Your International Shopping Guide

Love shopping? Of course you do! Well, we've travelled to four cities around the world - and we think you're in for the spree of a lifetime. Find out which shops you should be checking out in Hong Kong, Sydney, London and Paris, as well as where to find the best bargains and how much money you should budget for your shopping trip.

PARIS	Shopping in Paris is almost as magical as the city itself. You can choose to head straight to the Champs-Èlysées, where you'll find chain stores such as H&M and Zara, as well as luxury shops like Gucci and Prada. In order to benefit as much as you can from your budget, make sure you visit the department stores first, as the designer boutiques will probably leave you with an empty purse. Not ideal. While it's tempting to waltz into Louis Vuitton, the likelihood of you waltzing straight back out again with a bad case of buyer's remorse, is, well, unlikely. Best Buys: At H&M in Paris, you can expect to pay approximately €40 (R412) for a really nice leather jacket or blazer, between €10 (R102) and €15 (R155) for a cute vest or tee and €20 (R206) for a pair of pumps. Note: unlike other mass-produced stores, H&M's clothes are high in quality. At Zara, you're more likely to spend a bit more: about €50 (R514) on a dress or handbag, €40 on a cardigan and €35 (R360) on a pair of sandals. Budget: It's best to take at least €400 to have a proper shopping spree. Trust us, while you might not buy a Louis Vuitton bag, you'll come out with more than you can handle (or fit in your suitcase!). Be aware: When shopping in touristy areas like Montmartre and Pigalle (where you'll find cheap shops filled with bargain items), be aware of the men peddling bracelets below the Basilique du Sacré Coeur. Once they've attached the bracelet to your arm, they will try and force you to pay for it.
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Author: Lindi Brownell