Recent Cruises
Diamond Princess 1 – 20 July Japan & Korea back to back
Enchanted Princess 7 – 21 Oct 2023 Back Western Mediterranean
Enchanted Princess 15 April 2023 Back to Back Western Mediterranean
Regal Princess 1 Oct 2022 Back to Back Western Mediterranean
Sky Princess 3 Sep 2022 Baltic
Celebrity Apex August 2021 Eastern Mediterranean
Sky Princess 17 May 2020 cancelled pandemic
Destination Speaking Specialist Destination Expert. – covering basic historical overview, what to see, practical information for indépendant tours, a few words in the local language and handy tips.
Port list below
ASIA PORTS
Hitachinaka, Toyama, Tsuruga, Sakaiminato, Kagoshima, Yokohama,
Busan – South Korea
MÉDITERRANÉEN PORTS
Rome, Naples/Pompeii, Messina, Venice, Istanbul, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Dubrovnik
Kotor, Split, Athens, Heraklion/Knossos, Santorini, Rhodes, Malta, Cadiz, Cartagena, Barcelona
BALTIC PORTS
Stockholm, Visby, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Gdańsk/Sopot/Gdynia
Warnemunde/Berlin, Kristiansand
Asia Region Presentations
From Paris to Saigon, the enigma of Ho Chi Min
From Changaan to Kyoto, How Chinese art conquered the Far East
Captivating Hong Kong, All you need to know
Ancient Japan, a History through Art
3000 years in 40 minutes, an overview of Japanese history from the Stone Age to the present day.
Classical Japan, a Golden Age
Plunge into the rarified world of the Heian Imperial court, and learn the tale of the world’s first romantic novel. Highlighting the Tale of Genji, 1000 year old story still popular today.
The Fabulous Art of Edo
A history of Tokyo through some of its most famous art.
The Floating World of Hokusai
Meet the author of Japan’s most famous image, and learn about his world. About the printmaker, his contemporaries and ukiyo-e prints.
The Impressionists and Japan
They seem so French, but Japan was in their soul. Impact of Japanese ukiyo-e on the Impressionists.
Japonism in Europe
Learn to spot the Japanese influences in the art of Van Gogh, Klimt, Gauguin and many more. Influence of Japanese art on painters such as Van Gogh, Klimt, Munch, Gaugin and many more.
The Secret Treasure Of The Louvre
Hidden in plain sight, this precious 15th century wooden panel is full of tiny, hidden messages. The clue to what it all means it almost invisible to the naked eye and can only be seen by the initiated. Decode the complex and fascinating secrets of the Virgin and Chancellor Rolin by Jan Van Eyck.
Baltic Region Presentations
Preparation for the Hermitage, An Overview of Western Art
Preparation for the Hermitage, 5 star pieces
Wild Souls of the Baltic – European Symbolism (from the Orsay Museum exhibition)
Northern Light – The Danish Golden Age in Painting
Image and Power : Peter the Great, Catherine the Great
The Nude in Art, 2500 years of Beauty
The Art of the Portrait, Faces through Time
Mediterranean Region Presentations
How the Greeks Invented Western Art
Dazzling Venice
Crete’S Greatest Painter – El Greco, Magnificent And Visionary
Sample presentations
Decoding The Art Of Versailles
The true meaning of the art visitors often miss.
Grandiose, and breathtaking, the palace of Versailles is a monument to the glory of the most powerful king who ever reigned. The ceiling of the legendary Hall of Mirrors tells his story through dramatic allegories and symbols that could be read by the courtiers and ambassadors of the day. But today few visitors know that they were inspired by the life work of a simple Italian cook who spent his evenings searching and compiling ancient iconography. His research shaped Western art for centuries
The Divine Science – Leonardo Da Vinci’s Quest
Leonardo’s strangely clairvoyant machines and scientific experiments have often overshadowed the very few works of art he created. The recent blockbuster exhibition at the Louvre Museum took us back through his artistic journey. Follow the evolution of the master as he plunges deeply into what he called the divine science….painting
The Beginning Of Modern Art, From The Academy To Van Gogh And Beyond
The 19th century was a time of change and upheaval. In the space of only 50 years, 5 centuries of painting tradition was turned upside down. Follow the artists journey and understand how it all happened.
Understanding Modern Art – Matisse To Warhol
A journey through the art of the 20th century and it’s fascinatingly diverse movements, how and why did it all happen, and what has been it’s impact on the art of today?
