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The Fife Arms is one of the best luxury hotels in Scotland. It is located in Royal Deeside, a picturesque region in the Scottish Highlands known for its beautiful scenery, whisky distilleries, quaint villages, Balmoral Castle and historic connections to the British royal family.
For travelers who love books, history, architecture and design, incorporating visits to some of the world’s most beautiful libraries into private touring is a wonderful way into a destination’s cultural and literary heritage.
For our travelers in London, Artisans of Leisure can arrange attendance at the four o’clock inspection, a lesser-known ceremony also known as the Punishment Parade. This daily ceremony takes place in the courtyard of Horse Guards, an unusually named 18th-century building that serves as the ceremonial entrance to Buckingham and St. James’s palaces.
We love experiencing hot springs and thermal baths around the world—such as serene Japanese onsen and open-air baths at spas in cities such as Budapest and Reykjavik—in spectacular settings.
Artisans of Leisure can incorporate local thermal bath experiences and bathing traditions in all of our private international tours.
Artisans of Leisure arranges private England tours that showcase the best of the country’s Christmas festivities and holiday traditions combined with insider touring in London and the English countryside.
The picturesque town of St. Andrews on the east coast of Scotland is known for its prestigious university, natural beauty and historic golf courses. In addition to its sports heritage and academic credentials, the seaside town also offers travelers centuries of history and rich cultural heritage against a backdrop of rolling hills and the North Sea. Artisans of Leisure arranges private touring in and around St. Andrews for travelers on our private Scotland tours.
One of our favorite private excursions in England’s Lake District is Hill Top, the former home and garden of the author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. The 17th-century stone farmhouse and cottage garden were a great source of inspiration for Beatrix, appearing in many of her book illustrations.
Royal Ascot, one of the world’s most prestigious horse races, is held every summer in England outside of London near Windsor Castle. Synonymous with English tradition and sartorial elegance, it’s an incredible cultural and sporting event. Artisans of Leisure can arrange Royal Ascot tickets and other services such as private drivers, hair styling and more.
Artisans of Leisure arranges private London tours including Westminster Abbey, the majestic setting of coronations, weddings, funerals and other state occasions for nearly a thousand years.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo held every August in Edinburgh, Scotland, is one of the most in-demand events of the city’s renowned summer festivals. Artisans of Leisure arranges VIP tickets to the Military Tattoo, including access to the exclusive Royal Gallery and more.
Synonymous with the Golden Age of travel, luxury train journeys evoke the romance of a bygone era in a way that few other experiences do. Read more about our favorite luxury train journeys that we can incorporate into our customized private tours around the world.
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.
Highlights from a luxurious, multigenerational family tour of Scotland, including Edinburgh, the Highlands and Gleneagles.
Artisans of Leisure arranges private, customized luxury London tours that feature the best of the Christmas and holiday season.
Kelmscott Manor, the country home of the Victorian designer, poet and socialist William Morris, is an iconic Arts & Crafts house-museum and garden in the Cotswolds. Artisans of Leisure can customize tours to include Kelmscott Manor and other Arts & Crafts sites throughout England and Scotland.
We just returned from a private tour of Cornwall and Devon, counties in southwest England that are known for their beautiful coastlines, windswept moors, magnificent gardens, superb cuisine and mild climate.
Celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee taking place in the United Kingdom this year will demonstrate British pomp and pageantry at their best. Artisans of Leisure can arrange private England tours that incorporate the Platinum Jubilee events and festivities and private tours of places related to the queen and the British monarchy.
Chartwell is the much-loved family home of Winston Churchill in the countryside south of London. For travelers interested in historic houses, English gardens and the life of one of the United Kingdom’s greatest statesmen, Chartwell makes a wonderful private excursion from London.
Artisans of Leisure can arrange hospitality packages and VIP access at the top Formula 1 races and coordinate race dates seamlessly with private touring and luxury accommodations.
Seeing heather in Scotland is an iconic experience for many travelers.
The iconic Tower of London is an ancient castle complex steeped in nearly 1,000 years of English history. For a very special, exclusive London experience, Artisans of Leisure can arrange after-hours private tours, including attendance at the Ceremony of the Keys.
The walled city of York is one of England’s best-preserved medieval cities. On the doorstep of two spectacular national parks, York is a must for anyone interested in history, architecture and incredible landscapes.
