How To Plan a Shopping Vacation!
By Missy Steinfeld

I heard that years ago, America's wealthiest debutantes were taken to places like London and Paris every summer to buy their new clothes.  Can you imagine boarding a luxury liner to sail across the deep, blue Atlantic Ocean and returning with trunks filled to the brim with the latest fashions?  Wouldn't that be delicious?  These days, retail outlets in the United States rival anyplace on the globe, so there is no need to go all the way to Europe; unless you want to - and then you absolutely should!  With every one being so busy and shopping being much more convenient, I think we've drifted away from the delightful ritual of an annual shopping trip... and we need to bring it back!  It doesn't have to be a long vacation or very far from where you live; if you have a mall or a downtown area with cute boutiques and restaurants in your town as  well as a comfortable hotel, you can plan a lavish shopping trip at an affordable price.  You won't be paying for airfare or a rental car.  You'll use your own car, call a cab, or take advantage of the public transportation system you're used to.  You don't need to miss work.  Book your stay on your days off.

If you can afford it now, why wait?  Pack your overnight bag this minute!  If you need to save your money and schedule in advance, set aside a bit every paycheck until you have enough for a nice room, a few meals out, and a some shopping!  Avoid the temptation to sleep at home.  That's a regular day at the mall.  You have to actually get away (even if it's just for a night) to make it feel luxurious.  You can go alone or with a friend and split the cost.

Think about what you'd like to purchase and make a list.  You can be at the shopping center when the doors open, pick up a latte, and take a stroll to check out all the window displays.  Go back to the stores that interest you and try things on.  Have a bite of lunch and think things over.  Try on some more clothes, and shoes, and bags. Take your time in the decision making process.  Have fun with it!  Look for scarves and jewelry.  Stop at the candy store or the book shop and treat yourself!

Once you get back to the hotel, take a swim in the pool, have a hot bath or shower and dress up a little.  Visit the lounge and sit at the bar for a drink and an appetizer and socialize.  You could also phone a friend to join you for dinner, or enjoy room service.  Many hotels have salons, so you can make an appointment for a beauty treatment the next day.  When you wake up, have breakfast in bed or go to the restaurant in the hotel or one nearby.  Get your hair done or have a facial.  You can do more shopping or go home and relax, but you will look and feel so much better after taking a little time "away" for you!

My husband and I went to France last spring for the first time and had a wonderful time.  If you'd like to go to Paris, we tried a Viking River Cruise called "Paris and the Heart of Normandy" and it was great.  There are many ways to travel abroad, but what I love about this company is that when you make airline reservations through them, they pick you up at the airport and take you back when you're done.  No panic attacks!  Your meals are included, and they're delicious - beer and wine comes with lunch and dinner, the cost of most day trips are included - and the ones that cost extra are specified.  You generally get to shop for a while at the end of the outings or you can opt out of the group tours and walk around on your own.  We spent quite a bit of time in Paris and saw many other charming locations, too.  The service was terrific.  I felt like it was a very safe way to travel, so if you're going alone or with a girlfriend, you might like it.  They have sales periodically throughout the year, so we took advantage of that.  Considering the length of the cruise and everything that was included, we found it very economical.  Here is what I packed!