Classical Excursions is a tour company specializing in study tours focusing on architecture, archaeology, gardens and art.
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was such an honor to be included in tonight’s reception on Figure Eight Island hosted by celebrating the White House Historical Association and all of their accomplishments. WHHA President and board members and shared with us the history of this important American organization founded by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, along with new and exciting endeavors that are currently being undertaken.
Thank you to , and for such a fun filled beautiful evening on Figure Eight Island celebrating the White House Historical Association and all their accomplishments.
UPCOMING TOURS:TREASURES OF INDIA, February 20-March 2, 2025. The Samode Palace in Jaipur is just one of the “ Glorious Hotels “ that our group of travelers will enjoy on our upcoming tour with the ever so talented travel and interiors writer . Classical Excursion’s founder Lani Summerville and Cosmo Brockway have teamed up to offer a truly insider journey to India, taking in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mandawa and Jodhpur. With stays in unique hotels, dinners in stunning private locations and our daily excursions narrated by Cosmo who resides part time in India, this a trip of a lifetime, not to be missed. Photo courtesy of Glorious Hotels of India.
UPCOMING TOURS: MAGIC ON THE NILE: January 8-18, 2025. The Great Sphinx at Giza, constructed during the Old Kingdom and considered to be one of the oldest monumental sculptures in Egypt. This is just one of the awe inspiring ancient sites that our insider journey to Egypt includes. Private tours of tombs and temples accompanied by an egyptologist and exclusive evening access to tombs in the Valley of the Queens and Nobles make this an unforgettable trip of a life time. If you are interested in joining us please contact [email protected].
UCOMING TOURS: The MAGIC OF EGYPT, January 8-18, 2925. The colorful Temple of Khnum at Esna is just one of the exceptional ancient temples that travellers will visit with a local Egyptologist. For further details on this insider journey to Egypt please contact [email protected].
LUTYENS INTHE UK: We have had an opening on our upcoming fall Lutyens excursion November 8-14, 2024. If you are interested in joining the tour please contact [email protected]. The tour is sponsored by
UPCOMING TOURS: 18th Century Sweden: The Golden Age of Gustavian style, May 1-10, 2025. The exceptionally well preserved Drottningholm Theatre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just one of the highlights of this tour. Classical Excursions founder, Lani Summerville is one of the leading experts on the Swedish 18th century in the US and she personally leads the tour together with Dr. Johan Cederlund. Participants will take in more than 14 of the finest manor houses, castles and historic sites from the Gustavian period. For details contact [email protected]
The Hamilton House’s painted wall coverings with New Hampshire Scenes interspersed with artistic liberty and classicism. Stunning!
The interiors of the 18th century Moffatt Ladd House in Portsmouth, NH.
The Moffatt Ladd House in Portsmouth, NH built between 1760 and 1763 for the wealth Moffatt family. This Federal style grisaille wallpaper by DuFour in the Vues d’Italia pattern was added in the 1820s by the Ladd family who were subsequent owners.
The Italian hand painted scenes from the Portsmouth area on a wall covering in the late 18th century historic mansion Hamilton House in Berwick, Maine
The late 18th century Hamilton House located in South Berwick, Maine. Such a great visit to this extraordinary house today with the Regional Director and Site Director for Historic New England. A must see in the Portsmouth, Southern Maine area.
I had the pleasure of staying at .richard and of Newport home over the weekend while I attended parts of the Newport Design Week. What a great few days celebrating the design world with speakers and panelist such as , .richard and more! Congratulations to Mitch Owens for being the recipient of the Highland Award. The final cocktail party was hosted by Richard Sammons and Anne Fairfax at Bois Doré which was built in 1927 in Newport, Rhode Island. It was designed by New York architect Charles A. Platt for William Fahnestock, a New York banker. It is described as one of the last great houses built for Newport. Thank you to@all involved in this innaugral Newport Design Week!
