Of course, no one can deny that shopping and traveling are connected by an unbreakable link. Shopping while on the road abroad is a great way of supporting the local businesses and the economy as a whole. But even with that being said, what exactly makes traveling and shopping a perfect combo?
Travel is immensely rewarding. It is much more than seeing beautiful countries and nature, meeting new people, and experiencing new cultures. It is the single best self-development tool. Travel liberates you from the cultural values and norms of your home country.
It shows you that humans can live in a very different way and still have a highly functional society. It enables you to genuinely re-examine your own values. You begin to understand that what you believe is “right” or “normal” is mostly unconscious programming from the values and norms of your home country.
And once you realize that, you can decide whether or not those values are really the ones you want to live by. You can choose new values from other places that align with the life you want to live.
1. Tunis
While on a tour abroad, nothing will ever give you more value for money and time than buying local souvenirs and eating local delicacies at local restaurants. You feel the vibe and the character of an overseas destination by visiting the local joints where the locals spend their time and buying the things they value most. In a nutshell, your trip becomes more authentic when you shop and interact with the locals in the process.
Stroll through the bustling Medina of Tunisia, to perfect your bargaining skills. Try the Souk Al Attarine that still sells perfumes and oils, or the Grand Souq des Chechias, the traditional place of shopping.
Shopping Tips: Go grocery shopping at least once during your trip and ensure that you try one or several local delicacies.
2. Manama
Forget about the corporate brand representatives that bring their products to your office or neighborhood all the time. Forget about mainstream shopping in malls and supermarkets in the city. Shopping in the streets at small, locally-owned businesses and interacting with the locals makes your shopping instincts come back to life.
You negotiate for prices, discuss different local topics, and interact with the local culture- like a local. The town gossip that you couldn’t have heard had you stayed put in your hotel, shopping gives you a glimpse of it. And what’s more, you even become more confident when you mingle with and buy stuff from people who barely speak your language. You will have a juicy story to tell back home.
Manama is a vibrant capital of the island with a large urban center where the Bahrain City Center stands, a large shopping center with 350 shops of all kinds, with 50 bars and restaurants, the Wahooo water park, movie theaters or the Recreational Magic Planet area, which includes a bowling lane.
Street markets are located in the south of the city a labyrinth of streets between Bab Al Bahrain and Lulu Road where tourists and travelers can buy from kaftas to spices, nuts, products local, ceramic pieces or slippers, all in a typical arabesque environment.
Shopping Tips: Make eco-conscious shopping. Don’t use plastic bags anyhow. Instead, use a reusable shopping bag at all times.
3. Barcelona
Locals will gladly teach you how to cook their local delicacy when you agree to leave your hotel room and go grocery shopping downtown. You will also learn the local language easily when you go out. There are tons of new things to learn out there, things that will enhance your happiness and personal growth.
Shopping is also a great option in Barcelona. Check out the famous street La Rambla, one of the largest tourist attractions in the city.
Shopping Tips: Don’t forget to inform your credit card company that you will be traveling and using your card to shop while abroad. It can be a inconvenience to have your card declined.
4. London
Some gifts and souvenirs are unique to a given destination. Things that will make everyone happy when you bring them home. When visiting London, for example, be sure to take a free walking tour through London to Oxford Street and other shopping streets and buy something unique to bring home to your loved ones.
The city, just like many other cities in Europe, is a hub for many yummy delicacies to try and high-end fashion brands to choose from. But before buying, there are tons of online stores where you can order high-end brands, so make sure you check for competing prices.
Oxford Street, the UK's most important shopping street, is within walking distance of Mayfair. Selfridges is the best department store on Oxford Street. In fact all three of London's most important shopping streets are near Mayfair. Oxford Street, Bond Street, and Regents Street. Bond Street is the most expensive. That's where you can buy a million pound diamond ring.
Both Bond Street and Regents Street have upmarket clothes shops. Jermyn Street off Regents Street specialises in suit shops and hand made shoes for the City gent. Hamlyn's toy shop is on Regent's Street; the UK's best toy shop. You can stock up on caviar at Fortnum and Mason off Regents Street. 181 Piccadilly. Fortnum and Mason is also famous as a place to go for Afternoon Tea.
In Mayfair itself there are quite a few expensive hotels on Park Lane. Michael Jackson used to stop at The Dorchester Hotel whenever he was in town. There are upmarket restaurants within these hotels. Apart from The Dorchester, other 5☆ hotels on Park Lane includes The Hilton, and The Inn on The Park. There is a Ferrari dealership on Park Lane. HR Owen. They do Bugatti as well.
Adjoining Park Lane near Marble Arch tube station, at the end of Oxford Street is Edgware Road. Edgware Road is lined with Arab restaurants.
Shopping Tips: Remember to make a shopping list before heading to the store in order to avoid impulse and unnecessary buying.
5. Dubai
There are many shopping festivals in the world that attracts foreign tourists. The Dubai Shopping Festival is one such occasion. It attracts millions of international shoppers for fashion items, electronics, and jewelry, among other things. The items are mostly sold at a discounted price. If you love to shop and travel, you will find great joy in attending such kind of festivals.
Treat yourself to that eagerly awaited wardrobe update, with wonderful style deals available on fashion dresses. DSF is presumably the best spot to buy diamonds, especially gold. You can find gold, platinum, valuable stones and pearls.
Shopping Tips: Speaking of a shopping list, remember to translate it to the local language before handing it over to the storekeeper.
In conclusion
Did you love a particular item during your time abroad and you now wish you could go back and get it? Worry not because online shopping will come to your rescue.