Luxury art vacations
Artful Jaunts blend unique art destinations and behind the scenes experiences with luxury accommodations and fine dining to create extraordinary getaways that enrich, educate, and entertain.
Artful Jaunts are typically 3 to 8 days long, for small groups of 12-20 people, and are offered at three levels: Discover (for the emerging collector), Signature (featuring opportunities to meet more established artists) , and Connoisseur (presenting the very finest the art world has to offer) .
Artful Jaunts
2025 trips coming soon , bespoke or museum trip.
Artful FOG Design+Art
LA Frieze Prequel
A Pilgrimage to Marfa
The home of american art, the center of the art world, america's museum redefined, contemporary art in london, contemporary art in paris.
Art in The Hamptons
Art in the hudson valley, land art in the american west, art basel in miami beach, included with all artful jaunts.
- Led by expert art educators and curators
- Private access to collector and studio visits
- Behind the scenes experiences in the art world
- Luxury accommodations, cocktails, and fine dining
- Artful advisory counsel on potential art purchases
- The Artful app
Unlock a world of art experiences
I like art but am not an expert. Will this trip be right for me?
Absolutely. Artful Jaunts are tailored to every level of aficionado—from expert collectors to those just starting out, there's something for everyone.
Where do your guides come from?
Our guides are carefully sourced from the art world. In addition to impressive resumes, they bring engaging personalities and knowledge that help make every trip unforgettable. After our thorough interview process, we invest heavily in training the guides from public speaking to test trips.
Do your guides undergo background checks?
All Artful employees, including our art educators, have passed a third-party background check.
Do I need to purchase art if I go on a trip?
No, no purchase is required. However, with our access to artists' studios and important galleries, you may find yourself tempted.
What additional costs are not included?
Nothing, other than your own incidentals and your airfare. Our founder likes to say you never have to take out your wallet; just enjoy your Jaunt.
I have been involved in art all my life. Will this trip be too basic for me?
Not at all. With experts and curators to guide you, our trips are designed to be educational, engaging, and entertaining, regardless of your level of involvement in the art world.
Are bespoke trip options on offer?
Yes. A great way to explore art is with your extended family or a set of close friends. Choose your group and your date and we'll create your dream trip for you.
Are corporate Jaunts available?
Of course; if so desired, we can arrange custom Jaunts for your firm. Please contact us directly.
What do I need to bring on a Jaunt?
Enthusiasm and a desire to learn and meet new people with similar interests, and have fun. Packing suggestions will be offered based upon the destination.
What if I want to stay longer to do some personal travel?
By all means. Pre- and post-Jaunt travel could be a great way to enhance your trip. We are more than happy to help you extend your hotel with our preferred rate.
Is a Jaunt appropriate for children?
We do not recommend Jaunts for children who are under 21 years old given the social focus on the evening programming. However, a bespoke Jaunt would be a perfect way to create your own experience for family and friends, including children of all ages.
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ADVENTURES IN ART
with Karen Stone Talwar
Adventures in Art curates luxury travel experiences focused on art, jewelry and fashion for museum patrons and art collectors around the world. Founded in 2011 by Karen Stone Talwar, the company is unique in its endeavor, providing customized itineraries and insider access to art capitals around the globe timed around art fairs, jewelry shows, and exhibitions at major museums.
UPCOMING TOURS
Bespoke tours, “twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. so throw off the bowlines. sail away from the safe harbor. catch the trade winds in your sails. explore. dream. discover.”, “the eye has to travel”, diana vreeland, karen stone talwar.
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Travel with The Met
Travel with The Met connects the Museum's wide and diverse audience to art, inspiration, and historical perspective. Our trips offer travelers the unique opportunity to see the world and humanity's highest artistic achievements with the guidance of The Met's renowned curators and educators. Itineraries focus on educational, enriching activities that will allow you to experience firsthand how art can bridge history and the present day to reveal our shared cultural heritage.
Trips are offered year-round to a variety of exciting destinations. More than just a vacation, a Travel with The Met international exploration combines curatorial expertise and behind-the-scenes viewing arrangements with spectacular itineraries and interesting companionship. The following list is updated regularly to include new itineraries as soon as they become available.
Set Sail with The Met!
