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Looking for a bargain abroad? Do the research
before you go.
Souvenirs of trips are a pleasant, visual reminder of the fun that we
had during a vacation. Buy affordable items that are personally meaningful
and reflect something unique about the destination.
- If you are planning to take a trip to a destination that is well known
for something you yearn to own (ceramics, art, jewelry, rugs, tapestries,
etc.) there is a simple rule of thumb that you should consider before you
depart: do your homework.
- If you can take the time to do some research, you will usually
return with a bargain that is a stunning addition to your collection.
It will be easier to value specific treasures, if
you spend some time
researching your destinations to discover the places known for specific
items.
- In essence, you should prepare for your purchase by researching the
signature products of specific areas to determine what constitutes a
value.
- Guidebooks are a good source of
information on unique items to purchase by country.
- For many travelers, value is defined as something
they cannot easily find in their hometown, is authentically unique, and
related to the destination they will
visit
- For example: ceramic, decorative tiles from
Portugal that were manufactured and painted by Portuguese artisans
- Once you have done the research, create a list that includes, by
location, the treasures that you would like to pursue on your trip. Use
this as a guide when shopping during your travels.
Example
While in Australia, we encountered large displays of a wide variety of types of Opals. The differences
between the stones were mind boggling, complicated by wide ranges in
quality, color, clarity, and size. However, we had done our research before
leaving the US by visiting several jewelry stores and examining what could
be bought for specific prices. When we began shopping in Australia, we
were able to determine the opal jewelry that was a bargain (yes, yes, we
bought).
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