Vienna, once the capital of an empire, has grand buildings and palaces without all the people you would expect in a city its size. At least it wasn’t crowded in the winter, when we visited.

        On Saturdays, the Naschmarkt, an amazing outdoor food lovers’ market, adds a flea market filled with antiques. Don’t make the mistake we did and get tempted by the unique vinegar stand. We forgot we couldn’t bring more than a few ounces of liquid onto an airplane.

        Austria borders Eastern Europe, so you can see that area’s influence in the items for sale. We found the flea market filled with eastern European antiques selling for bargain prices. And every price was extremely negotiable—significantly more so than in the United States. We saw a pair of enamels we liked but weren’t sure we wanted. The dealer kept asking us to make an offer. Finally, at 50 percent off the original asking price, we couldn’t pass them up. We gave them to Terry for her birthday! Here are some of the other Vienna prices:

  • 4-inch wooden Viking figurine made in Denmark, $27
  • European cut crystal wine goblets in various colors, $20 each (pictured)
  • Porcelain service for 12, including coffee and tea set, made in Austria, $475 (pictured)

Don’t leave Vienna without a visit to Dorotheum, the big Viennese auction house. It maintains a large retail store that sells items that did not sell at auction. You can find paintings, estate jewelry, furniture, glass, ceramics and even early Hummel figurines. You can find bargains here, but prices start at $65 and go up from there.