Top Destinations: Culture and Arts

London

The only problem you will have in taking a culture and arts holiday in London is knowing where to start, because there is simply so much on offer. Firstly, there are all of the museums that cover every aspect of human life a endeavour, from the wonders of the British Museum to the splendours of the Victoria and Albert. Of course, there are all of the Art Galleries too, such as the National Portrait Gallery, the Tate, the Tate Modern and the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Perhaps you are interested in music? Well, London has it all, from some of the world's best symphony orchestras, to opera, to ballet, to contemporary dance,to jazz, rock and pop music.

There is architecture too, of course, because London has some of Britain's finest buildings from every era, dating back to medieval times. Then there is the rich cultural diversity that makes up modern London, each with its own examples of cultural and artistic achievement that are easily within your reach in London. For a cultural and arts holiday, London is the city that has it all!

Paris

Paris is abundant with culture and is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for art lovers. It possesses an enormous cultural richness which it owes, not only to its history, but also to its formidable heritage. It is a city for art of every form, and has hundreds of art boutiques, art and antique dealers, art galleries, special art exhibits, the symphony, the ballet, cinema and the theatre (including the cabarets).

You will not be at a loss as far as the arts are concerned, and be sure to plan ahead and make reservations before you leave home. Paris is home to more than 150 museums, from the art giants like the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou, to the Musée Rodin where you can see the sculptor's work in situ in his garden. A museum pass (Carte Musées et Monuments) gives you access to 70 of these museums and helps to avoid the queues at museum entrances. It costs from €15 for one day to €45 for five days and is available from the tourist office, RER and métro stations, and museums.

Berlin

There are many reasons why people should spend a culture and arts holiday in Berlin. It boasts a very rich history, culture and art that you can experience by visiting some of the many historical buildings, monuments, art galleries and museums. Key visits are Museum Island in Mitte district (most notably the Pergamonmuseum), the factory galleries on Auguststraße or the fantastic Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design.

Berlin’s media film and music industry is prosperous and therefore has an assortment of printing houses, innovative television and film productions and movie theatres. When it comes to performing arts and theatre performances, Berlin has already gained an international reputation for having excellent performances. Aside from theatres, visitors on a culture and arts holiday to Berlin can also enjoy the capital’s opera houses or listen to Berlin’s top symphony orchestras. There are many monuments to Germany's sometimes-turbulent history, and Berlin has them in spades. The architecturally impressive Brandenburg Gate and The Berlin Wall are just a few examples. Another important facet of Berlin's political make-up is of course it’s corridors of power, which lie in the grand and very large Reichstag. Visitors will not be disappointed with their choice if they decide to spend culture and arts holidays in Berlin.
 

Budapest

Budapest is blessed with art and culture together with some of the most stunning architecture in the world. There are 100's of museum to explore and with a Budapest Pass, which also allows for free travel on public transport, entry to over 60 museums and galleries are at a reduced cost. Budapest has a rich history which is still evident today from the Roman ruins to the Turkish baths fuelled by natural thermal water springs.

Madrid

The parks and flower-filled gardens around Madrid are some of the finest in Europe, providing relaxing getaways for those wishing for a little tranquillity away from the busy streets. If you are looking for a culture and arts holiday in Madrid then the museums are wonderful places to visit and cover a wide range of topics, from art to technology.

There are three superb art museums - the Prado, which houses one of the finest art collections in the world; the Queen Sofía Museum of modern art; and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, placed in the renovated Villahermosa Palace. For years Madrid has been known worldwide as a city of arts and culture, with many theatres and events, such as the stunning Teatro Real (Royal Opera House) which stage's performances by the world's leading opera and ballet companies. A culture and arts holiday in Madrid will definitely leave you wanting more.
 

Prague

As she bears the honor of being Central Europe’s pride and joy for her vibrant culture and entertaining art forms, Prague is the perfect holiday destination for the arts and culture buff. As discussed before, Prague is a beautiful amalgamation of her rich past, fulfilling present and promising future.

