When I first heard of the Antiques Diva Shopping Tours I was reminded of the phrase made famous by the 1980’s  television series Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous - champagne wishes and caviar dreams.  In fact, a bottle of champagne is exactly what you get when you take a Diva Tour, because, really, what’s a diva without champagne?

The caviar dream began when the Antiques Diva, Toma Clark Haines, moved to Europe with her husband over a decade ago and discovered fabulous finds at antiques fairs, art shows and flea markets.  She soon started a blog sharing her shopping adventures with other shopaholics.  When a reader made a request for Haines to take her to some of Haines' favorite places, the Antiques Diva Shopping Tours were born.

The Antiques Diva Tour of Holland will lead you to the best antique shops in Amsterdam and The Hague. Amsterdam's Speigelkwartier is home to more than 100 art and antique dealers, and a must according to Haines, as is De Looier Antique Mall. The Diva Tour also gives you access to the twice-annual sales held in a private residence in Amsterdam, whose stylish owner is legendary in Dutch antique and design circles.

Haines  considers the antique shopping in The Hague to be the best in Holland and always makes it her first stop.  The Hague is also home to one of her favorite antique stores,  S. van Leeuwen Antiques.  Housed in an 18th century mansion, the shop specializes in Oriental porcelain, Delftware and 17th-19th century Dutch antiques.  Alexander van Leeuwan is the current proprietor of the business his family has owned for almost a century and his knowledge of Dutch and colonial antiques is unmatched. Denneweg is the main shopping street for antiques in The Hague and where you will find another of Haines’ favorites, Neeltje Twiss Arts, Antiques & Interiors, which specializes in modern antiques, objects d’art from the 1920’s and 18th century furniture.

Holland is just one of the countries where the Antiques Diva Tours can be arranged.  Haines also offers tours in Belgium, France and Germany.  For those who are not in Europe but want to the benefit of Haines' expertise, an online brocante shop with "Treasures" found by the Diva are available on her website.  For more information about tours and the online brocante shop visit the Antiques Diva website.