Travel with The Met

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 a captivating part of the world where tradition and heritage combine with modernity and style. Visit palaces and museums in Muscat, where highlights include a private tour of the spectacular Royal Opera House 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 Golan Heights prelude.

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

Download the brochure (PDF).

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 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: $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

See the best of Newport, Rhode Island before the summer crowds arrive. With curators and local experts, wander through the mansions epitomizing the height of the Gilded Age. Learn about architecture and decorative arts from the 17^th to the 20^th century; dine at private homes and clubs; and visit with local craftspeople, including an opportunity to see a famous yacht under restoration. Accommodations are at the Vanderbilt Hotel, a vintage Newport mansion meticulously restored to its former glory. A transfer to New York City is included.

Traveling with You: Alyce Englund, Assistant Curator of American Decorative Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Recently, she joined Travel with The Met as the lecturer for “Southern Charms: Art & Architecture of Charleston.”

Land Rate: $5,499

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

Download the brochure (PDF).

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

Download the brochure (PDF).

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

Download the brochure (PDF).

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, Associate 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: $9,499

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Discover vibrant cultures and ancient religious traditions in three of Asia’s most fascinating destinations. Begin in the little-known Indian territory of Ladakh, exploring its magnificent monasteries and otherworldly landscapes, and enjoy an audience with the village oracle in the Tibetan settlement of Choglamsar. In Nepal, with its exquisite stupas and temples, delight in private tours and discussions with the conservators and artisans. Also take a curator-led tour of the traditional sacred art in Kathmandu’s Patan Museum, with a special lunch there with a pioneering social entrepreneur named one of 100 “Global Leaders for Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum. Conclude in Bhutan, a nation steeped in its religious beliefs, where highlights include an optional hike to the 17th-century Tiger’s Nest monastery, one of the world’s most sacred Buddhist sites, perched impressively on a steep, rocky cliff and accessible only by foot.

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. He has previously led five Travel with The Met tours across India.

Land Rate: From $14,999

Activity Level: Moderate/active

Download the brochure (PDF).

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 Laos postlude.

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

Land/Cruise Rate: From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

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: $11,999    

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Experience London’s icons such as the fabulous Crown Jewels and Kensington Palace outside of public hours, and enjoy the luxury of uncrowded private moments. Meet with the owners of a grand home, and jewelry showroom as they provide privileged access to their collections. Revel in the activities that define the city–from a sumptuous afternoon tea to the thrill of a live theater production. Outside of London, be welcomed by a Duke’s family member at her family’s estate. 

Traveling with You: Beth Carver Wees, Ruth Bigelow Wriston Curator of American Decorative Arts. Most recently, she joined Met travelers aboard Sea Cloud II for “Castles & Collections of the Celtic Isles.” 

Land Rate: $6,599

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

During peak fall foliage season, discover traditional Japanese hospitality at its most refined aboard the lavishly appointed Train Suite Shiki-shima. Begin in Tokyo, where highlights will include a private tour and wine reception at a modern mansion with an incredible contemporary art collection. Then travel aboard this elegant train, designed by Ken Okuyama, celebrated for his work with Ferrari, Maserati, and Porsche. At the peak of Japan’s vividly colorful fall foliage season, gaze upon mountains and scenic coastlines from the Shiki-shima’s futuristic, glass-enclosed observatory cars as you travel up the east coast to Hokkaido. Step off to behold ancient shrines and temples in Nikko; unwind during a night at a traditional onsen (hot spring) resort in Hokkaido; and visit serene forests and workshops of skilled artisans, or an active archaeological site in Aomori, on the return trip down the west coast of Japan. At the conclusion of the train journey, overnight in Tokyo, then spend three days exploring the striking temples and vibrant museums of the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara.

Traveling with You: John T. Carpenter, Mary Griggs Burke Curator of Japanese Art, has been with The Met since 2011. He has published widely on Japanese art, especially in the areas of calligraphy, painting, and woodblock prints, and has helped organize numerous exhibitions at the Museum including Celebrating the Arts of Japan (2015-17) and The Poetry of Nature (2018-19).

Land/Rail Rate: From $29,999

Activity Level: Moderate

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: Seán Hemingway is the John A. and Carole O. Moran Curator in Charge of the Department of Greek and Roman Art at The Met. 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

Download the brochure (PDF).

Explore how the legacy of E.I. du Pont has shaped the Brandywine Valley, with its opulent homes, world-famous gardens, and renowned museums and cultural centers. Enjoy special openings, exclusive viewings, and walks at private estates. This trip will truly delight all your artistic senses, with many special surprises including great meals at enticing venues.

Traveling with You:  Alyce Englund, Assistant Curator of American Decorative Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Recently, she joined Travel with The Met as the lecturer for “Southern Charms: Art & Architecture of Charleston.”

Land Rate: $5,599

Activity Level: Moderate

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

Born in Urbino in 1483, Raphael is one of the world’s most famous and important Renaissance artists. A painter and architect, he was an apprentice of celebrated Umbrian master Perugino, whose style he used to imitate. Raphael spent five years in Florence, where he worked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. He then moved to Rome, where he was invited by Pope Julius II, and started a career as an architect and worked at  St. Peter’s Basilica. Join popular Met lecturer Page Knox on the 500th anniversary of Raphael’s death as she takes us through many of this great artist’s works on display in Florence, Perugia, and Rome. Throughout this journey, we will visit these ancient cities, enjoy exclusive access to museums, savor fine dining, and meet local experts. Highlights include a special early opening at the Vatican Museums and private dinners at Florence’s splendid Palazzo Borghese and Rome’s 17th-century Palazzo Odescalchi.

