Luxury Journeys

There’s nothing quite like losing yourself among the halls and exhibitions in one of the world’s many art galleries. Whether you’re looking to gaze your eyes upon iconic works of art or discover something completely new, you’re sure to find something that’ll grasp your attention.  

No matter if you’re a die-hard art enthusiast or looking to dip your toe into the art world, these are our top 10 art galleries that we think you ought to visit at least once. 

The Van Gogh Museum 

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Vincent van Gogh produced nearly 900 paintings and more than 1,100 works on paper during his lifetime, and Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum showcases the world’s largest collection of the artist’s work. Opened in 1973 in the center of Amsterdam, it now holds over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 700 letters, including iconic paintings such as ‘Sunflowers’ and ‘The Bedroom’. Alongside van Gogh’s original work, the gallery also includes pieces from his contemporaries, giving viewers context of his style, as well as work from those influenced by van Gogh.  

Read more: A work of heart: meet the founder of the Rosengart collection

Whitney Museum of American Art 

New York City, USA 

You’ll find the Whitney Museum of American Art, often referred to simply as “The Whitney”, in New York City. Founded in 1930 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, a wealthy and influential art patron and sculptor, the museum focuses on 20th and 21st-century American art, with a particular emphasis on living artists. The Whitney’s collection includes more than 25,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs, created by over 3,500 artists, with notable names including Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Roy Lichtenstein, and Edward Hopper. Make sure to visit one of its many terraces for unparalleled views of the city. 

The National Gallery of Art 

Washington D.C., USA 

One of the premier art museums in the United States, the National Gallery of Art was established by an act of Congress in 1937, made possible by a gift from financier and art collector Andrew W. Mellon. Explore the two main buildings: the imposing, columned West Building, where you’ll find works from the 11th through the early 20th century such as “Woman with a Parasol – Madame Monet and Her Son” by Claude Monet; and the modern East Building which houses a growing collection of contemporary art, not forgetting the Sculpture Garden. 

Read more: The Luxury Gold guide to discovering statement art pieces on your travels

Vatican Museums 

Vatican City, Italy 

Known the world over, the Vatican Museums were founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, beginning with a single sculpture: ‘Laocoön and His Sons’. Spanning a collection of art galleries, chapels and museums within Rome’s historic Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel is one of the most renowned features, particularly for its ornate ceiling painted by Michelangelo. 

 See it on our Luxury Italy tour

The Metropolitan Museum of Art 

New York City, USA 

New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (commonly known as the Met) isn’t just where the prestigious Met Gala is held each year – it holds over 2 million pieces of art work spanning 5,000 years within its walls, featuring artists such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, and Michelangelo. The Met first opened in April 1870 in the historic Dodworth Building, but was moved to its current location on Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street in 1880. Its purpose upon founding was to bring art and education to the American people, something that hasn’t changed. 

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The National Gallery 

London, England 

Located in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is a treasure trove of Western European art, housing an extensive collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It was founded in 1824, when the British government purchased 38 paintings from banker and art collector John Julius Angerstein. It wasn’t until 1838 that the current building, designed by architect William Wilkins, was opened to house the growing collection. Currently the gallery holds over 2,300 paintings, notably including masterpieces by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian. 

See it on our Luxury England tour

The Picasso Museum 

Barcelona, Spain 

The Picasso Museum is unique in that its namesake had a hand in founding it. The museum opened its doors in 1963, a joint effort between Pablo Picasso itself (before he died in 1973) and Picasso’s close friend and secretary, Jaume Sabarté, making it one of the first museums dedicated to Picasso’s work. Picasso donated many of the pieces that are housed there today, and it now boasts a collection of over 4,000 of his works by Picasso, taking visitors along his development as an artist from the early years to his Blue Period, and beyond.  

Paul Getty Museum

Los Angeles, USA 

The Getty Museum opened its doors in 1997, making it relatively new on the scene. The art gallery is known for its unique architecture as well as its collection, sitting high on a hilltop overlooking L.A. – you can access the museum through a cable pulled hovertrain from the parking garage at the foot of the hill. The Getty Museum has a remarkable collection of artwork which includes the works of Vincent Van Gogh including the famous painting Irises, Monet and Cezanne. As well as an art gallery, the site also houses a research institute and a conservation institute. 

Uffizi Gallery 

Florence, Italy 

The origins of the Uffizi Gallery, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were slightly less exciting than you might expect, as it was originally built in the 16th century as administrative offices (or ‘uffizi’) for the Florentine magistrates. Gradually, its upper floors were converted into a museum to display the Medici family’s extensive collection of art, who were ruling at the time. Visitors can take in an extraordinary collection of Renaissance and Baroque art, with works by some of the most celebrated artists in history – most notably, Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’.  

