MILAN

A few cities can match Milan when it comes to fashion and style. As the home of some of the most exclusive designers such as Armani, Gucci and Prada, Milan offers a unique shopping experience. Its famous Fashion Quadrilatero, bound by Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea, is packed with luxury outlets, the favourites of the rich and famous. More affordable shops can be found in Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Corso Buenos Aires and the surrounding streets and include the usual high-street names such as H&M and Zara amongst top designer labels. Navigli area is ideal for unique gifts with shops stocking anything from handmade clothes and accessories to unusual homeware. Finally, a visit to Milan would not be complete without snapping up a bargain at one of its many designer factory outlets. Many major labels from Dolce & Gabana to Kookai have warehouses near the city centre.

LONDON

With an overwhelming selection of chic boutiques and lavish department stores, London will no doubt pull on your purse strings. You will find all your favourite designer labels and more in the extravagant department stores such as Harrods and Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge. Old/New Bond Street and Sloane Street are lined with über-chic boutiques from all major fashion houses. The famous Oxford Street offers a wide array of affordable high-street fashion and a multitude of department stores, including the unmissable Selfridges. For quirkier shops, visit Carnaby Street, Soho or Covent Garden where there are plenty of funky boutiques such as Concrete with unusual and eclectic collections. For designer fashion at rock bottom prices visit any branch of TK Maxx, or the Burberry discount outlet in Hackney.

PRAGUE

Although the choice is not as wide as in London, Paris or Milan, Prague still has a fabulous selection of world-renowned designer labels on offer and often at much lower prices. You will find an abundance of designer boutiques, department stores and small specialist shops around Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square. The up-and-coming Czech designers such as Nademlýnská, Kováríková and Tatiana have boutiques in the streets around Dlouhá and Parížská with great end-of-season sales. For more affordable buys visit Myslbek shopping centre where you will find the usual high-street names including M&S, Next and H&M nestled among designer classics such as Calvin Klein and Guess. For something authentic, try Czech crystal jewellery shops. Found all over the city they offer unbeatable quality and fantastic value for money on Bohemian crystal, garnet and amber jewellery.

BARCELONA

With bargain bazaars galore, Barcelona is the prefect destination for those in the mood for some serious bargain hunting. It is the home of top Spanish fashion chains such as Mango, Zara, Camper and Massimo Dutti that have had a huge worldwide success. In Barcelona they offer a wider selection of goods at even lower prices. Barcelona's main shopping area is the five-kilometre stretch from the top of La Rambla, through Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia and up Avenue Diagonal. All major designer names from Armani to Versace have boutiques here. Along with a great selection of small quirky shops, there are several branches of the popular Spanish department stores El Corte Ingles and Fnac stocking everything you could possibly want. Best bargains can be found at discount stores such as Factory Store and Stockland, which offer designer labels at shockingly low prices. When it all gets too much hop onto the special bus for shoppers, Tombus, where you can relax in an armchair and listen to music until you reach your next shopping stop.