Blog
Please join me, the Port of Call Shopper, as I journey around the world by seas, waterways and land, to discover a plethora of unique, artful and distinctive Things created by craftsmen, artisans, designers and retailers located in picturesque seaports, towns and villages.
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Global Shopping | Cruising
If you’d like to follow the Port of Call Shopper’s shopping voyages around the world AND get exclusive access to shopping guides and tips - plus special offers and discounts on handcrafted Things and travel, please JOIN our Crew.
Handmade in Mykonos: Shopping for Artisan Crafts in the Heart of Chora
Isnik ceramic art in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
Spanish Village Art Center: Classes, Events & Guilds in 2026
Spanish Village Art Center: Classes, Events & Guilds in 2026
Liberty Station San Diego Shopping Guide: Best Stores, Art & Dining Near the Waterfront
Explore Liberty Station San Diego’s shopping, dining, and art galleries in this complete guide. Discover unique boutiques, local makers, restaurants, and waterfront experiences near downtown San Diego.
15 Top Mediterranean Gift Ideas (Handcrafted & Unique) in 2026
Discover my favorite handcrafted Mediterranean gift ideas of the year, from artisan ceramics and textiles to unique handmade souvenirs inspired by Mediterranean culture.
San Pedro CRAFTED Market: Best Stores and Local Finds
Explore San Pedro’s best shopping at CRAFTED market with this complete guide. Discover top boutiques, local shops, and must-buy finds in this historic waterfront community.
Printemps New York Review: Extravagant Shops, Beautiful Rooms & Elegant Dining
Your complete Printemps New York review. Discover what to buy, top departments to visit, and tips for shopping this iconic Parisian store
West Indies Shopping Guide: What to Buy & Where to Find It
Discover the best shopping in the West Indies, from local artisans to must-buy souvenirs. Learn what to buy and where to shop on each island.
4 Best Shopping Spots in Santa Barbara: My Art Guide (Galleries, Boutiques and Funk Zone)
One of Santa Barbara’s Colorful Street Murals
Shopping Istanbul’s Artisan Heritage: From the Colorful Grand Bazaar to the Aromatic Spice Market
Isnik ceramic art in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
8 Best San Jose del Cabo Shopping Secrets & Flourishing Art Gallery District
Discover my picks for the best San Jose del Cabo shopping secrets from artisans, local craftsmen, and art gallery district walkthrough.
Crete’s Old Town Chania: Shopping for Handcrafted Treasures in a Harbor of History
Cretan Knives in Old Town Chania
Artistic Traditions in Naples: Shopping for Handcrafted Art & More in Italy’s Most Spirited City
Traditional red horns in Naples, Italy
Discovering Rome’s Artisan Culture: Shopping for Handcrafted Fashion, Food, & Decor in the Eternal City
Brightly dyed Italian leather handbags
Top Handcrafted Things to Shop for at Europe’s Enchanting Christmas Markets
Hand-carved Santas at Christkindlmarkt in Regensburg
Shopping Boston’s SoWa District: Where Art, Craft & Culture Connect
Sterling Silver and Turquoise Necklaces by Artist Molly Phillips of Morrison Mae at Trove on Tremont
Shopping Island Art, Culture, and Colorful Crafts in Blissful Bermuda
Colorful mask by Nahed EID, Bermuda
20 Unique Art, Crafts, Food and Decor to Shop for on a Princess West Coast Cruise
3-D Frame-able puzzle from The Puzzle Lab in Astoria
Viewing Wondrous Walls, Fierce Fashion, and Fresh Decor While Shopping DTLA’s Art District
Downtown L.A. Arts District
Shopping for Fresh Food, Indigenous Art, and Uncommon Things at Vancouver’s Granville Island
Deerskin Bags at Wickeninnish Gallery
Discovering a Cornucopia of Delicious and Crafted Things While Shopping at San Francisco’s Ferry Building
Sutter Buttes Oils & Vinegar from