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

Land Rate: $8,699

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

Download the brochure (PDF).

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).

Discover Milan and Turin, renowned for their amazing architecture and world-class art. Marvel at the antiquities on display on an after-hours tour of Turin’s famous Egyptian Museum, and visit contemporary art collections housed in a royal castle and in a former distillery. Discover why Barolo is considered the “King of Wines” on private tours and tastings at world-famous wineries. In Alba, attend the annual International Alba White Truffle Fair, meet with a trifulau (truffle hunter), and enjoy a private tour of a celebrated winery.

Traveling with You: Marco Leona, David H. Koch Scientist in Charge, studied in Italy, where he obtained a laurea in chimica (MSc, Chemistry) and a PhD in crystallography and mineralogy from the Università degli Studi di Pavia. He joined Met travelers aboard Sea Cloud in 2019 for “Adriatic Odyssey.”

Land Rate: $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Celebrate the New Year with special access to the timeless treasures of Egypt during a 12-day exploration that combines travel by private plane and deluxe riverboat. Discover the ancient wonders of Giza and Cairo, including the Great Pyramids, the enigmatic Great Sphinx, and the new, highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum. Fly to Abu Simbel to see the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Continue to Aswan to board the lavishly appointed Sanctuary Nile Adventurer for a four-night Nile River cruise, exploring legendary temples and tombs along the way. After disembarking in Luxor, return to Cairo to visit the 9th-century Mosque of Ibn Tulun and tour museums including the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, housing one of the world's greatest collection of ancient treasures. Optional Jordan postlude.

Traveling with You: Isabel Stünkel, Associate Curator in the Department of Egyptian Art. 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 Rate: From $11,999

Activity Level: Moderate to active

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

Traverse a landscape dotted with sacred sites, where colorful rites are celebrated today just as they have been for millennia. In Chennai, see masterworks of bronze and stone sculpture. Visit Kanchipuram, with its evocative temples, and Thanjavur, home to one of India's most majestic temples. In Madurai, witness an ancient Hindu ritual. Attend the celebrated Kochi-Muziris Biennale, and take a traditional houseboat cruise along Kerala’s rustic waterways. Throughout this once-in-a-lifetime journey, delight in opportunities to meet local artists and craftspeople. Enjoy a special performance of Carnatic music in Tanjore, visit a private art collector’s home in Chettinad, and meet master artisans creating beautiful silk saris in the temple town of Kanchipuram.

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. He has previously led five Travel with The Met tours across India.

Land Rate: From $9,999

Activity Level: Moderate/active

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

Experience India on a trip that includes a seven-night journey along the Ganges River. Begin in  Kolkata, the country’s second-largest city, to discover this fascinating metropolis, including the Victoria Memorial Museum, with its grand architecture and impressive collections. Learn about Mother Teresa’s extraordinary life on a specially curated tour of Missionaries of Charity headquarters. Then, embark Ganges Voyager 1, an elegant riverboat with luxurious amenities, to explore the hidden corners of West Bengal, from its historic palaces, colonial architecture, and temple towns to its vibrant markets and untouched villages. Roam the extraordinary domes and landscaped gardens at Lord Krishna’s ISKCON temple in the village of Mayapur, one of the most sacred places in India, and explore the exceptional French colonial buildings in the 17th-century port of Chandannagar. Optional Kolkata prelude; optional Varanasi, Haridwar, and Anada 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.

Cruise Rate: From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate/active

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

Relive the bygone era of luxury rail travel on this Southeast Asia program featuring an unforgettable train journey from Bangkok to Singapore across the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Begin in Bangkok, with its glittering temples and palaces. Discover a wealth of Thai treasures, from the art and antiquities at the Jim Thompson House to the rich collections of lacquer and furniture at Suan Pakkad Palace; view contemporary works at the Bangkok Art Biennale; and visit nearby Ayutthaya, the former royal capital of the Siamese Kingdom. Then, enjoy the elegant ambiance of the Eastern & Oriental Express train as she rolls past temples, tea plantations, and rice paddies. See the legendary rail bridge on the River Kwai. In Singapore, stroll through the renowned Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay, explore a contemporary art gallery, and take an architectural tour aboard a traditional “bumboat.” Optional postlude to Borobudur and Bali.

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/Rail Rate: $TBA

Activity Level: Moderate/active

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

Sail dazzling Caribbean waters aboard the legendary Sea Cloud, originally built for C.W. Post heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, and discover stunning collections and centuries-old gardening traditions on beautifully maintained estates. From Barbados, sail to tiny Carriacou, where we will admire Arawak and Carib artifacts as well as extensive colonial collections in the museum. Call at Nevis, the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, to tour his childhood home and meander through the island’s vibrant botanical garden. On St. Kitts, visit Brimstone Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Romney Manor, an 18th-century home once owned by an ancestor of Thomas Jefferson. Enjoy the white-sand beaches of St. Barthélemy before stepping ashore at Iles des Saintes, site of a significant naval battle fought between the British and the French. On St. Lucia, stroll lush botanical gardens and marvel at volcanic landscapes before returning to Barbados.

Traveling with You: TBA

Cruise Rate: From $9,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Please contact met@arrangementsabroad.com to request a brochure

This cultural cruise was so popular in 2019 and 2020 that we are offering it again in 2021. 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. Highlights include a visit to the extraordinary Dar El Bacha Museum, normally closed to the public. Sail through the “Pillars of Hercules” to arrive at Gibraltar’s 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. An optional Marrakesh overnight and option Lisbon postlude are offered.

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

Cruise Rate: From $9,999

Activity Level: Moderate

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