Tours
SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS | KNOWLEDGE & INSPIRATION | EXPERT TOUR LEADERS
Tour Program
2026
TURIN, GENOA & THE FRENCH RIVIERA
Dates: 07-22 May 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Kathleen Olive
Price: $13,950pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Discover outstanding art and architecture in Italy and southern France, from the hidden gems of Turin and Genoa and the exuberant modernity of the French Riviera.
JAPAN’S ART ISLANDS AND TOKYO
Dates: 13-22 May 2026
Tour Leader: Emily Wakeling
Price: $13,650pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Delight in a feast of art on and around the revitalised ‘art islands’ of Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, and discover the cutting edge of contemporary art in Tokyo.
Exploring Medieval Burgundy
Dates: 12-21 May 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Louise Marshall
Price: $10,950pp twinshare
Status: Limited places available
Explore Burgundy’s cultural heritage, from outstanding medieval art and architecture to prestigious food and wine, complemented by a program of scenic walks in historic districts..
MARSEILLE
& LYON
Dates: 22-30 May 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Kathleen Olive
Price: $9,200pp twinshare
Status: Waitlist
Discover two of France’s most distinctive regional capitals, both emerging as vibrant cultural destinations, and known for their fascinating histories and proud cuisines.
THE
VENICE BIENNALE
Dates: 01-09 June 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Nick Gordon & Dr Lachlan Warner
Price: $7,750pp twinshare
Status: Limited places available
Dive into the world of contemporary art, from major retrospectives in Venetian palaces to the global cutting edge in the Giardini and Arsenale, on this 9-day tour.
THE CHAMPAGNE ROUTE: TROYES, Épernay and Reims
Dates: 02-12 June 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Kathleen Olive
Price: $9,950pp twinshare
Status: Limited places available
Explore the fascinating history, food and wine of the Champagne region, in Troyes, Épernay and Reims, from Knights Templar to outstanding stained glass and prestigious wines.
Handel In HALLE
Dates: 05-14 June 2026
Tour Leader: Clive Paget
Price: $10,900pp twinshare
Status: Limited places available
Discover the birthplace of Handel at Halle’s annual festival, and enjoy a selection of his seminal operas, oratorios and concerts in historic venues.
THE VENICE BIENNALE
Dates: 13-21 June 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Lachlan Warner
Price: $7,750pp twinshare
Status: Limited places available
Dive into the world of contemporary art, from major retrospectives in Venetian palaces to the global cutting edge in the Giardini and Arsenale, on this 9-day tour.
FESTIVAL
AIX-EN-PROVENCE
Dates: 09-19 July 2026
Tour Leader: Clive Paget
Price: $13,450pp twinshare
Status: One room now available
Our annual tour to France’s premiere music festival returns, enjoying baroque operas and vocal recitals as well as contemporary premieres in outdoor venues and historic theatres.
HOKKAIDO
and tohoku
Dates: 20 July - 03 August 2026
Tour Leader: Relle Mott
Price: $15,950pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Discover the path less travelled in northern Japan over its summer festival season, exploring diverse histories, indigenous culture, fields of flowers and exquisite natural beauty.
The
SALZBURG FESTIVAL
Dates: 20-30 August 2026
Tour Leader: Robert Gay
Price: $14,650pp twinshare
Status: On request
Experience exceptional performances in the beautiful baroque city of Salzburg, as it becomes a stage to showcase a world-class program of opera and concert performances.
VIENNA TO TRIESTE
Dates: 05-20 September 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Nick Gordon
Price: $12,250pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Take a journey from Vienna, through Slovenia and Friuli to Trieste, and discover another side of Europe’s history and culture, on this 16-day tour.
