If you�re bored of sterile department stores with racks of dull clothes Deckchair.com is offering shopping breaks that will blow you away. The online holiday specialist has unveiled the weirdest and wackiest shops in New York so you�re guaranteed to fly home with a wild shopping bag that will be the envy of your friends.

For a true shop-a-holics break, mix our guide to the Big Apple with these handy tips. Cabs are cheap so hop into one when your feet start to hurt. The best deals are available until the end of March, which is when the sales are at their strongest. Grab a copy of New York Magazine or the seasonal New York shopping guide for more information on the city. If you�re really keen on bagging a bargain, register on the site www.nysale.com and you�ll be notified of every unadvertised sale in the city!

STRANGE SHOPS� Visit the Abracadabra superstore on West 21st Street. You�ll feel the magic as you browse a range of costumes, masks, special effects and make up. Celebrities including Robert de Niro and Michael Jackson have been found here so watch out, you may be star-struck after your visit!

If you�re a shoe lover pay a visit to the store �Shoe� on Mulberry St. Don�t be fooled by the plain name, this shop is the place to find bizarre and unusual shoes from around the world. The shop has the largest selection of unique hand-made Cydwoq shoes anywhere in the city � best foot forward!

If you�re more of a domesticated type then �Secondhand Rose� on Duane Street is for you. With over 25,000 rolls of authentic wallpaper manufactured from the 1890s to the 1960s, it�s the perfect place to pick up a retro style for your home.

Visit the eclectic antique shop �Bazaar Bizarre� and you�re sure to find a treasure. This small Brooklyn shop has a fascinating range of home d�cor and work by local artists, and an incredible opium-den atmosphere.

EVEN STRANGER DEALS! Deckchair has come up with three great deals that will leave you with bags of money to make the most of your shopping break! With prices starting from just �365 for a three-night stay in the four-star Holiday Inn Wall street, you can shop til� you drop!

HOLIDAY INN, FROM �365 Stay at the four-star Holiday Inn in the Wall Street district. Located in downtown Manhattan, this hotel is the perfect base from which to explore the city�s shops. A three-night break costs from just �365 per person, based on two sharing. Departs 11 March from London Heathrow. Book through Deckchair.com.

THE HELMSLEY, FROM �484 This comfortable hotel is located on east 42nd street, within walking distance of New York�s main attractions and, most importantly, the shops of Fifth Avenue! With great service and spacious rooms, the hotel is also ideal for recuperating after your busy day. A three-night break costs from just �484, based on two sharing. Departs 18 March from London Heathrow. Book through Deckchair.com.

THE PLAZA HOTEL, FROM �515 Located on fifth avenue overlooking central park, the Plaza Hotel is the ultimate in luxury. Enjoy browsing the range of shops on your doorstep or being pampered in the health club and spa. A three-night break costs from just �515 per person, based on two sharing. Departs 11 March from London Heathrow. Book through Deckchair.com.

All prices subject to availability and correct at time of publication

- Ends � About deckchair.com (www.deckchair.com):

Deckchair.com was one of the UK's first ever e-travel brands. First launched by Sir Bob Geldof, the company was acquired by the Online Travel Corporation (OTC) in June 2003.

Deckchair.com specialises in adventurous, exciting and cosmopolitan destinations aimed towards the discerning 20 to 30-something crowd. Boutique chic at rock bottom prices is achievable using the company's Build-Your-Own technology, comprehensive range of travel content and groundbreaking technology.

Deckchair.com recently launched a series of packages aimed towards short-break and shopping holidaymakers looking to snag a bargain in the fashion capitals of Europe.

Deckchair.com is operated by Online Travel Corporation (OTC), which is part of lastminute.com, Europe's leading online provider of travel and leisure solutions.

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For further information please contact: Clare Freeman Rooster tel: +44 (0) 20 7691 3939 fax: +44 (0) 20 7691 3929 email: clare.freeman@rooster.co.uk web: www.rooster.co.uk