Cappadocia, Istanbul, and the Heart of Turkey with Nigel McGilchrist
September 17 to October 1, 2011

This tour, planned and led by scholar Nigel McGilchrist, begins with two nights in Turkey’s modern capital of Ankara and ends with three nights exploring some of Nigel's favorite hidden gems in Istanbul. Highlights along the way include the Ottoman town of Safranbolu, the astrological temples of Urfa, the rock-cut villages of Cappadocia, and the colossal sculpted heads of Mount Nemrut.

Click here for more information

Discover Barcelona’s Gothic quarter and the architecture of Gaudi; Granada’s Alhambra Palace; the Moorish architecture and whitewashed villages of Andalucia; and Madrid’s exquisite museums during this week in Spain.

Click here for more information

Venice and the Veneto from Palladian Masterpieces to the Venice Biennale
October 17 to 26, 2011

Venture into privately owned villas, including some of the finest masterworks of the hugely influential Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, and behind the Byzantine facades and tall stained glass windows that rise above the Grand Canal on this insider’s tour of Venice and the Veneto, timed to coincide with the Venice Biennale.

Click here for more information

Sail to seven countries from Greece to Morocco, through four millennia of Mediterranean history and culture. Discover the intricate connections between the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Carthaginians as they crisscrossed each others’ paths for trade, colonization and conquest. These extraordinary – and often, highly unusual – destinations have been chosen to highlight the “layering” of the centuries, providing a breathtaking experience of the future as seen from the most ancient eyes, and the textured past as we see it today.

Click here for more information

Bhutan: Buddhist Art and Culture in the Land of the Thunder Dragon
October 24 to November 6, 2011

Tucked away in the Himalayas, Bhutan's astonishing beauty and unique traditions have long been protected by virtue of its remoteness. Throughout this tour, there will be special meetings with artisans, villagers, Bhutanese professionals and dignitaries, and experts on the country's fascinating art and culture. Visit the majestic Taktsang Lhakang, also known as the Tiger's Nest, Bhutan's iconic cliff-side temple, and many other sacred sites. Explore remote villages and hidden valleys, focusing on the rich tradition in Buddhist art, while experiencing Bhutan's delicate and charming daily life.

Click here for more information

Culture and Arts of St. Petersburg
November 10 to 18, 2011 

Many of Russia’s great cultural riches are concentrated in St. Petersburg, one of the 21st century’s most captivating and dynamic cities. During seven nights based at one hotel, visit the Palace of Pavlovsk, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, the famous Amber Room in Catherine’s Palace, and the Hermitage during a special early-opening visit.

Click here for more information

Return to Travel main menu