The Artist’s Guide to Day Tripping - Europe

Enjoy this eclectic collection of exclusive European private tours, designed for those with an eye for art. Our Virtuoso Europe Vacation Specialists design exclusive private tours for the luxury traveler. If you can dream it up we can make it happen.  Call TravelWizard.com at 1-800-330-8820 to enquire about a private tour while you are on vacation in Europe.

Bergamo, Italy - Culture, History, Art, Nobility & Stucco
Take a tour into the glorious past of Bergamo. This tour covers three centuries of artisanal history (16th – 18th), with examples of inlaid wooden work by Lorenzo Lotto and G. Capoferri as well as stucco works in S. Maria Maggiore. Rendezvous with the aristocracy of Bergamo for an appetizer or brunch in the magnificent Palazzo Terzi.  Afterwards, spend time with a one of the Palazzo’s stucco decorators and enjoy a demonstration of the preparation of the stucco works to learn the age old techniques that no text book can teach only experience and tradition, can tell us. From the Palazzo, accompany Mr. Volpini to his store to view various completed works. The tour ends with a final glance at the unique and magical atmosphere of the Piazza Vecchia.

Budapest, Hungary - Danube Bend Excursion                             

This forty mile long stretch of the Danube features three historically very important towns. Besides history one can enjoy the natural beauty of the Danube Valley as well. Stop in Szentendre, a quaint medieval town full of art galleries, museums and shops. In the early 20th century the town has become the center of modern art and today is home to several modern art museums and art galleries. Explore the Margaret Kovacs ceramic museum and art galleries. Visit Visegrad, the ruins of a medieval castle, offering spectacular views of the Danube valley. Enjoy lunch in Visegrad in a medieval restaurant along river Danube and then continue to Esztergom. Entrance to the Treasury holds a stunning collection of medieval religious art.

Barcelona, Spain - Art & Culture
Barcelona is a beautiful Mediterranean city that offers an impressive artistical and cultural heritage. Particularly renowned are architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Walk through the Gothic quarter ending up at the Modernist area. You will visit the Cathedral and its cloister, the Call (old Jewish quarter), drive the Paseo de Gracia and visit Gaudí’s masterpiece the Sagrada Familia Church.

Amsterdam, Holland - Aalsmeer Flower Auction & The Hague and Delft
Explore the center of flower culture at Aalsmeer, the royal city of the Hague and the city of the artist Vemeer: Delft. Begin your tour with a visit to the flower auction of Aalsmeer, you will be amazed by the trolleys full with flowers. Proceed to The Hague, start at North Sea Beach, definitely visit the Panorama Mesdag, the largest painting of the world which tells the story of the old fisherman’s villages along the North Sea Coast.  Continue to the Mauritshuis, that houses the Royal Cabinet of Paintings, one of the most famous collections in the world. The core of the collection consists of masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Jan Steen and Frans Hals. After lunch head off to the city to Delft. This is the city where Vermeer lived and painted. Walk in the beautiful old centre of the town along the canals and many almshouses. Finally, you will want to visit The Royal Dutch Delftware Manufactory De Porceleyne Fles. The world famous Royal Delftware is still entirely hand-painted according to centuries old tradition. During the tour you will get an insight in the process of making Delftware by the old techniques and see the talented artists paint the Royal Delftware.

Berlin, Germany - Discover the Artistic Side of Berlin
Visit Berlin’s world-renowned art collections housed in over 150 museums including the new Jewish Museum designed by Daniel Libeskind.  The newly-reopened German Historical Museum. The Alte Nationalgalerie, featuring 19th c German painting and Sculpture. Mies van der Rohe’s Neue Nationalgalerie a Modern Art Collection in a spectacular setting.  The Hamburger Bahnhof contemporary art in a 19th c. railway terminal. Old Master Painting Gallery which houses 13th through 18th c. European paintings. Finally, walk the “Scheunenviertel” Historic Jewish Quarter, now bustling with galleries, boutiques, and cafes tucked away in charming 19th c. courtyards.