The world is full of beautiful places. And as we explore it, we try to pick something – a tiny bit – very specific to the destination which will remind us of that place forever. Plus, we do know there are people who love shopping when they travel. And yet others who sometimes travel for shopping!! So, here we bring you a list of 5 best shopping destinations around the world. To help you decide where to go for your next shopping adventure!
Shopping in Dubai
Recently Dubai has fast emerged as a Shopping Destination on the globe, attracting shoppers from all over the world. Not only is Dubai strategically located in the center of the globe. But it also acts as a connecting point for many flights between Asia, Europe and US. Also, one can easily book their Flydubai flight ticket via Cleartrip when traveling between India and Dubai. And plan the Dubai vacation with this perfect Dubai Planner! Moreover, the Dubai airport has a lot of duty free shops. So, even if you are not visiting Dubai in particular, but having a layover, worry not. You can shop for a variety of things here. That is why Dubai is becoming the topmost among the shopping destinations around the world.
Related Read: how to score a cheap flight tickets to your destination?
Once inside Dubai, some of the main shopping hubs where you might want to browse the products and buy some, will include the Dubai Mall, Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and many more. Also, if you can, plan your visit around the Dubai Shopping Festival that runs from last week of December till end of Jan. During this festival, Dubai witnesses a lively environment with street side markets, fireworks, live concerts, live counters of food and much more.
What to shop in Dubai
Now comes the question about what to shop in Dubai. Some of the famous items that one can buy from Dubai and take home include
- Camel shaped “camel milk chocolate”
- Dried fruits, particularly, Dubai Dates
- Traditional oudh or bakhoor which is an essential fragrance oil derived from agarwood resin.
- Persian carpets
- Perfume Oils
- Pashmina Shawls
- Gold Jewellery
- Dubai Spices
- Hookah Pipe
- Coffee pots – Dubai Style
- Other branded fashion products
Shopping in Rajasthan, India
Having been thrice to Rajasthan and covered Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and several places around these cities, I must say it is always on top of my list of shopping destinations around the world. Shopping in Udaipur was a delight wherein we ended up buying 2 extra bags to carry all our shopping!! We shopped across the famous Bapu Bazar for fabric products and Shipgram for some linen and handicrafts. And similar was the shopping scene when we spent 3 days in Jaipur. Particularly the shopping from the Rajasthali Emporium on M I Road. I have already written about my crazy shopping in Rajasthan across Jaipur and Udaipur. In case you don’t want to explore on an independent tour, there are guided tours curated for shopping experience in Rajasthan!
Each city in Rajasthan has something unique of its own. While Udaipur has lots of Bandhej fabric products and sarees. Jaipur is famous for lah bangles and jewellery. Jaisalmer has some of the best applique and leather works in India.While Jodhpur is famous for it’s blue pottery around the world. There are a ton of items to buy in Rajasthan. Let me list below the souvenirs to pick from Rajasthan.
Must pick souvenirs from Rajasthan, India
- Bandhani or Bandhej and Laheria print fabrics, dresses and sarees
- Camel leather products
- Lah Bangles
- Bed spreads, bedsheets – block print as well as thread work ones, table linen and cushion covers
- Jaipuri Razai (A cotton quilt suitable for winter and can be used as an AC comforter as well)
- Hand painted wooden picture frames, boxes, and other decor items
- Blue pottery
- Fabric paintings depicting the scenes from Indian legends, ancient past and from the time of the rulers of Rajasthan.
- Oxidised silver and silver earrings and jewellery
- Blue tiled mirrors.
- Wall hangings
- Clay pots – including the miniatures
- Ceramic door knobs, wall hooks and many more
Shopping in Singapore
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Singapore is the shopping hub of South East Asia. Particularly through the monsoon months when the Great Singapore Sale is held that runs for nearly two months. At this time, shopaholics from around the world gather in Singapore especially for shopping. And why not? You can get the best branded items during this sale at dirt cheap prices across Singapore. With Orchard Road being the main shopping destination of Singapore, and all the other malls and street markets following. Including the shops at Marina Bay, China Town, Little India, Bugis Street, Vivo City Mall, City Plaza and many more. This is why we put Singapore as one of the top shopping destinations around the world.
Top Souvenirs to pick from Singapore
So, what do you pick from Singapore? Although there are lots of fabric, dresses, shoes, makeup and other things to buy. There are some unique items that you can get only in Singapore. Here’s a lit of top souvenirs to pick from Singapore
- Miniature Merlion – showpiece, toothpick holder, coaster holder and many other forms are there in which you will see the Merlion all over Singapore. They are made in metal as well as crystal. And definitely are a must buy sourvenir to pick from Singapore.
