Little Local Shoppes!

One thing I love to do when I travel is go off the grid of the tourist and find the small, artsy and different shoppes to look for trinkets. I love flea markets, antique markets, farmer's markets and the like. I am always on the look out for anything sighthound related such as pins, books and artworks. So I am really looking forward to finding the hidden gems on our trip to Europe. A few I am aware of, but I hope we stumble into some great unknowns while wandering!

One store on my priority list is the esoteric and eclectic Watkin's Books. Renowned for it's new, second-hand and antiquarian titles in the Mind, Body, Spirit field. Established in 1893, Watkin's Books was so far ahead of it's time. I am really anticipating my visit there. Just have to keep telling myself that books are heavy and hard to pack or I will really go nuts there!

Another shoppe on the very top of my list is The Greyhound and Whippet Shoppe. However, I am currently trying to find out if it is still in business because I can't find hardly anything about it on the internet. So will keep working on that one.
Next for me is The Witch Ball, which is a wicca supply shoppe that has many and varied items that differ from those in the States. I can't wait to peruse their selection of oils, incense and other fun things to use!

Gonna put on my walkin' shoes to go to the HUGE Portobello Road Antique Market area to browse the shoppes for that 'just right' item to commemorate my trip abroad. I LOVE strolling through the booths at this type of establishment and analyzing the pieces! I plan to shop 'til I drop!

From there it's off to another HUGE antique market that all my friends have said is a 'don't miss'! Gray's Antique Market was established by Bennie Gray in 1977. Situated within a beautiful Nineteenth century terracotta building in the heart of London's West End, Grays is at the epicentre of the art and antique dealing world. I am also told that this is THE place to look for antique and estate jewelry! AWESOME!
GRAYS IS A NINETEENTH CENTURY LANDMARK RESCUED AND RESTORED

No trip to London is complete without making a trip to the world's largest department store, Harrod's. It would be like going to New York City without making a short stop at Macy's!
The store occupies a 5-acre (20,000 m²) site and has over one million square feet (90,000 m²) of selling space in over 330 departments. I generally do not shop in the mainstream, but I must at least go there for a snack!

Can't leave out the OUTSTANDING shopping venue at Crufts, Britains dog show gem! I have heard the vendor booths are amazing and the venue is HUGE! Gotta save lots of sheckels for this!

Once I get to Ireland I have STRICT orders from my sister that her souvenier is to come from Waterford Crystal! Since I have a tendency to break delicate, shiny things, I'm not really into this myself, but she will get her wish!

Once in Dublin, the list continues on. One of my MAJOR food weaknesses is cheese, and I am really looking forward to tasting many new varieties when I venture into Sheridan's Cheesemongers! Just the name makes my mouth water...I suppose you could call me a 'cheesemonger'!

Back to the local farmer's markets, Dublin boasts a huge one called Moore Street Market. I can't wait to see the lovely fare here!

Being a huge fan of wacky, different and interesting things, I have been told that I should go down to Francis Street Market, which is a variety of antiques, uniques and art dealers of every hue! Sounds like a great time to me!

I am told that in Edinburgh, Scotland, the 'must do' shopping experience is called The Royal Mile.
The Royal Mile is a succession of streets which form the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city.
As the name suggests, the Royal Mile is approximately one Scots mile long, and runs between two foci of history in Scotland, from Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Castle Rock down to Holyrood Palace. The Royal Mile is Edinburgh Old Town's busiest tourist street, rivalled only by Princes Street in the New Town.

When in York, UK, I plan to go to Red House Antiques, which supposedly has one of the greatest collections of kitzy items in the area. Once again, I will love perusing the offerings here!!

 

Of course, I'm sure I will be able to find many gems while wandering the streets of these wonderful towns! No bookstore or antique shoppe is safe from me! Also any interesting pet shops or wicca-related are fair game! I'll keep saving my money so I can shop, shop, shop!!!