When you’re in a foreign country, even something as simple as shopping in a supermarket can be a novel experience.
At France’s Monoprix and Carrefour, you can try their excellent selection of cheeses and wine at reasonable prices.
In Mercadona in Spain, the quality of olive oil on sale is impressive.
And in most other destinations, groceries and goods on offer provide a variety of food experiences that are different from what you’re used to – often for cheaper prices.
A flight attendant has now revealed the products she always buys abroad that are much cheaper than in the UK.
Sherry Martin Peters, a flight attendant and founder of Atlas + Wild, revealed her best buys to The Mirror.
She said: ‘Tourists seek landmarks and magnets for souvenirs. Flight attendants seek out grocery stores.
‘We know which Lisbon supermarkets stock sangria worthy of wrapping inside a shoe, which Korean store to stock up on collagen face masks, which French markets sell lavender honey that doubles as a sleep remedy, and which South African shelves hold rooibos tea rich enough to taste like rest.’
At France ‘s Monoprix, you can try their excellent selection of cheeses and wine at reasonable prices
Sherry went on to say: ‘Fresh Italian pasta. Salted butter from France. Brazilian mate is packed between uniforms. Lisbon sardines in artful tins.
‘These aren’t novelty purchases – they are edible memories, our way of claiming a place as lived, not just passed through.
‘If you ever were to peek inside a flight attendant’s pantry, it’d look like an international grocery store. And that gives us comfort.’
She explained: ‘Some of this may be found in specialty stores in the US but we are buying the same at dirt cheap prices.’
In Italy, she recommends shopping at Carrefour, Coop, and Esselunga.
Favourite buys include a one-litre bottle of ‘rustic unfiltered’ olive oil by Carapelli and Parmesan.
Meanwhile, in France’s Monoprix, she advises purchasing Pringles and Fleur de Sel gray sea salt.
Plus, Bordier Butter, or Grand Fermage Sel de Mer (sea salt butter) is a cult product.
In Portugal, head to El Corte Inglés for local wines such as Vino Verde and fresh pastéis de nata
Lisbon sardines in artful tins are a popular buy – and Sherry recommends purchasing them
Keep an eye out for Lulu Barquettes boat cookies and St Michel Original Madeleines.
In Portugal, head to El Corte Inglés and Continente for local wines such as Vino Verde and fresh pastéis de nata (custard tarts Portugal is famous for) from the bakery.
It comes after Skyscanner launched its annual ‘2026 Travel Trends Report’ in which it identified emerging behaviours and destinations set to define travel for next year.
It revealed interest in food has sparked the ‘shelf discovery’ trend, in which travellers will be seeking out authentic supermarkets while abroad.
