Top Shopping Places & Destinations
Shopping can be an obsession, a pleasure, a planned expedition – even a necessity – but whatever type of spender you are, there’s no retail experience better than a different city and a whole new set of shops! We’ve assembled five of the world’s best spending zones, and if you’re serious about your purchases, we know you’ll love them.
1Melbourne Shopping Holidays
Every Australian deserves the chance to shop in Melbourne – it’s our nation’s retail nucleus. All around this city there are places to browse, buy and window-gaze: the choice is vast, and stiff competition means you won’t have too much trouble sniffing out some bargains. If you’re an indecisive type, there are special shopping tours available – be sure to carry a spare bag!If you’re going it alone, head to Chapel Street, Albert Park or Bridge Rd, Richmond for fashion, or play it safe in the CBD, which is literally jam-packed with stores and boutiques. Fitzroy is the place to go if your tastes verge on the bohemian; Flinders Lane is great for arts and crafts, and every single shopper should spend at least a few hours riverside at Southbank.
Grab a Melbourne map, take full advantage of the city’s foolproof tram system, and get ready to shop, shop, shop!
2Singapore Shopping Holidays
Singapore’s lifestyle revolves around its world-famous shops, from the bargains of the many busy markets to the luxury stores, mega-malls and beautiful designer boutiques. Orchard Road is the place to start, and you’ll find shops of every type and size in this long, attractive tree-lined boulevard. It’s lined with malls selling fashion, crafts, antiques, electronics, cosmetics, sports goods – and almost everything else you can think of: a full five kilometres of retail bliss.But Orchard Road isn’t where it ends: for a truly eye-popping Singapore shopping experience, go to massive VivoCity on the harbourfront – and make sure you’ve got plenty of time; you’re going to need it there!
If bargains and ethnic treasures are your thing, you’ll want to visit the three big market areas: Chinatown, the Mustafa Centre and Little India or the Mustafa Centre, as well as the bustling Sunday flea market along Clarke Quay.
We recommend shopping around before making a major purchase here, to be sure of getting the best price. Otherwise, just head out and enjoy yourself – the big stores are all air-conditioned against the equatorial heat.
3New York Shopping Holidays
Shopping among the skyscrapers of New York is super-special: here you’ll find the world’s greatest names in retail, along with more boutiques, giant department stores, malls, specialty shops, bargain basements and chain brands than it’s possible to imagine. Fifth and Madison Avenues are a must: Fifth Ave has plenty of boutiques as well as department stores and will keep you busy for hours – if not days. On Madison Avenue you’ll find the really big names from New York and around the world, plus the beautiful old department store, Barney’s.Other department stores to sample while you’re in this city are Bloomie’s (Bloomingdales), Bergdorf-Goodman, Saks, Macy’s and Lord & Taylor. If you’re on a budget, check out the discount shops (try the hugely popular Century 21) or the city’s famous sample sales – they happen year-round, but will require a little research on your part.
But wherever in this city you go, and whatever your style of shopping, we advise wearing comfortable footwear: there’s a whole lot of walking to be done!
4Hong Kong Shopping Holidays
You don’t need us to tell you that this is one of the world’s prime shopping destinations – and a very easy place to lose sight of your bank balance! Retail rules supreme here, from mega-malls to ancient markets to themed shopping streets, so it pays to know where to go for the items you’re hoping to buy.Want sportswear? Head straight to Sportswear Street on Hong Kong Island. Want a new watch? Go to New World Centre. For Chinese clothing and crafts (plus a lot more excuses to spend), don’t miss the Yue Hwa shops. For fashion, base yourself in Central district – The Landmark is a mall of big-name labels, but there are clothes stores everywhere here. And don’t miss the Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa!
If you want to save time and energy by browsing under a single roof, Hong Kong’s mega-malls have outlets for almost everything, including electronics, fashion and footwear: try Festival Walk, Times Square, huge Harbour City or Citiplaza. But most of all, get out and enjoy the challenges of this ever-busy, ever-changing city of shops and sights.
5Sydney Shopping Holidays
Come to Sydney prepared to spend, because the shops here are stunning and world class! Starting out in the CBD makes sense: it’s here you’ll find the big department stores, the famous arcades, malls and plazas – and they’re all within fairly easy reach of one another. The main shopping streets are Pitt Street – especially around Pitt Street Mall – and Castlereagh Street, and top shopping spots include the Queen Victoria Building, Chifley Plaza and Skygarden.For something less conventional or the latest in street fashion trends, head for Oxford Street in Paddington, then go on down to Darlinghurst.
There are plenty of bargains available at outlet stores in and around the city, and the best way to find them is to join an organised shopping trip. At the other end of the scale, browse the beautiful boutiques of Double Bay – there’s serious temptation in store for you here! Darling Harbour is another excellent place to shop and explore, and don’t miss a combined shopping expedition to Circular Quay and The Rocks.
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