An in-depth look at Madrid with Mauricio Macarron
Wednesday 13th January 2010
Those who travel regularly with us know the importance which we attach to providing top class guides and lecturers. Mauricio Macarron, a resident of Madrid, continues to attract the highest praise from all our groups who visit the city due to his encyclopaedic knowledge and his ability to communicate with enthusiasm and flair.
Several of you have expressed an interest in returning to Madrid in order to explore sights not covered first time around, and with this in mind Mauricio has helped us put together a few suggestions for alternative visits. Such a tour would appeal to those who already have some knowledge of the city but who would like a more in-depth look in the company of someone who knows it intimately. Four small museums immediately come into the reckoning - the Sorolla, the Cerralbo, the Lazaro Galdiano and the Romántico. These are all intimate spaces which are often overlooked but where one finds superb collections in exquisite city mansions. A number of churches and convents also offer opportunities for rewarding visits – near the delightful convent of Las Descalzas Reales is the convent of La Encarnación, foundation of Margaret of Austria, spouse of Philip III. Meanwhile the church of San Antonio de la Florida contains wonderful Goya frescoes and the church of San Francisco el Grande, close to the Royal Palace and rarely visited, is arguably the most beautiful in Madrid.
A second visit to Madrid also offers the opportunity to explore further afield. Segovia, La Granja, Aranjuez, Chichon are all possibilities whilst a second visit to the Prado allows a more focused approach to viewing some of the vast collection. For the adventurous, the High Speed Train also provides a link to the south since the city of Cordoba can be reached in around 2 hours.
With flights available from a large number of regional airports Madrid is easily accessible for a short visit. Please contact us for a detailed itinerary and prices.
New Masters Gallery and the Sculpture Collection
Wednesday 16th September 2009
One of Dresden’s major museums is set to reopen again in 2010 after a five year period. The Albertinum has undergone major refurbishment in order better to showcase two of the country’s finest collections, the New Masters Gallery and the Sculpture Collection. The Neue Meister boasts works from 1800 onwards, its chief attraction being the outstanding inventory of German Romanticist painting and in particular some seminal works by Caspar David Friedrich. The Expressionists are also well represented whilst the collection of French and German Impressionists is also of the highest order.
By way of contrast, the Skulpturensammlung comprises works which span more than five thousand years, from the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean to the present. Among the items on display are exquisite Greek and Roman sculptures as well as vases, bronzes and terracottas. In the redesigned building treasures rarely shown previously will now be placed on view.
This project represents a further step in the reorganization of the Dresden State Art Collections which began some five years ago. The Historic Green vault opened to enormous public acclaim in 2007 and the reopening of the Albertinum in 2010 will further cement Dresden’s status as one of Europe’s major cultural centres.
Please contact us for further details and for suggested itineraries for your group.
A new museum opens its doors in Normandy
Wednesday 16th September 2009
The former home of the Musée d’Art Américain in Giverny, close to Monet’s famous garden, has reopened its doors as the Musée des Impressionismes. This is a project which is the result of a partnership between the Musée d’Orsay, the Fondation Claude Monet and the Musée Marmottan and is an important addition to the cultural landscape of Normandy. As its name suggests, the museum takes a broad look at the development of Impressionsim in the 19th century and considers its influence in the 20th century. A number of exhibitions are planned for 2010, and to celebrate its opening some 20 works by Monet on the subject of his garden were brought to the museum from the Musée d’Orsay.
Within easy reach of the Channel ports, Normandy offers outstanding possibilities for a group visit. Its tranquil countryside offers a rich variety of gardens and châteaux whilst the cities of Caen and Rouen boast museums of exceptional richness. Please contact us for detailed suggested itineraries and prices.
Looking for inspiration for a group tour in 2010?
Friday 28th August 2009
Our tour to Syria uncovers the immensely rich history and spectacular archaeological sites of the gateway to Asia, Arabia and Africa. Being essentially the richest agricultural country in the eastern Mediterranean, Syria has been at the forefront of human development for the last ten thousand years. It has featured widely in the history of civilisation, from the empires of the Euphrates in the east, the real Mesopotamia, to the Cote d’Azur of the Mediterranean shore to the west, haunt of the Crusader knights. Its classical sites are unquestionably among the finest remains in the Roman world and the lack of mass tourism allows the visitor crowd-free access.
Syria is one of the most pleasant countries of the Middle East. Its people are very hospitable and the food and wines are excellent. In contrast to depictions in the Western media it is an extremely safe country to visit with none of the annoyances and hassles which one might experience in many other Middle Eastern countries. Its tourism infrastructure is also well-developed, with hotels and other services equal to the demands of the western visitor.
Prices in Syria offer exceptional value, and a fully inclusive tour is available at around £845 per person.
Houses, Gardens and Galleries in the UK
Wednesday 6th May 2009
Whether as a by-product of the financial squeeze or simply a realisation of the treasures waiting to be unearthed closer to home, we’ve witnessed an uptake in the number of groups booking UK trips for 2010. Each year we arrange quite a few tours on the domestic front, the majority of which focus either on British stately homes and gardens (both public and private) or on visits to some of the UK’s leading provincial galleries and museums, often in the company of a curator. The familiar hallmarks of our European tours such as first-rate guides and lecturers, little-known and crowd-free visits as well as an excellent choice of hand-picked, centrally located hotels are also key features of our UK itineraries. A prime example of such is a tour to Norfolk which many of our groups have enjoyed; the itinerary encompasses a mix of the illustrious (such as the magnificent house and gardens at Sandringham) as well as less-celebrated but equally rewarding visits such as the Walpole Houses and Holkham Estate with its magnificent collection of fine and decorative art.
Please contact us for a comprehensive selection of UK based tours for 2010.
The Secrets of Florence
Friday 24th April 2009
We all have images of Florence, but beyond the familiar red rooftops, the famous collections of its state museums and the ecclesiastical shrines of its Renaissance heart the city has many other secrets. Join Heritage Group Travel this winter for some glimpses of hidden Florence in the company of a well-connected resident, without the crowds! The tours which we have designed include visits to places which are often overlooked and to which few people have access, making this a truly special opportunity for you and your group.
Please call us for a brochure and an itemised itinerary
