Tastes in shopping are very personal: one person’s retail therapy can be another’s nightmare, but if you are a browser and look forward to shopping away from home, you’ll have lots of fun discovering some of these retail gems on the LIAT route.  

Dominica
“The only thing I thought I might buy in Dominica was a Dominican straw mat, but to my real surprise I ended up buying a totally new wardrobe when I discovered a real gem of a clothes shop right by the port. Kai-K can be found on The Dame Eugenie Charles Boulevard, The Bay Front, in Roseau.  It is owned and managed by Dominican Jacqueline Dupliny, who caters for the 20-40 plus age group and specialises in topical wear, Indian cotton and Pima cotton (from Peru). Most of her jewellery is made in Dominica. Her taste is impeccable and her prices are reasonable.

Another real find nestling up in the hills near the village of Borne, is Indigo, the home and gallery of Marie Frederick. Originally from France, she married a Dominican, Clem, who is also an artist, and has made her home in what can only be described as a paradise. Her inspiration lies in the rhythms of Caribbean daily life – the old shingled houses, the vibrant tropical vegetation and the drama of a natural world that is larger-than-life.

She also serves some great vegetarian food, and her bread and desserts are awesome. This was a favourite hang out place with both Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom during the filming Pirates of the Caribbean. You need to make an appointment to see her, as unexpected visitors are not welcome. (Tel: 767 445 3486).

Trinidad
Trinidad has some very impressive malls where you can buy anything from clothes to swimwear, furniture and home furnishings. Check out The Falls, Long Circular Mall, Trin City and Grand Bazaar: all have great shops for clothes in particular.

For really unusual African work, pay a visit to African Trophies (39 Tragarete Road, Newtown, POS. Tel: 868 622 9496). Here you’ll find chairs, stools, baskets with close weave, very nice beads and various carved objects.

Disha Ramshananis’ House of Jaipur (14 O’connor Street, Woodbrook, POS. Tel:  868 624 7465) is a veritable Indian treasure chest, selling exquisite Indian jewellery, clothes, fabrics, home furnishings and chutneys. They even serve afternoon chai.

Anyone playing Mas should go and visit Jimmy Aboud, the textile king – on the corner of Henry and Queen Streeets. (Tel:  868 625 2904).  This place is like a bazaar, bursting with fabric that’s cheap and cheerful. Upstairs you will find all the shiny, glittery, items you need to make a costume.

Check out Samaroos to round off the Carnival theme. (11-13 Abercromby Street, POS. Tel: 868 624 8431). This Aladdin’s cave stocks beads, braids and feathers etc. Whatever you need for trims, you can find it at Samaroos, and also some fabulous fringing for lampshades as well.

St Vincent and the Grenadines
The art and craft scene in St Vincent is in the process of evolution. A wide variety of unique local arts and crafts can be found throughout Kingstown, particularly at the Artisans Craft Shop and The Bounty Restaurant and Art Gallery on Egmont Street. A visit to the new Kingstown Market and shopping mall can also produce some fruitful finds, from jewellery to wood carvings.

Leaving town, head towards Wallilabou Village on the leeward coast, where you will find the fascinating Wallilabou Craft Centre. Established in 1986 as a co-operative of local villagers, the centre teaches the techniques of straw work and weaving using fibres from pandanas and wiss plants. The workers there produce a variety of baskets, handbags, hats and children’s toys.

The Bequia ferry arrives into Port Elizabeth, which features a fabulous bustling market packed with stalls selling T-shirts, fruit and vegetables and hand-made coral and shell necklaces.

Nevis
The Island of Nevis is the place to go if you’re after sculpture and pottery. Nevisian-born, self-taught sculptor Marvin Chapman makes each original piece of art, with quality handcrafted lava rocks, which are handpicked from throughout the island with careful consideration for design. Marvin’s shop, Chapman’s Stone Art, is located at Taylors Pasture, Gingerland. (Tel: 869 469 3065).

At the Newcastle Pottery Shop, everything is handcrafted using Nevis’ clay and is traditionally fired over coconut husks. The selection includes miniature houses, ashtrays, light fixtures, candle holders. This wooden house pottery shop is located in Newcastle, five minutes from the Vance. W. Amory International Airport, (Tel: 869 469 9746) but pieces are often seen in some local hotels as decorations.

Nestling in the mountains of Nevis on the Hamilton Estate (Tel:  869 665 1365), you will find self-taught artist Iziah Parry. His work is handcrafted with just a few simple tools from a single piece of wood. Once fully cured, the mahogany piece is delicately oiled using natural oils and then left to darken.

Island shopping stop-offs
Whether you’re travelling around the Caribbean for business or to meet up with family and friends, ensure you allow enough time to check out the following retail hot spots...

Antigua
There is a great farmers’ market in Antigua . The main shopping district is in St John’s, where you’ll find British woollens and linens, an assortment of luxury goods, and locally-made rum, dolls, pottery and shell crafts.

Anguilla
Crafts are the thing to shop for in Anguilla. Look out for local artists, such as the potter and sculptor Courtney Devonish, who sell their art in local shops. Other Anguillan specialities include handcrafted mats, painted woodcarvings, tablecloths and linens. You’ll also find several boutiques selling European fashions.

St Lucia
You’ll find plenty of locally-made items such as shell art, batik, cane furniture, cocoa, coffee and spices on St Lucia, but if you need to pamper yourself, Body, Mind & Soul (JQ’s Shopping, Mall Gros Islet) provides body products, scented candles and other goodies to make you feel great.

Barbados
The primary shopping area in Barbados is on Broad Street in Bridgetown. If you’re looking for great swimwear, head to Zonna Beachwear at the Hopewell Complex (Hopewell, St Thomas), whose swimsuits are designed and manufactured in Barbados. However, if you’re looking for furnishings for your home, this island has also become renowned for its great selection of antiques.

Grenada
While you can find plenty of wonderful food markets when shopping in the Caribbean, it is in Grenada, the ‘Spice Island’, that you will find high quality spice-related goods, primarily nutmeg and cinnamon, but especially ginger, vanilla and cloves. You’ll find these in the Craft and Spice market on Grand Anse Beach or in Market Square on St George’s.

St Croix
There are plenty of places to find Caribbean art, jewellery, fashions, furniture, and rum in the towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted, the main shopping centres of St Croix.

St Kitts
For fans of batik, head for the renowned Caribelle Batik, where there is a great selection to choose from.

Dominican Republic
There is plenty to shop for in the DR – especially any jewellery made from amber and larimar, a pale-blue, semi-precious gemstone, both are mined here. You’ll also find great embroidered items, mahogany and cedarwood carvings, as well as locally made rocking chairs, which come conveniently boxed and ready for you to assemble when you get home. And of course this is the place to come if you’re looking for designer fashions by locally-born Oscar de La Renta.

Puerto Rico
The best shopping district in Puerto Rico is in Old San Juan. Look out for the ‘santos’, carved and painted wooden figurines of the patron saints. Other local handmade specialties include ‘cuatros’, ten-string guitars, and carnival masks made from papier-mâché. This area is also known for handwoven mundillo lace.

St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
In downtown Charlotte Amalie, the capital city, warehouses built in the 1700s have been converted into a shopping complex that includes more than 400 boutiques. Local specialties sold here include calabash bowls, straw brooms, and shell jewellery.