Travel with The Met

Set out on an exploration of Scotland’s famed western Highlands aboard the luxurious Royal Scotsman.  Before boarding the train to discover the countryside’s misty glens and brooding castles, spend five days in lively Edinburgh.  Experience some of the city’s many artistic offerings during the Fringe and International Festivals, and enjoy a private reception in an impressive Georgian townhouse. Take an excursion south for an exclusive house tour given by a Lady whose family has been in residence since the 15th century, visit the eclectic home of Sir Walter Scott, and take a day trip to the newly opened V & A Dundee.

Traveling with You: Melanie Holcomb, a specialist in the luxury arts of the Middle Ages. An engaging teacher and lecturer, Dr. Holcomb was a featured speaker at TEDxMet, and has accompanied several Travel with The Met groups in the past.

Land/Rail Rate: $12,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Immerse yourself in the arts during an end-of-summer escape to the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts. Enjoy special access to museums in Stockbridge, Lenox, Williamstown, and North Adams; an insider visit to the Museum at Williams College; lunch at a charming country inn; and private receptions and visits to some of the area’s finest museums and sites. Tour Chesterwood, the summer home and studio of acclaimed sculptor Daniel Chester French, where a special reception will be a highlight. We will also visit Tanglewood, which will have closed for the season, for an exclusive performance and lunch. Accommodations during this exciting Berkshires experience are at the newly renovated and historic Cranwell Resort. An optional postlude in southern Vermont is offered.

Traveling with You: Thayer Tolles, the Marica F. Vilcek Curator of American Painting and Sculpture at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Land Rate: $5,999*
*Complimentary transfer provided from Manhattan.

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Join an expert museum educator for a new twist on a classic trip to the magnificent homes and gardens of Ireland. Begin in Dublin for an immersion in elegant Georgian architecture, world-class museums, and sumptuous estates and grounds. In the charming medieval town of Kilkenny, visit castles and a magnificent cathedral, and dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Conclude in Galway to discover Kylemore Abbey, an imposing castle that contains a Victorian walled garden and is surrounded by miles of country wilderness. Optional prelude in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Traveling with You: Alice Schwarz, Educator. In her Connections episode, she reflects on how hands reveal information about a person. 

Land Rate: $8,779

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Join an expert in Asian art for a journey through captivating lands where artistry, rich cultural tradition, and spiritual enlightenment come together amid the majesty of the mighty Himalayas.  Begin in Bhutan to discover stunning monasteries perched on high cliffs, living temples, and massive palaces. In the capital city of Thimphu, visit with local artisans who create meticulously designed textiles and admire the throne of the Bhutanese kingdom. Continue to Nepal, where highlights include special meetings with a Nepalese journalist, a diplomat, and a curator. In Tibet, visit Potala Palace, the impressive chief residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959, and witness a debating ceremony by monks at Sera Monastery. Optional prelude in Bangkok; optional postlude to Gyantse and Shigatse, Tibet.

Traveling with You: Kurt A. Behrendt, who has been at The Met since 2006. He has curated more than a half-dozen exhibitions including Buddhism along the Silk Road (2012), Tibet and India: Buddhist Traditions and Transformations (2014), and Cosmic Buddhas in the Himalayas (2017).

Land Rate: $14,499

Activity Level: Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Discover the glories of the ancient world while traveling aboard an elegant, three-masted sailing ship. In Valletta, board Sea Cloud II to circumnavigate Sicily on one of our most popular cruises. Enjoy a private tour of a baron's Baroque palazzo. Visit Syracuse, once Athens’ rival in wealth and culture, and admire Agrigento, whose Valley of the Temples contains some of the finest Greek ruins in the world.  Immerse yourself in Sicily’s gorgeous climate, colors, and scenery while rediscovering a bygone era of luxury ocean travel.

Traveling with You: De Abramitis, Conservator, is principally responsible for the Greek and Roman collection. Her responsibilities include the technical examination and treatment of objects in all media. She was the supervising conservator for the 15-year reinstallation of the Greek and Roman galleries, which was completed in 2007.

Cruise Rate: From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Experience the thrill of sailing around Sicily to Naples aboard an elegant three-masted barque. Autumn, when the heat and crowds of summer are gone, is the perfect time to discover the countless cultural marvels of this stepping stone between Europe and Africa. Admire Sicily’s diverse landscapes from the comfort of Sea Cloud II, sail into legendary harbors, and step ashore to admire ancient temples and theaters and glittering mosaics. Highlights include a private tour of a Baroque palazzo with the owner. We will also visit Agrigento, whose Valley of the Temples contains some of the finest Greek ruins in the world, and the 12th-century Palatine Chapel. Optional prelude in Taormina and optional postlude in Sorrento.

