Shopping in Europe

Overview:

For the dedicated shopper, the chance to go shopping in Europe is an unmissable opportunity.

The continent offers a wide variety of shopping outlets, from big warehouse booze cruise shops to small, quaint markets offering a wide selection of local produce that are packed with taste and quality. Depending on the product and the current exchange rates, the trip could often work out better value for money than shopping abroad, and you have the added satisfaction that you have got something with a hint of otherness about it.

Paris

Paris is packed full of shopping districts, from the chic, expensive department and high-end fashion stores that you can find in areas such as Louvre-Tuileries and Faubourg Saint-Honoré to more unique items to be found in the city's flea markets, such as Saint-Ouen Flea Market.

Naturally, no trip to Paris is complete without a trip to the two famous rivals of the Department store world, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. There are also nearly sixty open-air and covered markets throughout the city. Note that many of these markets will have limited opening hours, and it is unlikely that you will find many markets open on a Monday.

French food

France is rightly known for its food. Whilst you can often find nice food in the supermarkets, to really take advantage of the beauty and erotic delights of French cuisine, it is necessary to go to street markets or small local shops where individual producers sell direct to the public.

French food is taken very seriously, and there is often a distinct art to the display and sale of products - often, it'll be possible to try the cuisine before committing to a purchase.

Further, in many regions, there are marked tours which take in the area's specialities and allow you to learn a bit of the cultural history and the process of production.

The Netherlands

Much of the Netherlands' shopping opportunties focus around its main cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. For general shopping in Amsterdam, the main street is Kalverstraat, where you can find all the big Dutch chain stores as well as big name international brands. PC Hooftstraat between Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark in the Museum Quarter are the areas to head for if you want to have high end fashion shopping. By far the best shopping experience, however, is found simply by wandering the city and exploring the small independent shops (though they are particularly concentrated alongside the canals and in the 9 Streets area). Amsterdam also has a few large flea markets. The Netherlands is also known for its Christmas markets, which are a perfect place to find delicious festive treats.

Belgium

With Belgium being a country often best known for its local chocolates and beers, perhaps it's right that the best places to go and purchase these delictable products aren't major chain stores of the type you can list on a website, but small, local shops that are often best discovered by surprise when turning a corner or getting lost. Make a point of being curious when shopping in Brussels, stopping to explore unusual shops, and remember that the most unlikely of shop windows can often hold a mouth-watering array of products inside.

Hints and tips

Many shops and retailers, especially in France, can provide you with a "détaxe" form, which allows you to claim a refund on the 18.6% sales tax if purchases exceed a certain level; this form should be presented to customs upon leaving France, and you should expect your refund within about six weeks.