Relax - DESTINATION: SHOPPING

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Shopping and travel are intimately connected. After all, rare is the traveller who has never felt compelled to pick up a souvenir or two to remind himself of his brief sojourn in a foreign land.

But the following five destinations have way more to offer than tacky keepsakes. From hip new shopping enclaves to great bargains, these are travel destinations that promise shopping nirvana.

CLOSE TO HOME

Singaporeans are no longer sticking to the tried-and- tested trio of Bangkok, Hong Kong and Tokyo when it comes to regional shopping destinations.

The following three hot spots are the hot picks of Singapore customers who have used Singapore-based travel search engine Wego.com over the past four weeks, says Wego founder Craig Hewett.

Here are some of his recommendations on what to check out at these places.

HANOI

This is a great place for getting clothes tailored at bargain prices. Tailors can work from magazine photos or make a copy of an old favourite.

Items can be turned around in less than 24 hours, but you will get better results if you allow them more time and go for a fitting before everything is finalised.

It is also great for fashion designer wannabes who want to get their sketches made into clothes.

Search for tailors at www.ticvietnam.com for a list of the best.

The streets of Hanoi may be chaotic, but there are also hidden gems, such as
tailors who make dresses in 24 hours.

MELBOURNE

Bargain basement factory outlet shopping does not get much better than in Richmond, an inner city suburb of Melbourne. Check out www.bridgerd.com.au for a crash course on the retail offerings in Bridge Road, Richmond’s well-known shopping avenue.

Don't forget Chapel Street in the Australian city’s South Yarra for its offerings of international and local designers. Check out www.chapelstreet.com.au.

Retail therapy in Melbourne is not just limited to its home-grown designers,
with offerings of both local and international labels.

BALI
This Indonesian island is very popular with both Singaporeans and expats looking for home furnishings. Most merchants are used to shipping items overseas.
Check out the Ubud neighbourhood in particular for its markets, which are full of crafted knick-knacks and artworks. Extensive listings can be found on www.bali-indonesia.com/shopping/index.html.

Besides taking in the sunset in Bali, you can also do a spot of furniture
shopping.

MORE EXOTIC ESCAPADES

BERLIN

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall and, along with media coverage commemorating this historic event, the city’s burgeoning charms as a travel destination have also been noted.

Fans of edgy design should check out Hackescher Markt, “the centre of new Berlin and an area that has been undergoing transformation since the wall came down, but which has recently seen a major influx of new brands and tenants”, says British trade magazine Retail Week. Check out www.hackescher-markt.de for more information.

Berlin's landmark TV tower forms a dramatic
backdrop as you pound the pavement.

BUENOS AIRES

The Argentine city known as the Paris of South America has always had a glamorous reputation, but a recent renaissance of sophisticated local labels has boosted its charms, landing it a spot on Forbes Traveler.com's latest list of The World’s Best Shopping Districts.

The website notes: “The city mixes Parisian chic with a casual, rockier feel and is a great place to score edgy menswear and leather goods.”

To go beyond international labels, it suggests visitors wander through Palermo Soho, a neighbourhood in the north-east sector of Buenos Aires.

For more information, see listings at www.luckymag.com/sites/cityguides/buenos_aires/neighborhoods/palermo_soho.