You’ll have an even deeper appreciation for the artistic treasures of Madrid traveling with Eric Denker. We’ll begin at the world-famous masterpieces at the Prado, just a short stroll from our hotel located in the charming Las Letras neighborhood. On other days, we’ll walk to the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum, and to the Reina Sofia museum to see Picasso’s moving masterpiece Guernica.

We’ll also visit a hidden gems of Madrid, the recently opened to the public Palacio di Liria, the stunning 18th century official residence of the House of Alba.

One morning we’ll visit the enormous Royal Palace with its plethora of over-the-top furnishings and artworks, plus plenty of history. Then we’ll walk over to the Plaza Mayor, once the center of old Madrid. Here are restaurants, shopping, an enticing food market, and a chance to try churros and chocolate at the historic San Ginés chocolaterìa. You’ll have time for a bit of shopping as well.

We’ll also explore two richly beautiful sites outside the city: first, the medieval city of Toledo, where we’ll visit the stunning cathedral, famous pictures by the artist El Greco, and the historic Jewish synagogue and cultural center. We’ll spend another day at El Escorial, the largest Renaissance building in the world, historic residence (and now burial place) of the monarchs of Spain.

And, of course, there will be traditional tapas and flamenco to savor.

Most days, we’ll move about the cities as the locals do, using the Metro and city buses. Each evening, we’ll gather in the hotel before dinner for a glass of wine and conversation, and then break into small groups to choose where you’d like to dine.

Late March is a wonderful time to visit Spain. The tourist crowds haven’t arrived yet, and it’s still cool enough to enjoy walking all over the city. Daytime temperatures should be in the high 60s or low 70s, with nights cool enough to need a light jacket.

If you haven’t been to Paris in the last several years, there’s so much new in the city that we’ve designed a whole trip around it. Notre Dame has re-opened to rave reviews. New museums have been created; old ones revamped and remodeled. And some places have only recently been open to the public at all.

Naturally, we’ll spend quite a bit of time exploring the recently restored magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. On another day, we’ll visit the Basilica Cathedral of Saint Denis, the very first Gothic cathedral ever built, and the traditional burial place of the kings and queens of France.

We’ll enjoy the spectacular architecture and art at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, designed by American architect Frank Gehry. In fashion, we’ll see the new museum La Galerie Dior, a glimpse into French haute couture and a celebration of Christian Dior’s designs and those of his successors.

The Musée Carnavalet has re-opened after years of renovation with its intriguing galleries showcasing the history of the city. Nearby on the Place des Vosges, called the most beautiful square in Paris, we’ll visit the restored apartments of Victor Hugo, who wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

And all Paris is talking about the fabulous apartments on view at the historic Hotel de la Marine on Place de la Concorde.

We’ll also travel outside the city to the historic chateau of Chantilly. Our visit includes a tour of the impressive public rooms, including its art museum whose collection is said to be second only to that of the Louvre. We’ll also have our own guided tour of the luxurious private apartments.

We’ll stay in our favorite hotel in Paris, the Relais Monceau, located very near the Parc Monceau and the historic house museum, the Nissim de Camondo.

Plus – since you love Paris – you’ll also have some free time to re-visit your favorite places in the City of Light.

In the fall, join us to explore Siena, historic rival of Florence, with its spectacular Duomo, winding narrow streets and gracious central Campo, perfect for an evening drink and people-watching. Outside of Siena is Tuscany’s agricultural heart, with its familiar rolling hills studded on the ridges by lines of dark cypresses.

Eric will share his knowledge of the Sienese art and history, including at the majestic black and white striped Duomo. Siena’s city motto is, “Cor magis tibi Seni pandit,” (“Siena opens its heart even wider to you”), and you’ll feel its welcome and walkable scale immediately. We’ll stroll to historic sites from both the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Because agriculture lies at the heart of Tuscany’s history and culture, we’ll visit a working farm, and we’ll enjoy tastings of some of Tuscany’s most notable products: wines and cheeses.

On other days, we’ll visit several of the most characteristic of Tuscany’s hill towns – each quite different in character. From an authentic working farm, we’ll observe San Gimignano’s distinctive skyline of 14 towers. In the city, we’ll have plenty of time to explore its museums, churches, shops – and its most famous gelato.

Pienza is a graceful and harmonious small town – completely rebuilt and designed to humanistic principles by Pope Pius II during the Renaissance. We’ll visit the Pope’s Palace there, as well as taste the varieties of the famous Pecorino cheese the city is known for.

The charming town of Montepulciano is known for its wines, so we’ll definitely taste some there.

In Siena, we’ll stay for the week at the Hotel Athena. Located in a quiet neighborhood right up against the old city walls, it has a terrace with spectacular views of the countryside.

We’ll end our trip in Florence for a couple of days, where we’ll visit the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Vecchio. Our Florence hotel, the degli Orafi, is located right on the Arno, so you might want to extend your stay there even longer.

Fall is a beautiful time to visit Tuscany. The days are usually cool, crisp and sunny, and most of the tourists have headed home. We’ll wander along the narrow streets in every town, letting our imaginations run away with us as we soak in the history…and, of course, savor the food and wine.In the fall, join us to explore Siena, historic rival of Florence, with its spectacular Duomo, winding narrow streets and gracious central Campo, perfect for an evening drink and people-watching. Outside of Siena is Tuscany’s agricultural heart, with its familiar rolling hills studded on the ridges by lines of dark cypresses.

Wild Blue Yonder is delighted to partner with Flying Squirrel to explore Prague, capital of Czechia (The Czech Republic) with its splendid offering of the arts from masterpiece paintings to sculpture to concerts and architecture. We’ll stay in a charming four-star hotel tucked just around the corner from Old Town Square.

Prague is full of wonderfully-preserved Medieval architecture. From the dungeons of Prague Castle to the subterranean rooms of Old Town Hall to the Strahov Monastery (founded in 1138), you’ll marvel at how luxurious modern amenities are found interspersed with historic buildings in this beautiful city on the banks of the Vltana River. If you enjoy stunning views from towers, this trip is for you!

We’ll visit Prague’s most famous sites such as the Prague Castle with its fabulous art and the curious embedded row of tiny homes, called The Golden Lane, where Franz Kafka one lived. We will of course explore Old Town Square with the world’s third oldest astronomical clock (and the oldest still in operation, dating from 1410) and tour the subterranean rooms in Old Town Hall. We’ll visit the historic Jewish Quarter, and we’ll tour the 12th ^century Strahov Monastery with its famous library and the gorgeous park on Petrin Hill. We’ve even arranged a behind-the-scenes tour of the Strahov Library to see rare books that you couldn’t see if you went by yourself.

We’ll also take a day trip to Kutna Hora, a nearby town, to see the fascinating Sedlac Ossuary with the entire interior decorated with human bones, including chandeliers fashioned from bones and skulls. We’ll also go underground in a medieval silver mine and then tour the stunning St. Barbara’s Cathedral.

No matter how many trips you’ve made to Western Europe, a trip to Eastern Europe offers an entirely different experience. You’ll get glimpses behind the former Iron Curtain, such as seeing two entirely separately address systems in the city. Come learn about this ancient city that has been a center for artists, heretics, scholars, and scientists alike from the Dark Ages until today.