Manufacturers are now producing high quality goods. They are good because they are not mass produced for world consumption

10. Madrid

Getting around: 6 Value: 6 Variety: 4 Experience: 7 Total: 23
Madrid mostly gets our credit cards warm simply for being Madrid, though it's worth noting that the city ranks third for best prices on general luxury items in the Globe Shopper Index.
But we can't wow our friends with statistics (not our shopping friends, anyway), so what about the goods?
When searching for items unique to Madrid, we fell in love with Capas Seseña.
Established in 1901, the shop sells traditional wool and cotton velvet capes for men and women. The clientele includes Pierce Brosnan and Hillary Clinton. Picasso was reportedly buried in his cape from the store.
Casa de Diego stocks souvenir-worthy fans, mantillas, ornamental combs and even castanets. But what we really wanted to take home was one of its work-of-art statement umbrellas with engraved silver handle (€325/US$415).
Whip out the plastic at:
Capas Seseña, Calle de la Cruz, 23, 28012 Madrid, Community of Madrid; [phone]; Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-8:15 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.
Casa de Diego, Puerta del Sol, 12. 28013 Madrid; [phone]; Monday-Saturday 9:45 a.m.-8 p.m.

9. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Getting around: 6 Value: 6 Variety: 8 Experience: 4 Total: 24
A miniature kingdom unto itself, the Dubai Mall is the world's largest mall in total area, with theme parks, a waterfall, "dancing" fountains, Olympic-sized ice rink, aquarium, indoor souk and malls within the mall, such as the Galeries Lafayette from France and the first Bloomingdale's outside the United States.
If that isn't enough cash registers, there's also the Mall of the Emirates, with the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East.
The Dubai Mall also hosts the annual Dubai Shopping Festival in January and February. We assume it's called a festival because they have fireworks, but it's really about package deals and discounts -- up to 70% on electronics, clothing and popular items.