Recently in Shopping Guide Category

I can't go to the Food in NZ without first lauding the NZ wine. The domestic wine and beer here have won international awards.
Here's a list of what you can savor while in NZ. For chardonnay, uncork Cloudy Bay (Marlborough), Babich Irongate (Henderson), Neudorf Moutere (Nelson), and Kumeu River (Kumeu). If you go in for sauvignon blanc, go for Cloudy Bay again, Hunter's Oak Aged (Marlborough), Grove Mill Marlborough (Marlborough) or Palliser (Martinborough). For the red wine aficionado, Atarangi pinot noir (Martinborough) should be your first choice, followed closely by Stonyridge Larose (Waiheke Island), Gibston Valley pinot noir (Central Otago), Te Mata Coleraine (Hawkes Bay), Brookfields Gold Label cabernet (Hawkes Bay), and, in fact, any pinot noir from Martinborough. If methode traditionelle is your thing, pop the cork on just about any of Daniel Le Brun's bottles in Marlborough, or Deutz Marlborough Cuvee or Pelorus Vintage (Marlborough). Botrytised sweet wines don't get much better than Villa Maria's Reserve Noble Riesling from Auckland.

The influx of immigrants in the country have made its cuisine sumptuously diversified with traditional Yorkshire puddings and scones mixed with European style cheeses with distinctive NZ flavors. In Auckland, you'll find the best Pacific Rim cuisine. Leading restaurants dabble with the flavors of Thailand, Japan, China, Vietnam, California, and Mexico.
As a leading producer of meat, you'll find lamb, beef, pork and even venison on most menus! Locally produced natural, sweet potato, the wide range of fish and the seasonal delicacies like oysters, scallops and gamebirds are also recommended.
Of course you'll also find the chains and fast food joints with dining in NZ being a mostly informal affair except for in the really exclusive places.
You'll find many a picnic area with barbeque facilities provided at roadside sites and lounge or public bars with counter service for an informal, relaxed evening.
Do not come away without letting the pavlova from Taranki tease your senses. It's a large roundcake with a meringue base topped with cream and fruit. This national dessert is crusty when you first bite in and deliciously soft on the inside.
Local fruits like the Gold kiwi and the Feijoa are also worth nibbling into.

Browse by cuisine or area to find a restaurant to suit your palate. You can also take a look at the 10 most reviewed restaurants in the country.

The first introduction I had to the beauty available in NZ was when a friend moved there and sent me a dazzling blue-green earring and pendant set. It was lovely and I decided then and there to give her some months to settle in and then to crash on her. Special souvenirs include distinctive jewelry made from New Zealand greenstone (a kind of jade) and from the enchanting translucent paua shell. Maori arts and crafts are reflected in a number of items such as the carved greenstone tiki (a unique Maori charm) and intricate woodcarvings often inlaid with paua shell. Other items of note include woolen goods, travel rugs, lambswool rugs, leather and skin products.
From arts and crafts to handmade products or the skin care specials, find the right shop for your search in your area.

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Shopping in Madrid with its estimated 50,000 stores can be an exhausting activity. If you're pressed for time or don't particularly care for the joys of window shopping then just head for large departmental stores on Puerta del Sol, and on the streets of Princesa, Goya and Castellana - you'll get everything.
Otherwise take your time with streets and nooks, big glossy stores and musty secretive ones as you search and find everything from high-fashion clothing to flamenco guitars to ceramics to... well... all you can think of.

International designer can be found around the streets of Almirante and Conde de Xiquena, as well as in the district of Salamanca where you'll also find the best shops for jewelry, shoes, leather goods, furniture and gifts.

Local treasures such as espadrilles, fabrics, ropes, hats and religious articles can be found around the Plaza Mayor.

The Rastro is the most famous of the flea markets ostensibly the largest in the world. It opens on Saturdays and Sundays and on holidays from 10 to 2. You'll find everything under the sun here from valuable antiques to used clothing, collector cards, books, records, paintings and what-not. Even if you're the department store type, make it a point to just stroll through the Rastro for a genuine market experience - the throngs, the smells, the energy, the trickery, the finds!

The Feria del Libro Antiguo y de Ocasión is a book fair for old and used books held at the beginning of May.

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Food in Aruba is delicious, varied and an expensive af-fare if you mean to dine-dine. But Aruba has loads of places to eat and you're sure to find places that suit your budget. The fast food culture has also made its way on to the island making it possible to grab a quick and cheap bite.

