Hong Kong, an extremely dynamic and integrated city, has plenty of on-street and street-side shopping to suit all tastes. Chances are, if you're visiting Hong everywhere. Hong Kong is an amazing place to shop, whether you're a bargain scouter or a connoisseur of all things extravagant. Here are some of the best places to shop in this spectacular city:

Sogo department store (www.sogo.com.hk) is a perfect starting point. At the Level 9 “Event Hall,” special promotions and big sales are the fare with rotating sales on leather jackets, handbags, cosmetics, apparel and sporting goods.

The Island Beverley and Causeway Place (next to Sogo on Great George Street), are shopping arcades that feature trendy clothes and accessories. If you're short on time, try Island Beverley, featuring mainly local designers and imported Japanese and European clothing. You can get a pretty fashionable top or a pair of pants for under HK$300 (US$38).

The Sony Style HK (www.sonystyle.com.hk) flagship store- located next to Sogo on Hennessy Road, on the 16th floor of East Point Centre- offers the latest state-of-the-art Sony products.

Causeway Bay is eternally popular with local shoppers and tourists. From department stores to small boutiques and bargain stalls, everything can be found right here in this tightly wound cluster. Of course, it will still take you a whole day to walk through this carnival of commerce.
Click here for an extensive guide to shopping in Hong Kong

However you're traveling this holiday season, make sure to allow yourself plenty of extra time, especially if you're traveling with children. If you're stressed about missing your flight or arriving late for holiday dinner, the kids will get upset too. Here are some tips to help you avoid potential airport catastrophes, with kids in tow.

  • Check-in for flights online.
  • Check Delaycast to see if your flight is on time. 
  • To avoid long lines at the airport, check out the Transportation Security Administration's website, waittime.tsa.dhs.gov, which lists average wait times for security checkpoints at all airports.
  • If you are just going for the long holiday weekend, consider traveling with carry-on bags. Even a 5-year-old can wheel his own through the airport. This will help you avoid the possibility of lost luggage or extra bag fees.
  • Make sure small children have an array of activities (coloring books, travel games, children's stories on CD, small stuffed animals) to keep them occupied.
  • If your child is flying solo, make sure you have the names, phone numbers and addresses of those picking up your child at the other end. Give a copy of that information to both your child and the airline and make sure they know how to reach you.
  • Children flying alone need to know to speak up if they have missed a connection or are confused about where to go.
  • Check your stroller at the gate. Airlines will allow you to check a stroller and car seat free, but not necessarily both.
  • Remind kids who pack for themselves that they can only bring travel-sized (no more than 3 ounces) hair products and makeup in one quart-sized Ziploc plastic bag.
  • The Transportation Security Administration has set up time-saving "family lanes" at security in most major airports. These lanes are also a good bet if you are traveling with medicinal liquids like insulin or cough medicine.
Top 10 Travel Toys and Games for Kids


It's difficult to work within a constrained schedule, but if you have some flexibility with your travel dates, you will certainly reap the savings. Here are some tips for making the most of your travel dollar when booking flights during peak travel times.
  • By all means, try to avoid high volume holiday travel dates, especially the Wednesday before and the Sunday after Thanksgiving, December 23, December 26, and January 2.
  • When booking flights, use fare search engines, like Kayak, Travelocity, or Orbitz, that feature a "flexible dates" search which will allow you to search for the cheapest fares available over a range of dates.
  • Consider flying on the holiday itself, which may not be your ideal arrangement as far as maximizing family time, but it often allows for some exceptional discounts.
  • Inventory tightens as peak travel dates draw closer. Don't wait until the last minute to book your flights.
  • Consider alternate airports. Driving an hour or two to a neighboring city could be very worthwhile.
  • Book a flight/hotel or flight/hotel/rental car package for better overall value if you will be needing those types of accommodations.
  • To cut costs, be prepared to book flight itineraries with layovers.
  • Don't forget to factor in the costs of new airline fees - carriers are now charging for everything from checking your bags to booking an aisle seat, and even for things like headsets or a bottled water.
How to get through the security line faster at the airport

For most of us, packing for a trip can be the most stressful part. What to pack, how to pack it? Carry-on or check it?

First, create a list based on your destination. Yes, this means a bit of research if you are not familiar with the climate for the time of year you are traveling. Rely on official destination sites, they usually give some good information about what you will need. If you plan to visit local restaurants or entertainment venues, check to make sure that you have the proper attire. Although dress codes are fairly relaxed in most places, you might find that your favorite t-shirt and jeans are not acceptable for some establishments. One or two ensembles of dress attire should be enough. And for outdoor activities, layering is always the best plan.

Once your list is complete, start your packing by preparing your clothes with a bit of pressing, buttoning and zipping! Chances are that if your clothes are wrinkle free and arranged properly they will arrive that way. Most major hotels provide irons and ironing boards - but don't count on that, so fold carefully and use an overlapping method for arranging your clothes in your suitcase.

Now to your carry on bag. Always remember that this is your lifeline to worry-free travel. Make sure that all your important documents, like passports, tickets, itinerary are in this bag. You will want to make sure your jewelry and medications are also with you in the event that your bag is lost or detained in the airline system. To avoid confusion, always remove old claim checks and routing tickets from the bag you are going to check. And ensure that your identification tags are secure and up to date as well.
More Packing Tips
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Featured Destination: Stuttgart Christmas Market

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With a more than 300-year tradition of celebrating the season and featuring beautiful Christmas goods, the Stuttgart Christmas Market is among the most splendid of its kind in all of Europe. The Christmas city of Stuttgart, Germany celebrates each year with an illuminated festival set against a medieval backdrop of ancient castles and churches. 

The three main squares in Stuttgart - the Marktplatz, Schillerplatz and Schlossplatz - form a triangle that encompasses the annual Stuttgart Christmas Market.

In the midst of the festival are hundreds of decorated wooden vendor stalls featuring everything from Christmas decorations, toys and woodcuts to jewelery, and of course mulled wine, waffles and sausages for you to enjoy while shopping. Children love the magical "fairytale land," which is built on the Schlossplatz.

The market traditionally opens at the end of November with a ceremonial concert in a nearby courtyard. 


Video: Green Travel Tips

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It's important to consider your planet, even when you travel. By incorporating these simple, practical, and environmentally-friendly travel tips into your preparations, you're not only cutting costs for yourself, but you're reducing your impact on the environment.

The first thing you should do if you're heading overseas is to find out what kinds of vaccinations you'll need in advance because different countries have different requirements. In the United States, contact your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a list of necessary vaccinations. You'll want to allow plenty of time for this step in case you need to get vaccines that require more than one dose.
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