Many people like to go shopping for fun. It lets you buy things you need and things you want, as well as treats for yourself and other people. But there are places in the world where shopping is only possible for the rich.
Top 5 Premium Shopping Destinations
1. Bond Street
Bond Street has been a happy hunting ground for the rich and famous since the 18th century. If you want to spend your time in London in style, go there. In this trendy part of London, you can find everything from incredibly expensive and stunning jewelry to cutting-edge interior design, as long as you have a lot of cash on hand. On and near Bond Street are also some of England’s most famous restaurants, such as the Dorchester, the Ritz, and Claridge’s.
2. Fifth Avenue
In general, New York is a great place to shop, and the area around Fifth Avenue is especially great for spending a lot of money quickly. In this part of central Manhattan, famous designer shops like Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada have prime locations. There are also many famous department stores, such as the flagship Saks shop. After shopping, you can unwind in one of the nice bars or restaurants, or you can go to the top of the Empire State Building, which is right on Fifth Avenue, to see the “Big Apple” in all its amazing glory.
3. Grafton Street
While not quite as wealthy as some of its global competitors, Dublin’s Grafton Street is still full of urban charm and character, and right next door to the standard high-street brands are some very fancy shops. Even the buskers here aren’t like these guys. Damien Rice used to play on the side of Grafton Street to try to make a little money from people walking by before hits like “Cannonball” made him famous. In 2008, Grafton Street was the world’s fifth most expensive mall.
4. Causeway Bay
According to some sources, the busiest shopping street in Hong Kong is also the second-most expensive shopping area in the world, after Fifth Avenue in New York. There will be a new luxury mall here in 2012 that will be the size of 12 football fields. Those prices could go up even more, but Causeway Bay already has a lot of small shops that sell high-end clothes and electronics. Time Square is also part of Causeway Bay. It is a 16-story shopping mall with more than 200 stores.
5. Champs-Elysees
The shops that line what is probably the most famous street in the world make it easy to fall in love in the city of love. For the chance to eat, shop, or sleep on the Champs Elysées, you can expect to pay a fortune. In this famous area of Paris, many high-end watchmakers, including Cartier, have their own stores. The area is right next to the Arc de Triomphe and other famous sights in the city.
