Buy the best artisan products in China, Colombia and Spain

If you like to buy traditional crafts and other artisanal products that capture the essence of your destination when you travel, China, Colombia and Madrid, Spain stand out for the heritage and quality you can experience . THE Association of Tour Operators of the United States (USTOA) can be invaluable when planning a trip that highlights design and culture beyond typical souvenirs in places like these.

For more than 50 years, the organization has been a trusted resource for travelers. Comprised of a network of U.S.-based tour operators who help make travel more thoughtful, sustainable and secure, USTOA Tour operators can help you find artists and artisans whose work reflects the location through local materials and heritage. Think Shanghai's colorful night markets, Bogota's historic alleyways, and two legendary boutiques hidden in plain sight on Madrid's bustling streets.

You will benefit from the support of USTOAmembers of the tour operator at all times. Guided by local experts, you'll discover lesser-known stores and those offering the highest standard of souvenirs to take home. Your trip will also be carried out with complete peace of mind thanks to USTOA's Consumer Protection Program, Million Dollar Traveler Assistance Program and a long history of travel excellence.

You can also take precautions to protect your luggage, including any treasures you acquired on your return trip. Through its partnerships, Crum & Forster offers reliable travel insurance that can help keep travelers and their treasures safe from start to finish.

Go shopping in Shanghai's historic Tianzifang district

Courtesy of Alicja Ziaj/Unsplash

Few places on Earth offer a more exciting blend of past and future than China, with the many sights, sounds and flavors to discover among its traditional open-air markets and elegant shopping malls. In Shanghai's Tianzifang district, you may feel like you've completely transcended time. You'll find hypermodern boutiques and cafes in 19th-century niches Shikumen the east-west architecture of the buildings, reminiscent of the time when the area was part of the French Concession of Shanghai.

Still little-known after all these years, Tianzifang attracts China's most stylish visitors. Browse the artists' studios in its green streets, notably the Changhe Zhinan pottery workshop, or the numerous textile houses where you can make your own tailoring. hanfu clothes, the famous traditional costume of the Han Chinese people.

You can also take a two-hour flight west to the city of Xi'an for a real trip back in time. Consider a visit to Tang Paradise, an immersive and romantic theme park. The destination offers traditional products and excellent cuisine in structures modeled on those of a thousand years ago, when Xi'an was the largest city in the world.

Another option is a hanfu photoshoot, whether at a shop called Lianxi Zhi on Yanta South Road; with a professional makeup artist at Xin Liufeng Mu Jin; or in Qujiangchi Ruins Park, located among the enchanting remains of a Han dynasty palace.

The shopping street of Bogota where tradition and innovation meet

By far the largest city in Colombia, nicknamed the “Land of Beauty” for reasons obvious to anyone who has been there, the capital, Bogotá, is located in the geographical heart of the country. As such, it enjoys a centuries-old influence throughout the country and beyond. The effect is perhaps most immediately evident when it comes to design: bright tropical Caribbean colors mix with rustic, handmade products available in modern and traditional stores. At the center of it all is Calle de los Anticuarios, home to the latest in cuisine, arts and crafts.

When it comes to the freshest looks on Calle de los Anticuarios, San Dom is a must-visit. Since 2014, the concept store (with a second location in Cartagena) has brought together hundreds of emerging Colombian designers through a philosophy of “positive consumption,” manifested in outfits suitable for the beach, prom and everywhere in between.

One door away, you'll find the Calle de los Anticuarios d'Artesanías de Colombia location, part of a national organization that includes four retail stores and several initiatives designed to support the production of home goods , gifts and much more made by Colombian artisans through traditional means and with local materials. Among the many quality offerings are colorful knitted hammocks, traditionally woven jewelry. momposina style and intricate fiber baskets by indigenous groups like the Huitoto.

Timeless fashion in the historic center and region of Madrid

Courtesy of Only in Madrid

Although it dates back to the 9th century, Madrid is a modern destination, from the historic city center to picturesque villages around the world. mesetaor plateau, on which it was founded. A fashion-forward region, the capital owes much of its well-deserved reputation to Cristóbal Balenciaga, who opened one of his first workshops there. The credit is also due to Movida Madrida revolutionary period of underground aesthetic that changed Spanish fashion forever.

Opportunities abound to take stock of this modern style, including at El Corte Inglés, a venerable department store headquartered in Madrid with multiple locations. Visit its flagship store on Calle Raimundo or its location opposite the Casa de la Arquitectura museum to find the best of Madrid's designer boutiques in one place.

Alternatively, anyone who has wandered around downtown Madrid, particularly the elegant neighborhoods of Malasaña and Chueca, about 20 minutes south of Castellana by metro, will find much elegance and grace among its 19th century architecture. century and its grand boulevards. Among the vast array of century-old stores, two of the destination's most enduring and beloved boutiques particularly stand out, where centuries of commitment to quality have given their artisans enough room to innovate today.

Courtesy of Only in Madrid

For those looking to bring home some unique Spanish shoes, perfect for a breezy day at the beach, Antigua Casa Crespo has made their espadrilles., otherwise known as alpargatahandmade since 1863. Suitable for women, men and children, these iconic rope-soled shoes are made from natural, sustainable materials and come in a rainbow of colors and styles.

For something to wear when the weather is a little grayer, take the metro a few stops south to Capas Seseña, another legendary store that looks good and has a history of producing coats, ponchos and capes handmade since 1901. Worn by celebrities Madrid And foreignersFrom King Alfonso XIII and Plácido Domingo to Federico Fellini and Ernest Hemingway, outerwear provides a look that is eternally modern, stylish and quintessentially Spanish.

Bring back your reward with Turkish Airlines

Courtesy of Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines is a great choice for traveling in style and comfort. It ensures you get yourself (and what you buy) where you need it while feeling better.

With flights serving 130 different countries, more than any other airline in the world, the airline offers massage seats and on-board chefs preparing made-to-order meals for business class passengers, in-flight entertainment at every seat and private lounges in airports around the world. Plus, a free stopover in Istanbul (a great shopping destination with antique bazaars, Anatolian carpet workshops, modern mega-malls, etc.) gives you another opportunity to explore culture through trade detail.

For a chance to win a $10,000 travel certificate for a trip of the winner's choice between China, Colombia or Madrid, Spain with a USTOA member tour operator, visit USTOA now until October 31, 2024.

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