Beyond “The Scream” , The Art Of Edvard Munch
Everyone knows “The Scream” but not always the story of Norway’s most famous Modern Artist. His journey from Oslo, to Copenhagen, Berlin and, of course, Paris is documented in his tortured and expressive art. It is a voyage through one of the most exciting times in art history.
Introduction To The Hermitage Through 5 Major Works
From Leonardo da Vinci, to Titian, Rembrandt, Canova and Monet, let this great museum tell the story of Western Art.
Viking Art Through 5 Extraordinary Objects
Such a reputation for destruction and pillage, the last to relinquish paganism, but also creators of exquisite and moving art. 5 extraordinary and varied objects will tell a small part of their great story.
2000 Years Of Beauty
How the Greeks Invented Western Art
The human-cantered philosophies of Ancient Greece produced art of breathtaking beauty and set the seeds of Western aesthetics. Lost and forgotten for 1000 years, they were rediscovered in the Italian Renaissance and are at the origin of some of the greatest art humanity has ever made.
Dazzling Venice
The art of Bellini, Titian and Veronese
The Venetian Renaissance saw a remarkable boom in art of a brilliance and glamour rarely seen. Discover or rediscover the innovations of Giovanni Bellini, the long life of, probably the greatest ever portrait painter, Titian and the flamboyant irreverence of Veronese.
Crete’S Greatest Painter – El Greco, Magnificent And Visionary
Was he mad, astigmatic, a heretic or simply a genius?
450 years on, his art seems “modern” because his influence on artists like Cezanne, Picasso and Dali was so important. Discover the life and art of this unforgettable Mannerist painter and his journey from Crete to Venice and on to Spain
Polo, From The Moghul Empire To The Open At Buenos Aires, A Sporting History
Hidden in plain sight, this precious 15th century wooden panel is full of tiny, hidden messages. The clue to what it all means it almost invisible to the naked eye and can only be seen by the initiated. Decode the complex and fascinating secrets of the Virgin and Chancellor Rolin by Jan Van Eyck.
Presently provided land based Presentations
A Crash Course in Art History – Louvre Museum
But Just Why is Mona Lisa So Famous? – Louvre Museum
Leonardo da Vinci and his world – Louvre Museum
French History Through Art – Louvre Museum
The Impressionists and the Dawn of Modern Art – Paris, Orsay Museum
The Brilliance of El Greco – Grand Palais, Paris
From Montmartre to Montparnasse, The Avant-Garde in Paris – Conservative Women’s Association, London
Life, Love and Creation, Picasso Museum, Paris
Picasso and Calder – Paris
Is Contemporary Art Old Hat? Pompidou Centre, Paris
From Dubuffet to Damian Hurst – Pompidou Centre, Paris
Arch Rivals, Matisse and Picasso – Pompidou Centre, Paris
The French Answer to Pop Art – Palais de Tokyo, Paris
Contemporary Sculpture – Etienne Martin and Thomashouseago, Palais de Tokyo, Paris
The English Golden Age – Luxembourg Museum
The Secret Light of Black – Pierre Soulages, Louvre Museum
Image and Power, Napoleon seen by his Artists – Louvre Museum
Image and Power, Marie Antoinette – Conciergerie, Paris
Colour and Craft, the Nabis and Decor – Luxembourg Museum
Soutine, Modigliani and the School of Paris – Orangerie Museum, Paris
A Damned Couple, Nicki de St Phalle and Yves Tinguely, Pompidou Centre, Paris
Montmartre, a Crucible of Talent – The Montmartre Museum, Paris
Catherine is a real art expert. We learned so much about art appreciation and composition. An unexpected plus. She knows all the ins and outs of getting around the museum with effective ease and staying on point.
Her knowledge and passion for art created an exceptional experience for us. Thank you!
If you go to Paris, don’t miss the Louvre, and DON’T GO TO THE LOUVRE WITHOUT CATHERINE! As an accomplished artist herself, her enthusiasm and passion combined with her knowledge of art history shined through this highly educational tour of the most impressive collection of art in the world. Catherine was an excellent communicator, conveying a semester’s worth of art history in a captivating two and a half hours. Plus, as a highly experienced Louvre tour guide, she is unparalleled in efficiently
Awesome!! Our recent trip to Paris included a 3 1/2 tour with Catherine. She is as delightful as she is knowledge. I have had many private tour guides and can honestly say Catherine has been one of the best. ….Catherines accolades and education come through clearly in her gift of teaching.
One of the best tours we have had. Catherine is exceptionally knowledgeable and gives you a lot of information without making your eyes glaze over. We had our 11 year old granddaughter with us and she enjoyed it as well. If we spent a month at the Louvre we wouldn’t have seen or learned as much!