Traveling with You: Adriana Rizzo, Associate Research Scientist, Department of Scientific Research. She is an expert in the materials of paintings and decorative arts, including historic interiors, sculpture, furniture, and works of art from different periods and cultures. A native of Venice, Adriana previously joined Travel with The Met in Italy in January of 2018 for our “The Arts of the Venetian Carnevale” program.

Cruise Rate: From $7,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Enjoy privileged access to the timeless treasures of Egypt during a 10-night exploration that combines travel by plane and riverboat. Discover the treasures of Giza and Cairo, including the Great Pyramids and the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Then, fly to Luxor and stay at the iconic Winter Palace. Board the luxurious Sanctuary Nile Adventurer for a three-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Fly to Abu Simbel to see the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. An optional extension in Jordan includes visits to Petra and Jerash.

Traveling with You: Diana Patch, Lila Acheson Wallace Curator in Charge of the Department of Egyptian Art. She has carried out fieldwork in Egypt for the past 35 years and is currently co-director of the Joint Expedition to Malqata, a project for mapping, excavating, and restoring the festival city of Amenhotep III in western Thebes.

Land/Cruise Rate: $9,999

Activity Level: Moderate to active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Since the days of Marco Polo, Westerners have been intrigued by China, one of the world’s most influential civilizations. Discover this extraordinary country’s unique culture on a journey to the political and commercial capitals of Beijing and Shanghai, the ancient capital of Xi’an, and along the majestic Yangtze River. A day excursion to Suzhou, one of China’s oldest and most beautiful cities, includes a visit to the lovely Master of the Fishing Nets Garden, which was the inspiration for The Met’s Astor Court. Everywhere we travel, museum directors, and private citizens will extend warm welcomes, making this program a true insider’s experience.

Traveling with You: Christopher Noey is an art historian, author, and an Emmy award-winning producer of films on art and culture. At The Met, he created video installations for a diverse array of exhibitions and interviewed several contemporary Asian artists for The Artist Project, an online series and related Phaidon publication of his interviews with 120 contemporary artists on how they are inspired by The Met and its collections. An expert on Asian art, Mr. Noey has taught at Williams College and at the City College of New York. In the Connections episode Tennessee, he talks about his childhood state and the unusual places it pops up in The Met.

Land Rate: $12,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Celebrate American art, architecture, and landscape design in two fascinating cities, with private curatorial tours and visits to collectors’ homes along the way. Begin in Kansas City, where highlights include a curatorial tour of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. See the eclectic works at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, and tour the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Drive to Bentonville to admire the magnificent collections and grand gardens of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, founded by Alice Walton and designed by Moshe Safdie. Walk along the Art Trail to experience James Turrell’s site-specific work The Way of Color, and explore the museum’s extensive American art collection.

Traveling with You: Medill Higgins Harvey, Associate Curator and Manager of the Henry R. Luce Center. She works with nineteenth- and early twentieth-century American silver and metalwork, as well as mid-nineteenth-century furniture.

Land Rate: $4,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Spend five inspiring days in Paris, where we will immerse ourselves in the culture, sights, food, and fashion that make this an endlessly enchanting city. Enjoy private and behind-the-scenes visits to some of Paris’s most highly regarded collections and museums including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and the Louis Vuitton Foundation. Walk through the historic Père Lachaise Cemetery to the final resting places of some of the world’s great artists including Edith Piaf, Frédéric Chopin, Oscar Wilde, and Gioachino Rossini. Other highlights on this classic trip are a concert in Sainte Chapelle, a behind-the-scenes tour at the Opéra Garnier, and a fashion show with a champagne reception. 

Traveling with You: Page Knox, an adjunct professor of art history at Columbia University, and a popular Met lecturer.

Land Rate: $5,699

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Experience the art, architecture, and natural beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia on an exceptional program. In Hanoi, with its French colonial architecture and Buddhist temples, meet an American gallery owner to discuss Vietnam’s contemporary art scene. Admire stunning Halong Bay during an overnight cruise aboard a small deluxe junk boat. Visit the Imperial City in Hue, former capital of Vietnam, to see how the emperors lived, and marvel at spectacular mountain scenery as we drive to charming Hoi An. In Danang, explore the legacy of the Chams, rulers of a kingdom that lasted nearly twelve centuries, then continue on to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Conclude in Siem Reap in Cambodia, where we will discover the legendary temples of Angkor with a Khmer scholar.

