Remember when your parents promised an extra- special holiday shopping trip? You’d pile in the car and head for San Francisco’s Union Square. It was, decked out in glittering holiday splendor with maybe carolers or musicians entertaining the crowds with Christmas carols. You were entranced by the holiday scenes in Macy’s window, curious about the fabulous treasures and beautiful jewels in the Gump’s and absolutely awed by the giant, multi-story Christmas tree at Neiman Marcus. You were curious about the many street vendors and loved the hot cocoa in Maiden Lane. It was a wonderful way to start the holiday festivities. If you want to create some nostalgia with your family, why not visit The City or even better, jet away to a fabulous destination?
New York, Paris and the Mall of America are only a few short hours away by plane, thanks to local charter air services. They’ll conveniently whisk you and your youngsters away to anywhere in the world where you can shop for unusual treasures and treats. While on board, you can enjoy red carpet service with catered meals, a glass of champagne, generous-sized seats and plenty of legroom. Shopping for everyone on your list can become an exciting adventure when flying by charter. And you set your schedule – no waiting in airport lines; just show up and off you go.
The Destination: Paris
Fly off to Paris, the city of lights, where you will find a shopper’s paradise! It is the glorious place of glorious places for a memorable holiday shopping excursion. All the best designers have boutiques in Paris. Cartier, Chanel, Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent can all be found on Rue Etienne Marcel and Place de Victoires. Also nearby are some of the city’s best art galleries and antiquaries. A Paris shopping trip should also include a visit to one of the elegant galleries. The Passage du Grand-Cerf is an19th-century glass-roofed shopping gallery and is perfect for a cold rainy day. Don’t forget aboutbringing your passport and the trip through customs on your way home with loads of fabulous gifts.
The Details: Charter a flight through the Sacramento Jet Center, which will provide you with a comfortable first-class flight experience from either Sacramento International Airport or Sacramento Executive Airport.
Reserve a room at one of the great Parisian international hotels like the palatial and quintessentially French Hotel Regina for your shopping command post (Regina- Hotel.com). The concierge at the Regina will arrange limousine service for you and your clan to the rich and beautiful shopping areas in this sprawling and ancient city. The options for shopping here cannot be contained in a weekend shopping spree, or even a week’s, but you can get a great sampling in whatever time period you allot for your shopping tour.
The Delights: Paris offers something very French for the whole famille – If you’re looking for the most Gallic items possible, bring home an umbrella from Madame Gély’s. For a one of a kind treasure, attend the Saint Ouen Flea Market. It is one of three renowned flea markets in Paris.
Traditional and beautiful shaving essentials may be found at Bains Plus.
And absolutely do not miss the handmade French children’s smocks, flower girl dresses and doll clothes from Bois de Rose!
Bring the kids to Paris’ oldest, largest and fanciest toy store, Au Nain Bleu. Known for its Art Deco crystals and glass sculptures Lalique also carries a selection of silk scarves.
This is, of course, only a cursory sampling of the vast array of shopping opportunities afforded by the city of romance.
The Destination: Mall of America
If you are going to the mall, why not make it the mall? With 4.2 million square feet of shopping space, The Mall of America is one of the largest shopping malls in the world. It is home to all the standard mall fare, plus hundreds of specialty stores and boutiques, such as the Gucci boutique in Nordstrom’s, Burberry and Lacoste.
The kids will look forward to this trip to the mall. The Mall of America has its own entertainment district and a full-fledged amusement park! There is a 4-story Lego store, Nickelodeon Universe, The Underwater Aquarium and an eighteen-hole miniature golf course.
The Details: Schedule your luxurious jet or turboprop through Atkin Air (atkinair.com) at Lincoln Airport. You will want to have your headquarters near the mall, and we heartily recommend a nicely appointed family suite at the nearby Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America. Make your reservations now, as December is a busy month. The hotel’s concierge can arrange a car for pick-up from the airport and personalized shuttle service to and from the mall.
The Destination: New York City
Possibly, the greatest shopping city in the world, New York will feed anyone’s holiday shopping frenzy needs. Madison and Fifth Avenues, 57th Street and Time Square are home to some of the best upscale shops.
The Details: Arrange your flight out of any of Sacramento’s small airports through Hire Air (hireair.com) – who will pick you up at the airport that is most convenient for you. From there you will wing your way to New York – Hire Air will even arrange ground transportation for you. There are so many great hotels in New York that it is difficult to choose. Nothing says New York, however, quite like the Waldorf- Astoria (waldorfastoria.hilton.com). This hotel is the epitome of art deco New York grandeur.
Planning a shopping spree in New York is completely dependent upon your tastes and desires. Whatever they may be New York City can feed them in style! Arrange a limousine through your hotel concierge – it is a convenience that is a must on a New York shopping spree.
The Delights: A few stops that should not be missed while shopping New York City: Macy’s on 34th Street – You will see the spectacular and traditional Macy’s window dressings and maybe even the real Santa Claus.
Barney’s New York – The fashionista’s fashion stop. A must see.
Tiffany and Co. – The world famous flagship store is on 5th Ave and 57th Street.
Strand Books – A bibliophile’s paradise! 16 miles of bookshelves.
The kids will fall in love with shopping after stopping (and playing) in these stores: American Girl Place, Fao Schwartz, The NBA store.
Wherever your holiday jet setting takes you, may your holidays be filled with joy and good cheer and fabulous memories.
Local Charter Services
Note: All prices are quoted as of September 2008, and are approximations. Charter prices are subject to dramatic fluctuation based on fuel prices which affect not only the cost of fueling their aircraft, but also the landing fees for specific airports.
Atkin Air (atkinair.com) from Sacramento Executive Airport or Napa County Airport to Flying Cloud Airport in Bloomington, Minnesota with a one day layover and return: approximately $26,000.
Hire Air (hireair.com) from Sacramento Executive Airport to Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington with a one day layover and return: approximately $10,000. From Napa County Airport: approximately $12,000.
Sky Trek (skytrekavation.com) from Sacramento Executive Airport or Napa County Airport to Monmouth Executive Airport in New York with a one day layover and return: approximately $50,000 to $70,000.
Sky Trek (skytrekavation.com) from Sacramento Executive Airport or Napa County Airport to Paris with a one day layover and return: approximately $110,000.
