Worldwide travel insurance customers tired of the British high street could try venturing overseas for some more unusual Christmas shopping.
According to travel specialist Lonely Planet, New York is still most Britons' number one dream choice for winter shopping.
Tom Hall, the guide's travel editor, said Paris could be a more realistic alternative to the Big Apple for those short of time or cash.
He recommended the French capital's more accessible big name stores and "countless tiny boutiques".
More budget-conscious travellers could head a little further afield, added the travel expert, to Istanbul, which offers unusual products "without eurozone prices".
Mr Hall noted that Buenos Aires could be a good long-haul option, where visitors can enjoy fantastic food while bagging a bargain.
But for those who enjoy the seasonal side of Christmas, a trip to any of the festive markets of northern Europe is a must.
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