Traveling with You: Christopher Noey is an art historian, author, and an Emmy award-winning producer of films on art and culture. At The Met, he created video installations for a diverse array of exhibitions and interviewed several contemporary Asian artists for The Artist Project, an online series and related Phaidon publication of his interviews with 120 contemporary artists on how they are inspired by The Met and its collections. An expert on Asian art, Mr. Noey has taught at Williams College and at the City College of New York. In the Connections episode Tennessee, he talks about his childhood state and the unusual places it pops up in The Met.

Land Rate: $11,499

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Uninhabited until just five centuries ago, Bermuda offers a fascinating history and stunning terrain that have inspired artists such as Winslow Homer, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Andrew Wyeth. On this exclusive trip, tour the quaint colonial homes and towns that have been featured in masterworks of American painting. Experience island holiday spirit during the annual Bermuda National Trust Christmas Walkabout, featuring musicians, dancers, and carolers. In UNESCO-listed St. George’s Town, explore candle-lit, authentically decorated heritage buildings. View private collections and dine with the founder of the Masterworks Museum, and enjoy a private tour and reception at the Bermuda National gallery.

Traveling with You: Ashley Dunn, Assistant Curator, Department of Drawings and Prints

Land Rate: $5,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Celebrate the New Year in an age-old place on an extraordinary journey through Egypt. During a trip that combines travel by plane and riverboat, enjoy exclusive access to timeless treasures. Discover the cultural riches of Giza and Cairo, including the Great Pyramids and the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Fly to Abu Simbel to see the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, then continue to Aswan to board the luxurious Sanctuary Nile Adventurer for a four-night cruise down the Nile to Luxor. An optional extension in Jordan features visits to Petra and Jerash.

Traveling with You: Christopher Noey is an art historian, curator, author, and an Emmy award-winning producer of films on art and culture. At The Metropolitan Museum of Art, he has created video installations for a diverse array of exhibitions.

Land/Cruise Rate: From $10,999

Activity Level: Moderate to active

Download the brochure (PDF).

More than anywhere else on the Indian subcontinent, South India preserves the country’s ancient cultural traditions. Join us to traverse a landscape dotted with sacred sites and stunning structures, where colorful rites are celebrated today just as they have been for millennia. In Chennai, see masterworks of bronze and stone sculpture. Visit Kanchipuram, a living museum of temple architecture and stone carving, and Thanjavur, home to India’s most majestic temple. In the fabled city of Madurai, witness an ancient Hindu ritual that has been performed every night for at least two thousand years. Conclude in Kochi, with its stunning scenery, vibrant village life, and unique blend of Jewish, Christian, and local traditions.

Traveling with You: John Guy is the Florence and Herbert Irving Curator of South and Southeast Asian Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. He has served as an advisor to UNESCO on historical sites in southern Asia and has worked on a number of archaeological excavations.

Land Rate: $10,299

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Mérida, the charming colonial capital of the Yucatán Peninsula, can trace its roots to the ancient Maya. The city, with its cobblestoned streets and gaily painted storefronts and cafés, also boasts excellent museums featuring ancient and contemporary art. But Maya culture feels most alive in the countryside. Gain profound insight into this unique part of Mexico by staying in beautifully restored haciendas, exploring remote Maya sites, and viewing spectacular installations by contemporary artists’ works that merge modern and ancient worlds. Experience UNESCO-listed Uxmal, considered the most beautiful collection of pre-Columbian architecture in existence anywhere.

Traveling with You: Joanne Pillsbury is the Andrall E. Pearson Curator in the Department of Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, and is a specialist in the arts of the ancient Americas. In 2018, she accompanied a Travel with The Met group to Chile.

Land Rate: $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Experience Lebanon’s ancient sites and contemporary art during a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Visit the new Dalloul Art Foundation, a private art organization opening in 2020 that will house an impressive collection of modern and contemporary pieces. Meet with the director of the National Museum, tour the Aishti Foundation with its founder, converse with contemporary artists, and see some of Beirut’s top galleries. Outside of the capital, discover royal palaces in the City of Emirs, and stroll through the cedars at the largest nature reserve in Lebanon. We will also explore the ancient cities of Baalbek and Byblos. Delight in the culinary arts during a meal at one of Beirut’s finest restaurants, and relax over lunch and a wine tasting at a scenic vineyard.