Local specialties such as mahi mahi, grouper and snapper will be far more affordable. The Aruba Gastronomic Association offers special discounts to travelers. A dine-around program gives you 5 breakfasts or lunches and 4 dinners for $214 a person.

The smaller local restuarants also offer a diverse menu and you can sample authentic fare for about $15 a person. There are many upscale restaurants in Aruba priced at not less than $35 per person. But there's no need to dress up... restaurateurs understand that you're on holiday. You can slip into a sundress to enjoy your meal on the patio overlooking the sea.

The dining scene is vast, from choices on business dining to the best breakfast beats, regular fast food to belgian-french fare, argentinian steaks to family restaurants, large groups, outdoor dining to dining for special occasions and cheap eats! Make your selection.

Shopping in Aruba while not actually duty free, has low enough rates to warrant some real excitement on items such as jewelry, perfume, clothing and electronic equipment. But music to the ears of an accomplished shopper shall be the words 'no sales tax'.
Oranjestad has several malls and branded stores within walking distance of eachg other. Open-air stalls and a wharf side market are also worth a visit. The market is a bargain hunter's dream with paintings, t-shirts, photographs, pottery, jewelry all set up along the Boulevard.
Some great souvenirs are skin care products with aloe being made right there on the island. Or my favorite souvenir would have to be any hand crafted item by a native... often enough you can pick up something that was made right in front of your eyes at stalls beside the harbor or on the beachfront.
With roots in Holland, you get some terrific buys of Delft pottery or wooden shoes and windmills. I like the sound of it all. Delicate porcelain, clunky wooden shoes, romantic windmills, caribbean rum, French perfumne, Danish crystal, cheap cameras, indonesian fabrics... it realy is shopper's paradise.

Citizens of the United States who have been out of the country for a minimum of 48 hours and who have not used their respective duty free allowance within 30 days are entitled to a $600.00 duty free tax exemption. You can pool your exemptions, meaning a family of four can bring back $2400.00 worth of articles. Shop till you drop!!

In Aruba you could island hop. Make a day trip to Curacao, Caracas or Bonaire. Just remember... there won't be any ferry taking you across, you'll have to fly back and forth.

Entertainment is abundant in Aruba. Whether you windsurf, snorkel or scuba dive or indulge in other water sports, you'll never be at a loss for an activity. You could even kayak or parasail, but the most exciting has to be renting your own sailboat and taking off to go deep sea fishing. Or catching the underwater sights in a submarine!

Do it all in the day and then if you're still energized, strike out in to the Aruban night... casinos and discos, bars and lounges, shows and steelbands all await you. Fun all day round. You just need to gear yourself for it and ride with it.

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My favorite buy from Kenya was the makonde, which are dark wood carvings so delicate that it looks like the artist just carefully scalpeled a layer of bark to make his piece. I got a lovely brown angel.
Another common souvenir are the local sarongs, kangas and kikois, made of cotton they bear bright colored prints representing different Swahili proverbs. Traditionally sold in pairs, one to wrap around the waist and the other to carry a baby on your back! One of the best place to buy the kikois is Lamu where the thick, striped fabric originated. With the utilitarian effect thrown in with a honest-to-goodness Swahili proverb, I think they make a neat memoir.
There are also dyed bags with strong leather straps, kiondos - woven sisal baskets, spears and shields (I don't think airport authorities will let you carry these back home), soapstone carvings and colorful beads and necklaces sold by young Kamba and Masai men on the coastal beaches. Masai beadwork is especally intricate and beautiful making patterns that usualy mean something traditionally.

The Shukka is a red blanket blended with black, blue or another color and most masai use it for warmth. Also, you can find musical instruments with ease in Kenya... a good drum, an African lyre and uniquely styled flute called the siwa.
There are markets all over the place. You could visit the Masai market held in Nairobi's city center on Tuesdays or visit the Bishara Street in Nairobi and Mombasa.
The gift shops in hotels are well stocked but you'll get the best bargains at the markets. Haggling is a way of life and considered a business skill. Let your expertise show and remember to set a reasonable value looking at the skill involved in the artefact.
Kenyan shops are open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Nightlife in Kenya is in the cities. Most hotels and tourist resorts in the major cities have discos or live bands each evening. There are also a few nightclubs to be found. Many cinema halls are scattered over Nairobi showing mainly British, European and Hollywood flicks. Theatre is a popular form of entertainment with the National Theatre and several small groups performing. The best known of these are the Phoenix Players.

