Capodimonte, Porcelain and Ceramic Shopping in Italy with Venice Sightseeing

Hello Everyone!

A group of friends is organizing a shopping trip in Italy with Venice sightseeing. As you know Italy is famous for its porcelain and ceramic collections which are hand made. It is especially famous for its capodimonte. Shopping there can be a very interesting experience. The highlight of the trip is the sightseeing in Venice after shopping.

SUMMARY OF THE TRIP:

Trip Date: Sept. 2-4, 2011
Transportation: Comfort Bus with Toilet
Fare: 85.00 Euros per person (already include the water taxi/water bus to Venice)
Departure Time: 8:30 PM on Friday Sept. 2, 2011
Departure Area: Hohenfels Bus Stop at Parsberger Strasse (near the yellow chapel, there is a small parking lot near the area, this is near gate 2)
Payment Due: On or before August 7, 2011

THIS ITINERARY IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO MINOR CHANGES*

Trip Date: September 2-4, 2011

Transportation: Comfort Bus with Toilet
Fare: 85.00 Euros per person (already include the water taxi/water bus ride to Venice)

We will be leaving from Hohenfels Bus Stop in Parsberger Strasse (located near a yellow chapel. there is also a little parking lot in the area.) at 8:30 PM on Friday Sept. 2, 2011. You may leave your car parked in the parkplatz for free.

Arrive approximately 4:30 am (Saturday Sept. 3) at the highway restaurant to freshen up, get coffee or souvenirs.

Back on the rode at 5:30 am

Arrive Vicenza, Italy at RG PORCELAIN @6:30 AM (1 HR. SHOPPING)
Arrive Union Porcelain @7:45 am flowers, roses, pictures, etc. (1 HR. SHOPPING)
Arrive VBC factory @9:00 AM (1 HR Shopping)

Arrive Nove, Italy @ 10:00AM (Devis, Larry's, Stella, Ancora and other stores in this area)

OFF TO VENICE, ITALY!!!
*Price for Gondola/Boat Ride around 10.00- 15.00 Euros per person (not included in the fare)

"Though it's often quoted in print at differing official rates, expect to pay 80¬ ($104) for a 40-minute tour (100¬/$130 between 7pm and 8am), with up to six passengers, and 40¬ ($52) for every additional 20 minutes (50¬/$65 at night)."

We will spend the whole afternoon in Venice.
Return to the bus between 7:00-7:30 PM

Arrive Parsberg after Midnight or at dawn on Sunday (Sept. 4, 2011)

ITEMS YOU SHOULD BRING
1. Euros and Dollars (most stores will accept credit cards)
2. items to freshen up
3. Pillow, Blanket
4. Umbrella in case of rain
5. Snacks, drinks, water, etc.. or any personal needs
6. Jacket- sometimes Venice can be very cold esp. in the evening.

Please bring military ID Cards, passports are not needed for Italy but I would suggest to bring them just in case any needs arise.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:
ONCE PAID, PAYMENTS ARE NON- REFUNDABLE BUT IT IS TRANSFERABLE. When the trip will not push through and you had already paid for it, your payment will be refunded. When the trip will push through, you can sell your seat(s) or you can transfer it to anybody.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
TRIP CONFIRMATION AND PAYMENTS NEEDED ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 7, 2011..THANKS!

I WISH EVERYONE IN ADVANCE A HAPPY AND SAFE TRIP!!

DON'T FORGET TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS OR NEIGHBORS TO MAKE THIS TRIP MORE POSSIBLE!! FIRST COME FIRST SERVE!

Gondola ride in Venice during my visit last April 2006.

Venice, Italy.

SAMPLES OF PORCELAIN, CERAMICS AND CAPODIMONTE.

St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy.

Bargain Hunters- Antique Fairs To Visit in Europe

For antiques bargain hunters, nothing beats an antique fair or market. With a little searching, some amazing treasures can be found at rock bottom prices. While London and Paris are considered Europe’s most important antique centers, markets can be found in cities large and small as well as in the countryside. Thanks to the antique experts from Lovereading.co.uk for sharing these famous antique fairs to visit in Europe.

TONGEREN

Tongeren, the oldest town in Belgium, is also home to the largest market in the Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg region. Located near the German and Dutch border in south-eastern Belgium, this market is known for having the best prices on French antiques in all of Europe. You can find there antique items of all sorts from home decorative figures to silverware, porcelains, artifacts and furniture. Open Saturday from 7:00am till noon.


L’ISLE-SUR-LA-SOURGE

Located in the provincial village of the same name in southern France, this market features over 300 permanent dealers with the number doubling with the visiting dealers every weekend. An international antique fair is held twice a year, in August and Easter, with dealers from around the world. L’Isle-Sur-La-Sourge is considered Europe’s third most important antiques center after London and Paris. Open every day during summer and Thursdays and Sundays during autumn, winter, and spring.

PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET

The world’s largest antique market is the Portobello Road Market. Established in 1870, this Notting Hill, London market features a staggering variety of antiques and collectibles dating from Roman times to the 1960s, from antique silver, maps, crockery and fabrics. Antique hunters can feel confident when they shop here, as many vendors are certified by the Portobello Antique Dealers Association which requires traders to follow a strict code of conduct. Opening day is Saturdays.

MARCHÉ AUX PUCES ST-OUEN DE CLIGNANCOURT

With between 2500 and 3000 open stalls, this Paris market is the place to find everything from second hand clothing to the finest antiques. Some searching may be required but precious and rare items can be found amongst the typical flea market goods. Shoppers at this market will have the best luck if they make it clear they know what they’re doing and chat for a while with the vendor, preferable in French. Beware of pickpockets, take a break at one of the nearby cafes, and shop till you drop! Opening days are Saturday through Monday.