In Prague, the most visible art forms are monuments which are by-products of the Classical, Baroque and Neo-Renaissance ages. To witness them co-existing peacefully with the futuristic designs of today and see history blur so splendidly with the present is truly mind boggling. The effect that it has on you is not the in least bit jarring. The other art forms that include paintings, prose, poetry, plays, music etc have their roots planted so deep into the Czech soil; their immortality and magnificence are an inspiration to us even today. For a rewarding journey into the golden past, a culture and arts holiday in Prague is an absolute must.

Rome

As far as culture, language and arts, Rome is at the top of the list. Rome is a city where the realities of the past and the present live together completely integrated and it is one of the greatest centres of the Classical, Renaissance, and Baroque art. The history of the art in Rome is characterised by the survival of monuments dating back from the prehistory up to the present and by the history of extraordinary painters and their work.

Sardinia

If you are looking to experience a culture and arts holiday in Sardinia, the sights and attractions are endless. From the northern region of Sassari, all the way down to the south of the island where the capital, Cagliari, lies, there is so much to explore. Discover the archaeological delights across the island with ruins of temples, thermal baths, city walls, and amphitheatres. Traditional Sardinian folk dances and music still exist on the island and traditional costumes are proudly worn during the many festivals on the island. Poetry and literature are important aspects of Sardinian arts and the island was home to the Nobel Prize winning Grazia Deledda. Taking a culture and arts holiday in Sardinia can open the mind and the heart especially through its beautiful paintings and sculptures. There is something to discover in every region whether it is a music festival, a museum, an art gallery, or an archaeological gem; perfect if you are seeking a culture and arts holiday in Sardinia.

Vienna

With stunning and historical palaces, numerous and varied museums and more music than you could possibly dream of, Vienna is perfect for a culture and arts holiday you will be telling everyone about. Whether you decide to see the treasure of previous realms in one of their many city displays, take a tour around one of the luxurious palaces or catch a world-class opera production in the evening, Vienna is a rewarding culture outlet. The city also plays host to a number of great works from artists throughout the golden ages of painting and sculpture – many of which are originals. All in all Vienna and culture and arts just go, rather well.

Morocco

The location of Morocco at the tip of North Africa has given it a rich history from prehistory through to the modern day. As a consequence, Morocco has a wealth of opportunities for anyone interested in a cultural or arts holiday. It has a rich variety of different cultures, Arab, Berber, Jewish, French and Spanish, each of which has left its mark on the modern-day country. Morocco is also an excellent location for contemporary arts, in that it has numerous music festivals, as well those for the visual arts.

There is also the Marrakesh International Film Festival, which is highly renowned. It is natural for Moroccan people to express themselves in so many different artistic ways, through making carpets, clothing, jewellery, ceramics, sculpture, painting, carving, and calligraphy. They even hold an international arts festival once a year to exhibit all of their talent. Moroccan art is really special and you will find many historical examples on display the numerous local museums, whilst more modern examples are displayed in art galleries and in the souks.

Moroccan museums are a treasure trove of art, archaeological finds and natural science artefacts, but the buildings themselves are often wonderful examples of the Moroccan architecture through the ages. Unfortunately, you will not be allowed into any of the mosques unless you happen to be a Muslim. However, the closest you are likely get to the inside of a mosque in Morocco is if you visit some ruins or disused mosques such as Tin Mal and Smara. If you are interested in older archaeology, then there are several Roman and Phonecian sites in Morocco too. Morocco is an excellent country for a culture and arts holiday.

Athens

Ancient Athens is the ideal place for a culture and arts holiday. With a rich history stretching back 3500 years, and more, and boasting amazing sights such as the Acropolis, crowned with the Parthenon, the ancient Agora, or market place, and countless ruins of temples and centuries-old civic buildings and monuments, there’s always something new to discover. Athens has many world-class museums as well, including the renowned National Archaeological Museum, which houses iconic treasures such as the gold Mask of Agamemnon and the 2nd-century BC life-size bronze statue of the horse and young jockey, famously recovered from the sea. There are plenty of smaller, more specialised museums and art galleries for you to discover as well, and Athens’ cultural scene is thriving. Summer is the best time to visit, when the Athens Festival is in swing and you can catch music performances at the ancient open air Herodes Atticus Theatre and shows at the celebrated Dora Stratou Dance Theatre, as well as street theatre and all manner of artistic events in Athens.

