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Rather than lug your purchases around with you on your speedy business trip, why not pick them up at Gare du Nord right before Eurostar check-in? As you exit the Metro in the 'Magenta' part of the station, there's a small stall run by a chap from Provence, who dispenses great wine, cheese, pate and meats to those London-bound. Great for picking up some goodies before heading up to the Eurostar terminal.
Gare du Nord, Paris. SNCF says: France des Provinces Niveau -1 (Level -1) sous la verrière Transilien, face au couloir RER E
The Chinese Arts and Crafts Shop in the China Resources building on Harbour Road in Wan Chai is a fantastic place for antique Chinese silk dresses, high quality authentic antiques and artefacts. They also stock a huge range of Chinese medicines. For ease - it's worth making this your first port of call for gifts.
Okay - so I am addicted to Bruges and its' chocolates! I was back there again this last weekend and my wife travelled to Amsterdam with her friends and then stopped in Bruges on the way back.
So many people from the UK are going there to buy their chocolates and see the sights and it definitely is not too late to plan a trip. If I set off from London in my car I am in Bruges in less than four hours.
My wife and friends went to Simon Stevinplein as that is where the best selections of handmade pralines and figures are to be found.
A great place to stock up on bargain souveniers and gifts before heading home. You can find anything from origami paper, crockery and toys not to mention all manner of household goods
They're everywhere. There's a nine story one in Funibashi on the outskirts of Tokyo.
A local craft/Brazilian art store in the heart of Ipanema, very close to the beach, in Rio de Janeiro. Everybody knows how rich in art and culture Brazil is, the weird thing is that it's very difficult to find a decent store, with no-cheesy stuff to buy for nice prices.
Brazil & Cia products are among the largest crafts and popular art centres in Brazil. They have Brazilian popular art objects that reflect important aspects of the local culture. The products are exquisite, alive. Makes you want to buy it all, for your home and as souvenirs for relatives and friends.
Rua Maria Quitéria 27 Ipanema (50 m from the beach)
Tel.: +55 (21) 2267-4603
www.brasilecia.com.br/
This store is soooooo cute! Little ornaments that'll set the mood pretty much anywhere.
I'm a big fan of Brazil, so I had to pick out a few of their pieces, which scream Brazil all over them. And it's not like other typical cheesy tourist stores you find at just about any corner, this one's got personality.
Rua Maria Quitéria 27 Ipanema (50 m from the beach)
Tel.: +55 (21) 2267-4603
www.brasilecia.com.br/
My wife went berserk in this little store at Laranjeiras called Pe de Boi. We ended up buying a few of their items to take home with us.
People keep asking where we bought this stuff and how to get it. Well, Rio, Brazil, that's where!
Rua Ipiranga, 55 - Laranjeiras - Rio de Janeiro, RJ - CEP 22231-120 - Brasil
Tel. 55-21-2285-4395
Telefax. 55-21-2285-5833
www.pedeboi.com.br
An established (since 1827) chocolatiers in the Barri Gotic. My god, talk about mouthwatering....not too sweet. Pierre Marcolini has some serious competition!
A truly original and stylish gift to take back for the descerning chocolate-lover (actually, I can take or leave chocolate, but these are special).
The ladies behind the counter even gift-wrap their cheapest bars of chocolate for you without the sort of attitude one might expaect from such an institution. Shopping the old-fashioned way. Not cheap, but what do you expect?
Carrer del Pi, 16 in the heart of the Barri Gotic
Get lost in the cobbled streets of the Marais district, and stumble upon Oliviers & Co, purveyors of the finest quality produce, sourced from artisan crafters of olive oil and other Mediterranean foodstuffs.
The multi-lingual staff will even give you advice on how to integrate your truffle-infused olive oil into your next dinner party menu! Emerge laden with natural olive oil beauty products, speciality breads to wow your guests back home and return on the Eurostar with your own Oliviers & Co olive tree!
Even if you only have one day, you can see Paris in two completely different eras.
First, stop by Collette, a concept store for clothing, technology and food that is truly ahead of the times. Not planning to buy anything? You’re still sure to enjoy looking at the most stylish goods and people Paris has to offer.
