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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NAPSI)-Shopping is the most popular travel activity, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. About 91 million people include shopping as an activity when they travel.
Many popular Caribbean resort is-lands offer exotic, one-of-a-kind treasures and top-quality goods at rock-bottom prices. Shopping spots include:
Aruba, for designer fashions, luxury goods like jewelry, china, crystal and hand-rolled cigars, all sales tax-free.
The Bahamas Straw Market, well known for handbags, woven mats, hats and other straw items; duty-free deals on designer fashions and European luxury goods such as perfumes, china, crystal, glass and jewelry.
The Cayman Islands-Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman-offer china, jewelry, porcelain, Swiss watches and other fine fare all duty- and tax-free. Local merchandise includes conch shell jewelry, coral, caymanite (black, gray and red gemstones found only in the Caymans), baskets and hammocks.
The Dominican Republic has embroidery, fabric dolls, leather goods, mahogany and cedar handicrafts. Dominican rum, coffee and cigars are famous. Amber, a rare stone, is abundant, as is the blue Larimar.
Jamaica offers Blue Mountain coffee and Tia Maria, coffee-flavored liqueur. Popular jerk seasoning spice and Pickapeppa hot sauce can help you re-create Jamaican cuisines at home. There's also Jamaican rum, wood carvings, woven baskets and handmade sandals.
Craftsmen in Puerto Rico are known for their exquisite hand-carved figures and hand-rolled cigars. The island's rum is world-famous. Guitars, jewelry, lace, papier-mâché masks and mahog-any are also popular.
Visitors to St. Lucia enjoy duty-free shopping for pottery, wood, straw work, shell art, batik, cane furniture, coffee, cocoa, spices and bottled hot sauces.
St. Martin's duty-free shops boast European fashions, jewelry, perfume, china, porcelain, watches, Italian leather and liquor, cane furniture, ceramics, embroidered linens, straw goods, and pareus.
St. Thomas has duty-free shopping on liquor, linens, china, crystal, jewelry, designer fashions, perfume and other luxury goods. Shell jewelry, carved calabash bowls, straw brooms, woven baskets and handmade dolls are popular locally produced crafts.
• Ms. Ryan is vice president of Travelers Advantage. Learn more at www.travelersadvantage.com or 1-877-841-1335.
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