What’s your favourite activity while travelling?

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Some folks are all about the food. Others like to take in a theatre performance or experience the local nightlife.

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There are many still who enjoy a museum tour or an adventure into the historic ruins. 

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For the vintage seekers, however, the cherry on top of a perfect holiday is taking time to incorporate antiquing, thrifting, or otherwise searching for vintage treasures. 

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Here’s how we love to do it.

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Pre-travel preparations

Prepare for your journey by researching the area and crafting yourself a treasure map (we love to save spots to a custom Google Maps map that we can check on the go).

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Research the area of your destination. Explore markets and unique stores, paying attention not only to popular destinations but also to lesser-known gems.

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Reach out to your favourite vintage accounts on social media, who are based in the region or who know about the overall market, and ask if they can make recommendations.

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Be sure to establish a budget (however strict or loose is befitting of your plans) to prevent excessive spending and remember to factor in possible shipping expenses for bulkier purchases.

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Of course, if you’re keen to haggle, negotiating prices can be customary in some markets depending on the venue you're shopping at.

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Give yourself a little wiggle room on that budget if you’re planning on using your bargaining abilities to secure deals — while maintaining respect for the vendors’ set pricing, of course.

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Find the gatherings

Time your trip to coincide with special vintage community events. Heading to towns during conventions or festivals is a great way to go double duty and add some vintage shopping to the itinerary.

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Check out special and niche vintage markets like Halifax's The Curio Collective or the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show.

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Take a peek online — Google for a calendar of dates for flea markets, community yard sales, or estate sales for potentially exciting and unique finds, and check Facebook Events in the region you are visiting. (You can also use our event calendar to find secondhand-related events).

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Or, just go anytime. (Truly, it’s never a bad time to shop for vintage treasures.)

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Barcelona, Spain is home to Els Encants Vells, which is one of the oldest flea markets in Europe (it's been around since 1300). With books, clothing, decor, and just about anything else you can think of, this one is a must-visit and is open year-round.

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Remember, even with regular year-round markets, timing can make or break the hunt.

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Know what vintage markets offer during certain seasons and how frequently they restock to discover new items or maybe score better deals during quieter times.

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Check your items

Explore different neighbourhoods with an open mind; the best finds often lurk in the most unexpected places.

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Just like when shopping at home, when you find an item, inspect it meticulously. Check for hidden damage or signs of wear, especially in clothing and furniture.

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Authenticity is crucial for high-value items, so look for labels or markings that confirm their origins are local to where you’re visiting.

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Be culturally aware. Show respect for traditions by understanding the significance of items and avoiding anything that could be seen as offensive or inappropriate.

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The best vintage to bring home

Think like Mary Poppins when packing your treasures and get strategic about how you’ll fit the most items back in your suitcase.

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Focus on vintage “smalls” such as jewellery, unique decor items, or one-off glassware pieces. or easy-to-pack clothing and accessories.

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Paper ephemera is a fun and quirky category to consider when vintage shopping while travelling.

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Postcards, event programs, ticket stubs from the area you're visiting — anything you might want for a scrapbook or to hang on your fridge or in a gallery wall make great items to thrift for as souvenirs of your travels.

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Books about the city you're in make for excellent souvenirs, too, and spark a memory every time you see them on your coffee table or bookcase.

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If you fall in love with a larger item, don’t fret. Some stores might even offer shipping services or can point you towards the best local shipping companies.

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Shop for locally made items

Do a little digging into some of the production history of your destination. Heading to Ohio, USA?

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With a rich history of glass production, any thrifting trip in this state will likely garner some great vintage glassware. Expect to find Libbey Glass, Anchor Hocking, Fostoria and Tiffin pieces on the shelves. 

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Shipping secrets

Bring a bit of bubble wrap with you on your trip to protect your precious and fragile items.

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You can also achieve this padding effect by nestling them within your clothing. If vintage clothing was one of your scores, roll them instead of folding, or use packing cubes to maximize space.

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Flying with limited luggage? Get yourself a pre-paid flat-rate box with Canada Post if you're travelling within Canada, or with a shipping company in your destination.

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They’re flat before assembly, making them easy to slip into your suitcase. Once you’ve started your thrifting, you can fill up the box and pop it in the mail.

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Imagine the joy of shipping your secondhand souvenirs back home to have them safely waiting on your doorstep upon arrival. 

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Shipping something larger like furniture? Ask the seller if they have a shipper or customs broker that they work with to get the ball rolling on delivery.

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If you’re travelling internationally, stay informed about the regulations for importing items. Remember to check the customs of your country as well as your destination before you travel.

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Some items may be subject to import restrictions or duties. Keep any documents related to vintage purchases handy.

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Hold on to your receipts and any certificates of authenticity. You might need them when completing customs declarations.

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Happy thrifting while travelling!

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Krista Montelpare is a freelance writer based in Nova Scotia and the founder of vintage shop Cellary.

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