DESTINATIONS — ESCORTED TOURS Food: Carolyn
Assisi, for example, the famous frescoes by late medieval painter Giotto are impressive by any measure. But the experience becomes that much more meaningful on Travelsphere’s An Italian Journey, with a Franciscan monk to explain the religious symbolism and how this style paved the way for the Italian Renaissance. Likewise,
Trafalgar’s Highlights of Peru includes a visit to the
Larco Museum in Lima, home to the largest private collection
of pre-Columbian art in the world, where the museum curator offers invaluable insight into these ancient cultures through the artefacts they left behind. The seven-night tour starts at £2,525 including flights, accommodation and UK transfers.
l LOCAL CULTURE When it comes to getting under the skin of a culture, the real experts are those who live and breathe it every day. Travel 2 highlights the 10-day Heritage of America tour, which starts with an insider’s guide to the Big Apple, visiting Greenwich Village, Little Italy, Chelsea Market and other local hangouts, before moving on to tour an Amish community with a chance to see their customs first-hand. The tour, operated by Collette, starts at £2,199 including flights and transfers for a March 20 departure. Over in Japan, artist and photographer Peter Macintosh has become an expert in the traditions
of the geisha since being one of few foreign men allowed access to this unique world. He runs a walking tour of Kyoto’s old Gion district for InsideJapan’s Japan Enchantment and Classic Japan tours, finishing with a private performance from a geisha.
l FOOD AND DRINK The rise and rise of foodie tours has been well-documented, but some go beyond a few cooking classes or street food tours. Back-Roads Touring recently introduced A Taste of Scotland, a five-day culinary tour led by Carolyn Robb, who was personal chef to Prince Charles and Princess Diana for 11 years. The trip includes a private dinner on the Royal Yacht Britannia, plus visits to a whisky distillery and an artisan smokehouse (from £2,895, available April-October). With Italy’s reputation for
good food, it could be argued that any home cook is something of an expert, but the host of the
Robb leads a culinary tour in
Scotland
agriturismo where G Adventures bases its Local Living Sorrento trip has a very specific field of expertise – lemons. Luigi lives on the lemon farm
where the property is based, hosting a guided tour of the grounds and a limoncello-making session (from £999 for a week land-only). TW
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travelweekly.co.uk — 28 August 2014
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