Travel with The Met

On a fascinating exploration of the former Yugoslavia, visit Roman ruins, Orthodox monasteries, Austro-Hungarian palaces, and timeless Turkish bazaars that stand proudly alongside bustling cafés and sophisticated restaurants. In Sofia, explore the Roman ruins of Serdica, which Constantine the Great called "my Rome." Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town in Ohrid, Macedonia, set above a mountain-encircled lake, and spend a relaxing day on a yacht in the Bay of Kotor, discovering medieval villages and an enchanting church atop a tiny island. From Bosnia and Herzegovina's iconic Stari Most Bridge, rebuilt stone by stone, to Krujë Castle, which successfully defended the Albanians against numerous Ottoman attacks, the Balkans beguile with tales of fortitude and valor spanning the millennia. Optional postlude in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Traveling with You: Deniz Beyazit, Assistant Curator, Islamic Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Watch her 82nd & Fifth episode, “Getting Lost.”

Cruise Rate: From $8,995

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

A Georgian mansion exclusively reserved for our stay in Shropshire will be among the highlights of this trip to the great houses of England. From Manchester where the program begins to admirably restored Liverpool, home of the new Tate Modern, we will move to the beautiful English countryside. Less-visited houses, dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, will include Attingham Park, Wilderhope Manor, Wightwick Manor, and Ragley Hall. Drive through the enchanting Costwolds countryside at this pleasant time of the year to Oxford and its many riches, among them the Bodleian Library and its illuminated medieval manuscripts and the Ashmolean Museum whose collections range from the Paleolithic to the Victorian.

Traveling with You: Olivier Bernier, art historian, author, and Met lecturer

Land/Cruise Rates: From $10,595

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

On this exceptional journey to these lesser-known regions of Portugal and Spain, savor delicious cuisine and stay in charming hotels in historic buildings. Begin in Lisbon with guided visits to the National Museum of Ancient Art and the Gulbenkian Museum. In Alentejo, discover hidden gems of frescoes found in less-visited small towns, and enjoy a private lunch at a vineyard with its owner. Crossing into Spain, spend two nights in UNESCO-designated Cáceres, for a private visit to the exquisite art collection of the Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo, explore the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria in Guadalupe, and tour the remarkably preserved Roman ruins of Mérida. Conclude in Zafra, to admire a Zurbarán altarpiece inside a 16th-century church.

Traveling with You: Ronda Kasl, Curator of Latin American Art in the American Wing

Land Rate: From $8,950

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Admire the celebrated landscapes that inspired the Hudson River School artists on a delightful sojourn in the historic Hudson Valley. Tour the splendid mansions and historic homes of famous artists and Gilded Age financiers.  Visit grand residences including Olana, Cedar Grove, Wilderstein, and the National Trust site of Kykuit. At Storm King Art Center, view contemporary art in inspired natural settings. Dine at the Culinary Institute of America, and enjoy farm-to-fork cuisine of Hudson Valley chefs.  Another highlight will be two nights at Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian castle resort that is a National Historic Landmark.  

Traveling with You: Sylvia Yount, Lawrence A. Fleischman Curator in Charge, The American Wing  

Land rate: From $6,995

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Circumnavigate the seductive island of Sicily aboard the storied Sea Cloud II, on a cruise that was named one of 50 "Tours of a Lifetime" by National Geographic Traveler. 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 an elegant three-masted barque, sail into her legendary harbors and step ashore to admire ancient temples and theaters, glittering mosaics, and a Caravaggio masterpiece.

Traveling with You: Daniel H. Weiss, President of The Met, and J. Kenneth Moore, Frederick P. Rose Curator in Charge of the Department of Musical Instruments. Read Ken's blog post that highlights instruments from the Museum's collection that were once played by Grammy Award winners and nominees.

Cruise Rate: Wait list!

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Subtle, arcane, and elegant, Japan is endlessly fascinating, keeping one foot rooted in the past even while she hurtles—at bullet-train speed—into the future. Experience this beautiful country in all her different aspects, from spiritual and traditional to modern and dynamic. Immerse yourself in the island nation’s proud traditions as you discover magnificent temples, remarkable museums, sacred sites, and culinary delights from Tokyo to Kyoto. Begin in Tokyo to view landmarks designed by Tadao Ando and Philippe Starck, and visit museums including the 21_21 Design Sight, created by Ando and fashion designer Issey Miyake.

