Behind closed doors

Access away from the crowds changes what a visit can be. Without a queue to shuffle through or a rope line to peer over, there is time to look properly – at a ceiling, a set of mosaics, the detail in a fresco – and to follow an expert's analysis without interruption.

Art and architecture are usually the reason for it. Private visits to the Sistine Chapel, included on 'Essential Rome' and 'Connoisseur's Rome', put Michelangelo's ceiling and Raphael's frescoes in front of our groups alone. On 'Art History of Venice', the Byzantine mosaics of Basilica di S. Marco are studied without the day's visitors filing past. In Florence and the Veneto, we open doors to palazzi that stay closed to the public.

Museums receive the same treatment. An hour before the Prado opens its doors, 'Art in Madrid' has its Goya, Velázquez, Rubens, Titian, Bosch and El Greco to itself. In New York, 'Connoisseur's New York' visits MoMA after hours, where art historian Gijs van Hensbergen talks the group through the museum's 20th-century collection.

Entrance fees, access permits, evening openings and private concerts in historic venues are all included in the price. Our tour managers arrange the logistics.

Tours & cruises with special arrangements

What do others say about Martin Randall Travel?

Showing 1033 reviews
A very special, wonderful 7 days
It was a small group (13) of like-minded people, and together we "Walked the Royal River". The scenery was overwhelmingly beautiful; the distances we walked each day were carefully calculated to be doable, even for me, an inexperienced walker of 81 years, and yet satisfying for the others ...
*****
Frances Taylor
23 Oct 2026
Martin Randall tours are exceptional
Small groups, perfectly organized itineraries, superior hotels, great interpretive talks by expert lecturers. I have been on five Martin Randall tours, each a great experience. The music tours are especially good.
*****
Michael Fishbein
15 Oct 2026
The Bach Journey - superb in every respect
The Bach Journey last month was quite simply outstanding. Brilliantly organised by Martin Randall whose travelling team shepherded us expertly through a week of different venues in Germany (towns and villages where Bach lived and worked) and 9 concerts. Every one was musically superb - world class a...
*****
Philip
15 Oct 2026
Best tour ever!
Have just returned from Martin Randall Travel's Cathedrals of England tour..... BEST TOUR EVER. Perfectly paced, stellar leadership with both lecturer AND a tour manager, wonderful hotels/meals.... I will certainly be travelling with Martin Randall Travel again!
*****
Diane Hooper
14 Oct 2026
Extremadura
Extremadura April 2026 : A high score for every aspect : very well organised, extremely interesting program, first class accommodation in 3 Paradors, good food, and a superb lecturer.
*****
Janet
21 Aug 2026
A wonderful top quality experience with MRT
We did the Palladian Manors tour in the Veneto, a bucket list item for quite some time. We had a busy 6 days with viewings on both day of arrival and departure, not time lost. Enough down time during the tour to catch our breath.

Small varied group, some interesting people, good fun. Many had mul...
*****
Fintan Whelan
17 Aug 2026
Why MRT?
As a seasoned MRT traveller, I'm always impressed by the meticulous care which goes into planning and carrying out tours, and by the professional yet sociable approach of all staff involved. With tours covering a variety of themes - music, art, history, gastronomy, and many more, there's s...
*****
Moria
13 Aug 2026
Excellent tours in Western Europe and the Mediterranean area
I have taken a good many Martin Randall tours over the past few years, and have been (with one exception) very satisfied. They were well-organized to cover the basic material, and the leaders (both the academic leaders and the local authorities) always are well-prepared even for unusual questions. I...
*****
Bruce
12 Aug 2026
More than 20 tours with this company
I have taken more than 20 tours with this company and have enjoyed every one enormously. Some were music tours, some walking tours some emphasized art or history. The lecturers are excellent and approachable; the tour managers give unobtrusively efficient support which is invaluable when problems ar...
*****
Lois
12 Aug 2026
Great content, care and value
Always quality accommodation, care and content. The speakers are great and the staff attentive and competent. The most recent trip, "Art and History on the Danube", was an excellent example. Not cheap but great value for money.
*****
Geoffrey
20 Jul 2026
A first class experience!
I have been on 3 MRT tours in the last year (Venice, Florence and French gothic cathedrals). Each was meticulously planned: perfect locations, great hotels, excellent meals. The standard of our guides was outstanding. I look forward to many more trips with the company in future and have recommended ...
*****
Bill P
16 Jul 2026
Lofoten Islands Chamber Music Festival
I joined the tour to the Lofoten Islands Chamber Music Festival in the north of Norway. Everything was beautifully paced and the concerts were fantastic. It was such a comfortable trip with lovely hotels and fantastic restaurants. The icing on the cake was the Tour Manager and Guest Lecturer. Both a...
*****
Monica Bennett
14 Jul 2026

Why travel with us?

Leading expertise

Since 1988 we have been the most influential organisation in the field of cultural travel. Our expert speakers are a key ingredient in our tours. Academics, curators and researchers, they are selected not only for their knowledge but also for their ability to communicate clearly and engagingly to a lay audience.

Privileged access

Special arrangements are a feature of our tours – for admission to places not generally open to travellers, for access outside public hours, for private concerts and extraordinary events. In innumerable ways, we lift our clients’ experience far above standards which are regarded as normal for tourists.

Small groups

Most of our tours run with between 10 and 24 participants. Our travellers are self-selected by common interests and an endorsement of our ethos, and you are highly likely to find yourself among like-minded companions.

Value for money

The price includes nearly everything, not only the major ingredients such as hotel, the costs of the lecturer and manager but also tips and drinks with meals. You can secure your booking today with a 15% deposit. We provide full financial protection for our package holidays. 

Joining a Martin Randall Cultural Tour

Between 10–24 participants can usually join our small group tours, though the upper limit can be lower dependent on the tour.

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