Vast, intricate palaces trimmed with gold, barely explored temples shrouded in vines, exquisitely crafted sculptures, crumbling fortresses, and museums brimming with original artwork… Whether you're an art aficionado or history enthusiast, travel can reinvigorate your passion and give you new perspectives. Our specialists have explored all corners of the globe to find the best ways to experience the world’s historical and artistic treasures on your art- or history-focused vacation.
Wherever you go, we can help you appreciate both well-known and under-the-radar sights, seeing them in a new light with the help of our expert guides. You might gaze upon Michelangelo’s David in situ while learning more about the artist and his techniques. Follow in the footsteps of soldiers and explorers for a depth of understanding you won’t get from a textbook. Or, discover the stories surrounding museum pieces recovered from ancient civilizations.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Global Travel Advisors
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Our recommended art and history trip ideas
Our art- and history-inspired trips below are designed to give you a fresh perspective on some of the world's masterpieces, legends, and monumental moments, all with the help of our knowledgeable local guides.
Our expert guides to planning your art and history vacations
Brimming with expert insights and advice, the travel guides below are designed to inspire and inform your art- or history-focused trip, whether you want to visit Inca sites or stay in an Indian palace. Our specialists share how you can best explore art, history, and ancient cultures in just some of our destinations.
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Peru’s Inca wonders beyond Machu Picchu ![Archaeological ruins at Moray]()
Peru’s Inca wonders beyond Machu Picchu
Peru’s Inca wonders beyond Machu Picchu
Former Cuzco resident Fiona shares her choice of her adopted country’s lesser-known Inca ruins, which share Machu Picchu’s geography but not its fame. She explains how to delve even deeper into the best archaeological sites of the Peruvian Incas.
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Exploring classical Greece: Five essential destinations ![Erechtheum, Athens]()
Exploring classical Greece: Five essential destinations
Exploring classical Greece: Five essential destinations
Explore the cradle of European culture with Greece specialist Abbey on this tour of five classical destinations, from the sun-bleached Parthenon in Athens to the sacred island of Delos, which the ancients believed to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
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Italy’s art cities: Venice, Florence and Rome ![Michelangelo's 'David', Florence]()
Italy’s art cities: Venice, Florence and Rome
Italy’s art cities: Venice, Florence and Rome
From classical Roman statues through Renaissance frescoes to modern installations, you can trace a complete history of Western art in Italy’s great cities. Specialist Kimberly talks about how to deal with the crowds as you take in these important works.
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Uncover ancient Britain beyond Stonehenge ![Roman Baths, Bath]()
Uncover ancient Britain beyond Stonehenge
Uncover ancient Britain beyond Stonehenge
Stonehenge is the most popular prehistoric site in Britain, but it’s not the country’s only ancient attraction. Discover the limits of Roman power at Hadrian’s Wall, a Stone Age barrow near Avebury and Bronze Age cairns featured in Outlander.
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Palaces and regal stays in India ![Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur]()
Palaces and regal stays in India
Palaces and regal stays in India
Private butlers, priceless chandeliers, and gilded furniture: life as an Indian royal was the epitome of opulence. With many royal residences now palatial hotels, you can taste life as a maharaja or maharani. We’ve chosen the best regal experiences from Rajasthan to Varanasi.
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The King's Highway in Jordan ![Kerak Castle]()
The King's Highway in Jordan
The King's Highway in Jordan
Traveling the Kings' Highway in Jordan means seeing 5,000 years of history. Visit sites of the Holy Land, the churches at Madaba and Mount Nebo, the castles of Kerak and Shawbak, as well as the ancient city of Petra.
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Explore the mysteries of Petra ![The Monastery, Petra]()
Explore the mysteries of Petra
Explore the mysteries of Petra
A hidden city that’s carved into sandstone cliffs, Petra was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Jordan specialist Nick offers a guide to the history and important sites in this vast city.
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Past civilizations of Ancient Egypt ![Abu Simbel, Egypt]()
Past civilizations of Ancient Egypt
Past civilizations of Ancient Egypt
Discover the culture and history of Ancient Egypt on a tailor-made vacation. Our knowledgeable specialists can create a unique itinerary for you that suits your interests, including a few places that you might not have known about.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Southeast Asia ![Young monks studying the bas relief, Angkor Wat]()
UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Southeast Asia
UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Southeast Asia
Whether you want to spot elephants in the wild, marvel at intricate carvings on ancient temple walls, or sample locally produced coffee on the banks of the Mekong, Southeast Asia’s UNESCO sites showcase the region’s wealth of cultures and histories. Specialist Mark reveals his recommendations.
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Explore the Renaissance ![Interior of Florence Duomo]()
Explore the Renaissance
Explore the Renaissance
Walk in Da Vinci’s footsteps, marvel at Michelangelo’s genius and see Shakespeare’s plays as he intended. Our Europe specialists suggest ways to explore the Renaissance across the continent, including both must-see destinations and lesser-known sights that you might otherwise overlook.
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The best World War II sites in Western Europe ![Dover Castle]()
The best World War II sites in Western Europe
The best World War II sites in Western Europe
In many ways, World War II still shapes the cities and landscapes of Western Europe. Here are a handful of the war’s most compelling sites, including the beaches at Normandy, a naval headquarters in Liverpool and a secret tunnel under Naples.
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Inspiration for art and history explorations from our blog
Retrace the past or take a deep dive into the world’s most celebrated masterpieces — our collection of blog articles below will provide some inspiration for your art- or history-focused trip.
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![Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara]()
Stately stays — Castle hotels in Scotland, Ireland and England
From stately castles overlooking windswept lochs to bucolic manor houses tucked into the hills of the Cotswolds, we suggest hotels that offer you the chance to stay in places once occupied by the royals and aristocrats of Scotland, Ireland and England.
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![Bridge over the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi]()
The Bridge on the River Kwai
This iconic landmark serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities suffered here during World War II. The nearby museum highlights the plight of the POWs and Asian laborers tortured by the Japanese, whilst the beautifully maintained World War II cemetery provides a quiet sanctuary for reflection.
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![Highclere Castle]()
A Downton Abbey tour of England
From the narrow lanes of Bampton Village to the lofty halls of Highclere Castle, UK specialist Andea outlines the best way to see filming locations and other sights important to fans of Downton Abbey, both the show and the movie.
