Luxury Art & Design Tours

Decorative Arts & Gardens of England
(9 Days)
London, Cotswolds

Art Tour of France
(10 Days)
Paris & Versailles, Provence, Cote d’Azur

Art & Design Tour of Berlin
(5 Days)
Berlin & Potsdam

Art & Temples of India
(18 Days)
Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho & Panna National Park, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Mumbai

Culture, Crafts & Cuisine of Ireland
(13 days)
Dublin, Ballyfin, Ballymaloe, Killarney, Adare, Ashford Castle

Italy for Art Lovers
(13 Days)
Rome, Florence & Assisi, Bologna & Ravenna, Venice & Padua, Milan

Contemporary Art & Architecture of Japan
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto & Miho Museum, Naoshima, Tokyo

Art, Crafts & Design of Mexico
(9 Days)
Mexico City, Oaxaca

Arts & Crafts of Morocco
(13 Days)
Casablanca, Fez, Rabat, Atlas Mountains, Essaouira, Marrakesh

Arts & Crafts of Myanmar
(9 Days)
Yangon & Twante, Bagan & Mount Popa, Mandalay

Design, Architecture & Nature of Norway
(9 Days)
Oslo, Alesund & Atlantic Road, Norangsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Storfjord

Art & Design of Portugal
(8 Days)
Lisbon & Sintra, Porto

Contemporary Art & Design in Seoul & Jeju Island
(8 Days)
Seoul, Jeju Island

Swedish Design Tour
(5 Days)
Stockholm & environs

Art Tour of Switzerland
(6 Days)
Geneva, Basel & Weil am Rhein, Zurich with St. Gallen & Winterthur

Design & Gardens Tour of Sicily
(8 Days)
Palermo & Monreale, Taormina with Noto, Syracuse & Villa Romana del Casale

Decorative Arts & Gardens Tour of Paris
(8 Days)
Paris & environs

Traditional Crafts of Japan
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Kurashiki, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa

Exclusive Japan: Amans, Art & Onsen
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Naoshima, Kyoto, Ise-Shima region

MULTI-COUNTRY TOURS

Food, Design & Culture of Copenhagen & Sweden
(12 Days)
Stockholm, Kingdom of Crystal, Wanas, Malmo, Copenhagen

Dutch & Flemish Art Tour
(10 days)
Bruges & Ghent, Brussels & Antwerp, Amsterdam with The Hague, Delft & Kroller-Muller Museum

Art & Architecture Tour of South Korea

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Seoul, Jeju Island

This private luxury tour of South Korea features the country’s most interesting art and architecture, the best museums, top art galleries, exciting markets and spectacular landscapes in Seoul and Jeju Island.

Begin in Seoul, the fascinating capital of South Korea. During flexible private touring, visit highlights such as the Changdeokgung Palace complex—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and its “secret garden.” Learn about traditional Korean lifestyles while walking through neighborhoods filled with hanok (traditional Korean houses). Stop for a cup of tea in a traditional teahouse in the Insadong neighborhood, and browse the best local shops for Korean antiques, textiles, ceramics, clothing and more. Visit Gwangjang Market or one of the other vast markets dedicated to food, clothing, antiques, herbal medicine and more. One day, enjoy an exquisite, multicourse meal of traditional Buddhist cuisine. Discover the treasures of Seoul’s best museums, such as the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Korea Furniture Museum or National Museum of Korea. Other options include visiting the Zaha Hadid-designed Dongdaemun Design Plaza, walking along scenic Cheonggyecheon Stream, learning about Confucian traditions at Jongmyo Shrine, walking through trendy neighborhoods such as Myeongdong to see the latest fashions and pop culture (including K-Pop), visiting high-end fashion boutiques and restaurants in Gangnam, going to the top of N Tower, hiking in the mountains surrounding Seoul, and visiting the vibrant Hongdae university district.

Next, fly to Jeju Island, a beautiful volcanic island and popular vacation destination. Learn about the unique history of the island, and see interesting geological features, including Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), a volcanic tuff cone and UNESCO World Heritage Site with spectacular views over the sea and rural landscapes below. Also, tour sites such as a Tadao Ando-designed meditation and art complex; the volcanic cliffs of Jusangjeolli; a traditional island village; and Samseonghyeol Shrine, the legendary birthplace of the island’s three main clans. Also, see additional architectural sites designed by Tadao Ando or Jun Itami, such as the Bonte Museum, Pinx Biotopia, Podo Hotel and Church of the Sky. Other options include a visit to a botanical garden specializing in bonsai, visits to a five-day market or a local fish market, touring of an impressive lava tube (and UNESCO site), or guided hiking on an oreum (volcanic cone) or on the slopes of Hallasan, the high volcanic peak at the center of the island. There will also be time to relax at your resort.

Return to Seoul for additional time in the exciting capital of South Korea. Tour Gyeongbokgung Palace and additional royal palaces, visit the National Folk Museum of Korea and explore Seoul’s top art galleries and contemporary culture sites. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a private excursion to Museum San (Hansol Museum), which was designed by Tadao Ando and features a collection of contemporary art, modern Korean art and traditional Korean crafts.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can further customize this tour to include special interest activities such as a private Korean cooking class to learn to prepare kimchi or other typical Korean dishes, a private soju and makgeolli (rice wine) tasting, or lessons in taekwondo.

