Paris & Brussels

Do you source garden objects, antiques and ornaments for your clients? Take the opportunity to do it firsthand for ten days at the best sources in Paris and Brussels. A year in the making, this buying trip will allow you to shop for garden antiques and contemporary objects as well as have pre-arranged, low minimum shipping back to the United States.

This idea came from my own practice and from my landsape designer’s point of view. It is specifically small. The tour will be limited to 10 people to allow for a more personalized experience and is at a time of year when many of us have down time. Local English/French/Flemish speaking experts from The Antiques Diva, who specializes in to-the-trade European shopping, will be our guides in the markets as well as at Maison et Objet, one of the largest design trade shows in the world. Hotels, trains and private vans have been arranged by an agency that specializes in small group travel.

For those who love independent travel, time has been built in to the Paris portion of the trip to allow for individual excursions and experiences as well as garden related events. Travel in Paris will be by Metro and or taxi and we will take the high speed train between Paris and Brussels. During our stay in Belgium, we will travel to outlying markets and destinations via private vans with drivers.

Included in this trip are all hotels with breakfast, champagne receptions, lunch and dinner where indicated, entrance fees as noted, and train tickets. Not included are airfare, airport and train to hotel transfers, taxes and tips, Metro/optional taxi tickets and fares, wine with included meals and cost of meals on your own, optional side tours and excursions.Pre-arranged shared container shipping will be individually billed and based on individual purchases.

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I T I N E R A R YParis

January 23-29Paris Hotel: Hotel Mercure, Montmartre (Breakfast included)Airport Transfers: We will be staying in Montmartre which is charming and full of small shops and bistros. Our hotel is a five minute walk from the Metro and a fifteen minute walk from the Sacre Coeur. It is an easy and economical 45 minute RER train ride or about the same time by taxi for approximately 50 Euros.

Friday, January 23 Arrive in Paris• Welcome Cocktail with Toma Clark Haines, The Antiques Diva (included)• Unpack, nap and relax before the tour begins on the next morning

Saturday, January 24• Paris Flea Market with GuidesExplore, get inspiration and buy at the Paris Flea and Antiques Markets. The scouting pictures were taken at the flea market in January 2013. Traditional as well as mid-century and vintage wares were ample and well priced. Minimum shipping is 1 square meter and we will be sharing all or part of a container--you will only pay for the shipment of your own items. Customs duties may apply.• Lunch on your own, dinner included at an upcoming Parisian restaurant

Sunday, January 25• Visit the Bird/Flower Market on the Il de St. Louis or have the morning free• Design Week Designers Brunch hosted by The Antiques Diva, location to be announcedBe a part of the international design scene and network with interior designers and architects from the States as well as across Europe.• Independent afternoon at the Paris Flea Market to finish up exploration and shopping or explore the city on your own

Monday, January 26• Maison et Objet with a half day orientation with a show expert, then exploration of the show on your own. Registration fee and entrance to the show is included in cost. Travel to the expo grounds is free. This is a huge show with five+ pavilions filled with design products and ideas. Even if you’re just wondering what the trends are, you’ll find it at Maison et Objet.• Lunch on your own (there are several on-site restaurants), Dinner included at a Parisian restaurant

Tuesday, January 27• Maison et Objet or optional Free Day• Dinner included at a traditional Parisian Bistro

Wednesday, January 28• Free Day to explore Paris as you wishPossibilities include museum visits, shopping, an exploration of Paris parks or a day trip to Versailles. If you are a shopper, sales in Paris are twice yearly and we will be there during those sales.

Thursday, January 29• Morning Garden event TBD• Lunch included• Evening high speed train to Brussels--train fare is include in cost but transfer to the hotel in Brussels is not• Check into Brussels Hotel: Mecure, Brussels (Breakfast included)

Random finds at the Paris Flea Market in January

2013—there were many, many more!

Right, oversized outdoor fruit and a selection

of outdoor fabric and cushions at Maison et Objet 2013. Below, the

Orangerie at Versailles in January

I T I N E R A R YBrussels

January 30-February 1

Friday, January 30• Trip to Architectural Salvage Yards and Antique Warehouses• Lunch included, Evening champagne reception in Antwerp• Lunch included, chamagne reception before returning to hotel• Dinner in Brussels

Saturday, January 31• Brussels Flea Market and Antiques District• Boxed lunch included• Dinner in Brussels

Sunday, February 1• Tongeren Flea Market (only open on Sundays) and Antiques Warehouses• Side trip to Out-Standing, a designer and fabricator of wooden planters, gates and furniture, or Atelier Vierkant a designer and manufacturer of planters and garden accessories• Visit to a garden shop• Boxed lunch included• Farewell Dinner

Monday, February 2• Return Home – If you want to return via Paris, you can take the high speed train to return but will needto purchase your own ticket.

Images of the Belgian salvavage yards are via

The Antiques Diva, Out-Standing and Atelier

Vierkant wood planter boxes are via their websites

What’s Included… • All accommodations and breakfasts from January 23 through February 1, 2015. February 2 is a departure day-breakfast is included• Private group native speaking guides in all markets• Six dinners, five lunches and one brunch over the ten day tour• Two private champagne receptions• Entrance fees and bus transportation to Maison et Objet as well as private touring vans in Belgium• High speed train ticket one-way from Paris to Brussels• Access to pre-arranged, containerized shipping from all venues, individual prices will vary

What’s not Included… • Airfare• Transportation to and from airports and train stations• Cost of individual Metro/taxi fares in Paris and Brussels• Cost of individual touring options in and outside of Paris• Any and all alcoholic beverages except those offered at champagne receptions• Meals which are not specified in the itinerary• Cost of shipping items and any necessary related taxes and duties

CostCost per person, based on shared twin accomodations:

$3300.00, land onlySingle room supplement: $789.00

For more information, contact Susan Cohan, APLD