Save ALL The Money: How To Shop Abroad

At last, summer — and that European getaway you’ve been planning all year. While you’re looking forward to that scenic boat ride through the Stockholm archipelago or getting a Rembrandt fix at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, what you’re really excited about is scoring a sweet deal on that Burberry Bloomsbury bag or Saint Laurent metallic Mary Janes, right?

Savvy travelers already know that European luxury goods can be cheaper across the pond. So, if you've got your eye on big designer buys, it's probably worth penciling in a retail excursion on your next trip abroad rather than snatching them up near home. But, it's not as if Rue Saint Honoré is paved with bargain bins full of big-name goods. There is a process involved to get in on these savings (like getting your VAT refund at the airport, but more on that later) and it takes a bit of work. With our primer on how to shop smart while abroad, there's nothing between you and those armfuls of impulse souvenirs you may have to use as a seat cushion on your flight home. Just, try to hit some of those culture spots, too.