A woman at an oriental bazaar looks at artfully made metal lamps.

Shopping as a voyage of discovery

Small craft workshops, traditional markets or exotic shopping temples – here you won't find classic souvenirs, but treasures with soul and history.

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7 min read
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Found it. Exactly what you were looking for. Finally holding in your hands the reason for your trip. Sounds strange? Not at all! Shopping in foreign places is a sensual journey of discovery, a holistic experience in which tradition and innovation merge.

Witnessing how unique treasures are created from centuries-old craftsmanship. Find, discover, and explore products that you won't find at home. These authentic shopping experiences create extraordinary moments while traveling. So immerse yourself in the atmosphere of lively market halls, feel the passion of the artisans, and discover products that tell of the culture of their homeland. Each piece is unique – and now a part of you.

Colorful sacks full of spices and herbs line the alley of a traditional Moroccan market.
A stroll for the senses: the markets in Morocco's cities and towns will take you on an unforgettable journey.

Between K-Pop and K-Beauty: Seoul shopping guide

South Korea is all the rage. An entire generation has made Korean Skincare their beauty lifestyle. No wonder: the products are innovative, exclusive, and effective. In Seoul, you can find the latest skin care highlights at affordable prices, from high-quality serums to cult sheet masks to limited editions that are not available in Europe. The products smell good, feel good and come with K-pop to keep you company while you shop – making shopping here a multi-sensory experience.

Korean skin care may no longer be an insider tip, but its focus on prevention and affordable luxury qualities are making it an international trend. Give it a try and give your skin that glow in the South Korean metropolis. Your trip to Seoul will be a beauty pilgrimage, where every purchase is an unforgettable experience. Deluxe shopping: here, centuries-old beauty traditions merge with the latest cosmetic technology in a unique adventure, complete with flagship stores with architecture fit for Instagram. South Korea has plenty to offer: the vibrant metropolis not only offers breathtaking views from the N Seoul Tower but also a lively street food culture, peaceful temples in the middle of the city and extensive green spaces along the Cheonggyecheon River.

Left: Various drops of cosmetic textures, including gel, cream and peeling. Right: View from Bongeunsa Temple over the Gangnam district of Seoul.
Left: Impressive variety: K-Beauty is all the rage and the selection is huge. Right: Sublime view over the Gangnam District: the Bongeunsa Temple.

Between souks and the Sahara: Morocco's treasures

Casablanca, Fez, Agadir or Marrakech – names that sound like oriental treasures. In the souks of Morocco, you will explore this incomparable combination of shapes, colors, light and shadow, smells and sounds. Always on the lookout for a unique treasure. Of course you will find it: among exotic spices and hand-painted ceramics, artistic tiles and sparkling lamps, you will find your new favorite item: a hand-knotted carpet perhaps. Accept the sweet mint tea offered by the merchant, negotiate skillfully, as is the custom in the market – and if you are successful, you will take home not only your carpet but also impressive stories.

Jemaa el-Fnaa, the central marketplace in Marrakech, is probably one of the most famous squares in North Africa. And from here, you can venture into the countless souks without a map – and make countless discoveries. And outside the city? Explore small mountain villages at the foot of the majestic Atlas Mountains, travel through green valleys and hot desert landscapes. Enjoy culinary delicacies such as tagine, pastry specialties and pastilla – a trip to Morocco is an invitation for all the senses.

A Moroccan craftsman presents a woven carpet, surrounded by colorful yarns in a traditional workshop.
Unique pieces in Morocco – handwoven carpets in oriental bazaars.

The coffee city by the sea

Colorful hustle and bustle. The sunlight dances on the marble counter of the coffee house. The aroma of freshly ground coffee fills the air. And the barista places your nero on the counter. Welcome to Trieste, the real capital of coffee in Italy. Here, coffee is an expression of lifestyle. Experience the soul of Italian coffee art in harmonious combination with Austrian coffee house culture. This is only possible here, in Trieste, in the traditional coffee houses, in the city's roasting plants or in a coffee school. In no other city in Italy is coffee held in such high regard and more coffee drunk.

