Luxury Art & Design Tours

Decorative Arts & Gardens of England
(9 Days)
London, Cotswolds

Art Tour of France
(10 Days)
Paris & Versailles, Provence, Cote d’Azur

Art & Design Tour of Berlin
(5 Days)
Berlin & Potsdam

Art & Temples of India
(18 Days)
Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho & Panna National Park, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Mumbai

Culture, Crafts & Cuisine of Ireland
(13 days)
Dublin, Ballyfin, Ballymaloe, Killarney, Adare, Ashford Castle

Italy for Art Lovers
(13 Days)
Rome, Florence & Assisi, Bologna & Ravenna, Venice & Padua, Milan

Contemporary Art & Architecture of Japan
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto & Miho Museum, Naoshima, Tokyo

Art, Crafts & Design of Mexico
(9 Days)
Mexico City, Oaxaca

Arts & Crafts of Morocco
(13 Days)
Casablanca, Fez, Rabat, Atlas Mountains, Essaouira, Marrakesh

Arts & Crafts of Myanmar
(9 Days)
Yangon & Twante, Bagan & Mount Popa, Mandalay

Design, Architecture & Nature of Norway
(9 Days)
Oslo, Alesund & Atlantic Road, Norangsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Storfjord

Art & Design of Portugal
(8 Days)
Lisbon & Sintra, Porto

Contemporary Art & Design in Seoul & Jeju Island
(8 Days)
Seoul, Jeju Island

Swedish Design Tour
(5 Days)
Stockholm & environs

Art Tour of Switzerland
(6 Days)
Geneva, Basel & Weil am Rhein, Zurich with St. Gallen & Winterthur

Design & Gardens Tour of Sicily
(8 Days)
Palermo & Monreale, Taormina with Noto, Syracuse & Villa Romana del Casale

Decorative Arts & Gardens Tour of Paris
(8 Days)
Paris & environs

Traditional Crafts of Japan
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Kurashiki, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa

Exclusive Japan: Amans, Art & Onsen
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Naoshima, Kyoto, Ise-Shima region

MULTI-COUNTRY TOURS

Food, Design & Culture of Copenhagen & Sweden
(12 Days)
Stockholm, Kingdom of Crystal, Wanas, Malmo, Copenhagen

Dutch & Flemish Art Tour
(10 days)
Bruges & Ghent, Brussels & Antwerp, Amsterdam with The Hague, Delft & Kroller-Muller Museum

Design & Gardens Tour of Sicily

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Palermo & Monreale, Taormina with Noto, Syracuse & Villa Romana del Casale

This private tour of Sicily features the most interesting gardens and cultural highlights of this fascinating Mediterranean island. Learn how Sicily's unique climate, soil and history have shaped its beautiful landscapes while touring top private and public gardens, as well as olive orchards, citrus groves, farms, vineyards and the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna.

Begin in Palermo. One of Italy's great art and culinary cities, Palermo also has abundant gardens and green spaces. During private touring in the historic center of the city, see the Palermo Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico Palermo), one of the oldest and most important plant research gardens and facilities in the Mediterranean region. Also visit Villa Tasca, an opulent 16th-century mansion surrounded by Romantic gardens, mature trees and citrus groves. One afternoon, enjoy a private tour of the stunning, UNESCO-listed Cathedral of Monreale, which is filled with glittering mosaic masterpieces. Also see the cathedral's ornate cloister and small garden.

Continue to Taormina, a historic clifftop town overlooking the sea. Explore Taormina's Greek theater and beautiful Public Garden, a hillside paradise of exotic plants, lava-rock follies and promenades with views. During leisure time, perhaps browse local boutiques or relax at your hotel, which has spectacular views of the Bay of Naxos and Mount Etna from its terraces and lush private gardens.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to the UNESCO-listed Baroque town of Noto. Enjoy private touring of the atmospheric backstreets, important architectural highlights, and the town's renowned gelato and pastry shops. Also visit Palazzo Castelluccio, a grand 18th-century palace with restored interiors.

Another day, enjoy a private excursion to Mount Etna, an active volcano synonymous with Sicily whose slopes thrive with gardens, vineyards and farms. Tour a private garden where the rich volcanic soil and traditional irrigation system support a vibrant mix of native and exotic plants, local flowers, Mediterranean shrubs, and fruit and nut trees. Also enjoy a lunch that incorporates the best of Sicily's fresh, regional ingredients accompanied by wines made from unique grapes grown on Mount Etna. Alternatively, take a private excursion to see the exquisite Roman mosaic floors adorning the fourth-century Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also visit Caltagirone, a town renowned for ceramics, to browse boutiques and perhaps climb the monumental staircase decorated with hand-painted tiles.

Also enjoy a private excursion to Syracuse, a powerful city in antiquity. Tour the city with an expert private guide and explore highlights such as the Greek theater, Roman amphitheater, the ancient cathedral, the cave known as the Ear of Dionysius, the historic center of the island of Ortygia, charming seaside neighborhoods and elegant architecture. Also tour the renowned Giardino del Biviere private garden with the owner, a botany specialist who transformed the grounds of an ancient feudal estate into a fragrant Mediterranean Eden of succulents, roses, jasmine, citrus trees and palms.

This tour can easily be customized with private garden touring elsewhere in Italy or Europe.

