Just because the French don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, doesn’t mean it’s not possible to enjoy your Thanksgiving festivities in the beautiful City of Lights. Giving thanks can be done anywhere in the world and with these tips and tricks you can show off your holiday spirit to all of your new Parisian friends. 

Bring a jacket and fly for less

Before you plan your turkey day feast abroad, you have to first arrive. Traveling to another country can be a challenge, but taking the proper steps to prepare yourself for overseas travel, especially during a major holiday, can save you lots of headache and stress when it comes time to board the plane. November is a perfect time to travel to France, as this is considered an”off-season,” meaning airfare is more affordable during this time of year. And according to usatoday.com, “Expedia’s analysis determined that the lowest average ticket prices are offered more than 21 days in advance of the departure date. Buy within the three weeks leading up to a flight and expect to pay an average of 17 percent more on domestic airfare or 30 percent more on air travel from America to Europe.” When you’re ready to book, be sure to check out travel sites like kayak.com or Expedia.com for tickets.

Stay in Paris for less

Finding a place to stay in Paris is also more affordable during this time of year. Expedia has a great list of places to stay from $100 per night and up. There is also the option of staying in an Airbnb in Paris for as low as $66 per night to rent yourself a studio apartment for the week.

Don’t spend one euro more than you have to

Next up – spending money on your souvenirs! But first, be sure to take a look at your bank’s information about international spending before you use plastic on your trip. Some banks charge a percentage of each transaction for international use. If you decide to just use your regular bank, be sure to let them know that you will be traveling, for how long, and where you will be to avoid an awkward situation when it comes time to pay. Some credit cards offer an international spending service that will help you avoid picking up extra charges for spending abroad as well. Check out Credit Karma’s list of recommended credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. Alternatively, you can always use cash. But you’ll need to convert your Dollars to Euros, so do so ahead of time to get the best price. Waiting until you get to the airport can cost you an unnecessary amount of money, whereas going to your local bank can cost much less. With money in hand, you’re all set for your Thanksgiving Day Adventure: French Edition!

Prepare a Gallic twist on a uniquely American feast!

Don’t be surprised when you starting talking about Thanksgiving and no one knows what you are talking about. It’s an American Holiday and is not common practice overseas. Never fear though, if you plan on making your feast, you can still find everything you’ll need to bring a taste of home to the French culture. Turkey is as common there as it is here and can be found in almost any market or grocery store. And If cooking isn’t your thing, don’t worry. There are some great American restaurants that serve Thanksgiving meals on the day of. Take a look at Frencly’s list of places serving Thanksgiving dinner right in Paris. 

If you are ready to get going on your perfect European thanksgiving getaway, a LendingPoint loan may be a great option for you.