Top Holidays Destinations for the Artistic Adventurer.

BERLIN, GERMANY.
With a short flight of around 2 hours to Germany's capital city from the UK, Berlin is a top destination for a wealth of culture and history. More than 100 museums open their doors after hours to offer tours, films, lectures and music events known as the ‘Long Night of Museums’ for tourists and local residents to visit. The annual event takes place on the 25th August 2018 from 6pm until 2am. Admission is 18 euros or reduced admission at 12 euros. Admission is free for under 12s. Last year they celebrated 20 years of the late night opening and honoured the anniversary with a ‘Made in Berlin’ theme focusing on inventions, brands and legends that have an association with the city. Whilst here also take time to visit Berlin’s Museum Island (Museumsinsel), a magnificent collection of art work and a truly outstanding ensemble of five world-renowned museums. Apart from the legendary bust of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, the most famous and important cultural exhibits on show here include the breathtaking Pergamon Altar and the stunning Ishtar Gate. In 1999, the Museum Island complex was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage. The admission for visitors under 18 years is free. Regular admission is €18, reduced €9.

The five museums on Museum Island are:
- Pergamonmuseum (Pergamon Museum)
- Bode-Museum
- Neues Museum (New Museum)
- Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery)
- Altes Museum (Old Museum)

You’ll be spoilt for choice!
https://www.lange-nacht-der-museen.de/en/about-long-night/
https://www.visitberlin.de/en/museum-island-in-berlin

HAKONE, JAPAN.
​For the globetrotter amongst us, take yourself further afield and head to the area of Hakone, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. With a train trip of around 90 minutes (one way) it’s a great day trip from Japans capital to take in the sights of Mount Fuji and the beautiful surrounds of Hakone. Famous for natural hot springs, and the view across Lake Ashinoko of nearby Mount Fuji there’s plenty to see. Whilst in the Hakone area, be sure not to miss The Open Air Museum, open 9am - 5pm daily. Tickets cost 1600 yen per adult. The museum has various different sections and exhibition spaces outdoors and indoors with the Picasso Exhibition Hall showcasing two stories worth of paintings, sculptures and ceramic works by the artist in addition to photos of him at various points during his life. Other artists work on show here include the great Henry Moore, Taro Okamoto, Yasuo Mizui, Churyo Sato, and many others, featuring over a thousand sculptures and works of art. The outdoor space covers 70,000 square metres of space so it’s a great breath of fresh air to wonder around these beautiful gardens full of inspiration and history.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html
http://www.hakone-oam.or.jp

BILBAO, SPAIN.
Located in the Northern area of Spain Bilbao is the tenth largest city in the country surrounded by beautiful landscapes of forests, mountains, beaches and steep coasts.
Amongst many other tourist attractions, the Guggenheim museum is a magnificent place to visit with a large display of art from all over the world, including, David Salle, Chillida, Jeff Koons, Louis Bourgeois and Robert Rauschenberg. Committed to innovation, the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation collects, preserves, and interprets modern and contemporary art, and explores ideas across cultures through dynamic curatorial and educational initiatives and collaborations. With its constellation of architecturally and culturally distinct museums, exhibitions, publications, and digital platforms, the foundation engages both local and global audiences. Admission for Adults is €13 Seniors and for students it’s €7.50.
http://www.spain.info/en_GB/que-quieres/arte/museos/vizcaya/museo_guggenheim_bilbao.html
https://www.guggenheim.org/about-us
http://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/en/tourists

MEXICO
Mexico City has been chosen as the Worlds Design Capital of 2018 becoming the 6th destination to be added to the list. The city offers a global fusion of art and design infused with local flavours of ancient culture, living by a motto of better city design
equals a better quality of life. Previous countries honoured with this award include Torino (Italy) in 2008, followed by Seoul (South Korea) in 2010, Helsinki (Finland) in 2012, Cape Town (South Africa) in 2014, and Taipei (Taiwan, Chinese Taipei) in 2016.
For Mexico, regeneration will take place in low-income areas around the city, where they aim to transform lives though design. The artistic capital of Mexico City is also home to the Frida Kahlo museum, a place where she grew up, lived and died, also
known as the Casu Azul (The Blue House). The house shows traditional crafts and personal belongings as well as Kahlo’s art expressing the anguish of her existence as well as her flirtation with socialist icons.
http://wdo.org/programmes/wdc/wdcmexicocity2018/
http://www.wdccdmx2018.com/medium_en.html
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/mexico-city/attractions/museo-frida-kahlo/a/poi-sig/375887/361544

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK.
In April 2018 the biggest art fair in Scandinavia takes place with an estimated 16000 visitors to view more than 200 artists selected to take part. The average size of each exhibition space is more than 15m2 bringing a spectacular venue to life. Visit the exhibition from the 20th to the 22nd April. Whilst in the city take your time wondering around the vast selection of art museums including the National Gallery and the Arken museum of Modern Art.
http://www.art-nordic.dk/en/about-art-nordic

LUMIERE, LONDON. UNITED KINGDOM
Light up your life with London's Lumiere Festival with local artists transforming the city with installations covering areas including King's Cross, Fitzrovia, the West End, Mayfair, Westminster & Victoria, and South Bank & Waterloo. It’s an event curated by Artichoke, a leading arts charity that work with artists to put on extraordinary and ambitious exhibitions. Check out Lumieres websites to see what other cities have previously been transformed and show your support with donations. Next year see the show from the 18th to the 21st of January 2018. (Ticket prices to be confirmed).
www.visitlondon.com/lumiere/programme#vTFoE4E6YyAq7Zhb.97
http://www.lumiere-festival.com
https://www.artichoke.uk.com

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM AND RENWICK GALLERY. WASHINGTON DC. UNITED STATES.
Visit the Renwick Gallery, open daily from 10:00 A.M. until 5:30 P.M and absorb the local history of Americas greats. Located near the to the White House, the closest Metro stations are Farragut West (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines) and Farragut North. Take the opportunity to really get into the design mindset and visit the Smithsonian American Art museum, just 20 minutes from the Renwick. This museum is home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world revealing key aspects of America’s s rich artistic and cultural history from the colonial period to today.
https://americanart.si.edu/about
https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-09-19/the-world-s-best-cities-for-arts-and-culture-lovers