• We specialize in what we know best: luxury travel with a cultural focus.
  
  
• We're committed to creating the ultimate travel experience tailored to our clients' individual expectations and passions.
  
  
• We're dedicated to providing an unparalleled level of service, destination knowledge, and delivering our services with attention to detail.

Our Expertise
The company was founded by Ashley Isaacs Ganz, a longtime member of the travel industry, who quickly developed a reputation as one of the few travel providers who understands sophisticated travelers' expectations and interests.

Raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Ashley spent over a decade traveling internationally.  During those years, she studied Aboriginal Art at the University of Sydney; spent two years in Japan working for the Japanese Ministry of Education's JET program; and created a photographic series inspired by the Japanese Zen aesthetic, Wabi Sabi.

Travels took Ashley from Papua New Guinea to Iceland and many continents in between, including remote parts of Asia, the South Pacific, and Europe.   Her activities were as varied as seeking out renowned potters in distant parts of Japan; hiking Cradle Mountain in Tasmania; visiting tribal markets in Yunnan, China; elephant trekking in the Golden Triangle; shopping for antique textiles in Burmese hill stations; attending spontaneous musical jam sessions in local pubs in Ireland; comparing goat cheeses and olive oils at outdoor markets in Provence; taking cooking classes in Thailand; and searching for high quality Berber rugs in Moroccan souks.

Ashley held an executive travel industry position for over six years in New York City, during which time she developed an extensive network of global contacts ranging from hotel general managers to tour guides, artists, chefs, and local families. She often returned to international destinations multiple times to keep her destination knowledge current and her connections widespread.

While working within the travel industry, Ashley also completed a Master's degree at the New School for Social Research in New York City, and began her PhD at the London School of Economics (LSE).

After several years at LSE working on her thesis -- a sociological study of luxury travel — Ashley decided to devote her full-time efforts to creating a tangible venue to significantly enhance and redefine the future of luxury travel.  The result is Artisans of Leisure.

In addition to Ashley Isaacs Ganz, the company's staff is comprised of highly accomplished, enthusiastic travel experts who have lived all over the world and traveled extensively to satisfy their curiosity and develop their interests in art, cuisine, history, language, music, architecture, design, fashion, photography, international relations, and more.

Our Vision
Artisans of Leisure believes passionately in the importance and power of travel as a way to learn about the world, strengthen international understanding and economies, preserve local traditions, and cultivate oneself.

We believe that luxury travelers will always travel, and will always look to experts to provide "insider" experiences and connections.

Artisans of Leisure offers private tours in many of the world's most enriching destinations, including Japan, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, New Zealand, Australia, India, Morocco, and Turkey. Keep an eye out for new Artisans of Leisure destinations, including private luxury tours in Italy, Spain, and Provence.

We encourage you to contact us directly to learn more about Artisans of Leisure.