Afterwards, visit Mariage Freres, the oldest French tea house which dates back to the 1600s. With over 500 different varieties to choose from, taste what’s commonly referred to as the best tea in the world or bring it back as the perfect souvenir.
Juilen Aujeau and his wife Claire Barbier run the best wine shop I've ever visited in my life. They don't really have a 'passion' for wine, it is more like a joy which they feel compelled to share!
My wife and I spent over two hours there during our honeymoon (and my wife is only mildly interested in wine). Julien even gave us a bottle as a wedding present! Incredible people.
You can find "Julien Caviste" at 50 rue Charlot.
Loop! is the biggest and best gift shop in south Manchester - prices are keener than city-centre or the local competition and staff are totally helpful.
66, Beech Road
Chorlton
MANCHESTER
M21 9HU
Do visit The Sheraton for afternoon tea. It’s affordable and the décor, piano and vast array of cakes takes you to another world.
Just down the hill from The Sheraton, is the St George Gallery, which has a wonderful display of quality goods, both antique and modern. Further down the hill were shops that sold jewellery by weight of silver. It was good quality and reasonably priced.
We did most of our gift shopping at a group of shops just off Churchill Avenue on the right up Nigeria Street.
This is a great day trip from Quito if you are at the end of your trip and are interested in buying some presents for home.
The market is large and there are lots of lovely things to buy. Also you can barter for the price, which is expected. On the same trip we also went to Cotacachi which has fantastically cheap leather goods.
Any travel agency in Quito will arrange a day trip. Be careful of cost though, we paid U$39 for the trip, someone on the same trip with us was charged U$59.
Any travel agency in Quito will arrange a day trip. Be careful of cost though we paid U$39 for the trip, someone on the same trip with us was charged U$59.
It is a cafe, cultural centre, and shop. The cafe has tables outside overlooking the Plaza San Fransisco which is very beautiful. The shop sells indigenous art ranging from clothing to paintings and jewellery.
Plaza San Fransisco, Quito
A small shop and tea room - sounds average, but it's anything but that. They stock a lovely range of high quality household items and gifts, prints and paintings by local artists.
The tea room is bright, comfortable and contemporary, staffed by people who know how to look after their guests/customers - proper service. First class all the way.
On the road up to Cawdor Castle in Nairnshire, about six or seven miles east of Inverness. Parking available opposite.
01667 404455
Malvern has a funny mixture of places to shop when you are bored of walking, or getting rained on. Great Malvern has the best shops I think.
I love shiny things and found this little gallery in Malvern's town centre, Great Malvern. It's full of fab jewellery and some unusual bits and pieces like tin aeroplanes and model chickens made from plastic bags!
I also found a fab knitting shop - and I don't even like knitting - called the knitting parlour. Sod's law one is at the top of the hill and one at the bottom so you need to be fit to visit both! Iapetus is at the top on Bellevue Terrace and knitting shop is at the bottom near a set of traffic lights surrounded by banks.
I noticed someone else had mentioned the theatre in the old loo - it's really something, has to be seen to be believed!
Also top cafe in town is by that theatre. It's called leaf and serves all local yummy stuff. Good for people watching too!
If you're in the area, make the time to visit this brilliant market, which takes over the town centre and the surrounding streets.
You'll find something for everybody here, from ceramics to jewellery to textiles and meat 'delicacies' you'd probably never wish to try - remember to take your camera too!
Saturdays.
2 hours from Quito, so can be done as a day trip.
Worth staying a few nights though, to explore the surrounding area, including the volcano, Cotopaxi.
Bonkers is a great gift shop that is wonderful for browsing. It sells jewellery, soft toys, quirky gifts, cards and lots more.
Bonkers, 80 Market Street.
Tel: +44 (0) 1334 473919
www.bonkers-standrews.co.uk
Big brand American chocolate is a pratical joke I am sure - positively revolting and doesn't even taste like chocolate.
There are some beautiful old-fashioned candy stores and praline kitchens however in New Orleans.
My favourite and I think the most popular with the locals, is Southern Candymakers. They have a website from which you can order their incredible pralines, chocolate alligators, tortues and what not, but walking into one of their shops where they are normally pouring caramel over some pecans induces instant drooling.
There are branches of Southern Candymakers sprinkled throughout the French Quarter.
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