You might be thinking about planning a vacation that's a little out of the ordinary. While you may enjoy going to see historical sites or perhaps taking in an amusement park or two, you might like to see what the shopping scene is like at any given place around the world. Planning a vacation completely around shopping can be a fun and unique vacation.

Here are some tips on how to plan a great vacation that's all about shopping. Yes, you can still visit those historical sites if you want to.

Pick Your Vacation Dates Carefully

When you are planning a vacation that centers around shopping with a little sightseeing thrown in, you have to make sure you pick your dates to go carefully. When you take a shopping vacation, you don't necessarily have to go at the peak of the tourist season unless the area you want to go to mostly shuts down in the off-season. This can be the case for beach towns where you can only swim during the summer months.

You can also choose your dates based on when certain items are more likely to be on sale. You can check online to see what the retail environment is in that area and when you are most likely to get good deals. If you choose to take a shopping guide with you, they can fill you in on when the best dates are to go.

Make A List

Once you have an idea of where you would like to go, then start making a list of items you would like to search for. Certain areas of the world are known for their craftsmanship in different items so research which districts and craftsmen to check out. If you are staying closer to home, then see when different items you would like to buy would be on sale or would most likely be in stock.

While you certainly can go on a shopping vacation without any pre-planning of what you might like to buy, if you have an idea ahead of time of items you really want, you are more likely to get them. Planning ahead of time means you can focus on which shops to head to. It also helps you research how to pick out the best quality of each item you would like to have.

Pack Comfortable Clothing

When you plan a shopping vacation, make sure you pack comfortable clothing. Shopping is fun but it does take some energy and a lot of walking around. Always pack for any kind of weather with comfortable shirts and sweaters, plus jeans or pants.

You will want your feet to feel comfortable and supported too. Bring comfortable shoes that give you a lot of support while walking. You don't want to feel worn out and tired after only one day. You want to be able to enjoy your whole vacation.