Shopping

Shopping

Shopping in China

Friendship stores in China were originally set up by the Government to provide services to foreign visitors. These stores are like the modern departmental stores and they sell a variety of goods including silk; jewelry made from gold, silver, pearl and jade; embroidered tablecloths and blouses; paintings, porcelain, pottery and handicrafts. The goods sold here are a little expensive than that sold in other Chinese stores .You can be sure of the quality of merchandise and the prices are clearly marked in the items. It is good value for money also don’t forget that bargaining is acceptable.

Shopping in Egypt

Egypt is a marvelous place with more than two thirds of the world’s treasures and numerous shopping opportunities. Thousands of shops are dotted all over the country, where you’ll find everything from antiques to fine clothing and especially jewellery.

To shop in Egypt, you must be a good haggler to make the best possible deals. The initial price quoted to you by the vendor or the seller can be up to ten times the worth of your purchase. You are expected to bargain.

Also you must not forget to check the currency that the vendor is quoting to you. As most Egyptians quote you in ‘pounds’, make sure you ask whether this is Egyptian or English pounds. Most Egyptians prefer you to pay in English - as sterling is so strong over there, but either way agree the currency between yourself and the seller.

Shopping in France

Do you love to shop? France is a shopper's dream, whether you're looking for cheap lager, expensive wines, tobacco or delicious food, France is the place to go!

For special purchases that includes lace, crystal glass, cheeses, coffee and, of course, wines, spirits and liqueurs. Arques, the home of Crystal D’Arques, is situated between St Omer and Calais. The main town of French Flanders - Lille, is known for its textiles, particularly fine lace. On Saturday Most towns have fruit and vegetable markets. Hypermarkets, enormous supermarkets which sell everything from foodstuffs and clothes to hi-fi equipment and furniture, are widespread in France. They tend to be situated just outside of town and have parking facilities. For bargain hunters, bric-a-brac or brocante is found in a number of flea markets (marche aux puces) on the outskirts of town, most notably at the Porte de Clignancourt, in Paris. There are several antique centers (Louvre des Antiquaires, Village Suisse, etc) where genuine antique furniture and other objects are on sale. Amongst the larger department stores in Paris are the Printemps and the Galeries Lafayette near the Opera; the Bazar Hotel de V ille (BHV) and the Samaritaine on the Right Bank; and the Bon Marche on the Left Bank. There are many varied markets in Paris including the flower market on the Ile de la Cite and bird, organic and food markets in every quarter. Another Parisian specialty is book markets. You will find booksellers' stalls along the banks of the Seine around the Saint Michel quarter, jam-packed with all kinds of books and also comics and postcards. In the regions, the town center often has a number of clothes shops which are just as good as those in Paris. Some have good second hand shops.

Shopping in ITALY

Shopping in Italy can be a fantastic experience for those who don’t like to bargain. Prices are usually fixed. If you go in for bulk purchase a discount may be offered. Italian products are famous for their style and quality. Important fashion centres are Rome, Milan and Florence. Some places are know for their particular products, Carrara (Tuscany) for marble, Como (Lombardy) for silk, Deruta (Umbria) and Faenza (Emilia-Romagna) for pottery, Empoli (Tuscany) for the production of bottles and glasses in green glass and Prato (Tuscany) for textiles. Alghero (Sardinia) and Torre Annunziata (Campania) are centers for handicraft products in coral, and in several parts of Sardinia business cards and writing paper made of cork are produced. Cremona (Lombardy) is famous for its handmade violins. Castelfidardo (Marche) is famous for its accordion factories, and for its production of guitars and organs. Two small towns concentrate on producing their specialty: Valenza (Piedmont), which has a large number of gol dsmith artisans, and Sulmona (Abruzzo), which produces ‘confetti’, sugar-coated almonds used all over Italy for wedding celebrations. Vietri sul Mare (Campania) is one of the most important centers of ceramic paving-tiles, and Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna) is famous for mosaics.

Shopping in South Korea

South Korea has a reputation of being a shoppers’ paradise, and numerous shops provide special duty free prices for foreigners. Fashion, antiques, medicine, herbs and spices, electronics and wedding clothes feature highly on Korea’s shopping itinerary. The best shopping districts and markets are in the capital, Seoul, and include: Namdaemun (Korea’s largest general wholesale market); Tongdaemun (one of Seoul’s oldest markets, good for bargains); Myong-dong (Korea’s fashion district); Insa-dong (antiques and art); Changanp’yong (one of the largest antiques markets in the Far East); Itaewon (modern shopping district particularly popular with foreign tourists); Noryargjin (fish market); Yongsan Electronics Market (largest electronics and computer market in Korea); Koyndang (Oriental medicine, spices and herbs market); Hwangkhak-dong (flea market, good for second-hand shopping); Ahyon-dong (the ‘wedding street’, featuring over 120 wedding boutiques); and Shinch’on (a shopping street popular with young peo ple, good for accessories and fashion).