Travel with The Met invites you to join our art-filled cultural cruises on one of our distinctive, privately chartered small ships and boutique riverboats. This summer, sail Homer’s “wine-dark sea” on our spectacular Aegean adventure into antiquity, cruising from Athens to Istanbul aboard the elegant Sea Cloud II . Travel with Met lecturer Frank Dabell , an acclaimed art historian whose passion and depth of knowledge about Greek and Roman art and architecture will inspire you. In October, experience a unique journey by land and sea in the enchanting gem of Mediterranean Spain: Catalonia, the autonomous region with its own unique cultural identity, language, and ancient heritage. Join highly regarded museum educator Rika Burnham sharing her insights on historic Catalan art as your lecturer. Spend three nights in medieval Girona, venturing to Roman ruins, Salvador Dalí’s birthplace, and exceptional museums, and four nights sailing Sea Cloud II to art treasures in Valencia, Ibiza, and Mallorca.
Please contact a Met Travel consultant at Arrangements Abroad by phone 844-TRVLMET (844-878-5638); outside New York: 800-221-1944), or via email for more information or to reserve your place on any journey.
October 13–22, 2024
On this Mediterranean Sea adventure touching two continents, cruise to the temples and cities left behind by waves of civilizations, including prehistoric peoples and the ancient Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans. Sail aboard Sea Cloud II as it travels from Malta to rugged yet beautiful Sicily, Tunisia, and Spain’s Balearic Islands. In Sicily, visit the magnificent Greek ruins of Agrigento and Segesta. In the North African country of Tunisia, experience Tunis and the ancient city of Carthage. In Sardinia, wander through Su Nuraxi di Barumini to see nuraghi , imposing Bronze Age structures only found on this island, and tour Cagliari, Sardinia’s ancient capital. Sail to the island of Menorca and its picturesque capital Mahón. After a memorable day at sea, disembark in Tarragona.
Traveling with You: Page Knox is Lecturer and Educator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she offers her expertise on special exhibitions and the permanent collection, and also teaches membership classes. She is an adjunct professor of art history at Columbia University, where she received her Ph.D. in 2012.
Cruise Rates: From $9,999 per person, double rate
Activity Level: Intermediate / Moderato
Download the brochure ( PDF ).
October 18–26, 2024
On this Balearic Sea adventure that combines a land program and an elegant cruise aboard Sea Cloud II , take an in-depth journey into the culture, history, and cuisine of cities along the Catalan coast and the Balearic islands of Ibiza and Mallorca. Experience the gems of Catalonia, starting with Girona, Northern Catalonia’s largest city. Over three nights with accommodations at an elegant hotel, discover Girona’s museums, galleries, and fine Romanesque and Gothic buildings, and visit the Museu d’Història dels Jueus, which highlights the contributions of Girona’s once-flourishing Jewish community. Continue to Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí and now home to his flamboyant theater-museum. Embark Sea Cloud II in Tarragona, formerly Tarraco, and explore its Roman ruins, the Iberian Peninsula’s oldest Roman settlement. On the Catalan coast, visit Valencia, where architectural styles abound, including architect Santiago Calatrava’s modern masterpieces. Stop on the glamorous island of Ibiza to explore its Phoenician history dating back 3,000 years, then head for the Balearic island of Mallorca. In its capital, Palma de Mallorca, tour La Seu, a spectacular sandstone cathedral that took 600 years to build, before returning to Tarragona for disembarkation.
Traveling with You: Rika Burnham is a leading theorist and practitioner of art museum gallery teaching. Author of Teaching in the Art Museum: Interpretation as Experience , and lecturer at Columbia University, she has served as Head of Education at the Frick Collection, Museum Educator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Project Director for TIME/Teaching Institute in Museum Education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and was appointed Getty Research Institute Museum Scholar in 2002 and 2018.
Land/Cruise Rates: From $6,999 per person, double rate
Download the brochure ( PDF ).
December 29, 2024–January 9, 2025
Embark on an extraordinary New Year’s journey into the heart of ancient Egypt. This exclusive program offers a unique blend of private plane travel, a four-night Nile River cruise aboard the elegant Sanctuary Nile Adventurer , and unparalleled access to Egypt’s legendary sites. The adventure begins in Cairo, where you’ll explore the Great Pyramids. Then see the Great Sphinx up close, bypassing the usual crowds. Visit the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, with a special look behind the scenes at its restoration center. Delve into the recently opened underground chambers of King Djoser’s Step Pyramid in Sakkara, and explore the tomb of Wahtye, adorned with statues, paintings, and hieroglyphs. A private flight to Luxor leads to visits to the UNESCO-listed necropolis in Thebes and rare access to Queen Nefertari’s tomb, known for its vivid wall paintings. Embark Sanctuary Nile Adventurer for your Nile River voyage, which takes you to sublime tombs and temples in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan, with a private plane journey to the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel. Conclude your journey in Cairo. You may choose to take part in an optional postlude in Jordan featuring the resplendent ancient wonders of Amman and Petra.
