Make a list of items you want to buy and the sizes you’ll need. Then check prices in your local stores. That way, you’ll have a basis for comparison.
The Born to Shop guides by Suzy Gershman, published by Frommer’s, are an excellent resource. Each guide in the series covers a major vacation destination, and offers tips on prices, maps of shopping districts, where to find factory outlets and flea markets, currency conversion charts, and more.
Tech Tip for Power Travelers
Do you use a smartphone such as an Apple iPhone, Blackberry, or Tmobile G1 with Google Android? Many such devices allow you to download price comparison applications. These apps can scan barcodes on merchandise using your phone’s camera and then compare prices with nearby businesses. While they aren’t much good in the bazaars of Tunisia, they often work quite well in places like Canada and Europe. If you’ve had experience using one of these apps while abroad, please leave a comment and tell us about it.
