Upcoming Trips 2026
Seville and Cordoba Art History Trip
Description: Join me for a Spanish adventure, a little sunshine and a lot of beautiful art and architecture. Both Seville and Cordoba have a wealth of art museums and beautiful monuments that reflect the areas diverse history from the Roman Empire through the Islamic influence and the Christian times. We will explore each city, and I will guide you through centuries of artistic creations and local history. In Seville we will visit the following
Day 1 & 3: Seville
Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, is a Catholic cathedral in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. It is one of the largest churches in the world and the largest Gothic cathedral. A treasure trove of art from paintings to sculpture and incredible stained-glass window. It is also the burial place of Christopher Columbus, well one of them!
A historic royal palace in Seville, Spain and one of the official residences of the Spanish royal family. It was formerly the site of the Islamic-era citadel of the city.
Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo
Located in the stunning Monastery of the Carthusian of Seville, the collection ranges from the 1950s to the present day. Including both modern Spanish and international art from a permanent collection as well as temporary exhibitions.
A collection of mainly Spanish visual arts from the medieval period to the early 20th century, including a choice selection of works by artists from the so-called Golden Age of Sevillian painting during the 17th century, such as Murillo, Zurbarán, Francisco de Herrera the younger, and Valdés Leal.
Palace of the Countess of Lebrija
A house museum dating to the 16th century and remodeled between the 18th and 20th centuries, the palace is characterised by its collection of art, including Roman mosaics and other antiquities as well as Asian art, paintings by European masters and European decorative arts.
Casa Fabiola – Art Donation Mariano Bellver and Dolores Mejías
Since 2018 it houses the Bellver Museum, which contains the art collection of Mariano Bellver, donated to the City of Seville. It has more than 500 works of art.
Museum of Arts and Popular Customs of Seville
The museum occupies the Mudéjar Pavilion (Pabellón Mudéjar) designed by Aníbal González and built in 1914. It was founded as a section of the Museum of Fine Arts, and the largest and most significant portion of the collection came from that museum. Particularly notable are the Aguiar collection of costumbrista paintings; the Soria collection of Oriental porcelain and ivory; and some pieces from the Orleans and Gestoso collections.
The charity hospital, founded in 1674, is a beautifully designed building and contains a beautiful intact Sevillian church. Bartolomé Esteban Murillo in 1668 painted eight paintings commissioned for Seville’s Hermandad de la Caridad, to which the artist himself belonged
Day 2: Cordoba (45 mins on train from Seville)
The Fine Arts Museum of Córdoba
The collection covers the evolution of Cordoban painting and sculpture between the 14th and 20th centuries. Of particular interest is the Baroque and 19th century, often by Cordoban or Andalusian artists, although it also features works by Italian Renaissance masters. Artists include Bartolomé Bermejo, Valdés Leal, Murillo, Luis de Morales, Zurbarán, Ribera, Antonio del Castillo and the local sculptor Mateo Inurria.
This museum houses the largest collection of canvases by the Cordoban painter, along with a series of objects that provide insight into his personal, artistic, and historical profile, as well as the reception of his work.
The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba
The Cathedral of Mesquita is known for its architectural masterpiece, blending Islamic and Christian elements. The complete evolution of the Omeyan style in Spain can be seen in its different sections, as well as the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of the Christian part.
Dates: Thursday 15th to Saturday 17th January
Fee: €750 per person for 3 days Click here to book and for more information
London Art History Tour
Description: Join me for four fabulous art filled days in London. There is nowhere quite like it in the world in terms of art collections. We will explore centuries of art from Britain, Ireland and the rest of the world as well as the stories behind the works and the history of the societies and periods they reflect. Summer 2026 is an extra special time in London as our trip will coincide with three exceptional exhibitions, Frida: The Making of an Icon and Tracey Emin both at Tate Modern and James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain,we will also visit the permanent collection of the following wonderful art museums:
We will also visit the permanent collection of the following wonderful art museums:
Truly one of the best art collections in the world, we will trace the development of art through key pieces from the Renaissance to the Impressionists. Looking at works by Leonardo da Vinci, Holbein, Titian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner, Constable, Monet, Degas and many more.
My alma mater, the Courtauld is an internationally renowned centre for the teaching, research of art history and a major public gallery in the beautiful Sommerset house. The collection is especially known for important Realist, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works including Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère.
The history of Britain and Ireland can be explored through this wonderful collection. Our focus will be on any works with an Irish connection as well as works from the Georgian, Regency and Victorian period to compliment recent and upcoming course. Artists included are Hogarth, Reynolds, Gainsborough and the Pre-Raphaelites. We will also visit the James McNeill Whistler retrospective exhibition the first major European exhibition of Whistler’s work in 30 years – brings together the artist’s world-famous paintings alongside rarely, or never seen, works.