This in-depth cultural program features an overnight stay on Naoshima, the tiny fishing island that has become the country’s major destination for avant-garde art. Other highlights include an exclusive tea ceremony at Sagawa Art Museum, in a pavilion designed by a Raku master ceramist, and a curatorial tour of the current exhibition at Tokyo’s Mori Art Museum.

Traveling with You: Beatrice Galilee, Daniel Brodsky Associate Curator of Architecture and Design, Modern and Contemporary

Land Rate: From $12,995

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

On a brand-new itinerary that includes Iran's northeast, travel with the head of The Met's Department of Islamic Art to experience the cultural splendors of one of the world's oldest civilizations. Begin in Mashhad, the country's holiest city, to tour the beautiful shrine complex of Imam Reza, the ninth-century Shiite martyr. Visit the 12th-century Ribat-e Sharaf Royal Seljuk Caravanserai near the Turkmenistan border, and see the tomb of mystic poet Omar Khayyam at Nishapur. In Tehran, marvel at the jewel-encrusted thrones in the Golestan Palace Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in the oasis city of Kashan, stroll in the Bagh-e Fin, renowned as the epitome of the Persian garden. Stay three nights in Isfahan, home the magnificent, UNESCO-listed Imam Square and Friday Mosque. Conclude in Shiraz, where highlights include the exquisite tombs of mystical Persian poets and a full-day excursion to Persepolis, founded by Darius the Great and destroyed by Alexander.

Traveling with You: Sheila Canby, Patti Canby Birch Curator in Charge of the Department of Islamic Art. Watch Sheila's 82nd & Fifth episode, "Line."

Land Rate: From $9,995

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

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

Above: Vakil Mosque Shiraz

Sail aboard a legendary ship on the Adriatic, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas to ancient towns and impressive archaeological sites. Greek, Carthaginian, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Norman civilizations have all left their mark here. In Venice, embark Sea Cloud for an unforgettable journey. Cruise to Ravenna to admire stunning Roman and Byzantine mosaics, and then cross to Croatia to view Dubrovnik's exquisite architecture. Step ashore in scenic, less-visited Montenegro before returning to Italy and the Baroque delights of Lecce. Continue to Sicily to tour the classical ruins in Syracuse and visit a private palazzo by special invitation before disembarkation in Malta. Optional Venice prelude and Malta postlude.

Traveling with You: Bradley Strauchen-Scherer, Associate Curator in the Department of Musical Instruments

Cruise Rate: From $9,995, cabins still available!

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Above: Syracuse

Immerse yourself in India's spiritual traditions and religious art with an expert in Hindu and Buddhist art and architecture. Tour impressive museums and archaeological wonders, witness age-old celebrations on the Ganges River, and see the sacred tree under which Prince Siddhartha achieved enlightenment. This unique itinerary will take us from Kolkata, the country's second-largest city; to Varanasi, Hinduism's holiest place of worship; to Aurangabad, home to cave sanctuaries carved by Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains.

Land Rate: $9,995  

Traveling with You: John Guy, Florence and Herbert Irving Curator of South and Southeast Asian Art 

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Experience the elegance of Argentina, where Latin passion meets European panache. Begin with four days in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, known as "the Paris of South America." Visit two of the city's most prominent private art collections, go behind the scenes at the beautiful Colón Theater, and meet controversial artist Nicola Constantino in her studio. Travel outside the city for a cruise through the Paraná River Delta, pausing on Isla El Descanso for lunch and a tour of its lovely gardens and sculptures. Fly west to Mendoza in the Andean foothills, to spend two days exploring this celebrated wine region. Enjoy tours and private tastings at world-renowned vineyards, visit the atelier of a famed contemporary artist, and savor traditional barbecue at specially arranged meals. Optional Uruguay postlude.

Traveling with You: Jeff Rosenheim, Joyce Frank Menschel Curator in Charge, Department of Photographs

Land Rate: From $8,995

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

The ancient land of Egypt has enthralled travelers for centuries. No one can fail to be moved by the Great Pyramids, the tombs and temples of Luxor, or the monumental temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Add special entrée to many of these timeless treasures, and you have an experience that is truly unforgettable. On this extraordinary New Year’s trip, discover Cairo’s monuments and museums, and sail the Nile from Luxor to Aswan aboard an elegant riverboat. Fly by awe-inspiring Abu Simbel, then return to Cairo by plane to visit the splendid Sultan Hassan Mosque and admire the Coptic Museum's fine collection of textiles and artifacts. Optional Cairo postlude.

