If anyone is shopping for me, I’m a size window-seat in plane tickets. – Unknown

The photo above was for fun and the quote was spot on to begin my post. It reminded me that my favorite place to window shop is while on vacation. Taking time to meander down tiny streets, or large shopping districts in cities often gifts us with both the local flair and unique culture of it’s space.

The Petit Champlain District in Quebec, Canada is a delightful place to wander. I am sure you will remember the little pig photo from another challenge, but I couldn’t resist sharing it again along with the blue-framed window looking into an olive oil shop.

Shop owners are experts with store-front, design strategies. Their goal is to grab your attention, and lure you inside to have a closer look. I am sure it works more often then not, but with travel I tend to be more of a just looking type. A camera over my shoulder is all I need to capture memories of the places I want to keep.

Hallstatt, Austria known for its breathtaking village, has a history dating back more than 7000 years. It houses one of the oldest salt mining sites in the world. The high mineral content of the natural salt, is believed to have therapeutic benefits. The locals tuck themselves into the charming streets, and they compete with creative ways of catching your eye first.

In Croatia, we peeked through stone windows to see the handmade jewelry of local artisans. Window shopping is sometimes the art of admiring what you can’t have; isn’t it? And yet, most of the time I feel like the act of looking is more fulfilling than buying.

There is something for everyone….always. We have discovered the handmade lace of Burano, Italy, and the woven socks of Montreal. In England there are Paddington Bears that need looking-after, and in the nearby pet stores, there are mini golden doodles that need a new home.

Yes, there is something for everyone.

During a private tour of Venice, we tasked Rocco with taking us where the locals shop, dine, and go to school. In essence we wanted to know what it was like to live there. In our four hours with him, we dined with the gondoliers, had an afternoon coffee with the local firefighters, and bought wine and fruit at the floating farmers’ market. As the day progressed, he stopped at a quiet, bridge crossing and told us to look up at the picturesque windows above us. It was an important shopping space in the day, now closed. What, ask you, could be so high? Apparently, the windows whispered secrets of desire. The women who opened the shutters, tempted the local gentlemen with their beauty and taunted them with their loveliness. After all, the men needed to see what they were getting before the purchase.

Yes, there is something for everyone.

Wind Kisses, Donna

Are you a shopper or more of a just looking type? I am definitely the latter, for good reason. In many ways, window shopping is a pastime that doesn’t require any money, especially when we travel.