Art Excursions, Inc.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Perfect Timing: Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday

It’s a fact that every year is an American-centered one for our business since we travel exclusively in the United States. However, we aim to celebrate our Nation’s 250th birthday in style! Therefore, in planning our entire 2026 schedule, we want to connect you with outstanding collections and exhibitions of American artists.

The City of Brotherly Love certainly fits the bill as it celebrates America’s art and history in several ways:

1. -A special exhibition of American art that spans two separate museums
   

2. -Remarkable personal-turned-public collections amassed by visionary Americans, including Jules Mastbaum; Pierre S. du Pont; John and Leigh Middleton; and Dr. Albert Barnes
   

3. -An opportunity to explore the works of the two greatest dynasties of American artists: The Peales and The Wyeths
   

The Landmark American Art Exhibition: “A Nation of Artists”

“Who gets to decide what counts as art? Whose artistic talent has been excluded from the main stage? How do we create a fuller view of American creativity?”

The Philadelphia Museum of Art and The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts have considered these questions in the process of planning a new, landmark exhibition that showcases the history and evolution of American art. Exhibition objects span three centuries, featuring more than 1,000 paintings, sculptures, photographs and decorative arts from early America to the present.

The exhibition marks the first time the public can experience more than 120 Middleton Family Collection works presented together. Leigh and John Middleton (managing partner of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team) have spent fifty years amassing one of the most important collections of American art still in private hands. Highlights of their private collection include works by John Singer Sargent; Edward Hopper; Albert Bierstadt; Jasper Johns; and Childe Hassam, along with rare Revolutionary-era flags, furniture, and decorative arts.

The Barnes Collection: Experience what Matisse Called “the Only Sane Place to See Art in America”

The relocation of The Barnes Foundation’s main galleries into central Philadelphia was this century’s most exciting developing story in the art world. Experience one of the world’s most important and unique collections of late nineteenth and early twentieth century art installed in a new setting designed by architects Billie Tsien and Tod Williams. The team’s “Garden in a Gallery” concept successfully addresses the great challenge of maintaining the founder’s unique “wall ensemble” installation of art while simultaneously creating a new visitor experience.

The Barnes is one of America's greatest cultural treasures displaying major works from movements such as Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism and Cubism with examples of decorative art and African art. Enjoy seminal paintings by artists such as Monet, Picasso, Matisse, van Gogh, and Degas. The Barnes Collection features hundreds of works by Renoir alone and more paintings by Cezanne than in all the museums in Paris combined. Enjoy a private guided tour at the museum.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art: One of America’s Greatest Museums

Situated against the beautiful backdrop of Fairmont Park, The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of America's top art museums.  Its recent restoration of and expansion into the nearby Perelman Building (an Art Deco masterpiece) offers additional space for special exhibitions and the permanent collection.

The European collections include medieval sculpture, stained glass, and a 13th century cloister; Renaissance masterpieces; a suite of 18th century French interiors; and superb Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works. The American collections include extensive holdings of Pennsylvania German art, refined furniture and silver by early Philadelphia craftsmen. The Asian collection includes paintings and decorative objects as well as a Japanese ceremonial teahouse, a Chinese palace hall, and a collection of Oriental carpets.

The museum is especially rich in the works of Philadelphia-based artist Thomas Eakins, in the paintings, objects and ready-mades of Marcel Duchamp, and in the sculpture of Brancusi. Art historian Jeff Mishur will provide a guided tour of collection highlights.

Longwood Gardens: One of America’s Premier Botanical Sites

Enjoy one of America’s most spectacular botanic gardens in its early summer glory. Established as a garden estate by Pierre S. Du Pont in 1906, Longwood Gardens offers twenty outdoor gardens across more than 1,000 acres. Longwood's conservatory is one of the world's greatest greenhouse structures and is home to twenty indoor gardens including The Orangery, Silver Garden, Acacia Passage, Orchid House, Cascade Garden, Palm House, Mediterranean Garden, and Tropical Terrace.

Longwood’s Main Fountain Garden is a 5-acre, Italianate theater-style garden featuring over 1,700 jets that shoot water up to 175 feet. It is famous for choreographed "dancing" fountain shows (pictured). Enjoy a private guided introductory tour.

The Brandywine Museum of Art: Enjoy Great American Art in the Beautiful Brandywine River Valley

Housed in a restored and converted grist mill, The Brandywine River Museum displays one of the world’s best collections of N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth and Jamie Wyeth, the most important painting family in America since the “painting Peales.” The museum also boasts an unparalleled collection of works by America’s most popular illustrators of the nineteenth century including Howard Pyle and Maxfield Parrish. Enjoy a private guided tour focused on works by the Wyeths.

The Andrew Wyeth Home and Studio

Andrew Wyeth spent all his painting years obsessed with two American regions: Cushing, Maine and Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.  After his death in 2009, Betsy Wyeth donated her late husband’s Chadds Ford studio to The Brandywine Art Museum. Enjoy a private tour of this studio and the opportunity to explore how Wyeth drew inspiration from this unique environment. This is your chance to walk in the footsteps of the most famous of the Wyeths.

The Rodin Museum -- A Movie Theater Magnate’s Gift to Philadelphians

Most famous as the creator of The Thinker, Auguste Rodin was one of history's greatest sculptors. Sensual and expressive surfaces and subjects that are dramatic, passionate and emotional characterize his work.  The Rodin Museum is one of only two museums in the world devoted to this great artist (the other is in Paris). Whereas many museums throughout the world display a small selection of Rodin's work, here all of the sculptor's most famous works are displayed together -- from a full-size casting of The Gates of Hell to The Burghers of Calais and Balzac.

The Collection of The Pennsylvania Academy of The Fine Arts in a Stunning Victorian Gothic Museum Setting

Founded in 1805, America’s first art academy is almost as old as the United States itself. Many important artists were founders, teachers or students here, including Charles Willson Peale; Henry O. Tanner; Thomas Eakins; Mary Cassatt; William Merritt Chase and Robert Henri. Your visit brings you face to face with one of the foremost collections of American art featuring works by these and other artists. Enjoy a private guided tour by art historian and tour host Jeff Mishur.

The Special Exhibition: Van Gogh’s Sunflowers: A Symphony in Blue and Yellow

In the summer of 1888, Vincent van Gogh began a series of still life paintings featuring sunflowers in a vase set against yellow and blue backgrounds. Gauguin had recently notified Vincent that he was coming to Arles for an extended visit and Vincent wanted his sunflower still life works to hang in the room he had selected for Gauguin’s bedroom.

More than a century later, "Van Gogh’s Sunflowers: A Symphony in Blue and Yellow" will bring together two sunflower paintings: one completed in August 1888, on loan from the National Gallery in London, and one completed in January 1889, from the Philadelphia Museum of Art collection. Seeing these two masterpieces together offers a great opportunity to consider how Vincent used color and brushwork to express his emotional response to these beautiful blossoms.

Accommodations in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood

Art Excursions understands that our choice of accommodations contributes to the overall experience of the boutique tours we design and lead. Consequently, our clients have come to expect a high standard of hotel as well as a location that is ideal for walking to shops, galleries, museums, restaurants, theaters and concert venues.

In Philadelphia, our four star hotel is located in the world-renowned Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, the city's most prestigious residential, commercial and business district.

Tour Study Leader and Host -- Art Historian Jeff Mishur

Art historian Jeff Mishur, co-owner of Art Excursions, hosts this tour. Jeff is a sought-after guide for private tours of architecture, public sculpture and museum collections. He is also one of the Chicago area's most popular lecturers on art and architecture. Art Excursions is pleased to offer as part of this small group tour itinerary multiple private guided tours by Jeff.

TESTIMONIALS FROM CLIENTS ON PRIOR TOURS IN PHILADELPHIA

Just a quick note to thank you for another great trip! The Barnes Foundation collection is quite remarkable.  The special exhibits were great, as was the Philadelphia Museum of Art. And as always you find additional small jewel museums that we might miss if we were on our own. We are looking forward to the Fallingwater tour next!

Thank you so much for a wonderful long weekend in Philadelphia. The Barnes is incredible--both for the collection and for the eccentricity. We are both looking forward to another excursion--or more. Boston, Washington, Santa Fe and Falling Water all appeal.  I'm sure we will travel with you again--and thanks again.

TOUR INCLUDES

1. ‣Four star accommodations in the Rittenhouse Square district for 3 nights
   

2. ‣Admissions to venues and exhibitions with private tours as highlighted above
   

3. ‣A welcome dinner
   

4. ‣Daily breakfast (possibly brunch on weekends)
   

5. ‣Lunch daily (possibly brunch on weekends)
   

6. ‣Transportation to/from all itinerary elements not within walking distance
   

7. ‣Driver gratuities
   

8. ‣Independent time to take in what you like at each event on the itinerary
   

9. ‣The opportunity to add extra pre or post-tour nights at a special rate with the destination fee waived.
   

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE

Gratuities for tour guides and hotel staff; incidentals at hotel; costs for items not specified above; airfare and airport transfers. We can book airfare on your behalf if you prefer not to make your own arrangements.  We do charge a $40 per ticket booking fee for this service.

TOUR PRICING - The amounts below reflect advance pricing and are valid for registrations and deposits received by March 13, 2026. After this date, prices are subject to change.

$2,350 per person based on double occupancy

$350 single supplement

A NOTE ABOUT BOOKING FLIGHTS

We know some clients have a tendency to look into airfares before even signing up for our tours. We wish to offer a reminder that airfares fluctuate daily. The old theory that the earlier one books a flight, the lower fare they will pay does not apply in our era. Fare prices are driven by sale periods that are announced periodically by a given carrier and then matched by other carriers.

TRAVELING AS A SINGLE?

Our boutique tours are ideal for single travelers, singles traveling together, or couples. We typically have a mix of these types of travelers. If you wish to know why we charge a single supplement or have any other questions, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or email us.

TOUR RESERVATIONS

Group size is limited. Reservations accepted first-come, first-served. For more details please email artexcursions@yahoo.com or call 630/671-9745.

READY TO SIGN UP?

Great! Just email us at ae-news@artexcursions.com or artexcursions@yahoo.com and we’ll follow up with a tour application. Our phone number is 630.671.9745