On the outskirts of Lisbon, Portugal, Fronteira Palace (Palacio Fronteira) is a must-see for its spectacular formal gardens and the historic azulejo tiles that adorn its buildings. Built as a hunting lodge and summer retreat in the 17th century by Dom Joao de Mascarenhas, the first Marquess of Fronteira, the main structure was transformed into an opulent palace in the 18th century. After the 1755 earthquake that devastated much of Lisbon, the Mascarenhas family moved permanently to Fronteira Palace and continues to live there today. Fronteira Palace has one of most extensive collections of ..read more

Experiencing British tradition and pageantry, such as witnessing the iconic Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace or the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London, is an unforgettable aspect of any private England tour. A lesser-known ceremony is the four o’clock inspection, also known as the Punishment Parade, that takes place every day in the courtyard of the magnificent 18th-century Horse Guards building, the ceremonial entrance to the royal residences of Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace and former military headquarters of the British Empire.  During the Punishment Par ..read more

The Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel is our favorite luxury hotel in Athens, Greece. Located on a tranquil peninsula on the Athens Riviera, just a short drive from the historic center, it is a luxurious and stylish base for private cultural touring in Athens. The 75-acre resort comprises three private beaches, eight restaurants and lounges, an incredible spa and verdant gardens. The resort features several original 1960s bungalows and two Modernist buildings, including the legendary Astir Palace, whose past guests have included Brigitte Bardot and Jackie O’Nassis. Mid-century modern architectur ..read more

For a whimsical excursion from Paris, France to enchant children of all ages, we recommend having us arrange a day tour or overnight excursion to Disneyland Paris. Located just outside the French capital, it’s a fun escape into the magic of Disney’s tales and filmmaking. Artisans of Leisure arranges private transfers and customized, VIP Disney tours and experiences for our travelers to experience the parks in style.  Overseen by Sleeping Beauty’s pink, turreted castle, Disneyland Paris consists of two parks—Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park—that feature classic rides like Pet ..read more

We recently returned from an unforgettable private luxury tour of Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom with warm people, well-preserved traditional culture and beautiful landscapes. Bhutan has an enticing range of beautiful luxury lodges throughout the country, including Aman, Six Senses and Como properties. Additional options include &Beyond and Pemako lodges. We flew Drukair, Bhutan’s national airline, from Delhi to Paro, stopping en route in Kathmandu. Flying out of Kathmandu afforded great views of the Nepalese capital and Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks. Bhutan’s international airp ..read more

Two of the most iconic day excursions into the Swiss Alps–to Jungfraujoch and the Schilthorn–can easily be done as day tours from Interlaken, Switzerland. These spectacular alpine tours offer breathtaking panoramic views of the Bernese Oberland and great opportunities for hiking, soft-adventure activities, visiting renowned film locations, family fun while visiting ice caves and glacier parks, beautiful locations for fondue lunches, and more. Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe,” is perhaps the most famous excursion from Interlaken. Situated between the mountain peaks of Jungfrau and Mon ..read more

We recently returned from an incredible luxury tour of the highlights of South Africa, a breathtakingly beautiful country with outstanding culture, food, wine and wildlife. Our South Africa trip included the cultural and scenic highlights of beautiful Cape Town, wine touring in the spectacular Cape Winelands and a luxury wildlife safari in the legendary Sabi Sand Game Reserve. We began in Cape Town, a historic city in a stunning location between the steep slopes of Table Mountain and the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Going to the top of iconic Table Mountain was a priority for us in Cape ..read more

One of the world’s most uniquely beautiful cities, Venice, Italy, has been enchanting visitors for centuries with its legendary beauty, culture and history. While the founding date is lost to time (scholars estimate the 5th century), Venice rose out of the water to become a dominant maritime power and one of the wealthiest cities in medieval and Renaissance Europe.  Artisans of Leisure arranges private insider tours of Venice that feature the highlights of its romantic canals, ornate architecture, iconic landmarks and lesser-known gems such as palaces with sumptuous interiors, tradition ..read more

The Metropol Parasol in Seville, Spain, is an iconic landmark of contemporary design that stands out against a backdrop of the Old Quarter’s historic architecture.  Known locally as “Setas de Sevilla” (“Mushrooms of Seville”) for its enormous mushroom-like parasols that were inspired by the vaults of Seville Cathedral, it’s one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Completed in 2011 as part of an urban renewal project to revitalize the Plaza de la Encarnacion, the Metropol Parasol consists of six large parasols interconnected by walkways that create a sprawling canopy. Beneath ..read more

We love experiencing hot springs and thermal baths around the world—such as serene Japanese onsen and open-air baths at spas in cities such as Budapest and Reykjavik—in spectacular settings. Artisans of Leisure can incorporate local thermal bath experiences and bathing traditions in all of our private international tours. Some of the earliest known bathhouses date to ancient Rome, where they were among the most important public buildings. With the expansion of the Roman Empire, Roman bathing culture, with its complexes devoted to heat, steam, and water therapies, spread throughout Europe, Nor ..read more