When you are and the holidays are fast approaching, you should take action and take some much needed Eurostar breaks. If you want to dissolve your stress and also enjoy a little bit of shopping, you should then take your couple of breaks from your monotonous life and do a bit of travelling outside of the UK on Eurostar. The train can take you to Paris where you can enjoy so many exceptional things. You can hit the road and then do your gift shopping with an equal time for sightseeing since the city has not only become famous the world over due to nothing.

You can actually do your shopping accompanied by sightseeing. This is because you will see the world-class merchandise in the city’s buzzing shopping centers full of fashionable wears. Paris has become the center of fashion for this is where many world renowned designers have originated from. After you buy what you want as your gifts to a special person and loved ones, you can still experience the cultural spirit of the city, get to visit world famous landmarks, eat excellent food from among the world’s best kitchens, and indulge yourself in small cafes.

You should think that aside from being able to give these gifts from Paris for your loved ones, your short tour around the city can at least serve as your gift for yourself. You can shop and roam around the city for two to three days and then take another ride on Eurostar bound for home.

[Shopping Tips]

1. Korean Sizes
Most sizes are measured in centimeters except for the waist size, which goes by inches. Shoe sizes are measured in millimeters.

2. Payment Methods
Except for street vendors, most shops follow a fixed price system, and these shops accept international credit cards (VISA, MASTER, etc). If you wish to shop at markets and street vendors, be sure to have cash ready.

3. Currency Exchange
Most banks have separate booths to exchange foreign currency. The banks are the most convenient places to exchange currencies, and business hours are usually 9:30 a.m. – 16:30 p.m., Mon – Fri. Also, the ‘356 Days Corner’ ATM (English) is usually located next to the banks, which are open from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Most convenience stores also provide 24-hour ATM services. However, using the banks during normal business hours will offer you the cheapest service charge. Note that service charges may vary according to each bank.
Namdaemun Market and Itaewon districts provide their own foreign currency exchange services, and you can find them through the tourist information centers located in the area.

4. Tax Refund
Shops with “Tax Free Shopping” signs will provide you with duty free shopping and information for your tax refunds.

5. Refunds
Except department stores and large malls, some stores may not offer refunds for purchased products (especially for sale items), although they do allow customers to exchange items that they bought.

6. Sale Periods
Duty Free Shops: June – August, December – February
Department Stores: January, April, July, October, and December
Other large shopping malls also go on sale around the same time as the department stores do. Namdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Market, and other major markets usually go on sale around early July and mid-January, and the summer and winter sales offer the most discounts with 20-30% off of the regular items, and more than 50% off of items more than 2 or 3 years old.

7. Business Hours
Unlike the U.S. or Europe, Korea’s shopping hours are limitless. Most shops open until 10 p.m., and markets like Dongdaemun Market are open 24 hours. Shops are mostly crowded during holidays and weekends except during the New Year holidays and Chuseok during which most shops close to celebrate Korea’s major holidays. Shops in Myeong-dong and Insa-dong are usually open until 10 p.m., whereas Namdaemun Market and Dongdaemun Market are still open after midnight with shoppers and retailers, giving you a taste of Korea’s late-night shopping culture.

8. Korean Shopping Phrases
Except for duty-free shops or shops in Itaewon, you may run into communication problems. If you know a few Korean shopping expressions, you’ll find your shopping experience more enjoyable and you may even be able to bargain for lower prices.

Getting there’s an unforgettable travel. There’s nothing in the world as if the Peak Tram. Attracted by steel cables, the tram climbs 373 meters (approximately 1,200 feet). It is so steep that the constructions you pass look as if they are leaning at a 45°angle! Whether you are going up or going down, you will enjoy this travel.

And now this fabulous panorama has been farther raised by the 2006 revitalization of one of Hong Kong’s most striking landmarks, The Peak Tower. Even more than before, it’s a destination in its own right.

Once on The Peak, there are a number of locations providing magnificent views of the city below. For great continuous unfolding vistas, take the Peak Circle Walk or go directly to the Lugard Road Lookout for fabulous views over the harbour. There are more great vistas from the Lions View Point Pavilion and the viewing terrace at the
Peak Galleria, also as the Peak Tower Sky Terrace. Make sure to visit  Madame Tussauds Hong Kong , open from 10am to 10pm daily, for an engrossing interactive entertainment experience!