The national food in Kenya is unarguably meat of every kind. Beef, chicken, lamb and pork are mouth-wateringly good as are the wide variety of tropical fruits. The local specialty is called nayma choma which is roasted goat's meat most often served with vegetable mash. The tough meat might take some getting used to. Some places even serve buffalo steaks marinated in local liqueurs and berries with honey and creme meandering over it.
Vegetarians don't need to worry though. Indian restaurants are easily available. Staple diet for kenyans does seem to be maize and beans. Doughnuts called mandazi are also popular.
Drinks include chai- tea boiled in milk and water, Tusker and White Cap- the locally brewed beers, Kenya Cane- spirit distilled from sugar cane and Kenya Gold- a coffe liqueur. Uki, a beer made with honey and changaa, a spirit distilled from maize are also found. Kenya is said to have some of the best coffee in the world.
The weather in Kenya is conducive to open air dining and Nairobi has quite a few cuisines on offer.
Restaurants in Kenya are not known to be the best, but you could find a consistent few that you must visit for a good meal.

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Shopping in Gold Coast is a exhaustingly fun experience... the kind where you come home in the evening with bags and bags, lighter of pocket, tired of feet and grinning idiotically over your purchases. Whether you're a elegant arcade shopper or a market stall enthusiast, shopping in GC is a trip.

For fashion labels selling directly at a big discount, venture into Harbor Town, where you'll also find opne air restuarants, cafes and the largest movie hall in GC.

The Pacific Fair and Australia Fair host an extravaganza of department stores and specialty shops.

Just 5 minutes from Surfers Paradise is the The Evergreen Lifestyle Centre which is a treasure chest overflowing with exotic/contemporary homewares, glassware, pottery, fine furniture, hand-painted ceramic tiles, gourmet deli and sculptured cakes! The Center is open daily from 9 to 5.

The Sanctuary Cove Marine Village harbor is a waterfront retail market where cruise boats meandering north from Surfers Paradise can get you for the very best of Australian designer labels and creative handicrafts.

A very popular facet of Gold Coast are its weekend markets. You can explore the wonderful world of art and craft markets, souvenirs, gifts, oddities, knicks and bracks at the many browse worthy country and beachfront markets.
The most popular of these is the humongous Carrara Market with over 500 unique stalls! You can find anything under the sun here.
Other markets are the Friday night market at Surfer's Paradise, first and thrid sunday af-fairs at Broadbeach, lat sunday at Burleigh Heads, saturday markets at Robina Town Center and second sunday markets at Coolangatta and Tambourine Mountain. These markets have about 200 stalls and you have to remember to throw bashfulness aside and bargain like crazy!

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Austrian Food is strongly meat based with an astonishing variety of desserts and cakes of renown. Tafelspitz is Austria's national food consisting mainly of boiled beef. The most popular dish is Wiener Schnitzel which is a fried cutlet, usually veal, covered in a coating of eggs and breadcrumbs. Then there is goulash, various types of smoked pork, dumplings and... mehlspeisen. That's the national term for cakes and puddings. Imagine this - you get 60 (!!) types of torte to be eaten with coffee, plum stew, cheese danish, dough filled with variety of fruits and a sprinkling of raisins and cinnamon - the ever popular strudel, pancakes... whew!
Most of the local wines are white with Riesling and Veltliner being recommended. Obstler is a strong, well-flavored drink distilled from fruits also widely drunk.
The best way to enjoy your wine is to spend a summer evening in a Heurige tavern. Marked by a pine bough over the door, with starlit picnic tables under grape arbors, this is certainly the way to drink.
To get a hold of these delicacies, find a restaurant in your town in Austria.
If you're in a particular mood, looking for vegetarian fare or a specific cuisine, make your search along those lines.

Winter sport equipment, high quality handbags, glassware and chinaware make up the best Austrain buys. I for one would also go for some typically Austrian products, like their wine or Almdudler - a herbal lemonade, or tell you that half the fun of shopping is in the atmosphere so be sure to visit the Christkindlmarkt, where you'll find some great local craft work at small stalls that'll sell you hot wine on a cold night.
If you're looking for style and substance Karntnerstrasse is like the Oxford Street in Vienna.
Another thing that's pretty to buy is an Austrian stamp. Be sure to collect a Sondermarken - stamp for a special occasion. An interesting souvenir from your trip.

