Christmas shopping in New York

There is nowhere in the world that offers the array of shopping opportunities that New York City does. There’s nothing quite like a Christmas shopping trip in NYC and New Yorkers really like to push the boat out at this time of winter. The city is transformed into a winter wonderland with all of the ‘flagship’ stores going to great lengths to come up with the most beautiful, dazzling window displays. Shoppers from all over flock to the city to experience the Christmas cheer, from the giant Christmas tree and ice-rink at Rockefeller Center to the legendary Broadway lights and illuminated tableaux. New York is truly magical at this time of year, perfect for picking up some great Christmas bargains and presents from the biggest range of shops. Markets pop up all across the city from mid-November to just before Christmas. Stroll through the snow tipped trees in Central Park and enjoy the gifts and crafts from the markets.

Romantic boutiques in Paris

Paris is known the world-over as a place where quality and elegance come first, shopping in Paris is something you can't miss and can be a serious threat to your purse, with gorgeous couture designers lining the old streets. However a good combination of affordable can be found across this romantic city and off the beaten track. Shopping in Paris is any girl’s dream, with beautiful unique boutiques across the city to find unusual gifts and clothing. The “Bouquinistes” all along the Seine river banks are perfect for old trinkets and books and the high-end rue de Seine, rue Jacob and rue du Bac near Orsay museum in Saint-Germain des Pres specialize in art and antiques for those looking for something that might not fit in the suitcase.

Duty free Dubai

One of Dubai’s main attractions, as well as the beautiful beaches and out of this world hotels, is the tax free shopping. Dubai has more than 40 shopping malls, including the largest outside of North America, the “Mall of the Emirates.”  Dubai is also known as the "City of Gold," and for good reason. Its world famous gold souks have a mind-boggling array of jewellery, and other traditional Arabic souks sell the best in rich textiles, exotic spices, Arabic pottery and wooden furniture. As well as the amazing choice available, but once a year Dubai hosts a mammoth shopping festival, which brings international visitors flooding to the UAE in search of a bargain, shops slash their prices during the month-long festival which takes place in January through February, there are daily competitions, prize draws and promotions, offering the chance to win a bar of gold a day, luxury cars and much more.

Girly trip to Manchester

Manchester City Centre is the main shopping hub for the North West. With major regeneration in the last 10 years, it’s now a funky, fashionable, chic and sleek place to shop. The prime retailing area is based around the pedestrianised Market Street and one of Europe's largest shopping malls, the Arndale centre. Seek out rare finds at Saturday’s Tib Street fashion market or browse vintage boutiques and explore the record shops in Manchester’s Northern Quarter for one-off promos. Manchester is filled with scrumpous department stores packed with Beckham style bling, so for a more indulgent shop, head to the likes of Harvey Nichols’ and finish off with a cocktail, in one of the many trendy bars around St Anns square area.

As well as a bustling city centre filled with shops, a 20 min bus ride outside the city is the magnificent Trafford centre, a hot spot for Wags and the local footballers. This mini-metropolis has all the shops from high street to high end and the amazing 2-storey food hall  with over 60 restaurants, mini-golf, and 20 screen cinema is worth a trip alone.

Leeds 

Dubbed the Knightsbridge of the North, Leeds is a place that prides itself on a sharp, stylish image and nowhere is this reflected more than in the city's shops, with Victorian and Edwardian arcades, speciality shops and beautiful boutiques and teaming malls. You will find everything from high street, to Harvey Nichols, Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood in the handsome Victoria Quarter, a series of ornate shopping arcades. Leeds has 4.3 million square feet of retail space within five miles of shopping streets, including five indoor shopping centres, one of the country’s largest pedestrianised shopping areas and a whole range of speciality shopping attractions. Granary Wharf is also one of Leeds’ best-kept secrets with cafés, restaurants, street entertainers, an exhibition space and a large selection of underground market-place stalls. This is the place to be for something different, selling everything from Moroccan interiors to Egyptian handicrafts, Goth gear and pine furniture.