Itinerary Overview
Day 1 Arrive Seoul
Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights
Day 2 Seoul
Full-day flexible private tour
Day 3 Seoul & vicinity
Full-day flexible private tour
Day 4 Seoul – Jeju Island
Private airport transfer. Flight to Jeju Island. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights with touring en route
Day 5 Jeju Island
Full-day flexible private tour
Day 6 Jeju Island – Seoul
Half-day flexible private tour en route to airport for flight to Seoul. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights
Day 7 Seoul
Half-day flexible private tour
Day 8 Depart Seoul
Private airport transfer

Hotels
Seoul:

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Jeju Island: The Shilla Jeju

Cost
$9,905 Per person (double occupancy)

Luxury Art & Design Tours

Decorative Arts & Gardens of England
(9 Days)
London, Cotswolds

Art Tour of France
(10 Days)
Paris & Versailles, Provence, Cote d’Azur

Art & Design Tour of Berlin
(5 Days)
Berlin & Potsdam

Art & Temples of India
(18 Days)
Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho & Panna National Park, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Mumbai

Culture, Crafts & Cuisine of Ireland
(13 days)
Dublin, Ballyfin, Ballymaloe, Killarney, Adare, Ashford Castle

Italy for Art Lovers
(13 Days)
Rome, Florence & Assisi, Bologna & Ravenna, Venice & Padua, Milan

Contemporary Art & Architecture of Japan
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto & Miho Museum, Naoshima, Tokyo

Art, Crafts & Design of Mexico
(9 Days)
Mexico City, Oaxaca

Arts & Crafts of Morocco
(13 Days)
Casablanca, Fez, Rabat, Atlas Mountains, Essaouira, Marrakesh

Arts & Crafts of Myanmar
(9 Days)
Yangon & Twante, Bagan & Mount Popa, Mandalay

Design, Architecture & Nature of Norway
(9 Days)
Oslo, Alesund & Atlantic Road, Norangsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Storfjord

Art & Design of Portugal
(8 Days)
Lisbon & Sintra, Porto

Contemporary Art & Design in Seoul & Jeju Island
(8 Days)
Seoul, Jeju Island

Swedish Design Tour
(5 Days)
Stockholm & environs

Art Tour of Switzerland
(6 Days)
Geneva, Basel & Weil am Rhein, Zurich with St. Gallen & Winterthur

Design & Gardens Tour of Sicily
(8 Days)
Palermo & Monreale, Taormina with Noto, Syracuse & Villa Romana del Casale

Decorative Arts & Gardens Tour of Paris
(8 Days)
Paris & environs

Traditional Crafts of Japan
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Kurashiki, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa

Exclusive Japan: Amans, Art & Onsen
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Naoshima, Kyoto, Ise-Shima region

MULTI-COUNTRY TOURS

Food, Design & Culture of Copenhagen & Sweden
(12 Days)
Stockholm, Kingdom of Crystal, Wanas, Malmo, Copenhagen

Dutch & Flemish Art Tour
(10 days)
Bruges & Ghent, Brussels & Antwerp, Amsterdam with The Hague, Delft & Kroller-Muller Museum

Testimonials

Our guide in Japan arranged one-on-one conversations with some amazing artisans… lots of credit to Artisans for arranging things so well, understanding our interests and making sure they were communicated to Japan.
~ J.R., Raleigh, NC

The art scene in Mexico City was even better than we could have imagined. Thank you for organizing such a great guide. We never would have been able to experience the city in the same way without him. We really appreciated all of the Artisans of Leisure touches and special connections.
~ L.S., New York, NY

Our recent Vietnam trip was excellent…Thank you for arranging for us to visit the home and studio of the renowned art dealer in Hanoi.
~ A.R., Easton, MD

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In the Press

Recommended by:

Departures
Conde Nast Traveler
The New York Times
Wall Street Journal
Travel + Leisure
Town & Country

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Art & Design On Our Blog

Highlights of Venice: Art, Architecture, Interiors, Wine, Crafts, History & the Lagoon

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on the Cote d’Azur in France

The Metropol Parasol: Contemporary Design & Architecture in Seville, Spain

The Landscape Murals and Beautiful Interiors of the Bergl Rooms in Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Westminster Abbey in London, England

First Look: The New Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt

Exclusive Visits to the Ricardo do Espirito Santo Silva Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal

Gaudi & More: The Top Architecture Highlights of Barcelona, Spain

Seeing Tadao Ando Architecture in South Korea

Spectacular Architecture, Gardens & Interiors in Lisbon and Sintra, Portugal

Touring the Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris, France

Kelmscott Manor, an Arts & Crafts House in the Cotswolds, England

Just Back: Art, Wine, History & Interiors in Florence, Tuscany & Rome, Italy

A Private Tour of Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) in Porto, Portugal

The Korea Furniture Museum in Seoul, South Korea

Basalt Columns in Iceland: Architecture Inspired by Remarkable Landscapes

Must Visit: Naoshima, Japan’s Art Island

Interiors & Architecture: A Private Tour of Bayt al-Suhaymi in Cairo, Egypt

Architecture and Design Touring in Vienna

Museum Van Loon, a Historic House-Museum and Garden in Amsterdam

Visiting an Ancient Stepwell in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Jeju Island in South Korea: Contemporary Architecture, Tea Plantations, Volcanic Landscapes & More

The Iconic Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

Just Back: French Art, History, Interiors & Fine Dining in Paris & Versailles

Behind-the-Scenes Culinary and Crafts Touring in Japan

Must Experience: James Turrell’s Gathered Sky in Beijing

Ceramics in Japan: Robert Yellin’s Yakimono Gallery in Kyoto

Helsinki: Top 10 Architecture & Design Sites

Luis Barragan: Modern Architecture in Mexico City

Exclusive Tours of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia

Blue-and-white Ceramics and Azulejo Tiles in Portugal

A Conversation with Renowned Art Curator David Elliott

A Private “Sound of Music” Tour in Salzburg, Austria

Yosegi: A Traditional Craft in Hakone, Japan

Read more on our blog...