VIA EGNATIA: FROM ALBANIA TO THESSALONIKI
Dates: 18 September - 02 October 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Kristen Mann
Price: $12,450pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Journey into history along the Via Egnatia from Albania to Thessaloniki, discovering ancient Roman trade routes and the connected cultures of the Balkans.
emilia-romagna: ART, FOOD & LANDSCAPE
Dates: 20 September – 01 October 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Kathleen Olive
Price: $10,950pp twinshare
Status: Limited places available
Discover Italy's lesser-known Emilia-Romagna region, from medieval castles to Renaissance masterpieces, as well as its renowned gastronomy in Parma, Cremona, and Piacenza.
AOTEAROA NZ: ART, DESIGN & THE WORLD OF WEARABLE ART
Dates: 23 September – 02 October 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Anna Lebovic & Glen Armstrong
Price: $9,790pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Explore art, design and fashion in Aotearoa New Zealand, with behind-the-scenes visits and tours of galleries and studios and Wellington’s celebrated World of WearableArt show.
Bordeaux, THE Dordogne & the LOIRE
Dates: 14-27 October 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Kathleen Olive
Price: $13,650pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Explore the south-west of France, from Bordeaux’s celebrated viticulture, to the prehistoric art caves of the Dordogne and impressive châteaux and gardens of the Loire Valley.
Exploring Kyushu
Dates: 16 - 30 October 2026
Tour Leader: Relle Mott
Price: $13,650pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Explore Japan’s southernmost island and discover six unique regions endowed with natural beauty, historic treasures, temples in verdant forest settings and steaming hot springs.
SOUTH KOREA
Dates: 23 October - 02 November 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Nick Gordon
Price: $13,850pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Discover South Korea, from its UNESCO-listed temples and palaces to traditional ceramics and its thriving contemporary art scene.
Exploring Kyushu
Dates: 02-16 November 2026
Tour Leader: Dr Kathleen Olive
Price: $13,650pp twinshare
Status: Waitlist
Explore Japan’s southernmost island and discover six unique regions endowed with natural beauty, historic treasures, temples in verdant forest settings and steaming hot springs.
THE JanÁČek FESTIVAL in BRNO
Dates: 06-18 November 2026
Tour Leader: Clive Paget
Price: $13,550pp twinshare
Status: Waitlist
Enter the world of Janáček at the Brno Festival dedicated to his music in Czechia, an opportunity to enjoy world-class ensembles performing masterpieces rarely heard in Australia.
TOKYO, KANAZAWA & KYOTO
Dates: 18 - 30 November 2026
Tour Leader: Relle Mott
Price: $13,700pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Discover the contrast between modernity and tradition in three of Japan’s most emblematic cities, the fast-paced metropolis of Tokyo, beautifully preserved Kanazawa and historic Kyoto.
A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS:
PRAGUE & VIENNA
Dates: 23 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Tour Leader: Robert Gay
Price: $13,950pp twinshare
Status: Places available
Enjoy a feast of performances in two great musical cities and delight in Europe’s festive wintry atmosphere.
SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS
Our tours are designed for travellers with a strong interest in history, art, music and culture and have a maximum of 20 people in a group
GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND INSPIRATION
Our tour leaders combine genuine scholarly insight with enthusiasm and finely-honed leadership skills
SLOW DOWN AND SEE MORE
Long stays and a balance between group activities and independent exploration are a feature of our journeys
Fitness on Tour
Travel always requires a degree of physical fitness and mental stamina. To help you decide if a tour is right for you, we’ve given them fitness ratings:
MODERATE
ACTIVE
CHALLENGING
You can view our fitness ratings here in our FAQ. Should you have any concerns, please get in touch with us.
Responsible Tourism
Travel is an intensive activity, but it also provides a livelihood for almost 1 in 10 people globally. Our short term goal is to make our Australian operations carbon neutral by 2025. At the same time, we will undertake the first stages of reducing the footprint of our tours and the Scope 3 emissions they entail.
We’ll keep you informed of our roadmap to achieving these goals and the challenges on the way in a dedicated blog in Limelight Arts Traveller.
Our Travel Partner
Limelight Arts Travel is pleased to partner with Mary Rossi Travel, one of Australia’s most recognised luxury travel agents.
You can read more about these arrangements here.