What Everyone Should Know About Shopping When Travelling

When you travel, you are inevitably going to buy something. I use to be the QUEEN of shopping when I worked on cruise ships, but nowadays I don’t buy a lot and have changed what I end up buying.

When shopping when travelling a souvenir here and there is fine, but I now like to incorporate buying things that I will wear and use at home and not just collect dust or get put in the donation bin.

Look for home decorating items, clothing and keepsakes. The “I Love Paris” tee-shirt is not going to be the most stylish when you are home, but if you go to local boutiques and shops and buy things you can’t get from home these will be much more treasured.  You will also more than likely have people compliment you on your unique purchases. You can also drop…oh, this, I got it in Paris. LOL 

If there is a possibility it could be chilly or rainy on your trip then purchase the inexpensive smaller items like hats, gloves, and umbrella’s when there instead of packing these things “just in case”. These things can be used easily when you are at home too.

I am fond of buying art pieces, either street or in local galleries. These are easy and light to bring home and then you can just frame these when you get home. Scarves are my weakness and I end up buying them when I find a good deal…Nepal I am looking at you! haha

A question I get asked a lot is “what if I can’t fit everything I want to buy in my suitcase?”

If you see bigger items that you want to purchase ask the shop about shipping it home for you. Check to see if there are discounts to ship it or if they will include free shipping as they know this will determine if you are going to buy the item or not.

If you tend to shop when you travel, keep these purchases in your bag until it becomes too heavy or no room left for anything else. If you still have more than a couple days left on your trip take all the items you don’t need to carry with you to the post office and mail everything home in a box. Boxes and packing supplies are usually available at the post offices. Be sure to bring your passport with you.

Another option you have is to bring a fold away bag with you and use that bag for your purchases…just weigh the options if you want to carry that bag around for your trip when it is full, and if you are going to have to pay for an extra piece of luggage on your flight back.

So don’t feel like you can’t purchase great things on your trip and not be able to bring them home.  Enjoy the shops sprinkled throughout your trip. 🙂