City Breaks BEST FOR SHOPPING

Best for Wedding Dresses
New York

New York has an enduring reputation as the shopping capital of the world for brides. For a dress worthy of an A-lister, head to Vera Wang’s flagship store on Madison Avenue. Bargain hunters will find unbeatable prices at Bridal Garden, the only non-profit bridal boutique in New York, while high-end second-hand gowns can be bought at Michael’s Consignment Store.

For a custom-made gown, visit Banico, who will take about four months to make a dress in any colour, style or fabric.

Firth Avenue’s Bergdorf Goodman stocks frocks by top designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Ulla-Maija, Jenny Lee, Lela Rose and many others. For the ultimate bargain, head to Filene’s Basement, famed for its annual sale of designer wedding gowns, which normally takes place in February. Not for the faint-hearted, the event has been officially branded the Running of the Brides after news reports compared it with the Running of the Bulls, in Pamplona, Spain.

But even if you’re not a bride-to-be, the Big Apple is an ideal destination for shopaholics, as Sex and the city fans will know only too well.

Best for Fashion
Paris

Paris is the city of choice for serious fashionistas who can head for the great couturiers – Christian Lacroix, Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, all of which can be found around the Champs-Elysees area, where the new department store LE66 has recently opened and is home to 100 fashion labels.

Paris also has some top-notch department stores, notably Galeries Lafayette, Bon Marche and Le Printemps, where shoppers can pick up perfume, lingerie and jewellery as well as high-class fashion. Take a walk around any part of central Paris and you’re likely to come across a new designer.

Best for Hi-Tech Goods and Gadgets
Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s tax-free status and focus on new technology means you can get great deals in computers, software and electronics. There are two main districts for ho-tech goods: Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island and Mongkok in Kowloon. Recommended shops include Wan Chai Computer Centre and the Mongkok Computer Centre. Digital Pavilion in Mongkok has high-end video mobile phones, speakers, LCD televisions and assorted hi-tech gadgetry for home entertainment.

Grab the best deals during the annual Hong Kong Summer Temptations (12 weeks from the start of July) and in the winter and summer sales when prices often fall by more than 50%.

Best for Gold and Jewellery
Dubai

Dubai teems with shopping malls, the newest and largest of which is the Dubai Mall, which opened last week. Open from 10am to midnight daily, the mall has 1200 shops and 160 food and beverage outlets.

One major feature is the world’s largest indoor gold souk, with 220 gold and jewellery stores. Designed like a souk to reflect the region’s ancient gold trade, there are winding corridors and courtyards dotted with life-size bronze animal statues.

Did you bag a bargain in any of these fantastic cities or where would you recommend as a shopping destination? Post your comments below.