A World of Difference

In a world of cookie-cutter travel, Heart of Europe Tours stands out.  Not because we’re the biggest tour group on the scene (we’re definitely not).  Not because we offer lots of trips to a long list of countries (we don’t).  And not because we’re out to re-create the same type of travel experience you can get elsewhere (that’s not what we’re about).  

We’re all about antiques, and art, and material culture.  We've reimagined the antiques tour.  Join one of our buying trips and you’ll access great antiques and design in places that haven’t made it onto anybody’s radar screen.  You’ll experience a world of new buying opportunities that you won’t find anywhere else.  And after the trip is over, we’ll help get your treasures home.

Your Advantages  

You get access to Europe’s hot new antiques circuit

Most Americans who buy in Europe focus on theUnited Kingdom, France or the Low Countries.  But when it comes to antiques, we try to avoid the well-trodden paths.  Most of our expeditions focus on parts of Europe that were shrouded behind the Iron Curtain until the 1990s.  Antiques, art and estate items backed up in people’s living rooms, cellars, attics, and barns for decades because there was virtually no cross-border antiques trade.  No wonder antique wholesalers from the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Italy and other countries are buying in Central Europe in increasing numbers.  When you join a Heart of Europe buying trip, you’ll be choosing from the same huge reservoir of antiques they do and buying from the same sources.
  
You can combine business and pleasure

If this is a business trip for you, we’ll do our level best to make it fun! You’ll love the stunning architecture and marvel at the historic treasures in Nürnberg, Leipzig, Bamberg, Brno, Prague, Dresden and other stops on our itineraries.  Some of the antique dealers we’ll visit operate out of ancient chateaux and old monasteries, which makes shopping even more of a delight.  And remember: if you work during the day, you can immerse yourself in great regional cuisine, luscious beer and excellent local wines in the evening. Want to do something different? Feel free to opt out of antiquing for a day -- we’ll help you arrange visits to local museums and cultural attractions .

You’ll learn -- a lot!

Our trips offer terrific opportunities for informal learning.  You will be meeting people who share your passion -- dealers, collectors, restorers, interior designers, craftspeople and others.  And there’s nothing like an antique to give you a sense of place and history.   You’ll be exposed to various styles, materials and periods.  You’ll pick up information about design, ornamentation, about how antiques were made and used.  And you’ll get to know the culture through the antiques you see.  Some of our tours offer extras such as visits to specialty museums and historical sites.  You can choose among them and pick the tour that has the right blend of activities for you.    

You’ll enjoy individual attention

Some U.S.-based operators farm their tours out to local agents in Europe who may or may not have anything in common with the group. We are antique dealers ourselves. And we enjoy the thrill of the hunt as much as you do. We travel with you every step of the way and focus on making your trip enjoyable and fun. You can count on us for personal attention throughout the trip.

You benefit from our insider access

Our sourcing is one of our biggest assets.  Heart of Europe antique tours provide you with access to the best shows and markets, trade sources, auction houses, galleries and shops. With years of experience buying antiques overseas and a network of contacts, we can offer you great sources you wouldn’t be able to find on your own.  

You get solid professional and technical support

We keep your interests at heart throughout the tour. We’ll do our best to help you find the hard-to-get, offbeat or specialty items you might be looking for.  And whether it’s negotiating at a flea market, trying to settle on a price in an antique shop, or arranging for pick-up of the armoire you just bought, we provide close-up technical and professional support throughout the trip.

You’ll enjoy attractive prices and tax-free shopping

Central Europe is one of the best-priced markets right now despite the strong Euro.  Many European economies are still in recovery mode.  Local buying has dropped off and dealers are very interested in reaching new buyers. They want to move their inventory so as a rule, prices are friendly . And you enjoy an added advantage over local buyers: You don’t have to pay the local value-added tax, which can range from 16% - 22%.

You’ll benefit from group purchasing

When you pool your buying power with the others on the trip, everybody comes out ahead. You’d pay one price for that charming 19th century school desk if you were alone.  But the price is likely to be lower when others in the group buy cabinets, trunks, chairs and smalls from the same dealer at the same time.

You can save big on shipping

If you have ever bought antiques while you were on vacation in Europe and sent them home, you know that costs for individual shipping or postage are astronomical.  On a Heart of Europe tour, you share container space with others on the trip.  Or if you prefer, we can reserve a container just for you. Either way, you’ll save on shipping .  Quantity purchasing and group shipping are cost-effective!



You get extraordinary value

You want value for your travel dollar: We offer outstanding hand-picked hotels, a professional guide, individual attention, comfortable ground travel, visits to markets and dealers for less than some operators charge for an off-the-shelf sightseeing tour.  And we’ll help you with shipping for far less than you would pay if you were doing a buying trip alone.