Traveling with You: Christopher Noey is an art historian, author, and an Emmy award-winning producer of films on art and culture who has been traveling to Egypt for 40 years. An expert in Asian and Islamic art, Mr. Noey has taught at Williams College and the City College of New York.
Land/Cruise Rates: From $13,999 per person, double rate
For more information, contact us by phone (212-570-3755), fax (212-396-5040), or email .
Stay informed: Sign up for our e-newsletter .
To reach our tour operator directly, please contact a Met Travel consultant at Arrangements Abroad by phone 844-TRVLMET (844-878-5638); outside New York: 800-221-1944), email , or write to:
Arrangements Abroad 260 West 39th Street, 17th Floor New York, NY 10018-4424
Art Travel Design
Art Travel Design is an innovative travel company based in London and Venice.
With over 10 years of experience crafting bespoke and pre-arranged insider journeys for the contemporary traveler, our specialist-led art tours are carefully curated to deliver memorable, immersive experiences. , expect seamless organization, exclusive access, and plenty of fun—turning every journey into something truly unique., what clients say about us.
"Thank you for your wonderful organization, you were like the swan. Smooth and calm yet pedalling away under water to make everything so wonderful and seamless!"
Margaret M. (Irl) / trip to Venice, 2022
"The trip was so carefully organised and Giorgia has looked after us superbly. The whole trip has been a fantastic success. We all had a tremendous time"
Carolyn T. (UK) / Private trip to the gardens of Provence, 2022
"What a magical trip to Havana! Thank you for doing such a marvelous job organizing us and befriending everyone so that we all felt warm and welcome in Cuba"
Christine K. (US) / Specialists study trip to Cuba, 2019
"Barbara and I would like to thank you for the wonderful tour and the perfect organisation - we appreciate the effort that goes into organising such an event for a demanding clientele. It would be a pleasure to have the opportunity to travel with you again in the future"
Hellmuth W. ( Ger ) / Secret gardens trip to Normandy , 2019
"Everything was fabulous and the staff quite delightful. Nothing was too much trouble. Our tour manager being the right mixture of efficiency and friendliness"
Karen H. / Music trip to Milan, 2021
" A big big thank you for everything in Venice. I wouldn't have managed without your care in organising the trip and finding the best restaurants and visits in town "
Farah F. ( NYC ) / Venice Biennale trip , 20 19
Where to go for the best high art travel experiences
Recently updated on July 13th, 2023 at 04:45 pm
Discovering art on your travels is one of the best ways to get to know new cultures and histories. From exploring art galleries to strolling through street art, there are so many ways to get inspired by art travel . Whether you want to feast your eyes on works by Europe’s greatest masters, famous graffiti art, incredible architecture, or modern sculptures, here are some of the best destinations for the ultimate high art travel experiences.
Florence, Italy
If you’re looking for the best art travel experiences, you can’t miss the gorgeous Italian city of Florence. It was the cradle of the Renaissance, home to some of the world’s most Old Masters including Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Raphael and Titian. From churches to chapels to galleries, there are endless masterpieces to feast your eyes on.
So what are the must-do’s in this artistic city? Start with Michelangelo’s legendary David sculpture and the famous Uffizi gallery where you can see da Vinci’s The Annunciation, Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch, and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. You also can’t miss seeing Brunelleschi’s incredible duomo at the Florence Cathedral. If you’re looking for some lesser-known gems, check out the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, which also holds art from the Duomo, and the Bargello sculpture museum, home to early works by Michelangelo.
GET INSPIRED BY: Best of Italy
Melbourne, Australia
As the cultural capital of Australia, art lovers flock to Melbourne, where art seems to, quite literally, flow out of the streets. The vibrant street art is one of the most beloved characteristics of the city, and you can go wandering through the laneways of Melbourne’s CBD to discover side alleys covered in graffiti art, spray paint, stencils and installations created by both local and international artists. As you marvel at all the different artworks, you’ll also stumble upon small galleries, boutique designer stores, lively bars, and cafes serving up the famous Melbourne coffee.