Traveling with You: Kim Benzel is the Curator in Charge of the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Art at The Met. Since coming to The Met in 1990, she has worked on numerous exhibitions and related publications. Benzel has participated in several archaeological excavations, primarily at sites in Syria.

Land Rate: $6,899

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Join a Met curator of Egyptian art for an extraordinary new journey that includes the treasures of the West Bank in Luxor. Discover Nefertari’s magnificent tomb and the recently reopened Tomb of Seti I. In Aswan, stay at the legendary Old Cataract Hotel, whose famous guests have included Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill. Cruise on Lake Nasser to explore the hidden gems along its shores. On Elephantine Island, the oldest inhabited area of Aswan, visit the ruins of the Temple of Khnum and explore the colorful Nubian villages. Arrive by boat to Abu Simbel, and see the monumental temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Conclude in Cairo, where we will visit the Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of Egyptian art in the world. An optional Cairo postlude is planned.

Traveling with You: Isabel Stünkel, Associate Curator in the Department of Egyptian Art. Met, As an Egyptologist, Isabel is a specialist in ancient Egyptian culture, but time in Egypt has also given her insights into the country’s modern life. Isabel is known to the Travel with The Met community as an enthusiastic lecturer and travel companion.

Land/Cruise Rate: $12,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Experience a captivating part of the world where tradition and heritage combine with modernity and style. Visit palaces and museums in Muscat, and travel to the oasis city of Nizwa. In Dubai, tour the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, with one of its architects. Highlights in Abu Dhabi include the new Louvre Abu Dhabi. In Doha, tour the Museum of Islamic Art and the unique Arab Museum of Modern Art.

Traveling with You: Courtney Ann Stewart, Senior Research Assistant, Department of Islamic Art

Land Rate: $12,599    

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

The glory of Rome has fascinated travelers since ancient times. On this classic tour, we’ll focus on the great masters from the Renaissance to the Baroque, whose works define the opulence of this incomparable city.  Stroll through lively piazzas, walk down cobbled streets in charming neighborhoods, and step inside palatial residences.  Experience the awe-inspiring Papal enclave that is the Vatican, whose world-class museum collections showcase the city’s power to attract the greatest artists of their times. 

Traveling with You: Page Knox, an adjunct professor of art history at Columbia University, and a popular Met lecturer.

Land Rate: $5,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Experience Israel’s well-preserved ancient treasures, prehistoric natural wonders, and contemporary art scene. Discover Jerusalem’s UNESCO-listed Old City, witness the first-hand artistic restoration of ancient masterpieces at a conservation laboratory, and marvel at the Dead Sea Scrolls. Ascend by cable car to Masada, an ancient fortress that towers over awe-inspiring desert landscapes. At the Dead Sea, enjoy an opportunity to float in buoyant mineral-rich waters. Meet the local artists, craftspeople, and merchants who have re-defined Israel as a vibrant creative destination. Optional Galilee and Haifa prelude; optional Jordan postlude.

Traveling with You: Christopher Noey is an art historian, author, and an Emmy award-winning producer of films on art and culture. At The Met, he created video installations for a diverse array of exhibitions and interviewed several contemporary Asian artists for The Artist Project, an online series and related Phaidon publication of his interviews with 120 contemporary artists on how they are inspired by The Met and its collections.

Land Rate: $9,899

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Experience Morocco’s exquisite mosques, handicrafts, palaces, and contemporary art on a journey from Casablanca to Marrakesh. Discover the northern region of Tétouan including its capital Tangier, a multicultural city whose charm attracts artists and writers from all over the world. In Fes, stay at the luxurious Palais Faraj, once the residence of the Grand Vizier of Jamaï, and explore the city’s fascinating old quarter, public gardens, and elaborately carved madrasas. Tour Meknes, a 17th-century rival to Versailles, and the archaeological site of Volubilis, one of the best-preserved Roman towns in North Africa. In Marrakesh, highlights include the great Djema el-Fna square, the opulent Majorelle Gardens, and the Yves St. Laurent Museum.

Traveling with You: Barbara Drake Boehm, Paul and Jill Ruddock Senior Curator for The Met Cloisters. She is co-curator of the exhibitions Jerusalem 1000-1400: Every People Under Heaven (2016), The Game of Kings (2011-12), Prague: The Crown of Bohemia (2005), and Enamels of Limoges (1996), and curator of Medieval Jewish Art in Context (2011–12).

