Shopping all over the world

Treat the world as one, giant mall, says Amy Duff, and you'll discover everything from the best threads to the finest cigars and get more from your trip than just memories

Whether you're seeking an ethical holiday, extreme adventure, rest and relaxation at a spa, or even a romantic road trip with someone special, somewhere around the world there will be someone to cater to your whims. But if you'd rather cross the ocean to kit out your home in the latest Scandinavian design than go snowboarding in Whistler, or if a trip to indulge in a bespoke suit appeals more than going goo-goo over turtles in the Galapagos, here is the After Hours guide to the global mall, with the low-down on the best places to pick up specialist goods at the keenest prices. Although you're guaranteed a better story if you take the risk, you don't have to wander to far-flung, lawless outposts to satisfy your fix. Just make sure that, whatever you're after, you head for the best place in the world to buy it. So, from textiles to glass, and cloth to pottery, here are some of the best places in the world to go shopping.

Silk
The most visited Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan are Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. All are renowned for their spectacular architecture and keen sense of history. But it's the "Golden Valley" of Fergana, with its fine silk-weaving tradition, which draws shoppers. Margilan, one of the biggest cities in the district and home to the Yodgorlik Silk Factory, is particularly noted for its silk, hand weaving, embroidery, wood and Ghanch carving. As security in the region near Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is unstable, tailor-made packages are the safest way to get your hands on that silk.

Tailor-made suits
London's Savile Row is famous for its world-class tailors. But a trip to central London doesn't inspire quite the same frisson of excitement as a flight to Bangkok or Mumbai. There's a glut of Thai tailors in Bangkok waiting to kit you out for much less than an equivalent suit would cost you back home. The lanes (sois) off Sukhumvit Road are the best area to head for. Granted, you need to make sure there is a tailor on the premises using British or Italian cloth. But once you've done your research, leave them to it while you go and explore this wonderful city. In Mumbai, there are expert tailors all over town, but a good place to start is Yaseen, in Colaba, for true made-to-measure tailoring of the highest order.

Crystal
Prague's beautiful, medieval old town is lined with shops selling the finest crystal. Having dodged the cheap imitators, glass-devotees will be dazzled by the array of carved crystal bowls, vases and stemware. The Jewish quarter is a good place to look for antiques, while Czech glassmaker Moser has been producing authentic, high-quality crystal since 1857. The Bohemian glass factory tour is also popular. And for more modern interpretations, shoppers head to Blue for its funky, colourful designs.

Leather
Aside from the terrific wine, lip-smacking steak, and the tango, the Argentines are also adept at making wonderful leather goods. And with the exchange rate still tipped in the traveller's favour, a shopping trip to Buenos Aires to buy beautiful, high-quality coats, bags, belts and shoes has never looked more enticing. Those in the know abandon Avenida Florida or the Recoleta avenues lined with upscale boutiques such as Louis Vuitton and head instead for Calle Murillo in Villa Crespo, a two-block stretch containing around 15 stores for hand cut, custom made goods. For more edgy, sophisticated couture, try Palermo Viejo.

Homeware
Scandinavian furniture is much coveted by urbanites who like their designs pared-down. It's expensive to buy in the UK, which is why Nordic aficionados head back to the homeland. In Copenhagen, the best of modern Danish design is found along the pedestrians-only Strøget, the major shopping street, with Illums Bolighus the pick of the shops. Collectors go in search of "old masters" such as Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, and Poul Kjærholm. In Sweden, the Bruno Mathsson Visitor Centre (in Varnamo) is top of the list, while design centres abound in Stockholm and Malmo (look for David Design in particular).

Textiles
Cosmopolitan Mumbai, home to Bollywood and business tycoons, is a melting pot of different cultures and culinary traditions. It's also the place to purchase fabulous textiles, from Benarasi woven silks and brocades sold by the yard, to authentic Pashmina shawls and hand-dyed silk stoles. For the home, trendy boutique stores specialise in designer linen, tablecloths, bolsters, curtains, bed covers, and napkins. Wandering around the bazaars is an experience in itself, or head to Colaba for a more serene experience.

Cigars
Wandering through colonial Havana with the beat of the rumba in your ears is an unforgettable experience. And anyone with any sense finishes the day with a Mojito and a Cuban cigar. The weather and soil conditions in Cuba are perfect for growing tobacco. With 40 brands to choose from, including Montecristo, Cohiba and Partagas, cigar enthusiasts reach their nirvana in Havana. Avoid the "bargains" offered by hawkers on the street and instead buy from the shops located at the cigar factories (the Partagas cigar factory behind El Capitolio is a good one), in high-end hotels and restaurants. No wonder Ernest Hemingway lived here for so long.