Don’t miss Hosier Lane, ACDC Lane, Union Lane, Degrave Street and Croft Alley in Chinatown. You can also see New York artist Keith Haring’s renovated 1980s mural at Johnston Street in Collingwood. For more art on the streets, head to the Bourke Street Mall to see Simon Perry’s Public Purse. There’s also Birrarung Marr Park where you’ll see the Federation Bells and Deborah Halpern’s Angel sculpture.
RELATED CONTENT: 7 of the best spots in Darwin for discovering Indigenous Australian art
Once you’ve got your fill of street art, there’s art galleries galore! The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is home to some of the country’s biggest collections of art, with two sites houses both an international collection and an Australian indigenous and non-indigenous collection. Soak up the works of Dalí and Picasso, or check out Australian artists like Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin. You can also visit the trendy Fitzroy district to see the Gertrude Contemporary or head to the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.
GET INSPIRED BY: Great Ocean road and Kangaroo Island Escape
Paris, France
An artistic powerhouse, Paris is one of the ultimate art lover destinations in the world. It’s famed for its legendary art galleries like the Louvre (home to da Vinci’s iconic Mona Lisa) and Musée d’Orsay. There’s also the Centre Pompidou, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, and the Musée National Picasso-Paris (which houses Parisian resident Pablo Picasso’s private collection)… And there are over 1,000 more spread across the city.
RELATED CONTENT: Where to go in Paris to retrace the footsteps of the 1920’s ‘Lost Generation’ of artists and writers
But Paris is more than simply art galleries. There are beautiful neighbourhoods like Montmartre and Belleville to explore, with stunning architecture and vibrant street art to enjoy while you fill up on macarons and croissants in quaint cafés. You can even head to the nearby Palace of Versailles for an unforgettable visual feast, or take a day trip to the village of Giverny, the home of the Impressionist master Claude Monet. You’ll see the gorgeous pink farmhouse where Monet lived and wander through the dreamy gardens that inspired his famous paintings.
GET INSPIRED BY: Paris Explorer
New York City, USA
Famed as the art capital of the world, the Big Apple is a must-do travel experience for art lovers. It’s home to three of the world’s most renowned art galleries; The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) , the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim. But the highlights don’t stop there. New York is also home to the Whitney Museum of American Art, where you can see Warhols and O’Keefes. And don’t miss the Frick Collection of Old Master paintings and fine art by the likes of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Bellini and Fragonard.
RELATED CONTENT: A guide to Antibes: the French Riviera town that inspired some of the world’s greatest artists
If you’re after something a little more contemporary, head to the Socrates Sculpture Garden and Queens Museum in the borough of Queens. Or check out the funky Bushwick neighbourhood in Brooklyn for incredible street art and cutting-edge galleries. There’s also the Red Hook neighbourhood, the artist’s hub where you can explore galleries, use studios, or take art lessons. There are endless artistic pleasures to enjoy in New York and you could spend weeks soaking it all in… Lucky for you, it’s the city that never sleeps!
GET INSPIRED BY: East Coast USA and Canada
Barcelona, Spain
Famed for its architecture, parks and museums, Barcelona is a mecca for art travel experiences. It was the stomping ground of Catalonia’s most famous artists and architects including Antoni Gaudí and Salvador Dalí, and you’ll find their works spread across the city. Don’t miss La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s magnificent masterpiece that’s still under construction, and his Parc Güell, lined with psychedelic mosaics. For more architectural magic, visit Casa Batllò and Casa Milà, or La Pedrera , the last private residence designed by Gaudí.
RELATED CONTENT: What to know before visiting the golden triangle of art in Madrid
You can also visit Museu Picasso where you’ll find one of the biggest collections of art by the Spanish master (over 3,500 works!), or wander through the Gothic Quarter, filled with vibrant street art. And don’t miss the El Raval area, where you’ll find modern exhibitions at the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, along with trendy bars, boutiques and street art. If you’re a Dalí fan, take a day trip to Figueres, where you can visit the Dalí Theatre and Museum. The building itself is the world’s largest surrealistic object, built by Dalí on the ruins of a 19th-century theatre destroyed during the Spanish Civil War.
GET INSPIRED BY: Treasures of Spain and Portugal
Mexico City , Mexico
Mexico City is an unmissable stop on any list of the best contemporary art travel experiences. The political art movements that thrived from the 1920s to the ‘70s coloured the city in social realist murals and incredible architecture. You can spend hours seeking out the greats like Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Be sure to visit the Barragán House by the famous Mexican architect Luis Barragán, and Frida Kahlo’s La Casa Azul, the electric-blue house in the Coyoacan district that’s become an art pilgrimage site. Kahlo once lived in the house and it now houses a large collection of her work and personal items.
