While many mothers and daughters have close relationships, there are instances when parents and their children only get together when there is a special occasion. Bonding moments are important to strengthen ties between parents and children, and what could be a better bonding time between mother and daughter than spending a weekend or a few days shopping on Mother’s Day? Here are some ideas and when you have planned your itinerary, book your flight with the Skiddoo, where you will find cheap flight rates and select all other flight options in just one web page.
HONG KONG
Flights to Hong Kong
Hong Kong has always been widely known as a shopping haven, where the prices are lower and you have a wide selection of the latest fashion trends, from casual and informal wear to the formal and luxurious designs from top designer labels.Hong Kong is in China’s southern coast, jutting out of South China Sea and the Pearl River Estuary. The former British colony is now called the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. It is still fascinating and one of the world’s safest cities, and has such a delightful cuisine, and beautiful landscape, despite it being a concrete and steel jungle. Traditionally, Hong Kong is at its best from October to January when the weather is cooler and the dry season has settled in. The room rates are reasonable, however, tourism starts to peak after New Year’s. If you do not like winter weather, then you can visit Hong Kong from June to September. Also, it is best not to schedule your Hong Kong trip on the first week of May since the city celebrates Labour Day so the tourist attractions would be very crowded.
Tsim Sha Tsui and Harbour City
Tsim Sha Tsui
Shopping in Hong Kong is almost like a way of life or a form of recreation, what with the variety of products, the reasonable prices and great service. Most of the goods, coming from around the world are tax free (except for cigarettes and wine).Top things to buy at Tsim Sha Tsui and Harbour City, which are located in Kowloon, are electrical appliances, cosmetics and clothes. Tsim Sha Tsui is fast gaining the reputation for luxury shopping and the shopping malls have recreation facilities as well. Favorite among women is Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard. If you are looking for factory outlets for clothes and cosmetics, check out Granville Road. For chain stores where you can find famous brands, visit Beijing Road and Canton Road. For designer clothing and entertainment, go to Harbour City.
HAWAII
Flights to Honolulu, Hawaii
When Hawaii is mentioned, the top image on everyone’s mind is an island paradise with swaying palm trees, great beaches and dancers wearing grass skirts while dancing the hula. The tropical island is located in Oceania in the North Pacific Ocean. It is about 2,550 miles southwest of Los Angeles, California. The prevalent weather in Hawaii is warm, and it has several public beaches, active volcanoes, and diverse landscape and natural scenery. It is a great place to visit almost any time of the year, but the best times are during the dry season, which starts mid-April. It is the time when flowers and fruits are abundant and the vegetation is very lush. Although most visitors to any of the main islands of Hawaii go there for the laid back atmosphere and the beaches, Hawaii is also a great place to shop.
Ala Moana Centre
Ala Moana Centre, Hawaii
Top shopping destination is Ala Moana Centre in Honolulu, which is the largest outdoor shopping centre in the world. The premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination in Hawaii contains 290 stores and 72 restaurants, cafés and bars. It has major department stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and a host of locally-owned boutiques selling items you could only buy in Hawaii. Ala Moana Centre is where you can also find a number shops carrying the world’s top luxury brands.
NEW YORK
Flights to New York
New York is located in the east coast of the United States. The state is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It also shares international borders with Ontario and Quebec. The most famous area in the state, as well as the most populous is New York City. It is a major economic and financial hub and a centre of international diplomacy, education, research, entertainment, technology, fashion, art and media. Spring (March to May) is a good time to visit New York when the weather is a bit warmer. There’s bound to be some spring showers though. The best time is during summer, although it could be stifling hot at times. Fall and winter are great if you like the weather to be colder. However, hotel rates are higher during these times.
5th Avenue
5th Avenue, New York
While there are plenty of attractions to consume what limited vacation time you have, New York City also a great place to shop and one of the most popular shopping destinations for high-end fashion items is 5th Avenue. It is impossible to miss 5th Avenue which is from north to south going all the way to Manhattan, with the main shopping streets starting from 14th Street to 59th Street. The area is lined with several department stores and luxury boutiques, including Gucci, Michael Kors, Victoria’s Secret, Prada, Banana Republic, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co. and Abercrombie & Fitch.
PARIS
Flights to Paris
Paris is the capital of France and situated in the north-central section of the country. The City of Light or la Ville Lumière, is the centre of intellectual pursuits, education, fashion and the arts. Paris is a great shopping destination for people who like haute couture, as most high end fashion designers and labels are situated at or have a fashion house in Paris. The city is at its most pleasant in the spring, which falls in April until June. It is also good during the fall season from September to November. The city is lovely in December although rates are understandably higher.
Rue de Rivoli
Rue de Rivoli
Paris has several shopping districts, all of them fantastic places to visits, such as the Rue de Rivoli, where you can find almost everything you are looking for. It begins at the Place de la Concorde going all the way to Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis Church to the east. The long shopping lane has plenty of souvenir stores that are friendly to tourists, located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. From the Louvre to the east you and your mom will have the time of your life browsing a host of international and national chain stores, including Body Shop, Mango, Gap, Yves Rocher, H&M and Zara.
BANGKOK
Flights to Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, a Southeast Asian country. Bangkok is consistently a top tourist destination in Southeast Asia, and popular among visitors for its exotic and great-tasting cuisine. It is also internationally known as a shoppers’ paradise, where you can find the latest fashion items and accessories at incredibly low prices. Bangkok is characterized with a tropical monsoon climate and oftentimes hot and humid. Although it is all right to visit Bangkok any time of the year, the tourists come in droves during the months of November until March. The months of March to May are the hottest months of the year, while the cool months are from December to February. Low season is from May to October, when you will have more time to browse the shops to your heart’s content.
Sukhumvit Road
Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok
Although there are several shopping districts in Bangkok, one of the most famous is Sukhumvit Road. Around the area are several air conditioned malls, sidewalk vendors, various shops and department stores. You will be able to find a wide array of trendy fashion items from cheap imitations to clothes right off the catwalk. For high-end shopping, go to Emporium Shopping Mall and Robinsons Department Store.