An art gallery in London, housing the United Kingdom’s national collection of international modern and contemporary art (created from or after 1900). The main collection displays consist of 8 areas with a named theme or subject. Within each area there are some rooms that change periodically showing different works in keeping with the overall theme or subject. We will visit with the exhibitions Frida: The Making of an Icon and Tracey Emin.
This gem of a collection is not as well known as it should be given that it houses one of the finest personal collections ever amassed. ‘One of the sexiest collections in Europe’ according to the The Guardian with famous works like Fragonard’s The Swing and Frans Hals’ Laughing Cavalier. We will explore the history of the collection and the practise of collecting while examining paintings, decorative arts and furniture.
The Foundling Hospital Collection includes works of art by some of Britain’s most prominent eighteenth-century artists: William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, Louis-Francois Roubiliac and many others. These paintings and sculptures, donated by the artists themselves, were given in order to support the Foundling Hospital and effectively made the institution the UK’s first public art gallery.
The Victoria and Albert Museum
One of the largest and most varied collections in the world, we will explore the history of art from the ancient Greeks to the present day through art objects including sculpture, painting, stained glass, fashion, jewellery, ceramics and much more. We will also get to see the famous cast room which includes full size casts of Michelangelo’s David, Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradiseand the Trajan’s Column.
This historic house was home to Wellington and still houses his extraordinary collection of art including some of the finest works byVelasquez outside of Spain and the famous sculpture by Canova of Napoleon.
An art museum and historic house in the Holland Park area of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in west London. The museum has on permanent display works of art by various members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, including John Everett Millais, Edward Burne-Jones and George Frederic Watts, as well as 81 oil paintings by Leighton himself. Not to mention the extraordinary design of each room in the house after a major £8 million refurbishment.
Dates: Tuesday 30th June to Friday 3rd July
Fee: €850 per person for 4 days Click here to book and for more information
Oxford and Beyond Day Trip
Description: For those who want even more wonderful art I am planning a day trip by private bus to Blenheim Palace and Waddesdon Manor (both local specialist guide) and a tour of Britain’s first public museum and one of my favourite museums in the world the Ashmolean.
Date: Saturday 4th July
Fee: €350 per person Click here to book and for more information
Past Trips
Belfast and Beyond Art History Day Trip
Description: Join me on a jammed pack art history trip to Belfast and beyond! We will visit both permanent and temporary exhibitions in two incredible locations to explore the wealth of art on show. Leaving from Dublin we will have our own bus and driver for the full trip.
Copenhagen and Beyond Art History Trip
Two days in Copenhagen, a beautiful, chic city full of wonderful art and design museums. We will also take a day trip to two incredible museums in the north of the country
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
SMK – The National Gallery of Denmark
City walking tour past Christiansborg Palace and into the beautiful Library Gardens
Sligo Art History Trip
A jam packed day of exploring the art collections of Sligo with a visit to Lissadell house and church as well as a guided tour of the fabulous Niland Collection at the Model.
Antwerp and Ghent Art History Trip
A 3 day Art History Trip to Antwerp and Ghent, two cities known for their rich history of art and where many important artists lived and worked. The collections in the impressive museums and churches today reflect this, with so many important works from the Medieval period to the present day.
Vienna Art History Trip
Description:
An art history tour of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We will explore the rich art history of this city from the glorious collections of the famous Hapsburg family all the way through the Secession movement of Klimt and his contemporaries and up to the present day.
Cork City Art History Trip
A visit to Cork city to explore the wealth of Irish art on display currently.
The Crawford Art Gallery will be closing very soon for extensive refurbishment for a few years so this is the last chance in a while to visit. It is a fascinating collection from the famous Canova casts of Classical sculpture to the current exhibition Now you See it … which span three centuries and range from portraits and landscapes to more abstract expressions. The public were asked to pick their favourites from the collection which includes many Irish arts like Jack Yeats, Dorothy Cross, John Lavey, Mainie Jellett and Sean Keating. There is also the exhibition FROM SOURCE TO SEA celebrates the culture of the River Lee and its tributaries though paintings by artist from the 18th century onward including Nathaniel Grogan, George Petrie and Sarah Grace Carr.
We will also visit the Honan Chapel in Cork University, an absolute gem of the Irish Arts and Crafts Movement many showing the influence of the Celtic Revival. There are beautiful stained-glass windows by Clarke and An Túr Gloine studios, a stunning ‘River of Life’ mosaic floor design as well as carved stonework, sculpted by Henry Emery. The Gluckman is a hidden gem of modern and contemporary Irish art, the current exhibition showcases the impressive UCC collection including works by Alice Maher and Tony O’Malley.
The Gluckman is a hidden gem of modern and contemporary Irish art, the current exhibition showcases the impressive UCC collection including works by Alice Maher and Tony O’Malley.
