Avoid the temptation to purchase the "local color" of your trip at the airport gift shop and step into the magical labyrinths that are city markets. Practice your haggling and strap on that money belt as we profile some of the world's best.

One of the best travel decisions we've ever made was to forego the typical Mexico spring break for a far more cultural (and culture-shocking) one in Tunisia. And it only got better the further we went into the North African country, as prices dropped and hand-made carpets got more colorful. Speaking of carpets, we headed to one of the capitals of this industry: the city of Kairouan.

As the fourth most important city in Islam, Kairouan attracts its share of foreign visitors, and all are attracted to the vibrant market of the city in the walled-in medina. Here is the place to purchase hand-painted ceramics, glassware, and especially the meaning-laden carpet you've always dreamt of owning. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-07-09T15:14:10-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/27/154549/376

Last week Shira Levine spent a few days getting her Turkish Delight on in Istanbul, Turkiye ("Turkey is a bird; Turkiye is the country"). Any questions about what to do in Turkiye? Send 'em to us and we'll have Shira answer them for you.

We've been through plenty of shuks, souks, ferias, and open-air markets in both developing and developed nations. The Turkish Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market take the pistachio or saffron-flavored cake in offering interpersonal adventures, thanks to the unbelievably high levels of persistence shop owners have in hopes of making a sale.

Even if you don't buy, these sweet and sensitive guys get very offended if you don't engage them in conversation and step into their shops. Resist! No one has that much time or patience.

Here's our list of tips on how to make the most of your trek through the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar. ]]> shiralevine 2009-05-28T14:32:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/4/26/214626/007

Jaunted contributor Sedona recently spent a week in Tel Aviv, and happily ate her way through the city so she could share her picks with you.

We're major fans of visiting open-air markets while traveling, and Tel Aviv's got one of the best: The Carmel Market, at the intersection of Allenby, Nahalat Binyamin, King George and Sheinkin Streets. Make sure you set aside ample time to stroll through the hundreds of stalls where you can pick up everything from sunhats to nuts to nougats to spices, fruits, coffee and more.

Skip the "Clothing Only" section at the start (unless you are looking for overpriced Levi's) and walk towards Sheinkin Street for a great path through all the food stands. The Mediterranean produce is amazing and cheap and vendors are happy to comply with taste-testing for potential buyers.

We scored ourselves some delish burekas (traditional breakfast bites with filling) and fresh strawberries to take to the beach later. ]]> sedona 2009-04-28T13:26:46-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/4/17/135558/987

· New York City: Can it be true? Is New York finally going to enjoy some 70-degree weather this weekend? Since this spring will find more urbanites with less cash for indulging their al fresco fantasies, we turn to the opening weekend of the outdoor Brooklyn Flea Market in Fort Greene, Brooklyn on Saturday. From 10am to 5pm on the grounds of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, 200 or so vendors will pitch their tents and hock everything from vintage vinyl and handmade baubles to churros and organic everything. Read all about this weekend's deals and the fun for the rest of the summer at the Brooklyn Flea's website. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-04-17T16:16:39-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/9/115511/4840

Buried in the heart of Seoul's cultural village of Insadong is the striking postmodern structure of Ssamziegil Market, an open-air shopping plaza housing the best of both modern and traditional South Korea. It's a local haunt for the most part, meaning this complex boasts a rooftop tea house and garden instead of a Starbucks--although there are plenty other Starbucks in Seoul--and thrives on locally-grown, seasonal goods.

From the traditional pajon, a seafood pancake eaten during rainy weather, to toasted octopus chips to fish-shaped sweet bean pastries called bungeoppang, Ssamziegil offers a capsule of unique Korean flavors guaranteed to help you reach your gastronomic goals.]]> JetSetCD 2009-01-09T14:00:45-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/13/1643/3293

Economic crisis, environmental crisis, there's bad news everywhere we turn and in Tokyo the bad news is smelly, too.

We're talking tuna. Tuna that once went for ¥20 million (US$200,000) for a 445-pound fish at the Tsukiji Fish Markets in Tokyo is going to have to get even more expensive, say the experts, or it'll simply run out because of over-fishing.

We're sensing conspiracy here. Remember that the management at Tsukiji have now strictly limited tourist access to the famous markets? Are the Japanese planning to keep all the tuna for themselves and just feed us the line that it's all been fished out?

Soon we'll only have YouTube videos like the one above of the Japanese fish market to sustain us.

Related Stories:
· Tuna's Just Too Cheap [Japan Times]
· We've Annoyed the Tsukiji Fishmongers Too Long [Jaunted]
· Tokyo Travel Guide [Jaunted]]]> amandak 2008-10-13T08:45:43-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/22/234318/787

Can't afford a European vacation this summer? Do what our contributor Claire Duffett did: Explore Southeast Asia instead.

The biggest flea market in the world, Chatuchak Weekend Market, is almost its own city within Bangkok. To get there, take the Skytrain to Mo Chit and then just follow the crowd. Vendors sell everything from groceries to used clothes to designer goods and (faux) antiques. Stands teem with old boots, cheap dresses, bags of flavored ice and, yes, even fried bugs.

Inside the covered maze of stands, climb over piles of Levis and miniature Buddha figurines to find crafts made by local artisans. Between bouts of browsing, come up for air in the path surrounding the cluster to eat homemade coconut ice cream--though with the thousands of people milling about, the air is less than fresh.

But this is Bangkok, and congestion is as ubiquitous as rice noodle dishes with chili peppers. Fortunately, Chatuchak is the one market that sells unique, affordable goods with vendors who quietly bargain rather than accost passersby, insisting on sales. It's the one not-to-be-missed Bangkok attraction that you probably won't ever want to experience again.

Related Stories:
· Bangkok Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Thailand Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]> ced138 2008-06-23T10:00:01-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/