Classical Pursuits Tours

What Our Travellers Say

“Thanks so much for your wonderfully planned trips. I’ve checked all over — there is nothing [among other group tours] that compares in intelligence!”
— Lisa, New York

How Our Tours Work

Classical Pursuits creates unforgettable cultural experiences for travellers passionate about literature and the arts. Each of our small-group tours has its own theme, from 1920s Paris to Zen arts in Japan to Renaissance masters of Venice.

Our tours are inspired by our own best learning and travel experiences. With Classical Pursuits, engage your mind, emotions, and senses. Consider new possibilities. Be delighted and even changed!

Why travel with Classical Pursuits?

Our specialist guides give you unparalleled context — and make it memorable.

A Classical Pursuits leader also accompanies each tour, working with the local guide to ensure a smooth and safe trip. The Classical Pursuits leader brings deep subject knowledge to the tour and leads the seminar discussions.

Our unique itineraries help you discover a destination like no other tour provider. Each itinerary balances can’t-miss sights with less-known gems to fully develop the tour theme and take you places you might not have found on your own. Custom walks and activities reveal the interplay between past and present.

Our small group size comes with big opportunities. Because our groups are capped at 16, you get lots of face time with your local guide and Classical Pursuits leader. And you’ll stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, and visit places that are full of character — and off-limits to larger tour groups.

What’s a Classical Pursuits tour like?

Our tours go at a human pace. You won’t be changing hotels every night — we spend at least two nights in each place, usually more. We also don’t rush from sight to sight, avoiding an experience where the tour becomes a forgettable blur.

Our tours balance structure and spontaneity. More than ever, smooth travel requires careful planning. We take care of this so that you can focus on your vacation. At the same time, our small groups and local connections give us the flexibility to adapt to the group’s interests. And each day you’ll have time on your own to explore or just relax.

Above all, Classical Pursuits tours are fun! Like you, we never tire of exploring our diverse and complex world. We love bringing together all the pieces that make a place unique — people, history, culture, art, food, drink, landscape — and sharing them with you. We love being part of that wonderful process where a group who started as strangers ends as friends.

Pre-tour readings and seminars

Readings and seminars are an integral part of our tours. All our trips come with books to read ahead of your departure, and a custom guidebook with hand-picked background reading. (These are included in the tour price and are sent to you in advance.)

While on tour, you’ll gather every two or three days with your fellow travellers and tour leader to discuss the readings in a seminar. We understand this might be different from other tours you’ve taken. And that it might even sound a bit like school… but we take a different approach.

Seminars are informal and collaborative. Our goal is to help everyone leave with a deeper understanding of the readings we’ve done and the places these readings connect us to. You don’t need any previous knowledge before a tour, and we strive to make your experience meaningful and enjoyable:
• We don’t load you down. We keep the reading manageable.
• We provide guidance on how to get the most out of what you read.
• We help you prepare with a pre-trip online gathering that includes a mini-discussion, so you can see a seminar in action before you depart.
• We offer further optional recommendations of books, movies, music, websites, lectures, etc. for you to go as deep as you would like into the tour theme.

Past travellers tell us these seminars are one of their favourite parts of a Classical Pursuits tour. They relish the chance to talk with others who value literature and the arts as much as they do. On our tours you’re not just listening to lectures — you’re creating your own understanding of a place through a lively exchange of ideas.

Travel Pursuits are a collaborative effort. Classical Pursuits develops the themes and selects the leaders. Our partner Worldwide Quest (TICO Reg: #2667946) is in charge of production, looking after logistical arrangements and client care. They also handle all tour bookings.

See our Tour FAQs for more information.