For roughly 20+ years, I’ve had the biggest crush on Le Creuset cast iron cookware. Unfortunately, I’ve also spend the better part of that time in and out of school or moving from one contract and one country to the next. As a result, most of my earnings went towards tuition or making ends meet leaving my ‘kitchen crush’ unfulfilled.

Le Creuset is the best-of-the-best when it comes to cast iron cookware. But it’s also super heavy and crazy expensive which isn’t very practical for a traveling foodie on a budget like myself!

With most of my kitchen collection boxed up in storage – and ingredients often difficult to find – cooking what I like, when I like, and how I like is almost impossible. My diet is a never-ending roller coaster. I’m always struggling to stay healthy and make sure that I get all of the vitamins and nutrients that I need without compromising too much on flavour, taste and of course budget.

On the flip-side, traveling and working overseas has broadened my awareness of my own culinary background and traditions as well as that of other cultures. I’ve learned new techniques, discovered exotic cookware and experienced exciting tastes and flavour combinations from around the world. That’s pretty cool, if I do say so myself!

Nevertheless, every once in a while, I come across something familiar that’s too special to refuse. Such was the case during my time here in Austria. Half-way between Gols and Vienna – deep within the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Center (Parndorf) – lies the holy grail of cookware at up to 70% off. That’s right fellow foodies and kitchenware fanatics – a Le Creuset outlet shop. Lord have mercy!

I was taken to Parndorf shortly after my arrival in Burgenland back in February of 2014. Having come straight from Thailand, I was in desperate need of warm clothing and this was a great place to start. Then it happened…

Snuggled between Marc O’Polo and Högl, was a gleaming white sign with ‘Le Creuset’ blazing out in that trademark flame orange I know so well. Shivering in my summer clothes under a borrowed winter coat, I stood in the parking lot with eyes wide, jaw dropped and a dribble of drool falling from the corner of my mouth. I thought I heard angels singing, although in hindsight it was probably the sound of my teeth clattering or church bells ringing in the distance.

I was first introduced to Le Creuset as a girl. My best friend’s mother was (and still is) an eclectic lady with a heart of gold and generous to a fault. I loved visiting their home nestled between farmer’s fields in the middle of nowhere. There were many adventures and much fun to be had for 2 young girls. There were dogs, chickens and sheep to play with, a babbling brook and so much to explore. The house was filled with books, curiosities and eccentric decor – plenty to peak the curiosity of an inquisitive young mind. The kitchen was the heart of the home. While vague, I remember my friend’s mother cooking with heavy fire orange pots and pans which were as warm and colourful as her personality. Perhaps those joyful childhood memories where what initially drew me to Le Creuset, although I didn’t make the connection until nearly 3 decades later.

But it’s not just fond memories that have me so enamored with Le Creuset. Renowned for both their durability and beauty, Le Creuset has been creating top-quality cast iron cookware since 1925. There is just so much to love about Le Creuset products – their flawless design, smooth surfaces, good-sized handles, thick enamel coating and bold colours. Each piece is inspected by hand and – if cared for properly – you can expect your Le Creuset cookware to last a lifetime and beyond. Proving how confident they are in the quality of their products, the company offers a lifetime guarantee on their entire cast iron collection.

I took my time in the brightly lit store, admiring the colourful enamels, stroking the perfectly smooth cast iron surfaces, pestering the staff with my broken German skills while imagining all of the amazing dishes I could create and how luxuriously beautiful my future ‘dream-kitchen’ would be. Although I wasn’t ready to make any purchases that day, I continued to pop by the shop on subsequent visits to check out the latest additions and watch for sales or clearance items.

Now that I have my work permits – and fed up with being patient – I was ready to take the plunge. On my visit this week, I was ecstatic to see a table full of ‘seconds’ at a further 20% off the outlet price. I splurged on a cherry red square grill, a 4.1L oval French oven and a gorgeous enamel coated cast iron terrine mold but I’ve got a mind to go back soon! All in all, each piece was about 1/3 to less than a 1/4 the price of what I would have paid in Canada. The grill has already been put into action. I was very impressed at the heat retention, ease of use and perfectly spaced grill marks. I’m so excited. I can’t wait to cook my next big meal once my classes are finished next week. I’m also super-stoked about the terrine. I’ve never made a terrine before but I can’t wait to give it a go. Feel free to send along your favourite recipe if you have one!

Now, back to my homework! Just 2 assignments left before I finish the requirements to achieve my Social Media Certificate with Algonquin College. Wish me luck! 🙂

Are you a proud Le Creuset owner and have a story to share?

I’d love to hear from you! Please share your comments below.

I like to take it easy on Sundays. For me that means getting outside, enjoying the sunshine and exploring. It could be a castle, a joy ride, doing photography or visiting a market.

These days, my favourite Sunday routine includes a visit to the Eisenstadt Flea Market (or flohmarkt in German). Located less than an hour away from either Vienna or Bratislava, Eisenstadt makes for a great day trip. Spend the morning at the market and then head over to Esterházy Palace or the Haydn-House for an afternoon tour, a picnic at the Palace Park, or enjoy a glass of Burgenland wine and the relaxed atmosphere of one of the many wine taverns or heurigers.