Explore the Palacio de Bellas Artes for the most famous artworks, including Rivera’s reproduction of the Man at the Crossroads and murals by Rufino Tamayo. Take a stroll through the UNESCO-listed campus of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to see the beautiful murals by the likes of Siqueiros and Juan O’Gorman. You can even head to the Mercado Abelardo L. Rodríguez, a produce market where Rivera once encouraged his students to paint.
RELATED CONTENT: Where to find the best street art in Santiago, Chile
London, United Kingdom
Where do you begin your art travel experience in London? Whether you’re after classic, contemporary or something else, London has it all. The city is home to over 1,000 galleries – including some of the world’s largest and most famous – like Tate Modern , where you can see works by Picasso and Warhol. There’s also the National Gallery (see works by van Gogh and Constable here), the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the cutting-edge Saatchi Gallery. It’s also a street art mecca, home to works by Bansky and colourful murals in neighbourhoods like Shoreditch and Brixton.
If you’re after something more traditionalist, visit the royal collections at Kensington Palace and The Wallace Collection in Marylebone. Or if you prefer modern art, check out the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park, the Whitechapel Gallery or the Chisenhale Gallery. You could even head to the Fashion and Textile Museum, or explore the vibrant West End. London has inspired the likes of David Hockney, Lucian Freud, William Morris, along with Shakespeare, Dickens, Eliot and Orwell… And you’re almost guaranteed to find something in this city to inspire your artistic journey too.
GET INSPIRED BY: London Explorer
What are your favourite art lover destinations or art travel experiences? Let us know in the comments below!
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How Our Tours Work
All of our tours are private, not public. So the tour is arranged just for you and yours.
- We recommend using our online booking tool for up-to-date availability.
- Select your tour experience and set your preferred date and time.
- Our booking system will help you select the right guide from our team of art historians based on the guides' availability.
- Tell us a bit about your interests and private group. We'll customize your tour from there.
- Your confirmation will show where the guide will meet you at the museum.
- Private tours for 1 - 4 people in your group booked online* are $225 per hour (a $5 discount over tours booked via email or phone).
- All tours have a two-hour minimum.
- Additional people and/or additional time have an additional fee.
- Museum admission needs to be added for each person. This will be added during your booking.
- We'll get your tickets ahead of time for you. So you can skip the lines!
Prefer a personalized booking experience?
* For those who need a bit more service via email and phone, our pricing is $225 per hour for 1 – 4 people. Larger groups are $50 per adult, $25 per child.
Real Art Historians, not scripted actors
ART SMART's art guides are primarily graduate-level professional art historians from top universities who have their fingers on the pulse of the art world.
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Personal Art Travel Itineraries Crafted for You and Yours
Art Smart Travels plans and leads private art tours through a broad range of locations in the United States and Europe. Our elite, personalized travel programs cater to your specific interests and needs so that you spend your time with personally satisfying treasures that will mean the most to you. Our travel advisory services include:
- Itinerary planning for self-guided tours An Art Smart consultant will work with you to develop a detailed itinerary featuring the perfect mix of experiences for your destination. We’ll assemble a portfolio of cultural resources, design a workable schedule, and arrange luxury travel programs that will make your experience insightful, delightful, and stress-free. Thanks to our extensive network of contacts, we can assist you in the selection of a local art expert to guide you in most locales.
- Escorted travel For a luxury experience, an Art Smart art historian can travel with you to provide the personalized guidance through art museums and cultural monuments. Along the way, you will receive expedited and VIP-level access to art venues.
Are You Traveling as a Family with Kids in Tow?
Art Smart knows how to make the most of your family’s travels around the world. We’ll start by building a custom list of recommended books and resources that are great for introducing your family to the area that you’ll be visiting. Then we’ll send you on your way with a custom guide to the can’t-miss masterpieces at your destination.
From the New York City Tri-State Area
We can use local art collections to familiarize your family with what you should look for while you are traveling. For a truly unforgettable experience, an Art Smart expert can travel with your family to provide the highest possible level of on-site expertise and guidance.
Let Art Smart Travels Assist with Your Next Cultural Trip
Give us a call at (212) 595-4444 or email . Tell us when and where you will be traveling, what you hope to see, and a little bit about your interests. With that, we’ll create the perfect experience for you.
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