Land Rate: $10,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Follow in the footsteps of one of the world’s greatest artists, Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Born in 1571, Caravaggio worked in Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily between 1593 and 1610 and had a formative influence on Baroque painting. We begin our exploration of his tumultuous life and remarkable art in Rome, where highlights include a private tour of a palazzo with the only Caravaggio fresco in existence. In Naples, enjoy a special lunch and viewing of the artist’s last painting at Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano. Fly to Malta to view a Caravaggio masterpiece at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, and attend a farewell reception at a splendid 16th-century palazzo. 

Traveling with You: Page Knox, an adjunct professor of art history at Columbia University, and a popular Met lecturer.

Land Rate: $8,599

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

The Spanish Riviera and Côte d'Azur have a special allure that has attracted visitors from the Phoenicians to Picasso. Sail these stunning coastlines aboard our most popular sailing ship. Experience the archaeological treasures of 3,000-year-old Cádiz before embarking the elegant Sea Cloud II. Call at the British outpost of Gibraltar to discover its military history and famous wild monkeys, and from Málaga head inland to Granada to admire the enchanting Alhambra. In Valencia, see the UNESCO-listed historic quarter and futuristic City of Arts and Sciences complex. Stop at the often-overlooked ancient city of Tarragona, known as the Rome of the Iberian Peninsula, with its triumphal arches, aqueduct, and a Roman Forum. View the architectural highlights of Marseille before disembarking in Nice. Optional prelude in Seville; optional postlude in Nice and the French Riviera.

Traveling with You: Ashley E. Dunn, Assistant Curator, Department of Drawings and Prints, is responsible for nineteenth-century French drawings, prints, and illustrated books in the collection.

Cruise Rate: From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Embark on an exciting voyage from the Atlantic coast of Africa in the Canary Islands, an autonomous region of Spain, to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. Encounter the legacy of medieval Moorish culture on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, and experience the vibrant contemporary cultures of Morocco and southern Iberia. In the Canaries, discover UNESCO-listed historic towns and lush gardens, then spend a day on Portuguese-accented Madeira. Cruise east to Morocco to explore Marrakesh, Casablanca, and Rabat. Continue to the British territory of Gibraltar, to ascend its legendary rock and see its famous tailless monkeys. In Spain, step ashore in Cádiz for an excursion to Seville. Pause in Sagres and Lagos in Portugal, before concluding in Lisbon, where an optional postlude is offered. 

Traveling with You: Christopher Noey is an art historian, author, and an Emmy award-winning producer of films on art and culture.

Cruise Rate: From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Discover the immense archaeological wealth of Peru during an exploration of the ancient and colonial civilizations of this magical land. In centuries-old Lima, spend time delving into the artifacts at some of this vibrant city’s best museums. This program combines visits to sites that reflect Peru’s rich history with viewings of exclusive collections and other surprises. Dine at world-renowned restaurants, enjoy a special concert of Peruvian music, and learn how to make the national drink at a private bartending class. In the soaring city of Cusco, delve into ancient and colonial eras, then ride the luxury train back in time to the ancient civilization of Machu Picchu.

Traveling with You: Ronda Kasl, Curator of Latin American Art, joined the staff of the American Wing in 2013. She has accompanied Met travelers in Spain, Portugal, and South America and most recently joined Travel with The Met as a lecturer for “Crossroads of Cultures: Canary Islands, Morocco & Iberia Aboard Sea Spirit” in April 2019. 

Land Rate: $9,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.

From medieval Bruges in Belgium to the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, follow meandering rivers and canals aboard Magnifique III. Begin in Bruges to discover artistic gems. Call at Ghent, which will be celebrating the “Van Eyck Year” in 2020 with the return of the magnificent Ghent Altarpiece to St. Bavo’s Cathedral. In Dendermonde, visit the Church of Our Lady, home to two van Dyck paintings. Step ashore in Antwerp to visit the 17th-century Rubens House. Crossing into Holland, discover Kinderdijk, famous for its 19 large windmills. Explore Amsterdam on a canal cruise and see the masterpieces of the Rijksmuseum before disembarking. Optional Amsterdam postlude.

Traveling with You: Page Knox, an adjunct professor of art history at Columbia University, and a popular Met lecturer.               

