Fleahopper’s at it again!
The paperback version of my new book “Flea Market Travel, Treasures & Tips” has just been released.
Please consider picking up a copy for yourself…and a friend!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1980332592/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519074897&sr=8-2&keywords=flea+market+travel+treasures+tips
Hot off the press!
I just finished my first ebook and it is now online.
Follow the story of how Fleahopper was born. Visit hot flea market spots around Europe. Meet some of Fleahopper’s friends around the world.
Paperback version to become available soon.
Wishing you a happy read!
Thank you Ron and Ali for inviting me to interview on your podcast, “So You Wanna Sell on eBay”. It was a fun chat
Here is a link to our call. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed the lively conversation.
August, 2017, what a great month for flea market and resale shop hunting in Bavaria, Germany. I hit up as many floh markts (flea markets), second hand shops and antique shops as my daughter and her friends agreed to. I thank them for hauling me around!
All venues were within a one hour drive from my base camp of my daughter’s home. Common themes throughout were: all things religious in this Catholic State; traditional and current fashion wear; outdoor activity clothing and paraphernalia; glass, pewter, porcelain and clay mass krugs (beer steins) of every size, shape and age; fine crystal; cow bells; framed vintage crewel artwork; and of course…Tupperware! One really gets a feel for the culture of this area as well as current trends just by observing things for sale at its markets.
This blog will simply list the markets or shops that I visited, share photos and give you relative distance from the city of Kempten, in the Allgaeu region of Bavaria that I call home when in Germany. This region in the foothills of the German Alps is ripe with dairy farm communities dotting autobahn and winding country road routes. Pictures do a much better job of describing than I do so I will let you travel along with me through photos! Enjoy the tour.
Should this ride-along have you dreaming of a like adventure for yourself, please let me know. I’d love to help you plan your own up front and personalized trip.
Obertsdorf Floh Markt – 30 minutes
This market is detailed in another blog post. Check it out.
Memmingen Floh Markt – 30 minutes
Kaufbauruen Floh Markt – 30 minutes
This market is detailed in another post. Check it out.
Woltenhofen Thrift Store – 4 km from Kempten city center
No photos from here this day. I didn’t see anything that I could live without but my daughter found a brand new pair of boys Nike soccer shoes for 4 euro.
Woltenhofen Floh Markt – 4 km from Kempten city center
This market is detailed in another post. Check it out. My “golden” find at this market is the gold watch. I made a nice resale profit on it while still on my trip!
Sontheim Floh Markt – 35 minutes.
This is the same flea market that I bill as the both the smallest and largest flea market that I’ve been to in Bavaria…3 different years. Always worth the drive.
Bad Worishofen “Garage Sale” – 40 minute drive
This was a rare sale held in the seller’s barn buildings. There were 4 rooms of items to wander through. We got a flyer to this sale from one of our previous stops.
Bayerisher Floh Markt – 45 minutes
See previous post dedicated to this day.
Kempten Thrift Store – Allerhand – Kempten city center
Two different resale shops. One on the top floor and one on the lower level. On this day I found a leather purse for 17 euro. I might keep that one!
St. Mang Second Hand Shop – 5 km from Kempten city center
Antik Hof Antique Shop & Restaurant – 40 minute drive
A fun visit on a Sunday when almost everything in Germany is closed.
Fussen Floh Markt – 30 minute drive
This is only minutes away from the famous Neuschwanstein Castle that you see in many Bavarian photos. Make a day of it and take in the castle while in Fussen. Well worth the visit.
Oberstdorf Floh Markt – 40 minutes
Fischen Floh Markt – 30 minutes
Take some time to visit the World Ski Jumping Championship site that is adjacent to the parking lot that hosts this floh markt.
After a marathon morning of flea marketing in the hills of Bavaria, my daughter and I stopped for lunch before heading home. As we were pulling out of the driveway of the restaurant, there it was – a beacon in the field shining bright with possibilities – a new thrifting adventure. A relatively nondescript but huge roadside sign invited passersby to the 2017 Bayerischer Flohmarkt. As luck would have it, this huge market was scheduled for an upcoming weekend. Penciled into our mental calendar we made an immediate decision to be there.
The magnitude of the market was surmised instantly by the one kilometer long string of red and white “no parking” tape flagging both sides of the roadside far in advance of the event. It was still a week away and parking prohibitions were already clearly defined.
We noted the dates, times and location. We memorized our surroundings and the exit along the autobahn that would lead us back to this field of dreams.
Once home, an internet search revealed that this annual affair is held in the expanse of field adjacent to where we had lunch. Per the website: http://www.bayerischer-flohmarkt.de/index_nn.html 2016 attendance exceeded more than 20,000 visitors and over 500 vendors . Surely there will be thousands of new treasures to explore.
With the weather gods on our side that day we left our umbrellas and jackets at home. We de-layered and headed out for an early start.
We were not alone! 
A mere half hour after opening and the line to enter the field parking lot spilled out onto the roadway and we stop-and-go’ed our way to the bowels of the grassy field-turned parking lot.
On a positive note, we were close to the exit for an easy get away at the end of the day!
We made our way through the maze of now familiar red and white tape, designating this time, a pedestrian path to the hallowed grounds. With policed safety, we wove our way to the grand entrance.
Let the thrifting begin! 
This market was a mix of just about everything. There were sellers of discount/liquidation new items, antiques and collectibles dealers and families cleaning out excess. There was leather everything, lots of glassware and the usual Tupperware, both new and orphaned parts. 
Some booths were professional while others were slipshod.
The day turned blistering hot and the sun beat down. Bargaining became easier as the temperature withered both sellers and buyers. Usual end of the day negotiating realized a few bargains.
I was particularly drawn to a single vendor.
I returned several times to memorize her booth.
I loved her style. She was selling a mix of what I would describe as steam punk fashion accessories. Frilly and laced parasols, oversize bedazzled sunglasses, scarves and every style of feathers, rhinestoned hair pieces and, especially sought out on this blistering heat day, hats…lots of sunhats! Her booth was always crowded and she was always selling…a lot!
I want to be her!
Hot and exhausted but happy with our journey, we called it a day after 6 hours of scouring the grounds. I managed to bag some Easter decorations, a pair of Converse tennis shoes, a Minnie Mouse mug, 2 antique pocket watches and a couple of Ed Hardy tops. Total investment, 51,50 euros. I hope to realize enough profit on these items for a nice down payment on my return trip to the market next year!
I am thrilled that we happened upon that huge sign along the road. Our day trip to this large flea market in a stunning area in the foothills of the German Alps turned into a promise to make this an annual event for me.
How about you?
If it sounds intriguing, let me know. I can help you plan your trip to the Bayerisher Flohmarkt 2018 in Turkheim, Germany.
Mark your calendar now, August 11, 12 and 15, 2018. I’ve provided a map for you in case you need it! If you prefer a tour guide, I’ll remember the way.
© 2017 Peggy Losey. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Nimbus.