The Musée du Louvre 

Paris, France 

Holding the title as the most visited museum in the world with over 7 million visitors each year (based off numbers from 2022), the Musée du Louvre is world-famous for housing Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. But the Louvre also takes the title of ‘biggest’ museum, clocking up 400 rooms across 650,000 square feet – even if you spent just 30 seconds in each room of the Louvre, it would take 100 days to visit the museum in its entirety. It began as a fortress in the late 12th century to protect Paris from potential invasions, and the Louvre’s association with art and culture only began in the 16th century thanks to François I, an art collector who brought the ‘Mona Lisa’ to the museum. It wasn’t until the “Grand Louvre” projec in the 1980s and 1990s that te iconic glass pyramid entrance was constructed, completed in 1989. The Louvre now houses nearly 380,000 works of art.  

 See it on our Luxury France tour

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) 

New York City, USA 

Last but certainly not least we have the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), one of the most influential and renowned art galleries in the world. It was founded in 1929 by three patrons of the arts: Lillie P. Bliss, Mary Quinn Sullivan, and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. The goal was to establish an institution devoted exclusively to modern art, and MoMA has played (and continues to play) a major role in developing and collecting modern art, often considered one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of modern art in the world. Catch some of the most iconic pieces in the world at MoMA, such as Vincent van Gough’s ‘The Starry Night’, Andy Warhol’s ‘Campbell’s Soup Cans’, and Salvador Dalí’s ‘The Persistence of Memory’. 

Discover an incredible array of art and culture on a Luxury Gold tour. Explore our trips here.

If you’re looking at flying First Class for the first time, then congratulations. Flying First Class is certainly the best way to begin your trip, bookending your journey with the ultimate luxury travel experience. Read on to discover whether First Class travel is for you, all you need to know before boarding, and the various First Class offerings from different airlines. 

Flying First Class will transform your travel experience, no matter how many times you’ve flown before. Prepare to relax in a whole new level of comfort and convenience, though to really make the most of this luxury mode of travel, it can help to understand the nuances of First Class. From booking to landing, every step of the journey is designed to enhance your experience.  

Read more: 10 Best Airlines For Business Class

Flying First Class vs Business Class 

When it comes to luxury air travel, flying First Class is as good as it gets – on most airlines, First Class is the step above Business Class. Whereas in Business Class passengers can enjoy pre-flight lounges as well as lie-flat beds, spacious legroom, and multi-course meals in-flight, each aspect of flying is even more opulent in First Class (but more on that later).

Whether you’re flying Business or First Class, know that both are a significant step up from economy class – both offer superior comfort and service, though First Class offers more luxuries and privacy, whereas Business Class balances between indulgence and practicality.  

Benefits of Flying First Class 

There are a whole range of benefits to First Class travel, and they begin long before you board the plane. As a First Class traveler, you’ll have access to priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling, as well as free checked baggage and increased baggage allowances. Once you arrive at the airport, queuing will become a distant memory – minimize your wait time with expedited check-in, security, and boarding, along with exclusive airline lounge access. 

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On-board, relax into plush seats (with some airlines offering private suites), recline to a lie flat bed, and, with some airlines, tuck into gourmet food from renowned chefs. Throughout your flight you’ll be able make the most of the amenity kit provided, containing comforts from noise-canceling headphones to designer toiletry kits. Wherever you’re flying to, you can rest easy knowing that the flight attendants will be giving you their full attention for the full First Class experience. 

What to Wear When Flying First Class 

While most airlines don’t have a dress code for First Class cabins, many passengers opt to wear business-casual attire rather than the usual sweats and flip-flops – if you are looking to dress on the more formal side then slacks, skirts, or chinos will suffice, paired with shirts or blouses. However, what you choose to wear completely depends on the length of your flight and, at the end of the day, your comfort is what matters. Many airlines give First Class passengers pajamas to wear during long-haul flights, so if you’ll be changing into those then don’t worry too much about what you’re already wearing. 

First Class on International Flights 

To get the most out of flying First Class, it’s best to book your First Class ticket on a long haul international flight. These longer journeys offer a heightened level of comfort compared to a domestic First Class ticket, the latter of which is less likely to have all the luxury amenities mentioned above. If lie-flat beds, luxury food and drinks, and top-tier amenities are important to you, then choose First Class on an international flight. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to enjoy all those luxuries for longer! 

Read more: The airlines with the most luxurious First Class bathrooms have been revealed

Flying First Class on American Airlines 

If you’re flying within the U.S. with American Airlines, First Class marks the highest flight level. However, on some long-distance flights (both domestic and international), you have the option to book seats in Flagship First or Flagship Business classes, which are the most luxurious options on offer from American Airlines – passengers will enjoy lie-flat seats, access to the Flagship Lounge, luxury bedding, and exclusive toiletry kits.  

Flying First Class on Delta Air Lines 

If you’re traveling First Class with Delta Air Lines, you can choose from either Delta One, availably predominantly on long haul and international routes, and Delta First, available domestically. Delta One is the airline’s most premium cabin, offering lie flat beds, premium meal service, access to Delta Sky Clubs, and more – if you’re lucky enough to fly on Airbus A330-900neo or A350 aircraft, you’ll get to experience the new Delta One suite with full-height doors that slide closed for maximum privacy and 18-inch entertainment screens. For domestic flights, Delta First offers accelerated check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling, with slightly larger seats and more legroom than economy.  

Is First Class Worth It?  

