By david henry

 Do you purchase things on your travels? We do, and we've got one or two tips for shopping abroad. Sometimes whenever you travel, you will have an impulse to buy souvenirs... to... well... to do just what souvenir means... to remember your trip.

We're not talking t-shirts here... we're talking articles that should bring back memories of that city or country. We're talking about tips for shopping abroad for normal old tourists.
You're not likely to get the best "deals" or the top "stuff" unless you simply get really lucky, but you'll get some fun things and fun memories of finding them.
Purchasing art while on vacation can be a good way to add some excitement to your trip. Think of all the fun that can be had seeking out that special piece which will bring back the memory of blue seas, snow-capped mountains, a memorable ruin, or tropical birds.
Each travel destination you visit is certain to have a distinct flavor that can be captured in artwork or crafts which can be unique to the area. Your souvenir may very well be a painting or it can be fabric, woven panels, embroidered work, or batik.
You can buy native artworks like wood sculptures and masks. We've brought home unique musical instruments... a balalaika, a Tibetan horn, a didgeridoo, and some drums.
It's fun shopping for a little antique piece or some ethnic clothing, but no matter what you go looking for, there are some tips for shopping abroad that you ought to keep in mind.
If you're going to hunt for something specific on a visit, do some research before you leave home so you know about how much you need to expect to pay for it.
Also do research so you know how to judge the quality. There are a lot of fakes and cheap knockoffs around, a little knowledge may help you avoid getting ripped off... though with many items, even experts can be fooled!
Assume what you're getting isn't old or authentic.... that's it's made new for tourists and made to appear old.... That's not all bad, many countries won't let you take antiques out of the country anyway.
For anything you purchase, we think if you pay a price you can live with, assuming it is just a souvenir and not a valuable treasure, you'll be happy with it whether it's new or old.
While it's fun to mention you bought this in.... you name it... Europe, Africa, Asia... Give it some thought before you buy. Can you obtain a similar thing at home.... and acquire it cheaper without the hassles of getting it home? Will you actually use it? Display it? Or is this an impulse that's a good idea when you're in that little shop, but something that could wind up collecting dust in a box or in the closet?
Sometimes to "get over" that impulse to purchase, we just buy some little thing that will remind us of this trip... things that lay flat and pack easily... hand made cards and cloth items or little pieces of inexpensive jewelry. When all else fails, we buy what we call "tacky tourist curios". Funny little pieces that we bring home and hang on our Christmas tree.
I guess that's our best tip for shopping abroad... really give it some thought before buying it.

David Henry is a travel industry expert and has been providing discounted travel products and services for 25 years. A great selection of quality hotels and apartments in the worlds best holiday destinations can be found at holiday rooms direct Book online and make savings of up to 70% off normal rates providing the very best travel discounts around.

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