The Muses

Tour Hosts Review
 by Sheri Leigh - Tour Hosts are in Bold

Italian Arpa Doppia, late Renaissance or early Baroque period

Music has been fundamental to human life from the very earliest of recorded times, as testified to by this month’s Museum Pick, the André Mertens Galleries for Musical Instruments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Many think the zenith of Western culture was the Early Modern Period, which saw the genius of such musical luminaries as Mozart, Beethoven and Bach, and continues to influence composers to the present day. From England to Russia and across the Atlantic to the U.S., the influence of classical music has shaped how Western civilization experiences life for more than 200 years.

This month we salute tour hosts who continue to honor and disseminate this great music to life. From the great summer festivals of Europe, to chamber music in Thailand and opera weekends in New York, classical music aficionados have an abundance of elevating musical experiences to choose from this summer.

England’s Martin Randall Travel Ltd offers more than 140 different trips in thematic categories of art, architecture, history and, of course, music. Each tour is lead by a lecturer whose education and passion is focused on the trip's theme. Its musical trips include multiple performances and detailed information on the artist or event. Because of Martin Randall Travel’s dedication to cultural travel experiences, we have chosen it as June’s Pick of the Month.

For an in-depth study of Magnificent Mozart, Mercury International Travel Arts at Sea has a fantastic tour incorporating a seven-night cruise and a two-night Mozart-themed trip to Salzburg, Austria. Enjoy performances at many of the spectacular venues where Mozart entertained, including Mirabell Castle Marble Hall. Lecturer Robert W. Gutman, noted author of Mozart, a Cultural Biography, will accompany this trip to offer insights to the life and legacy of this brilliant composer.   

Educational seminars combine with related performances to create the exceptional study programs offered by Ace Study Tours. Providing exciting venues, interesting subjects and stimulating leaders, ACE has been leading the way in cultural study tours for over 45 years. It offers more than 120 programs in 10 subject fields, including 20 itineraries in music alone, such as Bruges & the Flanders Early Music Festival, Finland’s Kuhmo Music Festival and the St Petersburg Music Festival. ACE is a perfect choice for those travelers looking to expand their understanding while enjoying the music of a wide range of genres.   

Chamber Music Holidays and Festivals offers unique holidays for music lovers, both performers and listeners, to share holidays with like-minded travelers. The destinations it offers range from Thailand to Corfu, Greece, and the more familiar Prague and Vienna festivals. Music is an intimate part of these trips and participation is encouraged.

The Metropolitan Opera Guild offers its members a selection of domestic and international tours each year. While international trips for this season are completed, the Guild hosts a number of escorted New York Weekends. By organizing hotel accommodations, festive meals and prime orchestra tickets, the Guild is an idea source for planning a fantastic weekend in our country’s cultural capital.

Morgan Tours focuses on all aspects of art tours, including music, museums and theatrical performances. Its opera selection focuses on the great summer festivals in Europe, including Italy’s Verdi Festival, Austria’s Salzburg Festival and the Wexford Opera Festival.

Tours offered by Habsburg Heritage focus primarily on the regions of the Hapsburg dynasty of Central Europe. A wide variety of music is covered in these tours; opera, classical, symphonies and chamber concerts are just a few of the delights these trips include.

Which ever genres you prefer, the tour hosts at CulturalTravels.net can help you create the musical odyssey of your dreams.