The great Northern Renaissance Master in his home town
Wednesday 16th November 2011
The largest exhibition in Germany on Dürer in over 40 years will take place in the artist’s home town of Nuremberg between May and September 2012. Dürer was the first German artist to enjoy recognition within his own lifetime and is considered to be one of the greatest artists of the Northern Renaissance. He experimented in many media, from delicate watercolours of plant and animal life to dramatic woodcuts and engravings on religious themes. This major exhibition offers a unique opportunity to witness Dürer’s artistic development through a series of pictorial and written documents, many of which will be on show for the first time. Heritage Group Travel has designed several tour itineraries to incorporate this unique exhibition as well as cultural visits further afield. Please contact us for full details and a suggested tour for your group
Far more than a holiday island
Wednesday 16th November 2011
During September we arranged a lecture and lunch in the fascinating surroundings of the recently renovated Museum of the Order of St John in London. Quite appropriately, the theme was Malta and its cultural and historical significance, and we are very grateful for the support of the Maltese Tourist Office in London in making this possible. We have long championed the cause of Malta as a destination for cultural group tours in the face of its popular image as a mass-market tourist destination. The event at The Museum of St John provided the perfect opportunity to showcase Malta’s cultural heritage and in order to do so we enlisted the services of Geoffrey Toms who lectures widely for many NADFAS and other groups and who knows Malta well. With over 7,000 years of history to explore Malta is a true treasure-trove of artistic, archaeological and historical delights. Its position in the heart of the Mediterranean has always been central to its importance as a trade route, and what makes the island unique is that so much of its past is visible today. The tours which we arrange take in the broad sweep of Maltese history through the island’s art and architecture whilst at the same time offer an insight into aristocratic life of the island by way of privileged access to some private homes with their fine collections of furniture, silverware and paintings. So if you thought that Malta was just another island in the sun, please, please think again!
A lecture and lunch in the company of John Osborne
Tuesday 15th March 2011
Thank you to all who attended our lunch and lecture at St Columba's church on March 10th. It was wonderful to see so many of you in informal surrounings, and to learn of the many and varied trips which you organise on behalf of your societies and associations. Everyone commented on how informative the lecture on Bulgaria had been, and it reinforced our belief that these events offer a marvellous opportunity for you to exchange views and ideas with colleagues from similar organisations. Several similar events are in the pipeline for later this year so please do get in touch if you'd like to be kept informed.
In the meantime there is a short feature on our new tour to Bulgaria on our website and details of this can be found by following the link in the Latest News and Events section on our homepage.
News of a new tour to a relatively undiscovered region
Tuesday 15th March 2011
Although relatively untouched by visitors from Western Europe, Bulgaria is a country of astounding natural beauty with an astonishing wealth of historical monuments. Situated at the south eastern corner of Europe, the many and varied civilizations which once occupied this area all left cultural legacies which have turned modern-day Bulgaria into a living open-air museum. The country has known many rulers - Thracians, Romans, Byzantines and Ottoman Turks - resulting in an eclectic cultural mix all set against a backdrop of fine mountain scenery.
The country's well-preserved medieval monasteries are of particular significance. They form part of the Orthodox tradition of religious art and architecture in south eastern Europe that stems from Byzantium and were instrumental in keeping alive the country's values and traditions during Ottoman rule. The renowned monasteries at Rila,Troyan and Bachkovo are all set in beautifully wooded landscapes and reveal wonderfully vivid frescoes in an atmosphere of utmost serenity.
Our suggested itinerary offers a real insight into the culture and history of this fascinating nation, and also includes visits to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second city which is home to a Roman theatre, cobbled streets and some delightful 19th century architecture; to the conservation village of Koprivshtica, rich in vernacular architecture and where the April Uprising of 1876 against the Ottoman regime began; and of course to Sofia, Bulgaria's capital city, where the National Historical Museum boasts an extensive collection of old Thracian treasures and presents the history of Bulgaria by means of an excellent array of artefacts from prehistoric times to the early
20th century. Local culture, as well as the tasting of some of Bulgaria's finest wines, is also an important feature of any tour to this fascinating country.
Please contact us for full details of this tour.
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