Hong Kong has been crowned the ultimate shopping city by online travel website Expedia.co.uk.

For Christmas gifts, new designer goods and some of the more unusual shopping treats like a face lift, Hong Kong has it all at the best prices, Expedia found.

The iconic Australian city of Sydney came second, followed by Athens in third, Barcelona in fourth and Dublin in fifth.

Madrid, the Spanish capital, took sixth place on the list, with Dubai seventh and Prague eighth.

Paris and New York rounded out the Expedia.co.uk top 10.

The research, which takes into account the cost of getting to and staying in each destination, revealed that far flung spots such as Hong Kong and Sydney are your best bet when looking for bargains abroad.

Despite being the most expensive destinations to travel to, Hong Kong and Sydney offer incredible savings on all items from handy camcorders to handbags, according to Expedia.co.uk.

Three categories of items purchased abroad were researched - 'Christmas Gift Gadgets' (DVD player, digital camera, MP3 player, handy cam camcorder, video mobile phone), 'Luxury Items' (Leather jacket, handbag, tailored suit, golf clubs, 1 carat solitaire diamond ring) and 'Treat Yourself Trips' (Facelifts, detox weekends, slimming camp, spiritual healing, cookery courses).

If you were to buy all the items in Expedia's selected categories, the cost of your shopping basket in Hong Kong would be €8,431 - less than half of the same shopping basket in New York (€19,375).

Dermot Halpin, managing director of Expedia.co.uk, said: "More and more people are realising that treating yourself to a shopping spree can be much more fun and interesting and a cheaper experience abroad.

"From gadgets to golf clubs, or even a quick nip and tuck it seems that Hong Kong is the best place to shop till you drop and actually enjoy the Christmas shopping experience this year!"

Top 10 shopping city destinations
1. Hong Kong
2. Sydney
3. Athens
4. Barcelona
5. Dublin
6. Madrid
7. Dubai
8. Prague
9. Paris
10. New York
Source: Expedia.com

The article Shop until you drop in Hong Kong! originally appeared on 999 Today