The Eisenstadt Flea Market is the largest in Burgenland and one of the best in Austria. I’m always on the look-out for antique kitchenware or rustic farmhouse decor and this market doesn’t disappoint! You can find primitive butter churns, antique pâté molds, bonze and silver wear, German cake molds, vintage Hungarian linens, wooden wagon wheels and so much more.

Unlike Vienna’s Naschmarkt, Eisenstadt’s weekly flea market caters mostly to locals. While it’s a bit smaller than the Naschmarkt, Eisenstadt offers a more authentic experience without the mass produced tourist trinkets, crowds or rushed atmosphere. Vendors are happy to answer questions, local market-goers are eager to step in and offer their help when language difficulties arise, prices are reasonable and there’s plenty of parking available.

Vendors make up a mix of dealers from neighbouring Hungary, Slovakia and some weeks you can even find a few Romanian stalls. Some of the vendors carry over from the Naschtmarkt’s Saturday market as they make their way home to their respective countries. Eager to unload their stock before the long drive home, there are some great bargains to be had and vendors are much more relaxed and approachable. There are also a number of local hobbyists who are eager to show off their collections and can give you in-depth information about each piece.

Additional Tips! 

* This is an outdoor market so it’s wise to keep an eye on the weather report. Vendors are quick to pack up early and hobbyists might be reluctant to set up shop when a storm is brewing.

* Vendors come from all over Eastern Europe. While many speak German and a few speak English, it’s best to have a pad of paper and a pen to negotiate prices.

Hours: 6 am – 12 pm every Sunday from April until September.

Location: 7000 Eisenstadt, Kika/Markur Parkplatz, Mattersburgerstraße 50-52, Burgenland, Austria

Useful Links:

• Top 10 Flea Market Tips
• Flea Markets Listings –  Burgenland, Austria
• Eisenstadt Tourism Website

Do you have a favourite flea market or tips to share?

We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!

I’m a huge fan of markets and with spring finally here, flea market season has kicked into high gear.

There’s something thrilling about searching through the rubble for that perfect piece of art, rustic furnishings or a primitive farmhouse item or rare collectible. Flea market shopping is the ultimate treasure hunt, you never know when you’ll find something fabulous! Some are bargains, some aren’t, but the fun is definitely in the hunt and the back and forth banter of negotiation.

If you’re not used to market shopping, negotiating a price can seem like a daunting task. However with a little patience and practice, you’ll soon see what all the fun is about! While this post focuses on flea market shopping, suggestions can be used for almost any type of market around the world.

Here are a few tips to help you make the most out of your market visit and find the best bargains:

1. Bring Your Tool Kit

Prepare a tool kit for your flea market shopping but keep it light. Essentials include a backpack, folding cart or trolley to carry heavy purchases and bubble wrap or tissue paper for wrapping fragile items. If you’re shopping for furniture or other large items, include a floor plan, color swatches, paper and a pen for note-taking and sharing contact information just in case you need to come back at a later date. Other handy items include a small flashlight and a magnifying glass to examine stamps and maker’s marks.

2. Dress Appropriately

Skip the high heels and wear comfortable shoes. Dress in layered clothing to accommodate changes in the weather and for indoor flea markets which aren’t always temperature controlled. Don’t forget to leave your expensive jewelry at home. A hat or a scarf and sun screen is another good idea. This isn’t a board meeting or a first date, you’ll have a better chance negotiating a price if you’re dressed down.

Flea markets can get crowded. Outsmart pickpockets and thieves by keeping your cash in a front pocket, a travel pouch or in a cross-body bag positioned in front. Avoid keeping your cash in backpacks or large shoulder bags that can be easy accessed from behind.

3. Stay Hydrated

Treasure hunting takes time and when the weather warms up you’ll need something to keep you hydrated. Make sure to take a cup of coffee or tea, a bottle of water and a snack with you to keep your energy up. Even if the flea market has a concession stand, line ups take time and you can use that extra money for your flea market finds.

4. Cash is Key

Don’t miss out on that special find because you didn’t plan ahead. Take cash, including plenty of small bills and coins. While the occasional vendor may accept credit or debit cards, most only accept cash and not every flea market has easy access to an ATM machine. Even when there is an ATM machine available, the machine could be out of order or there might be a long line up.

Having cash on hand has other advantages too! Knowing how much you’re willing to spend and having exact amounts on hand helps you stay within your budget and can be a great negotiating tool.

As a general rule, use the local currency when traveling abroad however the American dollar is widely accepted in South East Asian countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

5. Timing Is Everything

Get there early – really early – for the best selection. If you wait too long, the market could get crowded and stalls might become over-picked by afternoon. Arriving early also gives you time to scope out the different stalls and make a game plan.

But if you’re looking for the biggest discounts and the best deals, wait until just before market closes. Dealers will be more ready to negotiate on smaller items and eager to sell furniture and cumbersome pieces that might be difficult to transport.

Last but not least if you see something you just can’t live without, buy it! If you love it that much chances are someone else does too and it might not be there when you come back.