Traveling with You: Isabel Stünkel, Associate Curator in the Department of Egyptian Art. Watch Isabel’s 82nd & Fifth episode, “Precaution,” about the faience hippopotamus who serves as the Museum’s informal mascot.

Land/Cruise Rate: From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Relive the bygone era of luxury rail travel, when the legendary Orient Express was “the king of trains and the train of kings,” on a program featuring an unforgettable rail journey from Bangkok to Singapore across the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Begin in Bangkok with a four-night stay at the Mandarin Oriental, whose past guests have included Joseph Conrad and Somerset Maugham, and discover less-visited museums. Then, enjoy the elegant ambiance of the Eastern & Oriental Express. Highlights include the infamous rail bridge on the River Kwai. Conclude with two days in Singapore, where we will stroll in two glorious gardens and admire the treasures in the National Gallery. Optional prelude in Chiang Mai.

Traveling With You: Elizabeth Perkins, Assistant Educator

Land/Rail Rate: From $10,795

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Explore Cuba's southern shore, with its rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and well-preserved colonial architecture. From Cienfuegos, Cuba's "Pearl of the South," cruise east to UNESCO-listed Trinidad. Call at less-visited Isla de la Juventud to see the Presidio Modelo, where Fidel and Raul Castro were once imprisoned. In idyllic María la Gorda, visit a local school and the headquarters of a nature reserve. Conclude in Cuba’s capital to discover Old Havana, experience salsa music, and see Ernest Hemingway's former home. Along the way, studio tours, performances, and other exclusive events will add to the pleasures of our voyage. Optional Cienfuegos prelude and optional Havana postlude.

Traveling with You: Medill Higgins Harvey, Assistant Curator of American Decorative Arts 

Cruise Rate: From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Visit Venice during the pre-Lenten festival of Carnevale, celebrated since at least the 15th century. Learn about the art and traditions of costume making at a famous local atelier, take a private walking tour with a codega (traditional costumed guide), and attend the official Carnevale opening ceremony. Discover the the remarkable Peggy Guggenheim Collection; Ca’ Rezzonico, which houses the city’s museum of 18th-century decorative arts; and Palazzo Ducale, seat of the government of Venice for centuries. Other highlights include a performance at the famed La Fenice Theater and a private visit to the impressive costume and textile collection at the Palazzo Mocenigo.

Traveling with You: Adriana Rizzo, Associate Research Scientist, Department of Scientific Research and a native of Venice

Land Rate: From $6,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Explore the visual arts of India, with a special focus on contemporary works. Begin in Delhi with visits to the iconic Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb, and spend a morning at the India Art Fair, the country's premier showcase for contemporary art. Drive to Jaipur to tour the City Palace and visit an open-air sculpture exhibition, and in Udaipur, marvel at the Crystal Gallery and an exquisitely carved Jain temple in nearby Ranakpur. Spend a morning at the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur before flying to Mumbai for a three-night stay. Meet contemporary collectors at a private cocktail reception, browse the galleries in the Kala Ghoda area, and take a morning cruise to the Elephanta Cave Temple, housing the masterful triple-head of Shiva. Throughout the journey, stay in some of the country's most luxurious hotels and enjoy special access to contemporary galleries. An optional prelude in Agra includes a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal.

Traveling with You: Christopher Noey, an art historian, curator, author, and an Emmy award-winning producer of films on art and culture. This is his fifth Travel with The Met program to India.

Land Rate: From $12,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Mexico City has become a world-class center for art and design rivaling New York and Paris. On a journey filled with exclusive events, explore the Zona Maco art fair, Latin America’s most important contemporary art show, during the VIP preview day. Enjoy special access to fine museums and modernist buildings, visit artists’ studios and galleries, and discover firsthand why the city’s dining scene is every bit as exciting as its art. See the Júmex Museum, the largest private contemporary art collection in Latin America, and marvel at the Soumaya Museum, containing the private collection of telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim. Enter the National Museum of Anthropology after hours; tour the Luis Barragán House and Studio, home of the father of Mexican modernism; view exquisite Diego Rivera murals; and see the Blue House, where Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera lived and worked for many years.

Traveling with You: Christian Larsen, Associate Curator of Modern Decorative Arts & Design

Land Rate: From $6,999

Activity Level:Moderate to Active

Download the brochure (PDF).

