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Stunningly beautiful Iceland is known for its unique, otherworldly landscapes including rugged hills, icy blue glaciers and black-sand beaches. But Iceland’s stylish capital city, Reykjavik, is also home to impressive cultural attractions, such as Harpa, the magnificent concert hall designed in part by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and opened in 2011. The mesmerizing glass-paneled facade […]
Some of our favorite places to visit around the world are libraries, with their collections of unique objects, rare manuscripts, and beautiful works of art that are lesser known yet no less impressive than their counterparts in busy museums. In Prague, Artisans of Leisure arranges private tours of the magnificent Strahov Library, part of the […]
Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO Ashley Isaacs Ganz just returned from a trip to Italy that included a stop at Expo Milan 2015, an ambitious World’s Fair focused on food. While the many international delicacies on offer were a highlight, the stunning architecture of the national pavilions left the biggest impression. At the top, geometric […]
For travelers interested in decorative arts, the spectacular Juna Mahal (“Old Palace”) in Rajasthan, India is sure to be a highlight of touring in the region. Built in the 13th century for an aristocratic family, the Juna Mahal was expanded over the centuries, finally reaching seven stories. The last residents of the palace moved out […]
Artisans of Leisure’s founder and CEO, Ashley Isaacs Ganz, recently returned from an incredible private tour of Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Russia. Read about favorite cultural, scenic and culinary highlights from her trip.
Situated on the northern Atlantic coast of Morocco, Rabat is a refined capital city that blends the modern and historic in its attractive and well-planned ville nouvelle, relaxed medina and distinctive seaside kasbah. In 2012, Rabat received UNESCO World Heritage status as a “modern capital and historic city.” Yet it remains off the beaten track […]
One of our favorite excursions from Helsinki is to the Iittala glass factory. We can arrange a private tour of the factory to watch artisans creating the glass vases, tableware and objets d’art that are synonymous with modern Finnish design. This tour is especially recommended for collectors of Oiva Toikka—designed Iittala annual birds, eggs and other works of art. All of the vases designed by master Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, including the iconic Savoy vase, are made in the main factory.
Lacquerware is one of our favorite crafts from Japan, where is it known as urushi (lacquer), shikki (lacquerware) or nurimono (coated things). Ishikawa Prefecture is among the most famous of the many regions in Japan where lacquerware is produced. Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa and historically one of the most powerful castle towns in Japan, […]