Cool-weather destinations are increasingly in demand during the high summer season, with travelers prioritizing “coolcations” in the milder climates of northern Europe over the hotter temperatures of the Mediterranean. Artisans of Leisure arranges private tours in favorite destinations that are less hot during the summer months.

Read More »

Some of the world’s best wineries are also great destinations for travelers interested in contemporary art and architecture. Artisans of Leisure can customize private tours around the world that include unique wine and design destinations.

Read More »

Schonbrunn Palace, the opulent former summer residence of the powerful Habsburg rulers from the late 17th to the early 20th century, is one of the design highlights of Vienna, Austria. Exquisite interiors—including the Bergl Rooms—and vast landscaped gardens are an enduring testament to the imperial family’s grandeur, elegance and artistic patronage.

Read More »

Every year from mid-November through late December, thousands of Christmas markets transform town centers throughout Europe into winter wonderlands with twinkling lights, Christmas music and alpine-style wooden chalets overflowing with local crafts and seasonal treats. They’re a highlight of winter holiday travel and a wonderful way to experience a destination’s seasonal cheer. Read more about our favorite Christmas markets in Europe.

Read More »

Many of our travelers to Salzburg, Austria, enjoy taking a private tour of locations made famous in The Sound of Music, the classic 1965 movie starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Read about some of our favorite film locations we take travelers to in and around Salzburg.

Read More »

Vienna is one of Europe’s most interesting cities, and a treasure trove of culture, cuisine and craftsmanship. Artisans of Leisure arranges private insider tours that feature the best of the city.

Read More »

Read about the best of Vienna, Prague and Budapest in this exclusive interview with Ashley Isaacs Ganz, founder and CEO of Artisans of Leisure.

Read More »

 Vienna, Austria’s stylish and sophisticated capital, is one of our favorite destinations for design and architecture touring. The compact city is a veritable open-air museum of fascinating buildings that reflect its changing styles and power structure over the centuries. As the former capital of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna has a wealth of Baroque architecture, including beautiful churches […]

Read More »

We love visiting European cities during the holiday season, especially to visit the wonderful Christmas markets that take place throughout the region. The markets—which showcase local holiday traditions, seasonal cuisine, and regional crafts—are an amazing way to join in the local holiday cheer. Many cities in Europe—from Salzburg, Austria to Waterford, Ireland—have Christmas markets. Some […]

Read More »

The Park Hyatt Vienna is a great hotel option for travelers wanting luxury and contemporary style in the heart of the Austrian capital. Set in a grand historic building in one of our favorite neighborhoods of this culturally rich city, the Park Hyatt is just steps from St. Stephen’s Cathedral, major museums and historic attractions, […]

Read More »

Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO Ashley Isaacs Ganz shares a few of her favorite things about her recent two-week overland trip that visited parts of Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France. Favorite hotels on this trip: I love the luxurious Old World hotels found throughout the region, such as Brenners Park-Hotel in Baden-Baden, Germany; the […]

Read More »

Looking for great options for a short international trip over the Christmas and New Year holidays? Our luxury travel experts have selected five of their favorite destinations. 1.) Marrakesh A week in Marrakesh promises over-the-top luxury, thriving traditional culture, great shopping and dining, and plenty of outdoor options. We recommend using Marrakesh as base for five or […]

Read More »

Classical music is the enduring soundtrack of Central Europe and one of the many compelling reasons to visit the region. Some of the world’s greatest composers were born here—including Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt and Dvorak—and their musical masterpieces are a legacy treasured by locals and visitors alike. One of our favorite ways to immerse […]

Read More »

We feel that food is a window into culture, history and traditions, and we always encourage our travelers to visit local food markets as part of the private tours we arrange. It’s a great opportunity for people-watching and to sample the tastes and flavors of each destination. Here are a few of our favorite food […]

Read More »

Our favorite time to visit Vienna is during the magical holiday season that takes place from late November through December. For families traveling in Vienna during this time, we arrange special activities that are particularly recommended during the holiday season, such as making gingerbread in the kitchen at Schonbrunn Palace. We also arrange for families […]

Read More »

Vienna is one of the best places in Europe to find antiques, and many Artisans of Leisure travelers ask us to arrange their private day tours to include time to browse the best antique districts and visit Vienna’s leading auction houses, including the Dorotheum. For such clients, we assign guides who are particularly knowledgeable about Austrian and […]

Read More »