Flying First Class is the epitome of luxury air travel, with every step of your journey made to make your travel experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Of course, only you can decide if flying First Class is worth it for you, but if supreme comfort and arriving at your destination well-rested and looked after are a priority for you, then flying First Class is the only way to go.

Distinct, stirring and evocative. The rousing sound of bagpipes is recognized all over the world. An exclusive audience with Highland Piper Andy Coulter is a highlight of our British Royale journey, so we sat down with him to learn more about this revered instrument and his royal connections.

Enjoy an exclusive audience with Andy on: British Royale

Piping through the generations

“I’m what you call an Ulster Scot, I was born in Northern Ireland and now live near Edinburgh,” says Andy. “My father was a piper, my grandfather and my great grandfather. I started when I was 10 years old.

“After school I joined the army and spent many years in the Drums and Pipes. So, I’ve been a Pipe Major a long time. When I left, I worked for Mohammad Al Fayed as close protection security, and he asked me to get a Harrods’s pipe band going. We piped in the store and for dignitaries, as well as at his castle in Scotland.”

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An instrument of war and heritage

“The pipes date back to the 14^th century are basically a war instrument, although they haven’t been played in combat now for over 40 years, since the Falklands War.” Andy tells us. “A lot of Clan chiefs had pipes or a personal piper to pipe them into battle. They would also pipe them into dinner and pipe them into the grave!

“I play the pipes at lots of funerals and lots of weddings, it’s a very traditional thing here. They are preserving Scottish and Gaelic music and heritage for future generations.”

My royal resume

“When I was in the army my ceremonial work consisted of The Trooping of the Colour and state occasions like the Queen’s Birthday parade,” Andy tells us. He has piped in military tattoos in Denmark, Canada, Germany and France, and at the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. “I also piped at state banquets for Buckingham Palace and the British Royal Family. When a President, King or Queen from another country was visiting, pipers would play around the table.”

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Enduring connections

“I was piping at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for King Juan Carlos of Spain and his wife Queen Sofia, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II,” says Highland Piper Andy. “Following our traditional performance, I was asked to play a solo for the Queen Mother. It was a very unexpected and memorable occasion and I find that Luxury Gold guests love hearing all about this.

“I also met the Queen Mother on another occasion, whilst on guard duty at Windsor Castle. This is an amusing story that I share with guest when I meet them in Edinburgh. Suffice to say she left quite an impression on me.”

An exclusive audience for Luxury Gold guests

Andy delights in sharing the details of his encounters with the Queen Mother with Luxury Gold guests, after they dine at the exclusive Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh. A grand finale to their time in the vibrant Scottish capital, Highland Piper Andy tells us “I go in and play a couple of tunes and introduce myself. We then talk, share a few stories and I answer any questions that guests might have. I’ll also get them to join in a bit with me. It is always lots of fun. I find that people are very interested in the bagpipes and piping, I think it resonates with everyone.”

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A cherished heirloom

“My pipes belonged to my great grandfather, and he bought them in 1888,” explains Andy, adding that they gain in value as they are handed down through the generations. “The bag itself is perishable and you also change the reeds when needed. But the pipes themselves are what you pay for. The wood is a very hard brittle wood called Mpingo. It is an African Blackwood, the best wood you can find and is worth around $20,000 a meter.

“When I first meet guests, they are often very intrigued and impressed by my uniform. The question I am asked most is how much does it weigh? It’s heavy because of the traditional Eight Yard kilt, the bonnet, shoes and pipes and comes in at 22 kilos which is about 45 lbs.”

Read how we make British Royale is exceptional: How Travel Concierge Michael Gives a Royal Welcome in the UK

A sound that resonates across the globe

“The Great Highland Pipes that I play originated in Scotland. But there are around 70 different types of bagpipes throughout the world,” says Andy. “There are Scottish Small Pipes and Scottish Parlor Pipes for example. There’s the Northumbrian Pipe and in Ireland the Uilleann Pipes. In Brittany in France, you have the Bretton pipers. They’re all Celtic nations. Pipers also played a similar looking pipe in Northern Spain, and even in Romania and places like that you can find pipes. They all have different styles of course.

“The Great Highland Bagpipes were the musical symbol of war; they were played in battle. My great grandfather played in battle in the Boer War, my grandfather played in the battle in the Somme and at Gallipoli.”

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The next generation

“Pipes will never go out of fashion,” Highland Piper Andy says. “In Scotland the collieries all have pipe bands and that’s where they all stem back to. They are taught in school as well. Every Scottish High School in Scotland has a band or at least a few pipers. New Zealand has more pipers and pipe bands per population than anywhere else in the world and some of the best competition pipe bands can be found in Canada.

“With bagpipes found all over the world, they resonate for so many people. It’s also such a versatile instrument, associated with everything from weddings and dancing to military processions and funerals. Be it a highland fling or the haunting melody of Amazing Grace, when the pipes start playing, they always raise the hairs on the back of your neck.”

For the opportunity to meet Andy Coulter for yourself and hear the unforgettable sound of the Highland Bagpipes, take a look at our British Royale luxury tour.