Shopping

London
For just about anyone traveling to London, shopping has been relegated to souvenir or specialty item shopping due to the rising currency exchange. Though you aren’t likely to find a bargain when shopping in London, the city’s Portobello Road markets are worth checking out whether you plan to buy something or not.

London is on par with New York and Paris as a major fashion capital. Regent Street is one of the vital veins of this shopping network. Many of the most popular brand stores and bargain outlets can be found here. Nearby, department store enthusiasts will enjoy a stroll along either Oxford Street or Knightsbridge. These streets are home to the ever-popular Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Some English goods to look for include Wedgewood or Royal Doulton porcelains, teas, jams, teddy bears and just about anything else from Harrods.

Paris

Parisians consider fashion a serious art. So shop in Paris as you would savor and enjoy a visit to an excellent restaurant or one of the city’s world-class museums. Don’t expect a friendly welcome if you are wearing shorts, sneakers or a printed T-shirt. Don’t touch displays and be sure to ask for assistance with a polite “s’il vous plait.”

If you like to shop, Paris is the capital of the shopping world. Shopping in Paris can be done on any budget. The variety and style of the stores makes shopping in Paris a must for any fashion-conscious traveler. Many renowned designers have boutiques in Paris. The elegant boutiques are worth a visit to get an idea of the latest styles before heading to a more affordable department store or flea market.

Most stores in Paris are closed on Sundays, so you may want to take that day to explore one of the city’s flea markets. Flea markets offer the best shopping in Paris for those on a shoestring budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a city known for antiques, books and diamonds. In the small-scale city center, visitors should have no problem walking all the shopping streets in just one day. A popular area to shop is Nieuwedijk-Kalverstraat, completely closed to vehicle traffic. Nieuwedijk maintains the unique Amsterdam feel while providing stores that offer sportswear, music and gift boutiques. Kalverstraat offers many mainstream clothing and gift shops, and a selection of bars and restaurants. If you’re not on a tight budget then the street to shop is Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat. Usually referred to as P.C. Hooftstraat, this strip is home to many couture boutiques.

Spiegelgracht and Nieuwe Spiegelstraat are popular antique marketplaces in Amsterdam. The small street Nieuwe Spiegelstraat leads towards the center of the old city and houses over 70 antique stores and art galleries. Even if you’re not a collector, a walk around this area will give you the opportunity to discover old clocks and pewter and Oriental and African Art.