Many women dream of buying their most coveted luxury item in Paris to feel chic, glamorous and save a lot of money. Many will argue it’s the “best” savings, I am here to tell you that it is NOT!

Shopping in Paris will save you money as opposed to shopping in the U.S., yes. If you are looking to purchase your item at a designer worldwide flagship store such as Chanel 32 Rue Cambon or Louis Vuitton Champs Elysee then I understand why anyone would want to go to Paris, but THASSIT though. I personally feel the flagship store experience is overrated, especially at the LV store Champs-Élysées, it’s always crowded and not enough associates. Though everyone is very helpful. It is just way too busy. I had a better time at the Vendôme store. Wgich was the best shopping experience I’ve ever had in my life to be quite honest. 

It’s easier for me to say this because I have experienced shopping at these flagship stores and someone else may not have had the chance. I am all about saving money at the end of the day and Paris just ain’t it for the maximum saving.

The European country with the maximum savings issss *drum roll* Greece!

Greece has the highest tax back percentage than any of its European counterparts with up to a whopping 24% while Paris only has up to 20%. This also depends on how much you are spending in total. Another country with a massive cashback (and the best) and wonderful vacation experience is Spain! Spain is the only country that doesn’t have a minimum spend requirement and a tax back of up to 21%. This percentage depends on how much you spend. The more you spend the higher the percentage would be. Since I do not plan to be spending ten thousand euros, which is what gives you the 24% tax refund, then Spain works best.

So if you are shopping in terms of saving then I would recommend Greece, Spain or Portugal, because you get a lot of tax back. Greece doesn’t have luxury stores in every city. Shopping in Paris sounds chic, but shopping in these other countries sounds smart! If you are traveling just to shop be sure to research and make sure that the city you are flying to actually has the store you want to shop with. When I visited Athens, Greece they, unfortunately, didn’t have a Hermes store which is only in Mykonos. My go-to place to shop is now Spain because the flights are under $300, they have a strip with all of their stores, and the stock is usually great with high tax back. Paris IS a beautiful city to visit, it is one of my favorite international cities that I visit every year, but I’d rather shop in Spain. Download the Global Blue app to test out this theory.  

Read On: Why I Splurge in Europe

Would you travel just to save?