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Art and Travel It doesn’t matter if you are standing in awe at the feet of the enormous statue of Ramses in Abu Simbel, Egypt or scratching you head in front of a white canvas on a white wall at the Pompidou Museum in Paris it always leaves an impression. When you travel you don’t just see art you experience it. No matter how many times you see pictures of Michelangelo’s David when you see it in person it takes your breath away. When visiting the great museums of the world it can be overwhelming. The sheer size of the buildings and vast collections require a thoughtful plan of attack. Featured masterpieces and special exhibits should be the primary focus. Before you arrive at the door research the layout and logistics. Decide what you want to see first and then go exploring. I have become fond of a guide book called Top 10. This guide breaks down the top 10 most important things to see, do and eat in a city. Not only does it list the top 10 museums but the top 10 things to see in each museum. I also recommend museum passes. For instance you can purchase a three day museum pass for Paris so you have unlimited access to all the museums as well as private entrance areas to avoid lines. Time of day is also important when visiting museums. The morning is usually the most crowded when bus loads of tour groups typically visit before the lunch hour. When I visited the Egyptian Museum in Cairo with a group in the morning it was shoulder to shoulder at the King Tut exhibit. When I returned later in the day, I was practically alone, just me and the Boy King. Advance research will also expose you to smaller less known museums like the Frick in New York, the mummification museum in Luxor, Reina Sofia in Madrid or the Musee Dorsey in Paris which houses Claude Monet’s collection. If you love Monet you must add a day trip out to his house and gardens in Giverny. A short stroll from his home is the American Museum which was a real find. Another thing to remember when visiting a museum is to check out the restaurants and cafes. The food is usually very good and reasonably priced, especially in Europe. Have a glass of wine and a bite to eat, don’t rush into anything you are on vacation. Music and theater, you can always get a ticket to any show, yes this can be expensive but if you really want to go it’s worth it. Most travel agents have relationships with brokers that can get you into anything. I always Google concerts, shows and events for the city I am traveling to before I arrive. I have seen some great shows and exhibits I might have missed had I not done the research. The local Where magazines and hotel concierge are also good resources. I find when I travel I am more inspired to purchase art. Scouring galleries and flea markets becomes a treasure hunt for that special find to commemorate the trip. My house and office are filled with sculptures and painting acquired from all over the world and each brings back a fond memory. However not all acquisitions work once you get home. I must admit that I do have a “what was I thinking” closet overflowing with art gone wrong destined to be some unfortunate soul’s birthday or holiday gift. Sometimes the search is more gratifying than the treasure. | Home
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