2006 European Antique Tours Spotlight Hot Trends and New Sources — 17th-19th Century, Art Nouveau, Deco, Modernist, Country, Mid-Century and More — Shipping Included

Media Release
For Immediate Release

ANTIQUE SHOPPING TOURS ALONG THE BACK ROADS OF EUROPE TAKE ANTIQUE BUFFS TO PLACES MOST AMERICANS NEVER VENTURE

Philadelphia, PA – — Antique lovers can forage for treasures in old warehouses, stores, auction houses, evens barns and castles, on five European buying tours sponsored by a Philadelphia company.

"Heart of Europe Tours" has retooled the classic antique shopping trip to Europe with new destinations, a brisk pace and hot sources in a region where most antique hunters never venture.

“Our antique tours cover great new sources in cities, towns and along the back roads of Central Europe,” says Philadelphia-based dealer Tom Conrad.

Conrad's company,(www.heartofeuropetours.com) offers five insider buying trips for antique lovers, dealers, collectors and designers. The trips include:

Antiques Escape April 25-May 1
Achtung! Antiques May 7-16
Czechmania! May 18-25
Summer Antiques Extravaganza July 23-August 3
Fall Antiques Extravaganza September 26-October 7

Conrad says Central Europe is an antiques treasure trove.

“It would be hard to find another region that is as rich in such extraordinary furniture, art, small antiques, furnishings, decorative accessories, jewelry and textiles," said Conrad.

"Much of the area was shrouded behind the Iron Curtain and very few American antique buffs shop there," he added.

"We see antiques in all price ranges, from all periods and in all styles — formal, vernacular, country, primitive, Baroque, Biedermeier, various mid- to late-19th Century styles, Art Nouveau, Deco, Modernism, up to the 1970s," said Conrad

Nuernberg, Prague, Bamberg and Dresden are among the cities included in the tours. The company has also ferreted out sources tucked away on back roads and in small towns and villages throughout the region.

The trips are designed to take the stress out of antiquing, says Conrad. Transatlantic shipping is included in most of the tours. “We take care of the details so participants can focus on ‘the hunt,’” he said.

Nearly all the American antiquers who shop in Europe buy in France, Italy, England and the Low Countries. But wholesalers in those countries are importing antiques from Central Europe where the supply is immense and the prices are relatively low..

"The sheer variety and volume of antiques and furnishings alone make these trips a winner. That, plus the great prices, makes our trips unbeatable for people looking for affordable new finds."

"We don't farm our tours out to local agents," says Conrad. We are with the participants every step of the way," he added.

Spaces are still available for 2006; the company offers easy online reservations. People who are interested should book soon because the size of the groups will be kept small, according to Conrad. Tours are designed for seasoned antiquers and people who are newer to the field.

Heart of Europe Tours also offers a beer and brewery tour and a tour of German Christmas markets.

Information is available at www.heartofeuropetours.com, by phone at 215.991.9892 or by email at info@heartofeuropetours.com.

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Contact:
Heart of Europe Tours
Tom Conrad
Tel. & Fax 215.991.9892
Email info@heartofeuropetours.com
Web www.heartofeuropetours.com