Cruise Rate: From $7,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Embark on a delightful seven-night cruise along the Po, Italy’s longest river, aboard the elegant S.S. La Venezia. As you cruise gently from Venice to Parma, marvel at the natural beauty of the landscape. Step ashore to experience authentic culture and cuisine, and immerse yourself in the art, architecture, and history of some of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Revel in the artistic splendors of Parma and Ravenna, tour the castles and palaces of great Renaissance families, and go behind the scenes at some of the country’s most famous opera houses.

Traveling with You: Keith Christiansen, John Pope-Hennessy Chairman of the Department of European Paintings. He began work at The Met in 1977 and has since organized numerous exhibitions. Dr. Christiansen has written widely on Italian painting and is the recipient of several awards.

Cruise Rate: From $6,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

British architecture through the ages displays a wealth of styles, all influenced by the cultural and political events of the day. Starting in the Tudor period, architecture turned from defensive styles to those whose primary focus was to display the owner’s status and wealth. When the exiles returned to England after the Civil War, they had been exposed to French, Dutch, and Italian architecture, and the building style became the exuberant Baroque style. And after George I ushered in a new ruling class, the search for a new style looked to antiquity and the classic style of the Georgian period was preferred. On this trip, discover the rich heritage of British architecture–from glorious Bath, Britain’s most complete and homogeneous Georgian city, to Cornwall’s architectural diversity.

Traveling with You: Alice Schwarz, Educator. In her Connections episode, she reflects on how hands reveal information about a person. 

Land Rate: $TBA

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Behold Romania’s fairytale splendors. Begin in the capital of Bucharest to take a curator-led tour of the extensive Museum of Fine Art, see the mind-boggling People’s Palace, and tour the Atheneum. Then, cross the Carpathian Mountains into fabled Transylvania. In the well-preserved old town of Brasov, learn the origin of Romanian language during a talk with a professor at the First Romanian School. Drive further into Transylvania to reach the city of Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In splendid Sibiu, discover the ASTRA National Museum Complex, Europe’s largest open-air ethnographic exhibit. Travel to Baita to meet the director and co-owner of the Muzeul Textilelor, and marvel at the unique and exquisitely decorated monasteries of Bucovina.

Traveling with You: Helen C. Evans, the Mary and Michael Jaharis Curator for Byzantine Art in the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters, has lectured on previous Travel with The Met programs in Central Asia and Europe.

Land Rate: $7,599

Activity Level: Moderate

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.

Explore picturesque cultural capitals in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Aboard a deluxe riverboat, taste fine local wines, and admire breathtaking scenery while cruising the legendary Danube River. Enjoy a private curatorial tour of the Hungarian National Gallery, and meet with an artist in Belgrade. In Vidin, Bulgaria, see the 10th-century fortress of Baba Vida, the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country. Visit lovely Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of Bulgaria, before disembarking in Giurgiu.

Traveling with You: Nadine Orenstein, Drue Heinz Curator in Charge of the Department of Drawings and Prints, who has written and lectured extensively on seventeenth-century Northern European prints and drawings. She has previously accompanied Travel with The Met groups on European river cruises as well as to Mexico and Cuba.

Cruise Rate: From $7,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Experience Greece from a fresh perspective, immersing yourself in ancient wonders and enchanting islands that the Greeks regard as national treasures. This delightful summer voyage along the Northern Aegean and the Sporades archipelago takes you to breathtaking spots that are overlooked by most travelers—from the lovely small islands of the Sporades to the age-old villages of glorious Pelion and the mythical towns of Volos and Thessaloniki. This is Greece as it is meant to be seen—traveling from island to island aboard an authentic sailing ship with just 32 cabins. Admire sun-drenched scenery as our privately chartered vessel slips into small harbors and shallow bays to visit some of the most important sites of antiquity. Optional Athens prelude; optional Meteora and Delphi postlude.

Traveling with You:  De Abramitis, Conservator, is principally responsible for the Greek and Roman collection. Her responsibilities include the technical examination and treatment of objects in all media. She was the supervising conservator for the 15-year reinstallation of the Greek and Roman galleries, which was completed in 2007.

Cruise Rate: From $8,999    

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Sail under midsummer skies aboard an elegant three-masted barque on this classic cruise. Spend a night in lively Helsinki before boarding the magnificent Sea Cloud II. Call at Turku to visit the oldest city in Finland. Take in the scenery as the crew navigates the picturesque Stockholm archipelago before an overnight call in the Swedish capital, and step ashore at tiny Visby to stroll among medieval ruins. Visit the port of Gdansk, one of Poland’s oldest cities, and continue to Lübeck, Germany, for a full-day excursion to Hamburg and walking tour of Lübeck. Optional prelude in St. Petersburg.

