Photo credit: Peter Gronemann
Holiday shopping can be stressful, but not if you're traveling while you're doing it. The world is home to a long list of extravagant malls, offering everything from hundreds of stores to theme parks, aquariums, and even an indoor ski hill. Forget about logging onto Amazon.com this year and travel to one of these five amazing malls to check the names off of your shopping list in style.
The Dubai Mall
You've probably heard about the Dubai Mall, and that's probably because it's the largest shopping mall in the world in terms of total area. It's home to 1,200 shops and a long list of extravagant attractions, like the Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai Aquarium, an Emirates A380 flight simulator, the two-story SEGA Republic arcade. The Dubai Mall is a destination in itself with lavish accommodation options, valet parking, gourmet restaurants, and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
West Edmonton Mall
Photo credit: IQRemix
The West Edmonton Mall reigned as the largest in the world until 2004. However, it isn't the size that makes this Alberta mall so awe-inspiring. Whether you're shopping for the latest trends in the mall's 800 stores or are in search of indoor thrills on the triple loop rollercoaster, you won't be able to fit everything you want to do into a single day. The most recently added attractions include the Tsunami surfing attraction at the mall's indoor World Waterpark, the Crystal Labyrinth mirror maze and the Sky Flyer Zipline. You can plan an entire holiday vacation around the West Edmonton Mall.
Mall of America
Minnesota is one of the most magical U.S. states in wintertime, and there's no better place to find your holiday cheer than at the Mall of America. Located in Bloomington, Minn., the Mall of America sees between 35- and 40-million visitors perusing its more than 400 stores every year. However, you don't have to be a shopaholic to love this over-the-top mall. It's home to some of the area's most celebrated eateries, the Nickelodeon Universe theme park, the SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, the LEGO Store, the Minnesota Children's Museum, American Girl experiences and dozens of other attractions for visitors young and old. Your kids will never complain about tagging along while you holiday shop again.
Mall of the Emirates
Photo credit: Todd vanGoethem
Dubai is the most populated metropolis in the United Arab Emirates and is known most for its ultramodern architecture, luxury shopping options and glistening skyline. It's no wonder the city is home to more than one of the most lavish malls in the world. The 6.5 million square foot Mall of the Emirates became famous when the Ski Dubai indoor ski hill opened in November of 2005. However, it's also known for its 450 retail stores, VOX Cinemas, the Magic Planet indoor family entertainment center, five hotels, and more gourmet restaurants than you'll be able to sample on a single trip. Combine your winter ski vacation with your holiday shopping at the Mall of the Emirates this winter.
Siam Paragon
Bangkok's Siam Paragon will draw you back time and time again on a single visit to the Thai capital city. The 2.5 million square foot shopping center encourages visitors to shop, dine, and be entertained in a single downtown location. Siam Paragon is home to the Siam Ocean World Aquarium, a cinema with 4D movie experience, five-star hotel, an opera hall, art gallery and the more than 86,000-square-foot international grocery store and eatery -- the Gourmet Market. Don't leave your appetite behind for your holiday shopping excursion at Siam Paragon.
Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook