Our country specialists help you see the world your way by creating meaningful travel experiences shaped around your passions. That could include guiding you to the art world’s most significant landmarks while helping you to explore them in a new light, from behind-the-scenes glimpses to one-on-one tours. Or, we could design a trip to lesser-known cultural sites, where local guides will give you fresh perspectives that deepen and diversify your understanding of global art heritage.
Wherever you choose to travel, we’ll suggest experiences that will enhance your visit and help you explore your interests further — you could be crafting an elaborate Carnevale mask with a master maker in Venice, examining the intricate carvings etched into Cambodia’s temples from atop their 900-year-old walls, or admiring Australia’s earliest artworks with an Aboriginal expert.
Our specialists regularly return to their countries of expertise so they can provide you with unparalleled knowledge as you plan your next trip. They can tell you where to sample the most authentic local foods, recommend stays that continue to strike inspiration after a day of perusing museums and galleries, and match you with guides who have gusto for the same things you do.
Speak to our team
Start planning your bespoke trip by quoting ‘the Arts Society'
01993 461 545
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 trip
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 ![Moray agricultural terraces]()
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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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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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
Travelling the King's 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 civilisations of Ancient Egypt ![Abu Simbel, Egypt]()
Past civilisations of Ancient Egypt
Past civilisations of Ancient Egypt
Discover the culture and history of Ancient Egypt on a tailor-made trip. 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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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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![Glover Gardens]()
From ancient Egypt to 1920s Shanghai — Walk where history happened
You don’t need to visit a battlefield, museum or palace to see where history happened. For a more intimate look, you can tour conservation labs in Egypt, explore the Bourbon tunnels under Naples or discover the 16th-century history of Nagasaki.
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![Nelson Mandela Capture Site Memorial,The Midlands]()
Beyond Robben Island: ways to explore Mandela’s life and legacy in South Africa
To commemorate the centennial of Nelson Mandela’s birth, Audley specialist Cara suggests ways you can walk in the footsteps of the great leader on a tailor-made trip to South Africa. She recommends the best guided tours and off-the-beaten-track experiences.
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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 labourers tortured by the Japanese, whilst the beautifully maintained World War II cemetery provides a quiet sanctuary for reflection.
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![Mirror reflections, Antarctica]()
Following in Shackleton's footsteps in South Georgia & Antarctica
Polar regions specialist Lizzie embarks on a special voyage commemorating the centenary of Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1917.
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![San Agustin archaeological park]()
Forgotten and abandoned places, refound
As the nights shorten, our travel musings take on a tinge of the macabre. Here, our specialists interpret what it means for a place to be forgotten. They explain why a particular place speaks to them — and why you should visit.
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![Artefacts on display in the Gold Museum, Bogotá]()
Treasures of Latin America
We explore some of the best museums in Latin America, the incredible finds that have been discovered and their fascinating history.