Traveling with You: C. Griffith Mann, Michel David-Weill Curator in Charge of the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters.  Watch his 82nd & Fifth episode, “Terrible Beauty,” about a painting of the Archangel Michael made for an altarpiece in Northern Spain.

Cruise Rate: From $9,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.

Mongolia, once the center of Genghis Khan’s enormous empire, is a country of beautiful landscapes and nomadic people. Begin a fascinating exploration of Mongolia and Siberia in Ulaanbaatar at the colorful Naadam Festival to see spectacular demonstrations of performing arts and the traditional sports of archery, wrestling, and horseback riding. Next, board the luxurious Golden Eagle train to cross vast green steppes dotted with grazing livestock and white nomadic gers (yurts). Visit immense Lake Baikal; see a village where residents still practice Russian Orthodox Christianity; and discover the border where Asian and Russian cultures converge. Finish in Moscow with a private viewing of the treasures of the tsars and a tour of the opulent stations of the Moscow Metro, known as “the People’s Palaces.”

Traveling with You: Ted Hunter, Armorer and Conservator in the Department of Arms and Armor. He is responsible for the care and preservation of firearms, edged weapons, and armor from a diverse array of cultures and time periods.

Land/Rail Rate: From $17,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.

The Celtic Isles are a delight of verdant gardens, medieval ruins, wild countryside, lively cities, and a strong heritage of music and culture. As Sea Cloud II makes her way along Ireland’s rugged green coastline and across the Irish Sea on a one-week cruise, stop for visits to dynamic art and history museums, private homes, and charming towns in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and the United Kingdom. Explore sites dating from the 13th-century Brodick Castle all the way up to Belfast’s vivid murals addressing the Troubles of the 20th century. Step ashore on the captivating islands of Arran and Man, and call at Holyhead in Wales to discover Bodnant Garden. Optional Dublin prelude.

Traveling with You: Melanie Holcomb, a curator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art since 1999, is a specialist in the luxury arts of the Middle Ages.

Cruise Rate: From $6,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, delve into the ancient and medieval roots of two countries whose histories are intertwined. In Turkey, travel to Istanbul to marvel at the 6th-century basilica of Hagia Sophia. Enjoy a special cruise along the scenic Bosphorus, attend a private dervish ceremony, and stroll through the Grand Bazaar and the colorful Spice Market. Continue to Cappadocia to discover the ancient rock-hewn churches, underground cities, and otherworldly landscape. In Georgia, roam Tbilisi’s sparkling Old City, and savor wine tastings and visits to monasteries set amid awe-inspiring mountains.

Traveling with You: Deniz Beyazit, Assistant Curator in the Department of Islamic Art, specializes in Medieval Islamic and Ottoman art and architecture. A graduate of the

Sorbonne, she has worked as a researcher at the Khalili Research Center in Oxford and the French Institute for Anatolian Studies in Istanbul.

Land Rate: $10,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.

Forged from lava and shaped by glaciers, Iceland is, quite literally, a land of fire and ice—one of the youngest and most geologically dynamic places on earth, with a phenomenal landscape of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls. Iceland is also rich in culture, from its medieval literary history to its vibrant contemporary art scene. In September, when temperatures in Iceland are mild, join an art historian with expertise in Icelandic culture to explore this fascinating country. Stroll black-sand beaches below the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, and wander Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Navigate a man-made ice cave inside Reykjavík’s Perlan Museum, venture by boat to a Richard Serra art installation on an island, and see the Reykjavík Art Museum, housed in a refurbished fishery office.

Traveling with You: Pari Stave, Senior Administrator in the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art. She served as Consulting Curator to the American-Scandinavian Foundation from 2011 to 2013, and was previously Director of the AXA Gallery in New York. She was the lecturer for The Met’s inaugural “Iceland Natura” program and is delighted to return to Iceland on this journey.

Land Rate: $TBA

Activity Level: Moderate

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.

Take a classic expedition along the Mekong River from Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in Vietnam to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and beyond. Cruise in Old World comfort aboard a colonial-style ship finished in brass and teak by skilled local craftsmen and maintained to the highest standards. During the cruise, stop along the Mekong Delta to see floating markets, fishing towns, small riverside villages, and more. Admire Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace and the fine collection at the National Museum. We will also see the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey and visit a local school. Conclude in Siem Reap, the gateway to the ancient Khmer empire, to discover the UNESCO-designated temple complex of Angkor. Optional Ho Chi Minh City prelude; optional Laos postlude.