Belfast and Beyond
Berlin Art History Trip
Dates: 3 Days
Tuesday 14th to Thursday 17th of May 2024 (FULL)
A three day art history tour to a city with some of the most important art collections in the world. Berlin is a vibrant city with so many incredible museums and galleries including:
Berlin’s Museum Island:
Altes Museum,
Neues Museum,
Alte Nationalgalerie,
Bode Museum,
Gemäldegalerie,
East Side Gallery,
Plus more TBA!
We will explore Western Art History from the ancient world to the day. We will visit the much anticipated temporary exhibition of works by the fascinating Romantic painter, Caspar David Friedrich, Infinite Landscapes.
Madrid Art History Trip
A three day art history tour to one of the most extraordinary cities in terms of art collections in the world. Madrid is truly a centre of culture with incredible paintings from so many famous artists from Velazquez to Picasso.
Malaga Art History Trip
Join me on an art history trip to beautiful Málaga in Andalusia, Spain. The Costa del Sol is known for its stunning beaches, great weather and food we will spend two days exploring the wealth of art in the many museums and art galleries that can be found there too:
Picasso museum, Picasso´s Birthplace Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum Málaga, Centre Pompidou Málaga, Russian Museum Collection, St. Petersburgo-Málaga, Málaga´s Museum, Museum Jorge Rando, Revello de Toro Museum
Art History Trip to Edinburgh and Glasgow
Join me on a jammed packed three-day art history tour to the historic cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow where there is such an impressive wealth of fantastic art across many collections that I cannot wait to share with you. There are works by all the European masters from Titian to El Greco to Rembrandt to Goya and Impressionist like Monet and Mary Cassatt along with incredible collections of Modern art. And of course, the wonderful art and architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his equally talented wife Margaret Macdonald. This trip is for everyone even those who have never studied the history of art.
Day 1: Glasgow
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
The Hunterian Museum
The Burrell Collection
Day 2: Edinburgh
Scottish National Gallery
National Galleries Scotland: Modern
National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two
Day 3: Glasgow
Mackintosh & McDonald Walking Tour – Mackintosh House, Queen Cross Church, Glasgow School of Art, Mackintosh at the Willow
Glasgow Cathedral
Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow
Optional Group Dinner (pay individually)
Amsterdam and The Hague Summer 2023
A four day art history tour to Amsterdam, The Hague and the Koller-Muller Museum to visit some of the greatest art collections in the world and to see the highly anticipated Vermeer exhibition.
Day 1
– City boat tour
– Amsterdam Museum
– New and Old Churches
Day 2
– Rijksmuseum
– Vermeer Exhibition
– Rembrandt House
Day 3
– The Hague
Kunstmuseum Den Haag
The Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery
– Koller-Muller Museum
Day 4
– Van Gogh Museum
– The Stedelijk Museum
– Moco Museum
London Art History Trip 2022
A four day art history tour to two incredible but vastly different cities. For the first three days we will explore the extraordinary art collections in London, covering important works from the Renaissance to the start of Modernism through both large and small museums and galleries.
The fourth day is an optional extra, a day trip to the charming and historically fascinating city of Cambridge. The Fitzwilliam Museum is one of my favourites, founded by Richard Fitzwilliam of Mount Merrion, Dublin.
Optional extra day – Day trip to Cambridge
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Tour of Cambridge
Punting River Tour
Venice & Padua Art History Trip
4 Days
Basilica of San Marco, Museo Correr, Palazzo Ducale and the Bridge of Sighs & Church of San Gorgio Maggiore
Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Church of San Zaccaria, Scoula di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni & Academia (permanent Collection and Leonardo Exhibition)
Peggy Guggenheim Collection & Palazzo Cini Gallery
Basilica dei Frari, Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Padua, Bascilica di Sant’Antonio & Gattamelatta Sculpture, Church of the Eremitani, Musei Civici & Scrovegni Chapel
London Art History Trip
3 Days
National Gallery & National Portrait Gallery
Tate Britain & The Wallace Collection
V&A Painting and Sculpture Collection & Royal Academy
Florence Art History Trip
4 Days
Duomo, Battistero di San Giovanni (exterior only), Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Opera Duomo Museum, Orsanmichele: exterior only & Uffizi
Academia Gallery, Ospedale degli Innocenti: exterior only, San Marco, San Lorenzo & Santa Maria Novella
Bargello Museum, Loggia dei Lanzi, Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, Galleria Palatina & Santa Felicita
Santo Spirito, Santa Maria del Carmine, Brancacci Chapel & Ognissanti, Santa Trinità & Santa Croce
London Art History Trip
3 Days
National Gallery & Courtauld Gallery
National Portrait Gallery (permanent Collection and Cézanne Exhibition) & The Wallace Collection
Tate Britain & Dulwich Picture Gallery
Jessica Fahy - Freelance Art Historian 