Not just Christmas markets, rather original destinations for fun winter trips based around shopping and exploring. And not just before Christmas either, these destinations are exciting all throughout winter.
Glass & Lace in Venice
Winter is a great time to explore Venice and discover its artisanal crafts. All good shopping trips should start with a fantastic hotel and Venice definitely has you covered in this regard. Check out The Gritti Palace or stay on a private island at Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel.
Shop for leather, meet a traditional mask maker, and spend a day on the islands of Murano and Burano. Murano is Europe’s legendary home of glass making, where beads are just one amazing gift. Burano is the place to shop for phenomenal lace.
Perfume in Oman or Grasse
You can buy Amouage perfume in a boutique, somewhere in the world. Or you can explore the origins of Amouage in Oman. Visit the flagship boutique, discover the production, see where the frankincense grows, and have the complete experience with the planet’s most exclusive perfume. Gift idea – Amouage flacons are made with silver (some with gold) and Swarovski crystal and are sought after collectables.
Oman also a beach holiday, when you stay at a hotel near Muscat like Al Bustan Palace, or further away like Six Senses Zighy Bay.
Another sensual option is to make your own perfume, in the home of perfume, Grasse in France. Grasse was the setting for the Patrick Suskind novel Perfume. The non-fictional story is that Grasse is the home of François Demachy, for many years the main “nose” and perfume maker of Dior. He’s now semi-retired but still oversees the entire LVMH perfume division.
A Shopping Trip to Copenhagen
The Scandinavian fashion scene always had much-loved labels and forward-thinking design. Now the Danish capital is emerging as fashion’s sustainability capital. It’s where the savvy stay ahead of the most important trend of all – sustainability.
Copenhagen is a destination for the curious shopper. Visit Illum to see emerging Danish fashion across many floors. Explore the newly renovated Hay House flagship store. Stay in Nimb, a masterclass in local, quirky and extremely trendy hotel design.
Vienna Christmas Market
Europe has many interesting Christmas markets but this year we’re recommending Vienna, Austria. Not just for the actual market, but because of a brand new hotel that’s creating a reason to return to Vienna.
We recently visited Rosewood Vienna and it’s a complete change in style from Vienna’s traditional five-star hotels, like Hotel Sacher. Contemporary design, residential-style living, lifestyle focused, and an antidote to the Christmas market tradition.
Plan Your Shopping Holiday
A Winter Shopping Trip to Istanbul
If you want a big Christmas shopping trip then Istanbul is where you’ll find presents galore, for just about anybody. If you want to stay centrally then pick Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet. The city’s best new hotel is Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus.
Istanbul shopping starts in the famous souks, with a local guide of course. It continues in the backstreets, where you meet artisans and can have gifts fully customised. Then ends in the modern city, where many top fashion brands now have their boutiques.
Shopping With Teenagers in Tokyo
Teenagers are not so easy to entertain on a shopping holiday. Except that is not true in Tokyo, home of endless electronics, flashing neon and the latest experimental gadgets and technologies.
The Japanese capital is the kingdom of big brands and an eccentric city, where bygone trends receive fresh twists and lots of new fashion is emerging. It’s a wildcard destination for sure, but a holiday with memories for a lifetime.
Watches and Chocolate in Switzerland
It’s one thing to buy a loved one an exclusive watch. It’s quite another to meet the watchmaker and buy a limited edition watch directly from the workshop. That’s an experience only possible in Switzerland.
Don’t just shop for watches. Immerse yourself in a world of chocolate as well. This is Switzerland, so also expect leisurely evenings in world-class hotel spas and exceptional dining.
Your Winter Shopping Trip?
Where are you planning to holiday this winter? Where will you do your Christmas shopping?
Book a call to discuss any of your holiday ideas, and we’ll create something unique for you.
