Shopping, shopping, shopping! It’s one of the world’s favorite pastimes, and you can’t deny that walking out of a shop with something you like does have the uncanny ability to cheer you up when you’re in a funk. Some even call it therapy!
If you love to travel and you take your shopping seriously, you are familiar with the pleasure of combining the two activities. The random little stalls you happen upon; the bazaars, tantalizing you with their colorful, mysterious wares; the boutiques, brimming over with vintage gems; the fashion emporiums, imposing in their grandeur; or the discount shops, offering you your pick of the latest fashion at agreeable rates—oh the possibilities! It’s a glorious feeling.
It’s all about the hunt for that special something, which for many people could mean different things—the retro discovery, the hottest piece of fashion, the bargain, the no-one-in-the-world-but-me-will-have-this find, and so on.
Take the hunt across the world, to the fashion capitals and to the treasure trove bazaars. Check out these five cities where you can unleash the full intensity of your shopping needs. Don’t forget to sightsee!
Dubai
SoHo, more formally known as the “South of Houston”, is a creative hub of a neighborhood and a shopping destination featuring independent boutiques, chain retailers, and custom shops. Mystique Boutique offers fashion on a budget, and What Goes Around Comes Around specializes in vintage designer clothing.
Milan
Seoul
A shopping trip in Garosugil, a rising centre for the latest Korean fashion, is a must if you’re on the lookout for gorgeous, high-quality pieces (and if you’re ready to shell out some hefty monies). Garosugil is also a hub for rising local Korean designers, so the majority of the items are unique and different. Check out Spicy Color and Nine Owls vintage stores.
For traditional souvenirs and handicrafts, Insadong is the perfect destination in Seoul. This charming place is has retained its old-world beauty, with its cobbled streets and ancient structures housing souvenir shops and cafes.
Visit Ssamziegil, a tiered shopping mall with stores offering beautiful, locally made products, Tal Bang for wooden masks, and the Vin Collection shop for embroideries and other daintily-crafted items.