One of the greatest benefits of the Internet is our ability to shop almost anywhere in the world. One need not travel to exotic locales in order to find an affordable trinket. You need not venture further than your desktop. While my list is embarrassingly inadequate, it represents some stores that I introduced myself to while traveling. I had good experiences in them all. In my criteria for sharing this list, I tried to select a few stores that offered something unique, and competitively priced. Many sites are priced by Euro. At present, 1 Euro is equivalent to 1.40 US dollars. If you buy in bulk, please inquire about reduced shipping charges, its fine to do so. While haggling for a price is not even considered in Italy or Monaco, it is perfectly acceptable in Turkey and Egypt, so feel to make a fair offer. While I made few purchases, this list will introduce you to some of the stores I have (and will) be mentioning favorably in my reports. No harm will come from looking at their websites.
Buyers beware! Please note that not all these sites are “secure”, meaning that you should exercise caution when providing your credit card information. If you do not see the international security icon, which is a symbol of a master lock, usually located on the bottom right hand of your screen. Please inquire what other methods of payment are accepted. Many retailers are happy to accept Traveler Checks, which you can purchase at your local bank. and mail them in.
Another way to do some international shopping is to connect to the tourist boards for any of these cites, each of which have “Shopping Tabs” with slews of shopping resources. I would encourage you to do a little surfing.
Savona, Italy
www.delfinogioielli.com International luxury brands, often offers styles and sizes not available in the US
Monte Carlo, Monaco
www.ccmetropole.com Luxury and mid-market shopping center, where you can link to slews of brand name retailers www.comptoir-philatelique.com Stamps, coins, antiquities and other ephemera www.nmnm.mc Nouveau Musée National de Monaco’s gift shop www.nafnaf.com Great women’s designer clothing www.yamamay.com Beautiful lingerie
Izmir, Turkey
www.krt.com.tr Gold jewelry www.scsshoes.com.tr Hand made leather shoes and jackets
Rhodes, Greece
www.rhodesgallery.com Antique & reproduction jewelry, rugs & collectibles www.amoramor.gr New-Age crystal jewelry
Cairo, Egypt
www.meritbazar.com Egyptian exporter, of jewelry, decorative, papyrus, rugs, etc…
