One way to combat the post-holiday slump is to hit the January sales, and one possibility is to travel to the shores -- and stores -- of Spain.
The sales kick off Jan. 7 and take place throughout the country, but several cities stand out as being especially shopper-friendly.
In Barcelona, for example, shoppers can explore nearly 35,000 stores, many located along the three-mile stretch along La Rambla. The city shops are known for their trendy fashions, but foodies are not forgotten, thanks to the regional wares on display at La Boqueria, which has been operating since the 13th century. Travelers can board a train at Plaza Cataluña for the 45-minute ride to a Cava winery in the Penedes wine region.
In Madrid, shoppers flock to El Rastro, billed as the largest open-air market in Europe, for antiques, while shops in the Mercado de San Miguel and the Mercado de San Anton offer culinary specialties.
The Colon area in Valencia showcases designer clothing. The Mercado Colon, situated in an old food market, offers an upscale experience for shoppers looking for modern wares and trendy restaurants.
Travelers eager to bypass the larger cities can shop for hand-painted ceramics in Paterna and Manises, while leather shoes are the specialty of Elda in the province of Alicante.