Traveling with You: TBA

Land/Cruise Rate: From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.

Discover a captivating part of the world where tradition and modernity live side by side. Begin in Muscat, Oman, “Arabia’s Jewel,” to tour the Al Alam Palace and the palatial Royal Opera House. Fly to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, to tour the world’s tallest building with an architecture guide. Immerse yourself in local cultures by sharing a meal with Emiratis and learning about falconry and ancient nomadic culture at a Bedouin camp outside of Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, explore the Louvre Abu Dhabi, an impressive museum recently opened as a collaboration between France and the UAE. Conclude in Doha, Qatar to explore the newly opened National Museum and delight in a director-led tour of the I.M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art.

Traveling with You: Courtney Ann Stewart, Senior Research Assistant, Department of Islamic Art

Land Rate: $11,599    

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.

From the spectacular canals of Venice, embark on a voyage through the Adriatic Sea aboard the three-masted Sea Cloud II. Visit timeless towns and archaeological sites where diverse civilizations have left their mark. Call at Ravenna, Italy, to view stunning mosaics, and admire UNESCO-listed architecture in Trogir, Croatia, before exploring Diocletian's Palace in Split. Marvel at exquisite architecture and ancient manuscripts in Dubrovnik, which George Bernard Shaw called "paradise on Earth"; and discover lesser-known sites in Montenegro and Albania. Conclude in Catania, Sicily, with views of Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano. Optional Venice prelude; optional Taormina postlude.

Traveling with You: Séan Hemingway, Curator in the Department of Greek and Roman Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is a seasoned archaeologist who has excavated prehistoric, classical, and Roman sites in Greece and Spain.

Cruise Rate: From $6,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.

Experience Sicily, stepping stone between Europe and Africa, on a classic cruise aboard the elegant Sea Cloud II. Autumn, when the heat and crowds of summer are gone, is the perfect time to discover the island’s countless cultural marvels. Admire diverse landscapes from the comfort of our three-masted barque, sail into legendary harbors, and step ashore to admire ancient temples and theaters and glittering mosaics. For 2020 this perennially popular program includes a stop on the mainland in Reggio Calabria, to admire the fabled Riace Bronzes, rare life-sized Greek statues discovered in 1972. Optional Taormina prelude; optional Naples postlude.

Traveling with You: Barbara Drake Boehm, Paul and Jill Ruddock Senior Curator for The Met Cloisters. She is co-curator of the exhibitions Jerusalem 1000-1400: Every People Under Heaven (2016), The Game of Kings (2011-12), Prague: The Crown of Bohemia (2005), and Enamels of Limoges (1996), and curator of Medieval Jewish Art in Context (2011–12).

Cruise Rate: From $6,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.

A cradle of innovation, South Korea stands confidently on the world stage. But the depth of its ancient traditions is often overlooked. Join Asian art expert, author, and Emmy-winning film producer Christopher Noey for an immersive, meticulously curated journey into the colorful past and eclectic present of an Eastern powerhouse. Spend four days in flamboyant Seoul, where glittering skyscrapers and 15th-century palaces jostle for attention and intriguing museums, galleries, private studios, and artists’ communities showcase a wealth of groundbreaking work. Transfer to Gyeongju for a window into Old Korea. Learn why this ancient capital city is called the “Museum Without Walls” at its 8th-century Buddhist temple, 7th-century observatory, and an authentic, well-preserved folk village dating back to the 15th century.

Traveling with You: Christopher Noey is an art historian, author, and an Emmy award-winning producer of films on art and culture. At The Met, he created video installations for a diverse array of exhibitions and interviewed several contemporary Asian artists for The Artist Project, an online series and related Phaidon publication of his interviews with 120 contemporary artists on how they are inspired by The Met and its collections.

Land Rate: $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Enjoy special access to the timeless wonders of Egypt during an exploration that combines travel by plane and riverboat. Discover the treasures of Giza and Cairo, including the Great Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Fly to Luxor to ring in the New Year and board the luxurious Sanctuary Nile Adventurer for a four-night cruise up the Nile, exploring temples and tombs along the way. Continue by air to Abu Simbel to see the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Optional Jordan postlude.

Traveling with You: TBA

Land Rate: $TBA

Activity Level: Moderate to active

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure.