Join Princeton University Art Museum curators and leadership staff at some of the world’s foremost cultural destinations. These remarkable itineraries offer one-on-one connections with experts and include unique opportunities to view private collections, visit artists’ studios, and go behind the scenes at major museums. The travel groups are kept small, with hosts dedicated to the art of fine service, to promote a positive trip experience for all travelers.
The program is limited to benefactors and members of the Princeton University Art Museum.
Not yet a member? Join now and begin enjoying membership benefits—including these exclusive travel opportunities—immediately. Members at the Curator’s Circle level and above receive priority notice of Museum Travel Program offerings.
Greece Ancient and Modern: A Curated Journey to Hellas– SOLD OUT
May 11–19, 2025
With James Steward, the Nancy A. Nasher–David J. Haemisegger, Class of 1976, Director Led by Carolyn Laferrière, Assistant Curator of Ancient Mediterranean Art
Sun-drenched seaside villages, cobblestone streets, and legendary landscapes will serve as the backdrop to nine days of private access to the art, history, and architecture of Athens, Hydra, and Delphi this fall. Traveling with Princeton’s Assistant Curator of Ancient Mediterranean Art Carolyn Laferrière (PhD, Yale) as your guide, you will experience some of the unique cultural treasures Greece has to offer, from ancient to modern. An expert in the art and architecture of the ancient Mediterranean, Carolyn has connections with the region that will make this a once-in-a-lifetime excursion, balancing Greece’s extraordinary ancient past with the vital cultural scene of Athens and an array of exclusive art experiences.
The luxurious Hotel Grande Bretagne—the long-established social hub of Athens—will be our home for the length of our journey, allowing ample opportunity to settle in and experience the amenities of this lavishly appointed historical property. Boasting stunning views of the Acropolis, picturesque rooftop dining, personal butler service, and an award-winning spa, the “Grande Dame of Athens” is located within walking distance of many of the city’s attractions. Our itinerary includes free time to explore nearby antiques shops and markets on your own.
While in Athens, tours of the region’s most important art museums and artist studios—such as a private tour of the renowned Benaki Museum given by its director, a private look inside the new National Gallery, and a tour of the studio of sculptor Yannis Pappas—will lay the ground- work for your artistic experience of the country. Day trips to remarkable private collections, chic galleries, and makerspaces—as well as to picturesque locales such as the island of Hydra and coastal Sounion, which combine history with today’s charms—make this a special journey even for the seasoned traveler.
Greece’s archaeological sites are an unforgettable part of any trip to Greece, including the Parthenon, the Athenian Agora, and ancient Delphi. Traveling with the Princeton University Art Museum will afford you access and insights you never imagined, from trip leader Carolyn Laferrière as well as from local archaeological directors, curators, and other scholars. Your journey will feature not only luxury accommodation and exclusive access to Greece’s ancient and contemporary treasures but also dining at some of the finest restaurants the Mediterranean region has to offer—including the Michelin-starred Delta—and a private dining experience at the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum overlooking the Acropolis.
For more information, please contact museumtravel@princeton.edu or (609)258–4057.
Please contact Erin Scheckenbach at erinjs@princeton.edu or 609-258-3762 if you are a current Museum member and would like to be added to our waitlist. Not a member yet? Learn about the many benefits of our Curator's Circle level here!