For many travelers, a highlight of visiting Ireland is shopping for exquisite traditional crafts and other items. Artisans of Leisure knows the best artisans, studios and shops—places that showcase and preserve centuries-old craft techniques and traditions and are great places to see and buy beautiful handmade items.
England is one of our favorite tour destinations. Enjoy photos of the very best of the country with our private England tours that include top cultural, scenic and culinary highlights of London, Oxfordshire, Bath, the Cotswolds, the Lake District and more.
Artisans of Leisure arranges private luxury England tours, including London day tours to Kew Gardens to visit the Marianne North Museum to see the artist’s botanicals and travel paintings.
England is an incredible destination for literature lovers, full of landmark literary sites that bring to life favorite authors and characters. Read about some of our favorite literary destinations throughout the country that we can incorporate into any private Artisans of Leisure tour of England.
Highclere Castle is one of our favorite excursions from London for architecture, interiors and gardens.
Artisans of Leisure’s exclusive Whisky Tour of Scotland features insider experiences at iconic distilleries, the most luxurious accommodation and highlights of private cultural and scenic touring.
Afternoon Tea is a wonderful way to experience local culinary culture in England. Artisans of Leisure arranges Afternoon Tea throughout England, including at legendary hotels, country estates, heritage homes and insider spots.
Artisans of Leisure arranges private family heritage and genealogical tours all over the world.
Artisans of Leisure arranges private visits to Chedworth Roman Villa, a remarkable archaeological site in the idyllic Cotswolds.
We recently caught up with the founder of Araminta Campbell, one of Scotland’s leading designers of luxurious handwoven tweeds and tartans. For a unique insider experience in Edinburgh, we can arrange an exclusive visit to the Araminta Campbell studio.
We asked Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO Ashley Isaacs Ganz to share some favorite experiences in Ireland based on her most recent visit to this beautiful country. Read more about her tour and the best of Ireland. Q.) Tell us about your trip. Where did you go? I traveled all over the country, and I also […]
For travelers looking for incredible scenery, interesting culture and history, warm hospitality and wonderful luxury hotels, we highly recommend Scotland. Artisans of Leisure travel specialist, Stephanie, just returned from a trip through Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye. Enjoy these images from her trip. There’s so much to see and do in […]
The sumptuous interiors, beautiful gardens and extensive grounds at Cliveden make this one of our favorite properties in the London area, conveniently located near Heathrow Airport and Windsor Castle, and a fitting choice for Meghan Markle, who will spend the night before the Royal Wedding at the historic property with her mother.
Artisans of Leisure arrange tickets to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the ultimate experience for flower aficionados, as well as exclusive private tours of London’s top gardens.
Artisans of Leisure arranges exclusive Harry Potter touring for fans of the iconic book and film series in England and Scotland.
Located off Scotland’s rugged west coast, the remote and wild Isle of Skye is a must for travelers interested in spectacular landscapes, outstanding local cuisine and a dash of Hebridean history. Around the island, unique natural formations—many with volcanic origins—are ideal for hikers, walkers and photographers. One of the most famous and most photographed is […]
Rolling hills, charming stone villages, Roman ruins, and beautiful gardens are the best-known highlights of the Cotswolds in England. The pastoral region—which is at the heart of England’s farm-to-table movement—has also become a popular foodie destination where restaurants incorporate fresh, local ingredients into refined versions of traditional British cuisine and more modern takes on international […]
Private members clubs have been a tradition in London for centuries. One of the most prestigious is The Arts Club, which was established in 1863. Long a haven for writers, artists, musicians and other creatives, the club is in the heart of stylish Mayfair, one of our favorite London neighborhoods. Recently, The Arts Club created […]
The Serpentine Gallery is one of the best places in London to experience contemporary art. We especially love exploring the temporary pavilion the gallery commissions in Kensington Gardens each summer. This year’s pavilion was designed by the Spanish architecture firm selgascano, led by Jose Selgas and Lucia Cano. The tunnel-like structure hides a cafe at […]
On a recent trip through England’s beautiful Cotswolds region, we fell in love with local foodie publication Crumbs. The well-designed magazine focuses on regional chefs, ingredients and culinary traditions through in-depth articles and mouth-watering photographs. Artisans of Leisure culinary travel specialist Luke Pyenson caught up with Crumbs editor Laura Rowe, who also edits the magazine’s sister […]
We recently returned from a private Scotland tour, including favorite destinations such as Edinburgh, the Highlands and the Isle of Skye. Artisans of Leisure arranges the private touring of the cultural and scenic highlights of Scotland.
