Summer Antiques Tour Spotlights Lower-Cost Sources in Central Europe — Container Shipping Included

Philadelphia – May 20, 2008 - Bargain lovers will get their fill on a special antiques tour to Europe’s least expensive antique hunting ground in June.

The dealer-escorted buying trip, offered by Heart of Europe Tours, June 26-July 4, 2008, spotlights fresh sources in Central Europe, where the antiques market is still underdeveloped and prices are friendly. Space is limited. Reservations are being accepted in the order received.

Central Europe is the most-overlooked antiques region on the continent — that’s why it’s the best place to shop, according to Philadelphia dealer Tom Conrad, whose tours were recently featured in Country Living magazine.

Whether it’s furniture, art, smalls, décor, collectibles, textiles or jewelry, who doesn’t love a bargain? Central Europe is one of the best-priced markets for American shoppers right now. If you want to stretch your antiques dollar and make it go further against the Euro, it’s the best place in Europe to go, says Conrad.

Central Europe is coming into its own as an alternative to France, the UK, and other high-priced areas.

The local antiques market has been in a slump, so dealers are eager to move their inventory. They are motivated to sell and buyers from the U.S. often get a tax break locals don’t enjoy.

The June antiquing tour features the old imperial cities of Prague and Leipzig as well as villages and smaller towns along the back roads of Germany and the Czech Republic. The group travels in a chartered Mercedes minibus with a private driver.

The trip includes two full days at the biggest antiques market in Central Europe as well as visits to under-the-radar shops, wholesale sources, warehouses and old factories. “We steer clear of tourist-oriented spots and focus on markets and dealers in out-of-the-way places where prices are better,” says Conrad.

The group will see furniture, antiques, collectibles, art, décor, smalls, textiles and estate finds in all price ranges and styles – Baroque, various 18th and 19th century periods, Biedermeier, Provincial, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Functionalist, Country, Mid-century, Modern, Industrial, eclectic and more. Antiques are plentiful in Central Europe, whatever period, style or look you want, according to Conrad.

The June expedition includes airport transfers, ground travel, professional guide, accommodations, visits to antique markets, retail shops, trade sources and wholesalers, translation help and ongoing support during the trip.

Group shipping is an added advantage. Our participants escape the exorbitant costs that make it prohibitive to send one or two pieces back to the States because shared container shipping is included in the tour, said Conrad. People can buy in quantity since there is no extra charge for shipping merchandise home.

The Heart of Europe Tour is designed to take the stress out of shopping for antiques. We focus on the details so our participants can focus on the hunt and enjoy themselves, says Conrad.

For reservations and information about the current tour including pricing and other details, call +1 215.991.9892 or email us at info@heartofeuropetours.com. For information about past tours, visit us on the web at www.heartofeuropetours.com. Other trips are planned for 2008.

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Note: Email us for links to features about our tours in Country Living, USA Today and Australian House and Garden. A Country Living web summary is available at http://www.countryliving.com/antiques/shops-and-shows/europe-trip-1107

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Posted: 05|19|08 at 6:04 pm. Filed under: News.