Shopping in Spain

There are lots of options if you’re looking to shop in Spain.The high streets are plentiful, artisans are everywhere, little market treasures abound. Items of good quality can be found at a reasonable price both in the cities and the small towns. Spanish leather goods are prized internationally offering high – fashion originals affordably. Catalonian textiles are internationally famous and their mills are found here.

Fine, handcrafted wooden furniture is one of the outstanding products. Valencia is especially important in this field, and has a yearly international furniture fair. Alicante is an important center for toy manufacturing. Shoe manufacturing is also of an especially high quality; the production centers are in Alicante and the Balearics. Fine rugs and carpets are made in Caceres, Granada and Murcia. The numerous excellent sherries, wines and spirits produced in Spain make good souvenirs to take home.

Shopping in Thailand

Thailand offers a wonderful experience for the ardent shopper, with a tremendous variety of goods on offer. You can shop for designer goods in the Malls, or browse for handicrafts and knick-knacks in the many markets. There is something for everyone, no matter how deep or shallow your pocket may be. Department stores open around 10:00 am and do not close until 9:00 pm. Markets vary in their timing with produce markets opening before dawn, more general markets open during daylight hours, but in many areas there are Night Markets where you can sit in the open and eat before browsing the stalls. In general we have listed the shopping locations along with the other details of each of the areas, but you can gain direct access by clicking on the headings below.

Shopping in Vietnam

Vietnam is certainly a bargain hunter's delight. Foreigners are attracted to a huge variety of souvenirs and traditional handicrafts. Popular items that fascinate visitors are the remains from the Vietnam War-Army watches - clothing - compasses and all kinds of military equipment left behind by the US Army over 20 years ago. Vietnamese are very skilled jewellery manufacturers but you must make sure about the quality of any piece before you decide to make a deal. Hanoi is the finest place for shopping for antiques or imitations. The export of any item of historic or cultural significance is not permitted by the Vietnamese Government.

Shopping In Brazil

Looking for leather goods, Brazil offers exceptional shopping opportunities, predominantly for leather goods such as shoes, belts, purses, and wallets. Clothing is also very affordable and often of good quality. Styles follow the opposite seasonal calendar so those visiting Brazil in the Northern Hemisphere winter can stock up on an excellent summer wardrobe. Sizes follow the European numbering (36, 38, 40, and so on) or are marked P (pequeno = small), M (medio = medium), and G (grande = large).

Shopping in Czech Republic

No holiday or break is complete without a bit of shopping. You can shop for souvenirs including Bohemian glass and crystal, pottery, porcelain, wooden folk carvings, hand-embroidered clothing, and food items. Splendid shops specializing in glass and crystal, while various associations of regional artists and crafts people run their own retail outlets (pay in local currency). Other special purchases include pottery (chiefly from Kolovec and Straznice); china ornaments and geyser stone carvings from Karlovy Vary; delicate lace and needle embroidery from many Moravian towns; and blood-red garnets and semi-precious stones from Bohemia.

Shopping in Philippines

The Philippines is a haven for shoppers. There are many great places to shop but it all depends on what you intend to buy and your budget, of course. Innumerable bargain opportunities are available. Look for handicrafts of various regions; you’ll get them in the shopping complexes, malls, department stores and in the local bazaars. Check out the Duty free chain stores that offer everything from the famous barong tagalog (hand-embroidered dress shirts for men in delicate jusi material) to Tiffany lamps made with capiz shells. For local colour, there is nothing like the flea markets where visitors can buy all kinds of cloth weaves, brassware from the south, woodcarvings and other local crafts and souvenirs, like the painted papier-mache horses of Laguna.

Shopping in Taiwan

Shopping is convenient and prices are extremely competitive. Numerous International retail outlets as Carre Four and B & Q make shopping fun. Supermarkets, shopping malls and department stores offer a full range of commodities, Chinese and foreign brands – from cosmetics , daily use articles, garments and home electric appliances to self - service corners, and restaurants and coffee bars are usually attached where you can drop by for a quick bite. Also there’s a commercial centre nearby. Carre Four being one such store and each such store comprises of about five different levels ranging from household appliances, right through to clothing and automotive accessories.

Shopping in Greece

If you’re looking at carrying back souvenirs, they may not be particularly cheap. People usually take back the traditional handcrafts and beautiful gold and silver jewelry that Greece is famous for. If you are shopping in a small town or an open air market – bargaining may work well but not much in Athens or on the tourist popular islands.

Shopping in Japan

A blend of Oriental goods and Western sales techniques confronts the shopper, predominantly at the big department stores, which are more like exhibitions than shops. Playgrounds for children are available. Special purchases include kimonos, mingei (local crafts including kites and folk toys); Kyoto silks, fans, screens, dolls; religious articles such as Shinto and Buddhist artifacts; paper lanterns; lacquer ware; hi-fi equipment, cameras, televisions and other electronic equipment. Bargaining is not usual.