in cosmetics.
You’ll also be happy to hear that VivoCity and the majority of stores are fully air conditioned, giving you the excuse of escaping the Singapore heat to visit every single store.
New York
New York City is one of the most notorious shopping destinations in the world, with Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue providing the backdrop for many a Hollywood movie, not to mention Sex and the City episode! Shopping in New York isn’t exclusively for the rich and famous, however you’ll feel part of the glitterati illuminated by the bright lights of Times Square as you flag down an iconic yellow taxi and get amongst it.
Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue are home to flagship stores for major international brands such as Chanel and Mulberry, and have become retail hotspots in the own right. New York is also home to internationally acclaimed department stores such as Barney’s, Macy’s and Bloomingdales.
Although the big apple was built on the grid system and can be easily navigated with a map and sense of direction, don’t miss the opportunity to ride the famous subway with trains running regularly and tickets available at each stop.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of the major financial centres of the world and while falling under Chinese sovereignty has a high degree of autonomy as a Special Administrative Region. Many of Hong Kong’s districts have been named after London neighbourhoods harking back to when Hong Kong fell under British rule. As a result Hong Kong has a Soho, which is home to a gigantic Louis Vuitton.
Causeway Bay has been nicknamed the Olympic Games of shopping, due to the wide variety of stores available. Within Causeway Bay is a 230-store mall aptly named Times Square, where thousands gather to welcome in the New Year under the elaborate commercial displays. Just across the tree shaded promenade is Lee Gardens plaza, home to international luxury brands and a unique children’s floor, with Baby Dior and Burberry Children.
Dubai
Dubai has become a prestigious commercial destination in recent years, with the construction of several luxury hotels, the world’s tallest building and over fifty malls, one of which holds the prestigious title of being the world’s largest.
Dubai is a duty free paradise, making it the perfect place to pick up a designer bargain. Retail has become such a major attraction in Dubai that it hosts a shopping festival at the start of each year, with major sweeping discounts across the board.
The Gold Souk in Deira is the place to go in search of bargains, where the streets are literally lined with gold. Dubai has become the centre for Arabian gold, drawing merchants from across the region. Tread carefully as buying jewellery, particularly gold, can be a minefield unless you’re clued up and can spot imitations. The best way to do this if you’re not an expert in expensive metals is to do research on the current price of gold and always be sceptical. If something seems too good to be true, unfortunately it probably is.
London
London’s sprawling districts and winding cobbled alleyways don’t lend themselves to quick shopping, however with a bit of legwork London is a shoppers paradise.
During the sixties, London was the fashion capital of the world and Carnaby Street was the beating heart of it all. Fifty years on and the legacy still remains – Carnaby Street alone is home to over 50 unique boutiques and big British brands such as Barbour and Dr Marten.
Saville Row has always been the place to go for bespoke suits and is widely regarded as the mecca of tailoring. Suits, especially those cut from Europe’s finest cloth by Saville Row tailors don’t come cheap and can take up to three months to make. So it’s always best to give them a forwarding address or you’ll be in for a long wait.
Bond Street plays host to major luxury fashion brands such as Chanel, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana, while Oxford Street houses the major department stores of Selfridges and John Lewis.
Thankfully, shopping isn’t confined to these major streets, with Liberty’s department store located on Regent Street, and Harrods in Knightsbridge. Although the widespread speckling of shops isn’t friendly on your feet, it does allow you to take in the sights of the city.
Start planning your greatest shopping spree with your local, personal travel manager. Visit http://www.travelmanagers.com.au/ptm-search/
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