- Satin Chinese style robes
- Spices
- Stylish clothes
- Elegant homeware
- Hats, Footwear, Sunglasses
- Tiger Balms
- TWG Tea Products
- Kaya Jam
- Dresses, bags, and other souvenirs made in Peranakan style prints which are speciality of a community in Singapore. Even their porcelain dishes
- Flavoured nuts
Shopping in Thailand
If a shopper is looking for shopping economical yet quality products, I can’t think of a better place than Thailand. Back from a 14 days trip to Thailand. We shopped at almost all the places that we visited in Thailand! And that is why I can say this is one of the top shopping destinations around the world. And the food scene in Thailand enhances the shopping experience further. While the malls in Thailand like the MBK mall and Discovery mall in Bangkok & the Maya mall in Chiang Mai are full of branded products in all categories including cloths, cute accessories, stationery, electronics, packaged candies and food products and what not. At the same time, nothing beats the street markets of Thailand. While there, we visited the street markets across the cities of Thailand including the below ones. Do remember to master your bargaining skills when you head here.
Chatuchak Market, Bangkok
The Chatuchak Market, Bangkok opens from evening 6:00PM till midnight every Friday. While it is open from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The tourists shop till they drop across all categories of products available in the market. In fact you might end up doing some of the cheapest shopping in Bangkok here in this market.
Sunday Night Market, Chiang Mai Old City
The Sunday Night Market in Chiang Mai Old City starts around 6:00pm and goes on till midnight. This market is also called the “Walking Street Market” because vehicle traffic is not allowed in the street once the market starts. And it becomes “pedestrian only” street. Luckily we spent one Sunday in Chiang Mai, and shopped extensively from this market. Apart from the different things available for shopping, there are abundant food stalls selling all kind of street food, deserts, vegetarian and non vegetarian delights. Combine your Sunday Night Market, Chiang Mai Old City visit along with this self planned and self guided walking tour of the Old City Chiang Mai which I designed while there and have a wonderful day.
Chiang Mai Night Bazar
This street market runs every day from 6:00pm till midnight on the intersection of Chang Khlan Road and Loi Khro Road. So, in case if you happen to miss the Sunday Night Market or the Walking Street Market of Chiang Mai Old City, you still can enjoy the night market scene of Chiang Mai, no matter which day of the week you are visiting!
What to buy in Thailand – top Souvenirs from Thailand
My list of top souvenirs to buy from Thailand include:
- Coconut products: extra virgin coconut oil, painted coconut shell plates, coconut oil
- Essential oils
- Mosquito repellants made with essential oils and herbal ingredients.
- Dresses – cloths & specially stoles – both silk and cotton ones
- Bags
- Shoes
- Cheaper local copy of branded electronics and accessories
- Cute stationery, keychains and magnets
- The world famous painted umbrellas of Chiang Mai
Shopping in Europe
We must say that Europe and the balkan peninsula are one of the best shopping destinations around the world. But, most of the products in Europe are expensive. While we traveled around Europe for 2 weeks, covering Netherlands, spending few days in Paris, four days in Switzerland and six beautiful days in Italy, we did collect few souvenirs to bring home. And none of them were costly. So, let us list here some unique and affordable European Souvenirs to bring home when you travel there the next time. Do note that different countries in Europe are famous for different kind of things. So, depending on where you are headed in Europe, you can buy one or more of these.
Affordable European Souvenirs to bring home
- Freeze magnets – no matter where you go in Europe, each place has it’s own. And they are priced anywhere between 1 to 5 euros. We bought magnets from Amsterdam, The Tulip Gardens of Netherlands, Disneyland Paris, Venice, Rome and several other places.
- The miniature glass items from Venice, Italy which are manufactured in Murano. They are truly unique and very convenient to carry.
- Wooden Tulips that make for one of the best souvenirs from Amsterdam, from the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
- Magnetic or otherwise – miniature shoes (Clog) from Amsterdam
- Miniature versions of the famous attractions of Europe like the Colosseum, Eiffel Tower, Leaning tower of Pisa, London Bridge etc.
- Fashion and makeup from Paris or Milan
- Leather bags from Italy
- Swiss Knives from Switzerland
- Blue and White pottery of Netherlands
- Miniature windmills (sometimes also in the form of magnets) in Netherlands.
- Miniature boats from Netherlands
- Hand painted, hand held fans of Spain
- Evil eyed beads from Greece
- Embroidered tablecloths from Hungary
- Cookies and chocolates from Switzerland and the waffles of Amsterdam! Although not exactly souvenirs but we had to list them here! As they are a must shop in Europe).
There are many other well known shopping destinations around the world. These being only a handful that we have experienced so far. So, do let us know what is your favourite shopping destination. And also what do you pick as a souvenir as you travel around the world. And what do you shop for apart from the souvenirs.
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It is also possible to enjoy camel milk ice cream in Dubai. Highly popular, especially in a warm country like the UAE, and safe for lactose intolerant people and those with dairy protein allergies.
thank you, I will add that to the post