Looking to take an art tour? Find culture all over the globe.
I know if you can dream it, we can find a way to do it.
Q: I saw your article on the Chelsea Flower Show a couple weeks ago. It made me wonder if you might also have art tours of Europe, too.
A: Yes, sir! I've been a travel agent for way too many years, and, basically, I know if you can dream it, we can find a way to do it. For 2019, cultural trip requests do seem to be trending. Let me give you an idea of a trip offered by one of the leading tour companies we sell at Monroe Travel Service. They call this fully escorted tour an "art aficionado's dream."
What I think you would like about this 15-day journey is how it gets you straight into the places you want to be and includes visits to all the iconic museums, galleries, churches, and monasteries that are home to the masters of painting, sculpture and architecture. For example, the trip begins in Rome, where you are given VIP access to the Vatican Museums and a behind-the-scene pass to the Bramante Staircase, normally off limits to visitors.
Of course, the tour also allows time to toss a couple of coins into the Trevi Fountain, see the Pantheon, visit the Galleria Borghese, dine in the Piazza Novona, and roam the streets of Rome before heading to Florence via the beautiful Tuscan countryside. In the home of the Renaissance, you will explore the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest and most famous art museums in the world and appreciate the best of Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raphael before exploring the Duomo's bell tower and Ghiberti's 'Gates of Paradise' baptistry.
After a couple of nights in Florence, you are off to Milan,with stops in Vinci and Lucca included, of course. At the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, you will stand amazed at Leonardo Da Vinci's fresco of "The Last Supper." Everything about this stunning Cathedral will simply blow your mind!
The journey between Milan and Basel, Switzerland is filled with Mother Nature's art work as you stroll and shop in the alpine villages en route. Your stop in Basel is all about the Beyeler Museum, featuring the private collection of Ernst and Hildy Beyeler. Not only will you be charmed by the town of Basel, but the 300 pieces of art by masters like Cezanne, Picasso, Rousseau,and Matisse at the Beyeler are sure to impress, too!
From Basel, Switzerland, your sense of taste will be treated to the local wines of Burgundy before your arrival in Paris. A tour of the city's most popular sites and even time to explore on your own is followed by a special night tour of the renowned Louvre Museum. To see the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo from this perspective-- and without the crowds--should be an amazing memory.
Thanks to special access and excellent local experts, a visit to the Musee d'Orsay the next day will be another memorable event. I loved the Musee 'd Orsay, not only because I think it is fun to say, but the Impressionist period has always been my most favorite. The works of Monet, Degas, Manet, Cezzane and Van Gogh which are displayed here are so beautiful to me, and, after this museum visit, there is time to visit Giverny and see Monet's Gardens, the place of his inspiration, but wait, that's not all!
No art tour would be complete without a visit to Amsterdam! Not only is this city a living museum of the 17th century, but it is home to the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. This 15 day whirlwind art lover's trip ends with a cruise on the canals of Amsterdam, and, if you want more details, ask for a free brochure on this "art aficionado's dream trip!"
Q: Can you help me get to Oktoberfest?
A: Most definitely! I will be happy to send you a free brochure on this "cultural" tour of a different sense, but, to be honest, most of our tours only include a couple of nights in Munich, which may or may not be what you had in mind.
Although Oktoberfest does have a party atmosphere much like Mardi Gras, it is very localized to about 15 huge tents set up in the city center of Munich. Over 6.9 million people from around the world participated in this 17 day festival, which begins at noon on September 17 and ends at noon on October 6. They enjoyed it so much that they drank over 7.5 million liters of beer. FYI: that's like 1.98 million gallons of beer!
Now, if you want only air and hotel to Munich, we should get busy really soon. Tickets for the beer tents usually come online this month, and the most popular tents book up quickly. Be sure and check out the entire schedule of events before choosing your reserved seat in your tent in order to maximize your experience. Keep in mind that week ends are always the busiest.
Yet, if you want a chance to experience the Oktoberfest with a centrally located hotel, reserved tent seats, and a little partying from your vacation, but wish to see more of Europe while you are there, then let me give you an example of an 11 day trip from Berlin to Vienna that does just that.
The trip departs on September 22, and, in addition to VIP seating, Bavarian beer , entertainment and amusement rides, and a 3 course meal at the Ochsenbraterei Tent, the journey will include a chance to meet and dine with a direct descendant of the famous fighter WWI pilot the Red Baron at Eckberg Castle overlooking the Elbe Valley. If that is not impressive enough, you will also visit the location of the "Sound of Music" and Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg, sail on a river cruise in Melk, and dance the waltz in Vienna.
This escorted tour is priced from $3790 per person, so maybe you should get out the lederhosen and your best low- cut frilly Bavarian dress and join in the excitement and festivities of Oktoberfest! There is still have time to work on your stein-chugging skills, but reserving a spot for your tush in one of the tents is the first priority here, and, for that reason, we need to talk ASAP.
Q: What is Oberammergau all about? When is it and do you have a tour there?
A: The Passion Play is a huge world wide event performed once in a decade in the little German village of Oberammergau. The next performance will occur every day from May to October in 2020. To give you an idea of its popularity, we are already booking tour programs, as well as a few river cruises, featuring the play.
The story behind Oberammergau is quite amazing. In 1633, this little Bavarian village was suffering from the Bubonic Plague. The surviving villagers prayed for Divine intervention to save their families.They vowed to God that if He would spare their lives and those of their loved ones, they would perform a Passion Play in his son's honor every 10 years.
Their prayers were answered. Not another person died from the plague, and, ever since 1633, the people of Oberammergau have kept their promise. Today, many of the local residents participate in this powerful outdoor performance of art and music celebrating the life of Christ.
So, although it is a year away, at Monroe Travel Service, we are already selling tours from 7 to 14 days which include reserved seat tickets to Oberammergau's extremely inspirational Passion Play and accommodations. Because it happens only once every 10 years, maybe this is the decade you need to catch it!
Thank you so much for your emails, and, if you ever need help with your travel related questions or plans, please call one of the travel advisors at Monroe Travel Service. Please remember: life is short. You need to go as far as you can for as long as you can! Hope to see you out there on the roads of our world!
Dianne Newcomer is a travel agent at Monroe Travel Service, 1908 Glenmar Avenue, just off N.19th and Tower. Call 318 323 3465 or email info@monroetravel.com and ask one of our travel advisors for help with your next adventure.