LONDON.- Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, is delighted to introduce a collection of exceptional art journeys combining the talents of the world’s leading art business and the international leader in luxury travel. Renowned for their shared passions in creating extraordinary and meaningful experiences for their clients around the world, A&K and Christie’s have come together to handpick destinations which are best suited to small, intimate groups of like-minded individuals who love art, culture and travel. From the Côte D’Azur, Venice, Florence, and London, to Cairo and Beijing , every itinerary features signature ‘insider access’ elements to provide special art experiences in an exclusive setting – with behind-the-scenes entrée to the art world, plus personal insights from a Christie’s specialist. Each Christie’s host has acquired deep expertise in their specialty through a unique combination of academic preparation and real-world experience in the hunt for the world’s most sought-after auction items, accumulating vast networks of artists, collectors and curators. The result is a truly distinctive experience for those who are curious and just dipping their toe into the art world, or simply fanatical about art.
The 2015 collection features two options of itineraries to cater for the varying levels of art or cultural engagement desired by the client. The ‘Experience Tours’ are itineraries designed to focus on the whole cultural experience of a destination, and appeal to art and culture lovers. Custom-made ‘signature moments’ are woven into each itinerary to offer one-off art-focused experiences, led by a Christie’s specialist in exclusive settings. Aspirational art connoisseurs will find these special experiences the perfect preview for a Collector Tour. For a limited time, the Experience Tour to Egypt is available at a savings of £500 per person, double occupancy, if booked before 28 February, 2015.
The ‘Collector Tours’ are designed for art enthusiasts, aspiring collectors and connoisseurs – those interested in collecting, or those wishing to increase their knowledge in a specific genre of their art or cultural interest. These tours are in-depth and focused on the learning experience, offering rare, insider experiences to the usually inaccessible layers of the art world. Meeting leading artists, collectors and curators of world-class art institutions around the world is integral to these itineraries as is their expert leadership. Throughout each tour, a leading specialist from Christie’s accompanies the group, offering a new or different perspective on their area of expertise in fine or contemporary art, jewellery or design, or the art market and collecting.
Experience Tours:
Florence: The Art and Literature of the Renaissance
Join Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, on a journey through Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and once the inspiration for masters including Brunelleschi, Bernini and Michelangelo. The city itself is a masterpiece, where history pours from every corner, and the volume of magnificent art and architecture at every turn makes the fashionable city one of the world’s finest open-air museums. It is a compact city of cobbled streets and hidden piazzas, which tell a story of historic daily life, and is best explored on foot.
Dates/Pricing: Florence: The Art and Literature of the Renaissance tour runs three times: 23-27 April, 15-19 October, 29 October – 2 November, with a price of £2,995 per person, double occupancy.
Venice: From Renaissance to the Biennale
Join Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, in Venice as we wind through the canals and hidden passages in search of some of the city’s most magnificent works of art. Architecture and art are part and parcel of the city’s charm, from the Renaissance buildings that flank the grand palazzos to the modern masters such as Picasso and Miró whose work is intricately documented at the Guggenheim. We’ll go behind the scenes of some of the city’s most exclusive museums and galleries to experience the masterpieces without the crowds.
Dates/Pricing: Venice: From Renaissance to the Biennale runs three times: 1-5 October, 22-26 October and 29 October – 2 November, and is £3,795 per person, double occupancy.
France: The Art of Southern France
Join Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, in the South of France as we travel through the lavender fields of Provence and glittering coastline of the Côte d’Azur, punctuated by medieval villages overlooking the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. It was the light and landscapes of the region that attracted Matisse, Picasso, Chagall and Renoir to the Riviera, and on this trip we’ll take a step back in time to retrace their footsteps and discover the inspiration behind such a significant period in art. The A&K guide James M'Kenzie-Hall will accompany guests throughout the trip, sharing his unrivalled knowledge and expertise on French art, while Christie’s Impressionist and Modern Art specialist Antoine Lebouteiller will join us at Saint-Paul-de-Vence to share his insight into the life of Matisse and friends.
Dates/Pricing: France: The Art of Southern France runs on 3-7 September and 10 – 14 September 2015 and is priced at £2,995 per person, double occupancy.
Egypt: Pharaohs and Feluccas
Join Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, in the Land of the Pharaohs as we reveal the secrets of Giza's monolithic pyramids, the treasures housed in the Museum of Antiquities and The Valley of the Kings, as well as iconic temples that stretch along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. A&K has been offering luxury holidays to Egypt for over 30 years, employing over 400 staff on the ground. Our expert Egyptologists will bring the ancient civilisation back to life, with exclusive insider access to the private tomb opening of Queen Nefertari, a special opening of the pyramid of Cheops and the exclusive charter of the Sun Boat III, the Nile’s most luxurious river cruise escorted by two Egyptologists.
Dates/Pricing: Egypt: Pharaohs and Feluccas takes place on 9-17 October with Antiquities Sale Preview at Christie’s, King Street, London on 26 September. From £4,495 per person, double occupancy, with an earlybird offer from £3,995 per person, if booked before 28th February.
Collector Tours:
London: The Jewels of London
The Jewels of London from Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, offers a specialist-led, behind-the-scenes insight into the most iconic jewels in the world, taking place 1-4 June 2015. This 4-day tour is designed to dazzle and explores London’s most important jewels that are both historically significant and world-renowned. Like all Christie’s Collector Tours, this is led by one of the world’s most knowledgeable experts, in this case the Senior International Jewellery Director at Christie’s, David Warren. The tour is an exceptional collection of sights and experiences to remember, including a private view of the magnificent Crown Jewels at the Tower of London and dinner in the White Tower with the jewellery experts - a rare and regal experience. A private tour of the jewellery collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum and world-famous jewellery ateliers on Bond Street will be among the tour’s extraordinary experiences. Guests are invited to a unique dinner at the Christie’s boardroom, where the dress code is strictly “no jewels,” so that they may be “bejewelled” by exquisite pieces from the upcoming Magnificent Jewels sale.
London: The Jewels of London tour takes place on 1-4 June 2015 and is priced from £3,400 per person, double occupancy.
China: Ancient to Contemporary China
Four cities, ten days: discover the best of Beijing, X’ian, Jingdezhen and Shanghai. Join the Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, in a fascinating, expert-led journey through the history of China’s rich dynastic heritage to the fast-paced contemporary art scene. Nixi Cura, Programme Director of the Arts of China at Christie’s Education, offers a personal and in-depth insight into the newest and the oldest Chinese art, including some of the most eminent artists producing world-class contemporary works of art, sold at Christie’s auction house today. In the spirit of Christie’s Travel’s mission to create extraordinary ‘signature moments’ throughout its Collector Tours, this itinerary is packed with special access to the inaccessible and the undiscovered enclaves of the art world.
China: Ancient to Contemporary China takes place on 23 Oct – 1 Nov 2015, from £8,700 per person, double occupancy.