World-famous brands such as Hausbrandt and Illy have their roots here, in the coffee city by the sea. Let yourself be carried away by the aromatic scent. A visit to a local roastery is always an experience and a guarantee that you will take home a little more freshly roasted coffee to enjoy the memories long after your trip. You can also help to spread good coffee culture all over the world. The University of Coffee offers courses on coffee enjoyment for coffee lovers and the curious at numerous events and cultural events.

Young woman wearing a hat is sitting in a street cafe, holding a cup of coffee in her hand. In the background, rustic wooden tables.
A pleasure with every sip – coffee is ubiquitous in Trieste.
Close-up of a silver spoon tip with coffee beans, surrounded by more beans in the background.
Incomparable – the aroma of freshly ground coffee.
View of Miramare Castle in Italy, surrounded by a tranquil seascape and clear sky.
The art of Mediterranean living on the Adriatic coast – Miramare Castle.

Hearing the sound of silence

Bright green, luminous, unique. Matcha is a Japanese cultural treasure. Mindfulness and craftsmanship in one. Experience firsthand when Chanoyu or Sado, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, is performed. It is a unique sound when matcha powder is whipped into a foam with a bamboo whisk. Experience first hand how centuries-old principles of harmony, respect, purity and silence manifest themselves in a single bowl of tea. Matcha bars in Tokyo celebrate matcha culture in a fun and engaging way. You want to aim high? Then visit the Tokyo Tower, where you can enjoy a perfectly prepared matcha every morning at 8 a.m. at a height of 333 meters and experience a breathtaking view of the awakening metropolis.

Of course, Japan has much more to offer: exotic yet somehow familiar. For example, in Osaka, the “kitchen of Japan”. Some of the most popular Japanese street food classics, such as okonomiyaki and takoyaki, originated here. Did you know that Japan has 34 national parks? From shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” in Yoshino-Kumano National Park, to the snow monkeys in Nagano – many of these experiences seem absolutely incredible and can only be found in Japan.

Left: Preparation of matcha green tea with traditional accessories. Right: View of Mount Fuji, with a five-tiered pagoda in the foreground.
Left: A science in itself: preparing the perfect matcha. Right: The Chureito Pagoda: breathtaking view of Mount Fuji.

The stuff that shopping dreams are made of

Stand in the middle of a fabric market in Delhi, surrounded by a potpourri of bright colors and take in the bustling hustle and bustle of people. Linen, handwoven cotton and shiny silk as far as the eye can see. With the sounds of the market at your ear, experienced tailors transform the fabrics into unique new favorite pieces according to your wishes. Whether it's an elegant cape, a perfectly fitting suit or a light summer dress, a tailor-made one-of-a-kind piece will be created in no time to make your trip unforgettable. Dare to do it! Immerse yourself in the incredible diversity of Indian markets and discover special fabrics that are only available locally.

But be careful, many a traveler has been overwhelmed by the power with which Delhi welcomes visitors. Majestic temples and magnificent palaces evoke bygone eras, while bustling markets show the India of today. Discover a city on the brink of chaos, but absolutely endearing. Goods are advertised left and right, mopeds and countless people rush through the streets, and everything comes to a halt when a stubborn cow decides to take a break in the middle of the road. And behind the hustle and bustle, the tranquility of the great monuments is surprising: the Red Fort, the Lotus Temple or the Qutub Minar.

An Indian woman spreads out very colorful fabrics to dry.
In the most dazzling colors: India is known for its high-quality and colorful fabrics.
A pile of colorful silk with embroidery.
Very fine, soft, and light: silk has a long tradition in India.
Morning atmosphere on the square in front of the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal: one of India's most famous landmarks and probably one of the most photographed subjects in the world.