Moscow

Moscow is the perfect city for culture. Dripping with educational institutes, museums, exhibitions and art galleries makes culture & arts in Moscow an essential trip. Whether you recline in Alexander's Garden, navigate your way around Red Square, take in a concert in Gorky Park or visit Lenin's mausoleum, there is more than enough attractions for the perfect arts and culture trip.

New York

Saying New York is rich in culture and arts would be an understatement. With such a large and diverse population of nationalities and ethnicities from all over the globe, New York culture & arts is overflowing with influences and ideas. This is seen in its authentic neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, Little Italy, and Hell’s Kitchen. There is probably no other city in the world with the repository of art and sheer number of museums available in New York.

Visitors should at least try to wander through such prestigious art museums as the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MOMA – Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Natural History. Do your homework as there are hundreds of museums in New York and you’re bound to find a unique and amazing experience at each one you visit.

India

India's ancient and diverse culture, sweeping back at least 5000 years, with successive waves of migration absorbed into the fabric of Indian life, has enriched it time and again to make a multi-cultural nation with a rich diversity of languages, customs, traditions, cuisines, religions, literature and arts. Within this kaleidoscope of immense variety there is a thread of continuity that has determined Indian civilization and social structure. That is why India Holidays rewards the traveler with timeless landscapes, spectacular architecture, monumental history, cultural kaleidoscope and undeniable aura of romance and mysticism. If you are celebrating your holidays with experienced tour guides then it is sure to be easier. Holidays India offers some tips to ensure that you are well prepared for your holidays in India.

Indian Holidays lovers are full of wanderlust and refuse to give up their love for exploring the Holidays in india, even when they are busy raising a family. Traveling with children can be a joy and taking the family on holidays near and far can produce a lifetime of unforgettable memories. It’s true, however, that enjoying a Holidays in India with kids is a bit different than at some other place. Enjoying India holidays with children requires a bit more thought and you may be slightly restricted as to your choice of destination. But all the other perks of introducing your children to different world cultures far outweigh the sacrifices you may need to make until they grow up and you can venture off on your own once again.
 

Beijing

People native to Beijing speak the ‘Beijing dialect’, which belongs to the Mandarin sub-division of spoken Chinese. Beijing dialect is the basis for standard Mandarin, which is spoken in Mainland China. Rural areas of China have their own dialects.

The Beijing Opera is famous throughout the world and is a must see. It is performed in an ancient dialect with song, spoken dialogue and action sequences including fighting and acrobatics.

The Cloisonné or Jingtailan metalworking technique is a specialty of Beijing’s cultural art, and is one of the most respected traditional crafts in China. Cloisonné making requires elaborate and complicated processes, which includes: base hammering, copper-strip inlay, soldering, enamel filling, enamel firing, surface polishing and gilding. Beijing's lacquer ware is also well known for its sophisticated and intrinsic patterns and images carved into its surface, and the various decoration techniques of lacquer includes ‘carved lacquer’ and ‘engraved gold’.

Younger residents of Beijing have become more attracted to the nightlife, which has flourished in recent decade, breaking prior cultural traditions that practically restricted it to the upper class.

The city remains an epicenter of tradition with the treasures of nearly 2,000 years as the imperial capital still on view—in the famed Forbidden City and in the city's lush pavilions and gardens.

Havana

Havana is a hotbed for Culture and the Arts. With a rich history and a strong artistic tradition, the city has everything to offer someone seeking a culture and arts holiday. Attractions include the superb Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of the Revolution, and the Museum of Fine Arts to name but three. Almost every public building in Havana appears to have some significant story behind its creation, and a rich history peppered with the spice of revolution. The city houses some of the finest works by Cuban artists and sculptors, and is particularly famous for its numerous marble statues. If you are seeking culture and arts holiday then Havana is a must.

Sydney

Sydney is a major cultural centre. It has several museums, including the Australian Museum, with exhibits devoted to Australia's natural history, and the Power House Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Sydney is home to the Australian Opera, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and several theater companies. Among other attractions are the Taronga Zoo, the Royal Botanic Garden, and the Sydney Aquarium. The city's many parks offer a variety of recreational activities. Some of the nation's finest beaches fringe Port Jackson and the Pacific Ocean nearby.