Europe is known not only for its rich architectural heritage and extraordinary cultural destinations. Countries like England, France, Italy and Spain is a heaven for luxury shopping from beautifully dressed flagship stores to boutique shops, bustling shopping streets and so on.
Whenever people traveling, you must dedicate a time for you to shopping for souvenir or branded item. Since the price is much cheaper compare to Malaysia Market, most people would buy branded items overseas.
Before you go to any outlets, make sure to check which brands are cheaper to make your shopping experiences more convenient. How to check? Brands made in and sell in the same country will typically be cheaper due to lower overhead costs and there are no extra charges like import tax, duty tax and transportation costs to ship the items to overseas stores.
Some of the most popular brands cheaper in Europe include Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Saint Laurent, Gucci, Givenchy, Balmain, Christian Louboutin, Dior, Hermès, Lanvin, Chloé, Céline, and more.
Well, without further ado, kindly check out these outlets IF you’re traveling to these destinations.
Bicester Village, Oxford, England
This large, modern shopping outlet has discounts on a great many designer brands. It is only one hour from London and is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Keen shoppers will not even need to worry about how to reach this shopping village as you can get direct transfers here from central London or the major airports.
Photo by Hammerson
From end to end, the high street of Bicester Village stretches the same length as the Champs Elysee, according to chief merchant Desiree Bollier. Bicester Village is home to more than 160 boutiques of British and international fashion and lifestyle brands including Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Breitling, Burberry, Dior, Gucci, Manolo Blahnik, Prada, Smythson, Stella McCartney and Valentino.
Photo by Pinterest
In 2019, Bicester Village welcomed 7.3 million guests. The Village generates amongst the highest densities of any shopping center in the world. The major shopper contributes to this shopping outlets is China and Malaysia is the fifth contributor in this village. Wow! Malaysian really know how to spend their money. Due to major tourist inflation from Asian and Middle East countries, Bicester Village is now one of the Muslim friendly outlets in Europe.
Feeling hungry after conquering boutiques in Bicester Village? Is there any halal food here? Fret free because there are few Halal food options in Bicester Village.
Photo by Restaurant Guru
Fully Halal stall called Ammoura Lebanese Kitchen, designated Halal on Bicester Village’s website, their street food menu features a range of handmade flatbread wraps and rice boxes for all-day on-the-go dining.
Photo by Feed The Lion
Simply Noodles stall serves hot, delectable noodles with a Halal certificate proudly displayed within their stall. Their menu includes slow-braised beef noodles, freshly steamed Bao Buns and Dimsum.
Other than that, there are few Muslim Friendly eateries that sell halal or muslim friendly food, which prepared and cooked separately in different kitchen such as Farmshop, Cafe Wolseley, Shan Shui and Maitre Choux. Fill up your tummy and continue your shopping spree!
Photo by Feed The Lion
There is a dedicated Contemplation Room ideal for fulfilling one’s daily prayers. This room is used by not only Muslims but by other religion too. You can find the contemplation room located behind the Celine boutique. There is a washroom next to the contemplation room and there is also an area for ‘wuduk’. Even though you spend whole day on shopping spree, do not forget to pray!
La Vallée Village, Paris, France
Paris is another city with an extraordinarily strong design and fashion history, known as one of the most ‘Chic’ cities of the world. La Vallée Village is quite a popular shopping destination for all those who are aiming at luxury brands, as well as the creations of famous French couturiers.
Photo by Google Image
La Vallée Village is home to more than 120 boutiques from some of the most exciting French and international designers. La Vallée Village outlets in Paris differentiates itself from other outlets because they bring in pieces directly from the store. Many pieces that are sold at La Vallée Village can be as little as 3 months old. Brands are continuously shipping new pieces directly from the Paris stores to La Vallée Village Outlet!
The outlet shopping in Paris is home to both high end luxury shops such as Armani, Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Celine and many more and more affordable shops such as Maje, Sandro, Ralph Lauren, Levi’s and many more. You will find many great deals and bargains that you will not be able to find in Paris city center.
Photo by Love in the City of Lights
Many people don’t know this but by law France has designated times when stores can put things on sale, and if you go shopping at La Vallée Village outlets during these times you will receive the already discounted price plus additional discounts. In the summer, the sales start on the last Wednesday of June and run until the beginning of August, and in the Winter the sales start on the second Wednesday in January and go until mid-February. So plan your shopping time accordingly.
Extra tips to maximize your purchases, you may choose to get a VAT Tax Refund with a minimum purchase €175 in a day from the same shop or you can get 10% discount card at the Welcome Center. There is no minimum purchased limit for this discount card, however you can’t redeem VAT Tax Refund. So choose wisely!
Photo by Travelog Kembara Orang Johor
As there is no halal food option inside of the La Vallée Village, shoppers need to go to the nearest halal restaurant located inside of Val’d Europe mall. It is a Lebanese restaurant called Noura. The best part of this downside, you can continue to shop as this mall is 1 km long, housing thousands of shops such as Primark!
Unfortunately, there is no prayer room or contemplation room in La Vallée Village. The nearest mosque which located in the Bussy Saint Georges town, 20 mins from La Vallée Village by taxi or car.
2290musafir.blog 