Itinerary Overview
Day 1

Arrive Palermo

Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights. Afternoon private tour

Day 2

Palermo & Monreale

Morning private garden and design touring. Afternoon private tour of Monreale

Day 3

Palermo

Morning private excursion to Villa Tasca

Day 4

Palermo – Taormina

Private transfer to Taormina for 4 nights. Afternoon tour in Taormina

Day 5

Taormina & Noto

Full-day private excursion

Day 6

Taormina & environs

Full-day private excursion to Mt. Etna or Villa Romana del Casale and, if desired, Caltagirone

Day 7

Taormina & Syracuse

Private excursion to Syracuse and Lentini Gardens

Day 8

Depart Catania

Private transfer to airport


Hotels
Palermo:

Villa Igiea

Taormina: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo or Four Seasons San Domenico Palace

Cost
$16,930 Per person (double occupancy)

Luxury Art & Design Tours

Decorative Arts & Gardens of England
(9 Days)
London, Cotswolds

Art Tour of France
(10 Days)
Paris & Versailles, Provence, Cote d’Azur

Art & Design Tour of Berlin
(5 Days)
Berlin & Potsdam

Art & Temples of India
(18 Days)
Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho & Panna National Park, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Mumbai

Culture, Crafts & Cuisine of Ireland
(13 days)
Dublin, Ballyfin, Ballymaloe, Killarney, Adare, Ashford Castle

Italy for Art Lovers
(13 Days)
Rome, Florence & Assisi, Bologna & Ravenna, Venice & Padua, Milan

Contemporary Art & Architecture of Japan
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto & Miho Museum, Naoshima, Tokyo

Art, Crafts & Design of Mexico
(9 Days)
Mexico City, Oaxaca

Arts & Crafts of Morocco
(13 Days)
Casablanca, Fez, Rabat, Atlas Mountains, Essaouira, Marrakesh

Arts & Crafts of Myanmar
(9 Days)
Yangon & Twante, Bagan & Mount Popa, Mandalay

Design, Architecture & Nature of Norway
(9 Days)
Oslo, Alesund & Atlantic Road, Norangsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Storfjord

Art & Design of Portugal
(8 Days)
Lisbon & Sintra, Porto

Contemporary Art & Design in Seoul & Jeju Island
(8 Days)
Seoul, Jeju Island

Swedish Design Tour
(5 Days)
Stockholm & environs

Art Tour of Switzerland
(6 Days)
Geneva, Basel & Weil am Rhein, Zurich with St. Gallen & Winterthur

Design & Gardens Tour of Sicily
(8 Days)
Palermo & Monreale, Taormina with Noto, Syracuse & Villa Romana del Casale

Decorative Arts & Gardens Tour of Paris
(8 Days)
Paris & environs

Traditional Crafts of Japan
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Kurashiki, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa

Exclusive Japan: Amans, Art & Onsen
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Naoshima, Kyoto, Ise-Shima region

MULTI-COUNTRY TOURS

Food, Design & Culture of Copenhagen & Sweden
(12 Days)
Stockholm, Kingdom of Crystal, Wanas, Malmo, Copenhagen

Dutch & Flemish Art Tour
(10 days)
Bruges & Ghent, Brussels & Antwerp, Amsterdam with The Hague, Delft & Kroller-Muller Museum

Testimonials

Our guide in Japan arranged one-on-one conversations with some amazing artisans… lots of credit to Artisans for arranging things so well, understanding our interests and making sure they were communicated to Japan.
~ J.R., Raleigh, NC

The art scene in Mexico City was even better than we could have imagined. Thank you for organizing such a great guide. We never would have been able to experience the city in the same way without him. We really appreciated all of the Artisans of Leisure touches and special connections.
~ L.S., New York, NY

Our recent Vietnam trip was excellent…Thank you for arranging for us to visit the home and studio of the renowned art dealer in Hanoi.
~ A.R., Easton, MD

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In the Press

Recommended by:

Departures
Conde Nast Traveler
The New York Times
Wall Street Journal
Travel + Leisure
Town & Country

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Art & Design On Our Blog

Highlights of Venice: Art, Architecture, Interiors, Wine, Crafts, History & the Lagoon

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on the Cote d’Azur in France

The Metropol Parasol: Contemporary Design & Architecture in Seville, Spain

The Landscape Murals and Beautiful Interiors of the Bergl Rooms in Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Westminster Abbey in London, England

First Look: The New Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt

Exclusive Visits to the Ricardo do Espirito Santo Silva Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal

Gaudi & More: The Top Architecture Highlights of Barcelona, Spain

Seeing Tadao Ando Architecture in South Korea

Spectacular Architecture, Gardens & Interiors in Lisbon and Sintra, Portugal

Touring the Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris, France

Kelmscott Manor, an Arts & Crafts House in the Cotswolds, England

Just Back: Art, Wine, History & Interiors in Florence, Tuscany & Rome, Italy

A Private Tour of Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) in Porto, Portugal

The Korea Furniture Museum in Seoul, South Korea

Basalt Columns in Iceland: Architecture Inspired by Remarkable Landscapes

Must Visit: Naoshima, Japan’s Art Island

Interiors & Architecture: A Private Tour of Bayt al-Suhaymi in Cairo, Egypt

Architecture and Design Touring in Vienna

Museum Van Loon, a Historic House-Museum and Garden in Amsterdam

Visiting an Ancient Stepwell in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Jeju Island in South Korea: Contemporary Architecture, Tea Plantations, Volcanic Landscapes & More

The Iconic Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

Just Back: French Art, History, Interiors & Fine Dining in Paris & Versailles

Behind-the-Scenes Culinary and Crafts Touring in Japan

Must Experience: James Turrell’s Gathered Sky in Beijing

Ceramics in Japan: Robert Yellin’s Yakimono Gallery in Kyoto

Helsinki: Top 10 Architecture & Design Sites

Luis Barragan: Modern Architecture in Mexico City

Exclusive Tours of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia

Blue-and-white Ceramics and Azulejo Tiles in Portugal

A Conversation with Renowned Art Curator David Elliott

A Private “Sound of Music” Tour in Salzburg, Austria

Yosegi: A Traditional Craft in Hakone, Japan

Read more on our blog...