Dear Fellow Travellers,

In the course of nearly 250 years, Christie’s has been entrusted with the sale of some of the world’s greatest collections of art, jewels, wine and decorative arts. In 1778, James Christie himself oversaw the sale of one of Britain’s greatest art collections, amassed by Sir Robert Walpole, to Catherine the Great of Russia (now part of the Hermitage collection) and in 1793, Christie sold the jewels of the late Madame du Barry during the French Revolution.

In recent years, visitors have thronged to see the world tours of highlights from the estate of Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor, which culminated in a five-day series of sales of jewels, fashion, art and memorabilia. And highlights from the collection of the great scholar and collector Robert Hatfield Ellsworth of more than 2,000 pieces of Asian art and rare objects are now on a six-city global tour before they are offered for sale in New York March 17-21.

Each of these world-famous collections began as all do: with one acquisition that sparked a lifelong passion to understand the elusive qualities that make a painting great, or a wine more complex, or set a work of fine jewelry apart from the rest. Aspiring collectors take heart – the more examples you see—or smell, taste, hear and touch, depending on the object of passion—the more nuanced your connoisseurship will grow.

There is no real substitute for direct contact with art and expertly crafted objects. As Pablo Picasso said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” For anyone seeking more contact with great art, Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, are introducing a new series of Inspiring Art Journeys expressly for collectors, whether you’re just beginning to explore a passion, or want to accelerate a collection already under way.

For those seeking a deep dive into the worlds of fine jewellery or Chinese art, Christie’s Travel offers a four-day trip to learn about fine jewels in London, and a week-long journey to the centres of Ancient and Contemporary Chinese Art. These immersive tours offer a unique opportunity to spend time with a Christie’s specialist, tapping into their deep wells of expertise and contacts. These specialists serve as hosts, sharing insights about great works of art and the collectors they’ve known in a relaxed setting, such as fine dining, or en route to meetings with artists, jewellery designers or curators at arts institutions.

Travellers seeking a broader cultural experience can choose from a series of trips to some of the world’s great art centres, such as South of France, Florence, Venice and Egypt. On these tours, a knowledgeable host leads small groups through the entire cultural spectrum of a destination, including a private visit with a Christie’s specialist.

Start your exploration today by clicking on the links below to learn more, or call us at 0207 389 2107.