Travel to These 9 Locations For A "Get The Goods" Vacation

South Korean skincare has become some of the trendiest beauty in the world. Myeongdong is the center of it all, a neighborhood with both high-end beauty shops and affordable finds. Look for sheet masks, serums, cleansers and moisturizers from brands like Innisfree, Etude House, The Face Shop, Missha and Dr. Jart+.

What else to buy in the fashion capital of the world besides purses and designer clothes? Avenue Montaigne & Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré has luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermès and Gucci. You’ll have access to Paris-only collections, deals if you go in January and July, plus a VAT refund when leaving the EU if you spend over €100.01 in one store.

Head to the souks (traditional markets) to get the goods Morocco is famous for. Souk Semmarine has ceramics, textiles and leather goods. Souk El Attarine is you best bet for spices and traditional perfumes. Souk Cherratine is the place to be for leather goods like babouche slippers and bags while Souk des Tapis has handwoven blankets and Berber rugs. Don’t forget the spices either — Rahba Kedima (Place des Épices) is the top spot for saffron, ras el hanout, argan oil, dried herbs and rose petals. Arrive ready to bargain, as that is the culture of the souks. You’ll want to start at around half off the price and work your way up from there.

The craftmanship of Italian-made leather goods is unparalleled. In the Santa Croce Leather district, you’ll find artisanal handmade shoes and gloves while the high-end brands like Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci and Prada live on Via de’ Tornabuoni & Via della Vigna Nuova. San Lorenzo Market & Mercato del Porcellino are made for browsing with outdoor markets full of belts, wallets and bags. While you’re there, also be on the lookout for gold jewelry, designer fashion, luxury perfume from Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, Tuscan ceramics and local foods like chianti wine, olive oil, vinegar and cantucci (Tuscan almond cookies).

If you’ve always dreamed of having a custom scent, Lisbon can make your dreams come true. Perfumeries like Opar, Claus Porto, Comporta and Antiga Barbearia de Bairro will mix a custom fragrance for you with an appointment. Many have a focus on regionally-inspired scents like fig, almond and orange — a delightful and unique souvenir to remember your trip always.

IKEA fans, pay attention to this one: You can head right to the source in Sweden for incredible housewares in the Scandi style. From the world’s biggest IKEA to the elegant Svenskt Tenn, be prepared to ship textiles, furniture, tableware and decorative accessories home because it’s not all fitting in your suitcase. Also check out Designtorget, Granit and HAY House Stockholm. Save room for cinnamon buns because no shopping trip is complete without a sweet treat. January and July have the best sales and there’s a VAT refund on larger purchases.

Diamonds are forever and no one has more high-quality diamonds than Antwerp, Belgium. Known as the “diamond capital of the world,” the Antwerp Diamond District (Hoveniersstraat) is a great stop with over 1,500 diamond dealers but DiamondLand offers classes and tours on how to buy if its too overwhelming. There’s a little to learn about certification, prices, VAT refunds and haggling so make sure to do your research before you buy.

For variety alone, the bazaars in Jaipur, India can’t be beat. Johari Bazaar is the hub of precious and semi-precious stones like emeralds, rubies and sapphires, as well as Meenakari (enameled) and Kundan jewelry. For blue pottery, which is pottery made from quartz instead of clay, check out Kripal Kumbh. Bandhani & Leheriya Textiles and Anokhi at Bapu Bazaar have patterned fabrics. If shopping at a bazaar, be prepared to bargain and have cash on hand.

Sure, you can buy a sheep's wool sweater in Ireland, but in Lima, Peru, you can get soft, luxurious alpaca wool sweaters, scarves and blankets. Kuna and Sol Alpaca in Miraflores sell quality wool goods. Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco sells handmade goods using traditional techniques that fairly support local artisans. The baby alpaca wool is the cuddliest (and no baby alpacas are harmed in the process!).