When I go shopping during my travels, I love finding gems that no one else will have where I live in Washington, DC. Why buy something and have to squeeze it into your suitcase if you can get it at home? These days, so many stores have locations everywhere so it can be hard to find something unique to the place you are visiting.

I was pleasantly surprised with the shopping options in SSan Sebastián. It's been a long while since I have seen so many small boutiques showcasing local designers and artists. If that's what you are into, it's worth taking a long stroll through San Sebastián's cobblestone streets. Give yourself time to poke into shops you would not normally stop into and I promise you'll find unexpected treasures like I did.

My favourite shops in San Sebastián are:

• Minuk - adorable on-trend women's clothing, shoes and accessories. I purchased a great dusty-rose colored velvet bomber jacket!
• Arbelaitz - hat shop with scarves and locally-made leather bags in cool colors
• Auka - clothing and accessories. I especially liked their small adorable handbags as well as the loveliest beaded jewelry boxes in different shapes, sizes and colors.
• dear tee - funky t-shirts with graphic faces of celebrities like Kate Moss, Karl Lagerfeld, Marilyn Monroe. I bought this tee with Karl's face on it and wear it all the time, under the velvet bomber jacket.
• Indi & Cold - shop with colorful women's clothing
• Malababa - beautiful small boutique featuring leather bags and shoes as well as jewelry. The owner is a local designer. My friend Tammy bought a bag and know one in the States will have it. (I love that.)
• Espartin Shop - if you love espadrilles, make sure to visit. It's almost all they have, but fear not. They come in all colors and sizes, even for babies!
• Zaporejai - wonderful, teensy tiny wine and jambon shop. It's worth a stop!
• MiMo Shop - located in the Hotel Maria Christina, it has the city's best selection of gifts to take home for anyone who loves food or cooking. They have sea salts, oils and vinegars, wines, cured meats, kitchen goods (oven mitts, towels), cookbooks and more.