Begin in Cartagena, a colonial gem on the Caribbean. Stroll the cobblestone streets, sample local cuisine, and admire a private art collection. In vibrant Medellín, known as “the City of Eternal Spring,” visit the Botanical Garden with its many tropical and desert plants, and view the extensive collection of works by Fernando Botero at the Museo de Antioquia. On a full-day excursion to Santa Elena, explore the birthplace of the ornate flower arrangements called silletas that are the cornerstone of the annual Flower Festival. Conclude in Bogotá, where highlights include a curatorial tour of the extraordinary Gold Museum and afternoon tea with a prominent artist.

Traveling with You: Emilia Cortes, Conservator, Department of Textile Conservation, and a native of Bogotá.

Land: From $7,799

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

See the best of the Netherlands and Belgium aboard an intimate new barge. From the intriguing Dutch capital to the tiny Belgian town of Bruges, this delightful journey follows meandering rivers and scenic canals. Visit the Rijksmuseum, Kinderdijk windmills, and a traditional brewery, and call at Delft, Ghent, and other charming towns. Highlights include cutting-edge architecture in Rotterdam and the 15th-century Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (Ghent Altarpiece) in Ghent.

Traveling with You: Elizabeth Cleland, Associate Curator in European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, who is responsible for post-medieval European tapestries and northern European glass and enamels. Watch her 82nd & Fifth episode, "Starting Over."

Cruise Rate: From $7,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Portugal’s Douro River Valley, birthplace of Port wine, boasts a rich cultural history and rustic charm. Begin in Porto with a private lunch at the Serralves Foundation before embarking. Admire Baroque architecture and Flemish tapestries in Lamego, and cross the border to spend a day in UNESCO-listed Salamanca, Spain. Wander the narrow streets of Castelo Rodrigo, a fortified hilltop village, and enjoy exclusive dinners and tastings at family-owned wine estates and a thousand-year-old monastery.  Return to Porto for a private concert at Casa da Música, designed by Rem Koolhaas, and a sampling of vintage Ports. Optional Lisbon prelude and Santiago de Compostela postlude.

Traveling with You: Nadine Orenstein, Drue Heinz Curator in Charge of the Department of Drawings and Prints

Cruise Rates: From $5,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Explore the artistic treasures and stunning scenery of two important cities in the Pacific Northwest. Known as the Emerald City, Seattle is a cultural mecca where technology, nature, and the arts intersect. Trace the city’s colorful history in Pioneer Square, a historic district filled with turn-of-the-century architecture and galleries. Visit the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) and its extension, the Olympic Sculpture Park. Then discover the Pilchuck Glass School founded by local sculptor Dale Chihuly, and see his collection of curated glass art at the Chihuly Garden and Glass.  Enjoy dazzling views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains as we drive to Vancouver, where we walk in the Gastown district and spend a day amongst the vibrant floral displays at Butchart Gardens.  Discover the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology, housing one of the world’s finest displays of Northwest Coast First Nations art. 

Traveling with You: Maia Nuku, Evelyn A. J. Hall and John A. Friede Associate Curator for Oceanic Art

Land rate: ​From $6,399

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Sail into the heartland of Russia on an elegant river cruise during the endless summer light of the White Nights. From Moscow, embark on a nine-night voyage aboard the elegant Volga Dream. Call at Uglich, founded a thousand years ago; admire frescoes in Yaroslavl, unscathed by World War II; visit two medieval monasteries in Goritsy; and explore the magical island of Kizhy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend three days aboard the ship in St. Petersburg during the White Nights, when the evening sky never darkens. Enter Catherine Palace before opening hours, see a ballet performance at the renowned Mariinsky Theatre, and tour the Hermitage Museum on an exclusive after-hours visit with a champagne reception and classical music. Enjoy a canal cruise past the city's beautiful pastel palaces and choose a visit to the newly opened Fabergé Museum or a guided tour of St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Onboard classes in Russian language and cuisine will add to the pleasures of this voyage. Optional prelude in Moscow.

Traveling with You: Femke Speelberg, Associate Curator of Historic Ornament, Design, and Architecture in the Department of Drawings & Prints at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Watch her 82nd & Fifth episode, “Fantasy.” 

