The dying art of bargaining in Istanbuls Grand Bazaar
The elaborate etiquette of the Ottoman Empire lingers in many day-to-day rituals still observed in its greatest creation, the city of Istanbul. A good example is the ubiquitous and highly formalised system of greetings used by all locals, which harks back to the courtly manners refined in the imperi
Retail therapy: top tips for shopping in the Paris sales
Need a bit of retail therapy? Theres nowhere better to go than Paris, particularly as the sales start this January.That frenzy of retail therapy otherwise known as the Paris sales kicks off again in January. Shopping in the city is not as elegant or dignified as at other times of year. But who cares
Viva vinyl in Seattle: finding Emerald City’s music through its record stores
In May 2014 Sub Pop, the record company that launched the careers of grunge bands Nirvana and Mudhoney in the late ‘80s, opened up a music store at Seattle’s Seatac Airport. Selling t-shirts, rock memorabilia and old-school phonograph discs, the new store was the mark of a trend. In the midst of the
Mexico Citys best markets
Lo recorrí por años enteros, de mercado a mercado, porque México está en los mercados. (I went from market to market for years, because Mexico is in its markets.)Pablo NerudaMexican traders have been setting up market stalls since pre-Hispanic times. In Mexico City alone there are over three hundred
Romanian handicrafts: a shopper’s guide
Finding the perfect memento to bring back home is an integral – and usually fun – part of travel. Romania, with its rich folk tradition, is particularly fertile ground for traditional-handicraft-hunting: think intricately painted eggs, ceramic bowls and vases, colourful folk costumes, leatherwork, l
Treasure hunting: shopping in Marrakesh
Marrakesh has been a trading town since the 11th century and it can still satisfy the most ardent shopaholic. Its warren of souks are the quintessential Moroccan shopping experience, but theres more: in-the-know buyers also make a beeline for the design district of Sidi Ghamen or upscale Gueliz for
A guide to Singapore’s shopping strips
Singapore’s mania for shopping almost rivals its obsession with food, and barely a year goes by without a vast new retail monolith flinging open its doors. Prices may be higher than in Malaysia and Thailand, but Singapore beats its neighbours for sheer convenience and familiarity. Electronics and co
Mexicos handicrafts – what to buy and where
Color, culture and happy skeletons: these elements sum up the artesanías (handicrafts) created by Mexico’s diverse indigenous peoples. Some designs have endured hundreds of years of cultural shifts. Others are recent twists that pop with Mexican bravado and make one-offs to remind you of your Mexico
Bangkok shopping: making the most of Chatuchak Weekend Market
Spanning an incredible 35 acres of shopping, with more than 8000 stalls tucked into dozens of tiny narrow sois (lanes) that pull some 200,000 shoppers, browsers and buskers, Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the world’s largest.Whether you’re looking for a customised motorcycle helmet, a
Where to shop in Paris
Shopping in Paris has been a grandiose affair since the 19th century when its famous grands magasins (department stores) opened on the grand boulevards. But what makes it so grand today is its brilliant mix of big stores, markets and boutiques specialising in everything from porcelain cats and delic
Mother City markets: where to shop til you drop in Cape Town
The fervour for markets in South Africas Cape Town has a long history, but the citys market scene has experienced a renaissance in recent years, with artisan foods, craft beers and designer goods drawing crowds across the Mother City.In the late 18th century in cobbled Greenmarket Square, the city’s
The ultimate guide to shopping in Hong Kong
Everyone knows Hong Kong as a place of neon-lit retail pilgrimage – all international brands worth their logo have outlets here, and they are supplemented by the city’s own retail trailblazers. That said, Hong Kongs reputation as a bargain hunter’s paradise is pretty much a thing of the past. So
Where to shop in London
Napoleon famously referred to England as a nation of shopkeepers. Two hundred years later, London remains one of the best places in the world to go shopping. Big-name emporiums such as Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Hamleys, Fortnum & Mason and Liberty are both sightseeing attractions in their own
Retail in Rio: the carioca guide to shopping
In Rio de Janeiro there are the essential purchases: the classic mini statue of Christ the Redeemer, the cheapest Havaianas on the planet, and the beach sarongs known as kangas. But beyond these standard souvenirs is a wealth of unusual treasures which are as much a pleasure to possess as they are t
Barcelonas best shopping by neighbourhood
Barcelona perhaps finally achieved peak hipster with the recent opening of Urban Outfitters, a massive statement of a shop in a central and symbolic location on the Plaça Catalunya, but the city has long had a tradition of quirky little boutiques, icily cool designer home-ware stores and artisanal m
Bali shopping guide: what to buy and where
Balis shopping is legendary. Not only are visitors spoiled for choice by the variety of goods on offer, theres also a rich array of shopping venues and styles. From sorting through hand-painted batiks at a local market to purring over designer duds in air-conditioned malls, shopaholics are sure to f
Souvenirs from Paris: the best gifts to take home
In a city synonymous with iconic sights and world-class shopping, naturally souvenirs abound. Youll find plenty of budget-friendly Eiffel Tower key rings and Paris, je t’aime! t-shirts but thanks to the city’s artistic flair and craftsmanship heritage, you can also find richer pickings on offer. He
Top 10 places to shop in Tokyo
Tokyo shopping has it all: high-end and offbeat fashion, traditional crafts, vintage wares, all manner of only-in-Japan souvenirs, and that gadget you didnt know existed but now desperately want. Whether you prefer department-store browsing or rummaging for secondhand treasures, there’s a Tokyo neig
Shopping in Florence: the city’s best souvenirs
After spending time in Florence, you’re likely to want to take home more than your memories. This is one of the world’s great shopping destinations, with an artisanal heritage dating back to the medieval period. By the time of the Renaissance, a ‘Made in Florence’ tag had become the international ba
A day in the life of Djemaa el
Marrakesh’s main square is the city’s magical centrepiece, a stage on which street-theatre performances are acted out across the day. Like any accomplished magician, Djemaa el-Fna doesnt reveal all the tricks up its sleeve straightaway, meaning you’ll need to revisit it several times during the day