Experiencing pub culture is a quintessential experience when traveling in Ireland. Large or small, modern and elegant or centuries-old, these neighborhood bars serve as community living rooms, where friends and family gather to socialize or enjoy a hearty meal. We love that wherever we are in Ireland we can stop in a local pub, order […]
The Thanksgiving holiday is an ideal time for a quick overseas getaway with family or friends. It’s also a great way to celebrate the tradition in a creative way. Artisans of Leisure’s private, customized Thanksgiving tours combine in-depth cultural touring with the best of the season, such as fall foliage, special cultural performances and holiday […]
One of the world’s most luxurious trains, the Royal Scotsman, a Belmond train, is a great extension to any of our private Scotland tours.
We recently caught up with Emeric Harney of Harney & Sons Fine Teas to discuss tea, travel, fashion, food and more. Q: What makes Harney & Sons unique? A: Harney & Sons is a tea company that is committed to making quality tea an everyday luxury. We pride ourselves on providing education on proper tea […]
We recently returned to the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, a luxury resort in the beautiful English countryside just 35 minutes from Heathrow Airport.
Many people with restricted diets or food allergies worry about finding appropriate meals when traveling overseas. Several of our in-house travel experts have food restrictions, so we understand firsthand the challenges. We also know how to overcome them. Artisans of Leisure regularly works with travelers who have food restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, kosher, gluten-free and […]
Europe is one of our favorite regions to visit in the summer, and there’s still time to plan an incredible summer vacation. Here are a few ideas from our travel specialists. 1.) For the Mediterranean at its best Recommended destinations: Italy & Sicily, French Riviera, Greece & more Inspiration for your tour: Enjoying beautiful views […]
Your son likes castles, your daughter likes shopping, your husband likes history, and you like art–how can you make sure that family vacations please everyone? Artisans of Leisure specializes in one-of-a-kind, private, customized family tours that feature a world of engaging experiences sure to satisfy families of all sizes, ages and interests. Here are a […]
Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO Ashley Isaacs Ganz reveals a few of her favorite things about Scotland and her recent trip there. Favorite hotels on this trip: Gleneagles, in the Perthshire countryside, is truly one of the great resorts in Europe. I also love The Balmoral in Edinburgh. The location is ideal. It’s a […]
We love the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London–it’s a hotel that gets it right on every level. It has a perfect location in Knightsbridge, just steps from some of the city’s best shopping spots (including Harvey Nichols, Harrod’s, Walton Street, The Kings Road, Sloane Street and Sloane Avenue), beautiful Hyde Park and the Chelsea […]
Artisans of Leisure arranges incredible family vacations customized to families of all sizes and age ranges.
The Chelsea Physic Garden is one of our favorite places in London. Hidden behind high brick walls and largely unknown to many travelers, this three-and-a-half-acre garden is not just a beautiful and relaxing sanctuary. It’s also a fascinating window into the botanical world, international trade and London’s history. The garden was founded in 1673 by […]
Olga Polizzi, director of design for the Rocco Forte Collection, is the creative mind behind many of our favorite international hotels, including Hotel de Russie in Rome, Brown’s Hotel in London, and Hotel Astoria in St. Petersburg. Olga works closely with her brother, famed hotelier Sir Rocco Forte. We recently spoke with her about travel, […]
We recently caught up with David Elliott, the British-born, globetrotting curator. A major tastemaker in the contemporary art world, Elliott has been the director at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, Japan and at the Istanbul Modern in Turkey, helping introduce a fresh approach to contemporary art in both cities. Elliott’s current post is artistic […]
John is one of the travel experts based in our New York City office. He’s passionate about art and architecture, and helps design our tours around the world. Q: What are your favorite travel destinations? A: Each destination is fascinating in its own way, and I love exploring new places and discovering what’s distinctive about them—local […]
One of the highlights of having a privately guided tour of the Cotswolds is the opportunity to learn about the incredible gardens in the region–the history, unique characters and characteristics of the manor homes and their gardens, and how international trade and exploration influenced English gardens, planting and style in the Cotswolds. Our tours of England and the […]
Something I like to do when I travel is try the local version of a traditional British afternoon tea. Usually this is found in countries that have a history of British occupation, but not always. One of my favorite versions is at The Peninsula in Hong Kong. Held in the hotel’s elegant lobby, the menu […]
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