Cruise Rate: ​From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

Experience Greece from a fresh, exciting perspective, immersing yourself in beautiful landscapes, ancient wonders, and enchanting islands the Greeks regard as national treasures. Explore the extensive ruins on Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and call in Mykonos to enjoy its lively cafés and tavernas. Step ashore on Naxos for a tour of its small, excellent antiquities museum, and stroll the narrow streets of Monemvasia, known as “Greece’s Gibraltar.” In Mycenae, legendary city of Agamemnon, view archaeological treasures unearthed by Schliemann, and conclude on Hydra. Optional prelude in Athens. 

Traveling with You: Curator Seán Hemingway, a seasoned archaeologist who has a particular specialty in Greek and Roman bronzes. In this Connections episode, Seán speaks about his grandfather Ernest Hemingway’s favorite works of art.

Cruise Rate: From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF). 

Sail to Scandinavian and Baltic cities, with their marvelous mix of medieval and modern, aboard an elegant four-masted barque. Embarking Sea Cloud II in Helsinki, call at Tallinn, Estonia, for a private concert inside a 13th-century church. Navigate the Stockholm archipelago to call overnight in the Swedish capital. Step ashore on the tiny island of Gotland, to explore the medieval ruins of Visby. Admire the Art Nouveau district of Riga, Latvia, before an optional excursion to Vilnius, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Call at Gdansk, the Polish port town with a six-century legacy as an independent city-state, before disembarking in Copenhagen. Optional three-night prelude in Helsinki or St. Petersburg and optional two-night postlude in Copenhagen.

Traveling with You: Pierre Terjanian, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Curator in Charge, Department of Arms and Armor at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Watch his 82nd & Fifth episode, “Fashion Plate,” about a costume armor in the museum’s collection. 

Cruise Rate: From $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate

Download the brochure (PDF).

More than twelve centuries ago, the Vikings crossed the North Sea to the British Isles. This was the dawn of the Viking Age, and its 250-year span left an indelible mark on the cultures of Scotland, England, and beyond. Sail in the wake of these brave explorers aboard the elegant Sea Cloud II, navigating channels and firths as did the great Viking ships. Embarking in Copenhagen, call at Oslo  and Stavanger, and view masterpieces at the Bergen Art Museum. Navigate the picturesque Shetland Islands, and step ashore at Kirkwall to visit a Neolithic tomb and fishing village. Conclude with a day in the lively university city of Aberdeen, to visit 16th-century Crathes Castle, with its remarkable gardens, and the fascinating Maritime Museum. Disembark in Edinburgh. Optional prelude in Copenhagen and optional postlude in Edinburgh.

Traveling with You: Melanie Holcomb, Curator in the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. She is a specialist in the luxury arts of the middle ages, from treasure hoards to illuminated manuscripts.

Cruise Rate: From $7,999

Activity Level: Moderate 

Download the brochure (PDF).

Circumnavigate the seductive island of Sicily aboard the legendary Sea Cloud on this perennially popular cruise. Autumn, when the heat and crowds of summer are gone, is the perfect time to discover the cultural marvels of this stepping stone between Europe and Africa. Embark the ship in Valletta, Malta, and sail to Syracuse, once Athens’ rival in wealth and culture. Discover its well-preserved Greek and Roman theaters and visit a Baroque palazzo whose owner will welcome us for a tour. Explore the seven temples of Agrigento during an astonishing afternoon. From Trapani, choose an excursion to the medieval hilltop town of Erice or to Mazara del Vallo, home to the 2,400-year-old “Dancing Satyr,” a spectacular seven-foot bronze statue. Palermo, Sicily’s capital city, beckons with its extraordinary Norman-Arab-Byzantine influences, while Lipari, inhabited continuously for 7,000 years, boasts an archaeological museum that is a must-see. Disembark in Naples. Optional prelude in Malta and optional postlude in Naples.

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 $8,999

Activity Level: Moderate

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

Embark Sea Cloud II in Venice for an unforgettable voyage through the Adriatic, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas, navigating the Dalmatian Coast and the “boot” of Italy. Aboard this elegant sailing yacht, explore ancient towns and impressive archaeological sites where civilizations from Greek to Arab to Norman all left their mark. Call in Ravenna, to admire its Roman and Byzantine mosaics; Dubrovnik, with its exquisite architecture and ancient manuscripts; and Sicily, to tour the classical ruins of Syracuse and visit a private palazzo by special invitation. For 2018, this perennially popular cruise includes new visits to Trieste and Otranto, Italy, and returns to Butrint, Albania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Optional prelude in Venice, Italy, and optional postlude in Valletta, Malta.

Traveling with You: TBA

Cruise Rate: From $7,999

Activity Level: Moderate

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