For example, Malta with its pubs and English shops reminds one of old Britain. But prices for clothes in the same 'Marks & Spencer' stores in Malta are about twice as high as on the continent or in England. Doing shopping in the usual European sense makes no sense here. But on Malta you can buy something that is nowhere else - Maltese crosses. In all forms. On wallets, string bags, cigarette cases, eyeglass cases, ties, spoons, brooches, and hairpins.
Cyprus is another British preserve. The highlight of the program is the same silver and English lace. Tour operators invariably take their clients to the village of Lefkara, where elegant patterns are created right before their eyes. In this village, Leonardo da Vinci himself in 1481 bought a lace altar cloth for the cathedral in Milan. However, it is much better for your wallet in Lefkara to just watch the work of lacemakers and jewelers, and buy their products at the market in Paphos or Limassol.
On the Canary Islands, some goods are not taxed, and therefore prices for perfumes and strong alcoholic drinks are lower than at Sheremetyevo duty-free! In the capital Santa Cruz, there are good electronics and photo equipment stores. For beloved women, there is a rare gemstone of a golden-green color - olivine peridot, which is mined on the island of Lanzarote. It is set in gold and silver - it turns out very well.
The Caribbean needs no detailed recommendations. Rum and cigars - that says it all. The Venezuelan island of Margarita is famous for its pearls of ideal shape and various colors. Especially beautiful is the rare silvery pearl. It is better to buy it in stores rather than from mulattos on the beach.
In Mauritius, connoisseurs gladly buy huge ships made of wood. Local craftsmen can not only build a wonderful ship model, but also pack it securely, so there are no problems with transporting a bulky souvenir.
Indonesia opens up huge opportunities for shopping, all steeped in batik, carved wooden masks and figurines. Europeans enthusiastically take away from the island of Bali paintings on fabric, hand-painted sarong skirts and whole blankets embroidered with fish and stars.
The Philippines is not only an exotic country but also pro-American. First, alcoholic beverages are not taxed. Second, 80% of American jeans are sewn there. Brand stores are not only in the capital Manila but also on small islands. Great pants that have not yet been shipped to Europe can be bought at a fantastic price - from $8. And again about pearls: near the beach-and-tourist island of Boracay are the famous Mikimoto plantations. Locals do not consider it shameful to string a thread or two of Mikimoto sea pearls - slightly yellowish, with barely visible 'tails'. This luxury is sold for $50 per strand (which in Europe costs at least $500). On Boracay there are also wooden ships, no worse than Mauritian ones, and beautiful fabric lanterns.
In Sri Lanka, precious stones are mined (and bought), primarily blue sapphires. They can be bought both in jewelry and as cut stones. Tourists methodically buy stones at the jewelry factory, tea at the tea factory, and spices in the spice gardens.