6. Be Friendly

Always pack a good attitude in your flea market tool kit. Introduce yourself to vendors, be friendly and talk to them about what you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for a rare item or something unique, they might have it in stock or know someone who does. If you’ve got a favourite booth, developing relationships might also lead to bigger and better discounts down the road.

7. Buyer Beware

What you see is what you get and flea markets sales final.

Make sure to thoroughly examine an item before you buy it but keep an open mind. A bit of paint can transform a vintage piece or repurpose a vintage find to give it new life.

For big ticket items, do your research and don’t risk any post-purchase regrets. Thanks to mobile devices and the internet, anybody can research an item’s worth quickly and easily. Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Rubylane and Worthpoint are all great resources for finding price estimates. However, do your research in private. It’s bad form to pull out your smart phone or iPad mid-negotiation and won’t win you any points with the vendors.

Don’t forget that even professional appraisers can get it wrong sometimes. Buy only what you love and pay only what you’re comfortable spending.

8. Don’t be Afraid to Haggle 

At flea markets, negotiating is part of the game and the vendors expect it. That said, there are a few do’s and don’ts in the fine art of haggling!

While we’ve mentioned the importance of timing and being friendly, it’s really important mind your manners when bargaining. Ask permission before picking up items or taking photographs and be polite when inspecting an item for flaws or damage. Be patient, take your time and enjoy the back and forth banter of negotiating a price.

As a rule of thumb, don’t haggle for an item if you’re not serious about buying it. Do, however, ask for a lower price or make an offer you feel comfortable spending if you feel the original price is too high. If the price is still too high, work the price down by asking, “Is that your best offer?” If that doesn’t work, politely back down by saying something like, “Thank you but unfortunately that’s beyond my budget”. Then turn around and move on to the next stall. Chances are, this is the point when the vendor will try to stop you and offer a better price but be prepared to give up on the sale. If you’re offered a better price, you can make one last ditch effort by saying, “Is that the best you can do?” This opens the door to further negotiation but if you’ve got a firm offer you’re willing to pay, say it now and be prepared to close the sale or walk away.

Buying multiple items or asking a vendor to throw in an extra item on your purchase is also a good bargaining strategy. Vendors are there to sell. The more you’re willing to buy from them, the more flexible they’ll be on the final price.

9. Culture Matters

If you’re shopping in a foreign country, watch and listen to the people around you. Try to get a feel for how the locals interact and what they are paying for an item. If possible, try to have a local friend or trusted guide to explain the customs and help translate.

Not knowing the culture or the language can put you at a disadvantage. While some vendors may offer a fair price, others might see you as an easy target. While it’s important to be polite, stay firm in your offer and don’t be offended by aggressive vendors.

While the general tips and advice provided here apply almost everywhere in the world, learning a little about the local culture and language can go a long way. For example, markets in Austria tend to be fairly laid back while bartering in Bali might feel more intimidating to a North American tourist. In Korea and China, it’s important to ‘save face’ for both you and the vendor and keep emotions in tact while in Afghanistan you might be offered green tea as part of the formalities of negotiation.

One of my most exciting – albeit frustrating – bargaining experiences was with an old woman in China who was trying to charge me several hundred times the going price of a trinket my mother had her heart set on. By the end of the exchange – and getting set to walk away – I thought the old woman was going to rip my head off before she finally caved with a fair price. Once the deal was done a broad smile crossed her face, she patted me on the back and said, “Well done!” Of course, by this time I’d been living in Asia several years and had my ups and downs but that transaction was a highlight that I’ll never forget.

10. Exit Strategy

Don’t forget logistics! If you’re planning on buying furniture or other large items, you’ll need someone to help with the heavy-lifting, proper transportation and storage space.

Visiting from overseas? Don’t forget to check your luggage restrictions and official custom regulations. If you plan on sending items home, make sure you calculate the cost of shipping, customs duty and handling costs. While something might seem like a great deal at first glance, costs add up and you might be better off sourcing heavy or bulky items in your home country.

Have you got a flea market story to share or tips to add to our list?

Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Spring harkened back of all kinds of weather in Burgenland. There was rain, hail, snow, sunshine and winds that could give Mary Poppins a run for her money at up 100 kilometers per hour. Temperatures ranged from -2° to +22° C and the landscape transformed from dreary and dull to vibrant and lively as fruit trees and shrubs exploded with colour.

In the villages, shutters were pulled up and windows opened, people stepped out from their winter hibernation, vintners tended their vines, castles and heurigers re-opened, maypoles were risen, the vineyards were tended and markets sprung up across the lands.

Personally, it’s been a very busy time preparing preparing the gardens, online classes, obtaining Austrian residency and starting my new writing and communications consulting business. There was also the much anticipated Weinfrühling Gols and the chance to hop a ride to Innsbruck and Salzburg for some sightseeing last week. But more to come on that later!

With cloudy skies, cool temperatures and calls for stormy weather with wind warnings in effect I’ve decided to take the day to catch up on The Village Plate, continue working on my new website and do some spring cleaning (how fun is that?!?). I hope you enjoy the photos posted on Flickr and Facebook along with the blog posts and recipes that I’m working on.

Have a great day!