There are so many brilliant ways to while away the hours in Glasgow – shopping is a given, and we've listed some of the more "secret" shopping addresses and areas you might want to explore, plus a whole host of other top tips for a gorgeously glamorous weekend.  We point the way to a top 48-hour stay…

In Glasgow, the term "shop ‘til you drop" is so much more than just a stock phrase, it’s a city tagline.  So, we know that you'll want to spend your first day indulging in one of life's – and Glasgow's – most pleasurable delights.  

So, grab a quick coffee at The Cupping Salon, a sweet little patisserie in the delectably lovely confines of Princes Square, and then pick up some cute designer trinkets at neighbouring concept store Fifi & Ally, before sweeping down the Square’s Art Nouveau staircases, weaving in and out of deluxe stores like Jo Malone, Space NK and Reiss Womenswear.

Journey over to the Merchant City in what is bound to be a stop-start affair, with a host of designer stores to peruse along the way – try Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, All Saints and Cruise for starters.

We know you really must stop treating yourself but by the time you pop into the Agent Provocateur boutique for some of the sexiest, sirenesque lingerie ever made, you won't need anyone to convince you how much you deserve it.

Or step into L.K. Bennett for some glamorous heels, and Radley for a fabulous new designer bag!

OK, tiny lingerie means maintaining a tiny waist, so where better to enjoy a light, continental salad and a chilled, crisp glass of Frascati than hip Brutti ma Buoni at the Brunswick Hotel, a preferred lunch spot for design, fashion and media mavens.  

The atmosphere here is warm, friendly and perfectly Glaswegian with an Italian twist.

The Merchant City is filled with little boutiques with lots of character, which sit nicely alongside all the bigger designer stores around its borders.  

Brazen Studios – a shop with a show-stopping interior – is one such gem, and the hot-spot for stylish magpies looking for unique contemporary jewellery.  

And, as Glasgow is surely second-only to LA for carefully sourced second-hand gems, Brigitte, sitting pretty in the heart of Glasgow’s thriving art scene, is a must-stop for vintage-clothing lovers.

You'll want to relax and refresh before heading out for the evening, and a little touch of Californian-style grooming will leave you feeling like a new woman.

Alan Edwards Salon has an international reputation for cut and colour, and is a great place for a smart blow-dry.  

Just a couple of streets away, The Beauty Store is where to go for a top manicure and pedicure or even treat yourself to a Genie face treatment - the world’s only 10 minute facelift!

Make time for a quick pre-dinner glass of Champers at Bar Gandolfi, which offers a delectable selection of Champagnes.  If you're feeling peckish, head downstairs to the Café Gandolfi brasserie or just along the road to the new sister eatery Gandolfi Fish, both of which offer up a perfect slice of classic Glasgow style – from the beautiful interiors to the delights on the menu.  

The Dhabba, meanwhile, serves up some of the best North Indian food in the UK.

Time for a few cocktails.  If you’re on a hen do, join Arta's eclectic crowd for a Cosmopolitan or two.  But if you fancy something a little more relaxed, Metropolitan is a great cocktail bar, overlooking the pretty setting of Merchant Square.  

Head a little further into the city centre and stop off at Corinthian bar to marvel at the Victorian interiors and traditional-meets-contemporary vibe.  

Or re-trace your steps to Princes Square – it’s even lovelier by night – and get comfortable on a couch at the stylish Restaurant Bar & Grill, or go with the party atmosphere at November, where the master- mixers will happily serve you up something delicious in a pretty glass.

After a couple of well-mixed tipples, your toes will be feeling positively twinkly!

Dance the night away at The Arches, or throw on those foxy new Agent Provocateur undies and head to Glasgow’s lush burlesque night, Club Noir.

A day out in the west end is always a treat and brunch at The Left Bank is always a winner.  Try their eggs mornay coupled with a fabulously naughty Mintonic cocktail, for an impressive start to the day.

Time to explore the hidden treasures of the West End, which is packed with things to see and do, from some of the city's best galleries – The Mackintosh House, a perfect reconstruction of the world-renowned architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s original Glasgow home  – to contemporary lifestyle boutiques, vintage stores and delis. 

Just wander around and you'll stumble upon little shops like Felix and Oscar, Starry, Starry Night and Retro which are simply brimming with curiosities.  The boutiques and independent stores within De Courcy’s Arcade are also well worth a look.

After all that retail therapy, life can only get sweeter by way of afternoon tea. In fact, one of the most lovely things you can do while in Glasgow is spend an afternoon sipping Earl Grey from a china cup and nibbling cucumber finger sandwiches at one of the city's finest boutique hotels, Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens.  The scones are delicious, too.

Retail therapy is one thing, but today you just might feel the need to pamper your soul a little at Willow Trading natural beauty and health specialists, where you can enjoy a relaxing massage, or let those everyday gripes melt away in a flotation tank.

After all that inner cleansing, head for dinner at The 78 – Glasgow’s new organic bar and restaurant.  A pre-dinner organic juniper green gin will add to your healthy wholesome glow.

After dinner, head over to renovated church Òran Mor, where you can end your day listening to some live music beneath The Auditorium’s breathtaking celestial ceiling mural or dancing round your handbag at one of the popular club nights in The Venue.

If you want to add a little sparkle of your own to the night's activities, head over to The Boho Club, for some disco glamour and shine on into the wee small hours.