Shopping Around the World

shopping

around the world

by Stacey (Benedon) Fugere

Your vacation days are set. We’ve planned your flights, your hotel, your transportation, your sightseeing, and some of your meals. So what is left? Shopping, of course! Where are the best places to find unique gifts, designer clothes, or tchotchkes for your friends and coworkers? Talk to your travel agent! Besides being awesome resources for the best places to stay and the best experiences for you, we are also a wealth of knowledge about the destinations you’ll be visiting!

Did you know that if you are in New York, there is a company called Elegant Tightwad (theeleganttightwad.com) which specializes in shopping and foodie tours? Two of the agents in my office, Claudia and Mary Jane, brought a group of South Florida women there and they had a blast! Amazing deals, great shopping and tons of fun! New York has so many amazing shopping areas. If you are looking for more of a high end experience, make sure you stay near Madison Avenue. We love the Loews Regency and the St Regis. The Soho area has something for everyone, from Bloomingdales to small boutiques. Stay at the St. James New York or Soho Grand for a great experience.

Traveling to Hong Kong? You can’t miss a stop at Sam’s Tailor, the famous home of the 24-hour suit. A stop in their store or a visit to their website is a treasure trove of images with the tailor and his famous clientele. You don’t have to be famous to be among the elite in one of his amazing creations. Make sure you keep “The Green Shirt” bag and send them pictures of it around the world. These bags have been everywhere! For a dreamy hotel experience, we love the Kowloon ShangriLa or the Intercontinental Hong Kong.

Ronit “Roe” Naccache is our resident Israel expert. One of her most unique shopping tips? On Tuesday and Friday you can find blocks and blocks of original, handcrafted items at Nachalat Binyamin Market. What makes this market so special? Each artist has to be approved by a committee for themselves as well as for what they will be selling. All items need, but there are hotels as well. **Tip** before you go to Covent Garden, make sure you download “The Pass” app to your phone with the latest deal and offers for their restaurants and shops! Some of our client favorites are the Savoy for an iconic luxury stay, Me London for trendy, and Radisson Blu for something more moderate.

Looking for a fantastic hat? Look no further than Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany. Hutkoning (literally Hat King) is the premier hatter in Europe. Hutkoning has been creating masterful works of art for over 100 years for every occasion. They even created the hats for the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland (2010 version). Regensburg is a charming place where you can board your river cruise. Consider a river cruise on AMAWaterways from Regensburg to the beautiful Budapest. You can’t beat the view from your room!

And Paris! When thinking of shopping, who could ever forget Paris? But not the Paris you are thinking of! Linda Carr, our resident Paris expert, loves to recommend her clients to visit the 14th district. This is a quiet, non-touristy area that features designer “off-season” affordable clothing shopping. On Rue d’Alesia, make sure you stop in to the Sonia Rykiel Outlet for last season’s haute couture styles. If you see the word “STOCK” that is equivalent to our word “discount”. Although it’s not right nearby Rue d’Alesia, Linda loves to have people stay at the Hotel Dauphine. This is either a short cab ride or a leisurely 30 minute walk from this hidden shopping gem. One last tip, if you are staying at the Hotel Dauphine, make sure you stop in to The Main Plate for incredible Italian food!

Every destination in the world has something it is famous for. Each has its own personality and charm. For quick and easy access to all of the wonderful resources to make your travel dreams come true, don’t forget to call your local travel agent!

must be handmade and original. Most importantly each artist must be present to sell their own items, so you can actually chat with the artist! While you are there you can also check out the Carmel Market, Tel Aviv’s largest fresh produce market. The Carmel Market is a fantastic place to have lunch. Try out Savtot Mevshlot “Here, at Grandma’s Cooking, one bite of the Middle Eastern dishes and you’ll be transported back to a time, both by taste and the methods of preparation – [more than 50 years old].” A couple of lovely hotels within walking distance to the markets are the Intercontinental Tel Aviv and Dan Panorama Tel Aviv.

A must for elite shopping in London? Harrods’s of course. This is an icon and a must do at least once in your life, but it can be pretty crowded and it is only one building. Just a quick tip. If you are going to stay here, check out the Athenaeum Hotel. The location is perfect for walking to Harrods, but also to Buckingham Palace and the London Eye! If you want something a little different, check out the Covent Garden district. Here you can find the crème de la crème of shopping and dining. You’ll find everything from trendy to designer to kitschy! This is more of a leisurely afternoon. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver tempts the public with delectable flatbreads out of a wood-fired oven. Finish off your meal with a divine dessert at Morelli’s Gelato. Need to digest? Stop for a coffee at Café Nero. Our agent, Lori Kenner, spent a few wonderful hours here on her last trip to London. She’ll be an excellent resource to help you plan your next vacation to the United Kingdom! Not only is there shopping to fit every

Stacey has been fulfilling lifelong dreams as a travel agent for 10 years. Throughout these years she has traveled extensively throughout Europe, North America and the Caribbean. Stacey is an American Express Travel Insider specializing in Walt Disney World Resorts. Along with Stacey, there are 40 other travel agents at Boca Express Travel looking forward to making your travel dreams a reality!

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