The world of interiors: Where to find the best design buys abroad and how to haggle like a pro

Italy

For a rich source of antique prints, maps and stationery head to Italy. Pineider in Florence (www.pineider.com) may be the world's most exclusive stationer and has been making delicate marble-patterned paper since 1774. Campo Marzio Design (www.campomarziodesign.it) in Rome has gorgeous, modern stationery. Elsewhere in the capital, Nardecchia on Piazza Navona is the place for antique prints and centuries-old images of Rome. Try also Antonio Pacitti on Via del Bianchi Vecchi 59, in the Ponte district. The TAD department store on Via del Babuino, a stroll from Villa Borghese and the Piazza del Popolo, is a stylish showcase for the best in Italian and international design. In most cities you'll find stores selling prints and maps – aim for the older areas or nose around weekend markets.

Portugal

Portugal is best known for azulejos – painted tiles – and ceramics. You'll find piles of mass-produced items all over the Algarve; outlets in bigger cities will usually sell good quality products. Lisbon has some fantastic factory showrooms – Fabrica Sant'Ana (Rua do Alecrim 95) and Ceramica Viuva Lamego (www.viuvalamego.com; Largo do Intendente Pina Manique 25). The Museo Nacional do Azulejo (www.mnazulejo-ipmuseus.pt) is a good place to arm yourself with facts and the staff can be persuaded to give out a few tips on where to pick up good pieces. Pricey antique stores hug the Rua Dom Pedro V – don't be afraid to haggle. For something unique, try the Feira da Ladra (Thieves Market, Saturday and Tuesday, 8am-noon), Campo de Santa Clara. If you're a night-owl, head for the Barrio Alto, where independent boutiques selling clothes, local and Brazilian art and curios open from 4pm to midnight.

Scandinavia

Visions of stuffing your suitcase with cutting-edge Nordic creations will probably fade once you check out a few price tags, so go with an attitude of picking stuff up here before it appears elsewhere rather than bagging a bargain. In Copenhagen, make Illums Bolighus on Stroget your one-stop design shop. Ravnsborggade in Norrebro is hard to beat for junk and antique stores where you may just find a kitsch gem. Sweden puts a great emphasis on local designers. Design Torget (www.designtorget.se) has a number of stores and is a great showcase for the work of both established and up-and-coming young designers. Götgatan on Södermalm is lined with offbeat shops.

Thailand

It would take a traveller with a cold soul to visit Thailand and not want to take home a piece of the superb religious and decorative art on display. But buyers beware – real Thai antiques are rare and costly and generally the domain of serious collectors. The best shopping spots are Bangkok and Chiang Mai. In both cities the choice is between chi-chi malls and outdoor markets. The River City Complex is a great one-stop shop for products from across Asia, and is home to high-quality art and antiques shops. Bronzes and silks are also hugely popular, but quality varies. The Riverside and Silom areas of the city tend to be happy hunting grounds.

Morocco

Carpets have been tantalising travellers in Morocco for centuries – which is about as long as the country's wily sales folk have been confusing and infuriating bargain hunters. You may find a carpet following you home whether you wanted one or not, but it's worth shopping around. Don't start in the souks. In Marrakech and Fes you'll find state-run outlets with fixed prices and craftsmen often on site. Armed with an idea of how much you can expect to pay from this research, you can then explore the tourist areas of town – though beware how hard the sell can be in these areas. Do consider buying from a cooperative or rural roadside stand – the producer is more likely to get a fair share of the proceeds, you'll get a better deal and may get to meet the person who gave your new rug its unique look.

US

The strength of the pound against the dollar makes the US a superb hunting ground for just about anything you could want. New York will be most people's starting point, but look beyond department stores for something original. The winding streets of the West Village are home to some the city's most unusual boutiques – try Bleecker Street and Greenwich Ave for antiques and housewares. Chelsea's galleries and vintage stores are also worth a browse. Watch out for the limit on what value of goods you can bring back into the UK without incurring excess duty payments.

France

Painted French furniture and antiques are popular in the UK and there are plenty of high street shops in this country selling pieces – albeit at vastly marked up prices. This is making it harder to track down the good stuff. But if you are on holiday in the South of France, there are places around Nice where you can find antiques markets, although don't necessarily expect to pick up a bargain. The Cours Saleya is a fruit and flower market every day except Monday when it sells antiques. Further along the coast towards Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer has a small market on Sunday mornings. There are markets every day in Aix en Provence for food, old books, bric-a-brac and antiques. In l'Isle sur la Sorgue, you can find the largest collection of antique dealers outside Paris every weekend. Look for mirrors from Beaucaire and earthenware from Apt. Every Sunday a giant flea market also opens up where you might find a hidden treasure.

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