A must visit is the Naschmarkt, a Viennese institution dating back to the 16th century. This fruit and vegetable market is worth a visit even if you're all stocked up in apples and oranges.
In the 19th century, Wienfluss, Vienna's second river, was roofed over and some dealers put up their stalls on top of this roof and that was the origin of the present market. You can sit at one of the coffee shops and stalls in this spectacular location surrounded by the hustle-bustle of fruit sellers and watch the lazy meandering river.
On Saturdays, you can get anything from junk to antiques to early birds at Vienna's major fleemarket.

Shops in Austria generally stay open from 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 12am to 5pm on Saturdays. In the tourist season, shops extend their weekday timings till about 9pm and stay open on weekends up till 6pm.

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If you missed the August Kandy Perhara, don't fret... devil dancing and the famous kandyan shows are regularly performed at several venues. Just check your local newspapers for a listing.
Local theatres stage traditional plays and dance performances in addition to western productions.
Most hotels have nightclubs and you can catch the latest Hollywood release at the cinema halls.

Shopaholics will have a field or bazaar day in Sri Lanka. ( I have no clue why I said something so stupid).
Anyway... handicrafts at reasonable rates and famous Sri Lankan gems are musts. Blue sapphires, cats eyes, moostones, rubies as well as lovely silverware are available all over the island.
Handicrafts like batik wall hangings and saris, dolls, silver filigree work, art work in wood and clay with traditional figures like peacocks and deers carved and soft handlooms, silks and lacework in exuberant colors.
Ceremonial masks made of a light wood shaped like mythical beasts and swans and devils, coir and tea are the Sri Lanka specific buys.
Don't worry about finding shops... they're all over. Just polish your bargaining skills.

Food in Sri Lanka is traditionally rice and curry. But if you prefer to steer clear of the spicy food, then most hotels offer a mixed menu.
Sea food is delicious with varied fish and prawn dishes.
If you're English, you'll be visting tea heaven. Some of the world's best teas, well packaged and in numerous flavors. Tea estates in Kandy and Nuwara Eleiya will provide you with some fresh air and fresher tea!
Other drinks are the local toddy - a cider like drink from palm and coconut trees, and Arrack which is a more refined form of  toddy.
Traditional south indian food is also widely available. You could also try Hoppers, a thin and crispy pancake eaten with onion and chilly paste.
Restaurants like Wunderschoen and Aida in the Bentota area come highly recommended for authentic Sri Lankan and absoluetly smashing sea food.
Hotel Neptune in Beruwela is another good food spot. Local restaurants are also rather affordable and multi-cuisine.
Strangely enough, Chinese stalls are littered all over.

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Shopping in Majorca is usually possible from 9 till 9 with a wide range of shops to choose from. (Though in true indolent fashion, some might shut down for an afternoon siesta).

Whether small shops or large stores, Majorca is dotted with them, you cannot escape the souvenirs. Since you can't, pick up the simulated pearls associated with the island and espadrilles (which for some reason always conjures a very free-wheeling sexy image for me).
There'll also be stores selling embroidery, hand painted plates, baskets, ceramics and of course... sun-blocks!
A veritable tradition in Majorca are the markets offering local color with their fresh foods and fruits mixed in with tourist items. Held at weekly intervals or more in the tourist season, they are a charming place to spend the day.
The Placa Major sqaure often has market stalls surounded by restaurants and souvenir shops... but the most alluring part of this market is the small stage where musicians and other enetertainers regularly perform.

Food in Majorca is very specific to the region with special ensaimada pastries delicately presented in boxes, dried pepper strings, spicy sausages and olives prepared in a plethora of ways.
Wine from Majorca is acknowledged as the best in the region with a wine festival held every September.
Paella, though not a Majorcan dish is widely available.
Though fish is mostly imported, lobster, sardines and prawns are all freshly available. Sea Bass baked in rock salt is a Majorcan speciality.
Suasages and pork are the main food of the region. (I always feel bad for vegetarians.)
Breakfast in Spain is eaten twice (quite like the Hobbits) with a light one earlier in the day and a nice ham sandwich or traditional omelette around 11.
For a authentic Majocan lunch, which usually starts 1 onwards, visit a tapa for a very social meal. Tapa literally means 'lid' and comes from Carlos III asking for his drink to be covered with a plate of food. So tapas now serve snails, squid, mushrooms, cold potato omelettes, meatballs, baby eels, salads, olives and tortillas. Sigh.
Lunch can go on till 3pm after which it's siesta time.
Majorcan dinner is served after 9pm though some tourist restaurant might feed you earlier. Snackfood is available throughout the day.
Disover your own food and restaurants. I refuse to make myself hungry by reciting the delicious menu choices available like paella served with fish and crab or the codorniles emborrachados which are succulent partridges roasted in clay pots with wine and brandy or the...

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Shopping in Istanbul is enough to enchant anyone - even someone like me who hates window shopping. The winding roads of the bazaars leading one into another, vibrant colors, sounds and rich smells transport you straight to the middle pages of Scheherazade's tales.

The prices need to be bargained over and it's all a mater of skill how much (or how little) you pay. An old saying assures you that you can find anything in a Turkish bazaar. Be sure to test that theory and be pleasantly surprised.

From antiques to a throbbing garment industry (with quite a few fakes of good quality), silks, a wonder stone called Meerschaum, handmade carpets, leather apparel and even wood inlaid work, every piece you find in Istanbul is art.

Another thing that is exciting to me is the thought of finding and pouring over old books, maps and prints, smelling their old smell, feeling their yellowing pages, looking for lost secrets - Istanbul markets have a great selection.

You should definitely stop by the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian market and the flea market in Beyazit Square and on a day that you feel like a lark, just a watcher, wander by a 'pazar' and enjoy the sights of a temporary market selling fresh fruits and vegetables. (and finding in the midst of them a fake Armani!)

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Food is a very personal thing for me. My mum would snort and tell you, “She means she’s fussy”. And maybe I am… so I wouldn’t presume to tell anyone what they should eat or where, but I will give you a lowdown of osteria’s and restaurants in Venice. (Osteria’s are places offering regional meals in a home-cooked style.) (I love nuggets… of information)
Venice is considerably expensive to eat in but take a look at the restaurants on the following link recommended by Philip Greenspun. From advice on where to find non-smoking space and where to share a drink across time with Hemingway, he atmospherically gives you a taste for Venetian food. And be sure to scroll down below his article to read the comments… some of the best tips are contained there!

Read!

For a little local color I do recommend, Da Fiore, an old tavern now disguised as one of Venice’s most distinguished and consistent restaurants.
Don’t slim your wallet too much… we still have shopping to get to! Here’s a list of recommended easier-on-the-pocket eateries:
Cheap Food!

And for those of you, who just don’t get why Venice doesn’t have a McDonald’s and don’t want to experiment too much with your food, click on this link and take a look at the ethnic restaurants for cuisine other than strictly Venetian. (I can’t guarantee the prices though!!)

Read

Now that that’s out of the way… can we please hit the shops?!! I don’t want you to think that I’m some kind of addicted shopaholic… but Venice does sell some stuff that I’d love to get my greedy little hands on!

I read in a book once how glass making is an art of life – fire and breath, passion and essence; colors and thoughts swirling and shattering; melting and holding to make a piece. And if you’re in Venice, you must not only visit the glass factory at Murano but buy yourself some too. For a cheaper and a more interesting souvenir, watch Ivano Soffiato in Dorsoduro at his glassblowing work!
Besides glass, you could check out Burano, famous for its lace and practically all streets in Venice boast a mask maker. Take home the mystery of Venice in a mask.
Or its sweet, Zaeti, available in cake shops across the city.
If you like your brands, visit Mercerie, the main shopping street where you can find Sergio Rossi and Gucci and Louis Vuitton, et al.
Give a  little thought to the prices and timings of stores in Venice.

If you did actually buy a Gucci, you probably want to put it to use. Well… Venice is not really abounding with night life. On the surface, things pretty much seem to shut down by 9 PM but you could find yourself little haunts of live music. You could also look at paintings of local artists adorning walls in osteria’s or treat yourself to chamber music or ballet. For those who just want their beer and song, there are a dew American styled pubs in Venice.
To get a better idea of what’s on in Venice, you could pick up the entertainment brochures from the tourist office or pick up the latest Venezia News from the stands.
If you prefer to go well armed, then choose your style of entertainment.