UPCOMING TOURS: TREASURES Of INDIA, February 20- March 2, 2025. Join us on the sponsored tour organized in collaboration with , travel and interiors writer extraordinaire! Cosmo has also authored the book Glorious Hotels of India and has in-depth knowledge of this captivating country as he resides part time in Delhi. Join us as we explore Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Jodhpur and beyond through Cosmo’s creative lense. The tour is led by Classical Excursions Founder Lani Summerville ( also a veteran tour organizer to India), together with Cosmo Brockway. Hotels have been hand selected to combine both luxory and unique experiences that the average visitor would not know about. If you are interested in joining this insider journey through India please contact [email protected].
A walking tour of Millennium Park and the Lurie Garden 💚 Chicago is definitely a green garden city.
Rooftop drinks in Chicago
The Chicago skyline 💙
There are Beach Houses and then there are Beach Houses😃 Who said that you can’t have a beach front Greek Revival Classical house? Chadsworth Columns founder Jeffrey Davis, a long time member and supporter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art didn’t want to forgo his love of the classical just because he was building his dream principal residence directly on the beach at Figure Eight Island in North Carolina. Designer rose to the occasion designing this beautiful classically inspired home her client that invokes old sothern charm while being firmly rooted in the Greek revival style. This is my kind of beach house 🌴
Drottningholm Palace and the stunning 18th century library of Queen Lovisa Ulrika. The newly crowned Queen was gifted the palace in 1744 as her wedding gift and being from the Prussian Royal court she was accustomed to high standards. She immediately began a campaign to modernize Drottningholm which resulted in some of the earliest and most beautiful classical interiors in Sweden. Designed by the great Swedish interior architect Jean Eric Rehn.
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 17th century Coronation Robes in the Royal Armory’s collections in Stockholm. When in Stockholm don’t miss a visit to the Livsrustkammaren ( Royal Armory ). This separate museum is found within the Royal Palace and contains a very important collection of 17th and 18th century carriages, weapons, court costumes and apparel from 17th and 18th century. Coronation and Royal wedding attire included and in such a well preserved state. Next door is the Royal Treasury where you can find the Crown Jewels for icing on the cake!
Antiquing in Stockholm, Sweden ❤️
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: A state carriage from the 17th century in the Swedish Royal Armory Collections. ❤️
Wishing this super talented architect and friend a very Happy Birthday! It’s always the best trip with lots of laughter along with learning when Steven Spandle comes along! 🎂🎉
UPCOMING TOURS: NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, May 1-4, 2024 with . We are now accepting registrations for our insider tour of Newport, RI. Attendees will experience Newport through a unique lense with before hours private access to the mansions, dinners in private homes and clubs, tours of private homes and gardens, both modest and grand, along with a lecture by a noted architectural historian. This tour is a sampling of Newport that few visitors have access to. For further details or to reserve your space please contact [email protected] today!
The Sunset on Venice Beach 🧡
UPCOMING TOURS: NEWPORT, RI May 1-4, 2024 with . Shown here is Rough Point, the home of heiress, collector, and philanthropist Doris Duke (1912-1993). Experience exclusive before hours visits to several of the Newport mansions, a dinner at a privately owned Newport mansion, three night stay harbor front, and an opening lecture on the architectural history of this facinating town. To reserve your space please contact [email protected] today!
Egypt is still on my mind a month later. One of the highlights to the special journey that I planned through Egypt was a private visit to the Tombs of the Nobiles in Luxor. Descending in to what seemed like the depths of the earth, down steep stairs, we encountered this beautifully painted tomb with painted grape vines covering the ceiling. The tomb of Sennefer is also known as the Vineyard Tomb. It was truly a sight to behold.
DENMARK: The singularly charming Liselund Manor House, with its thatched roof and idyllic setting. This unsuspecting facade hides some of the finest jewel box like neo-classical interiors in all of Denmark. The house was designed in 1792 by architect Andreas Kirkerup and was commissioned by a French nobleman named Antoine de Bosc as a gift for his wife Elisabeth who went affectionately by the name Lise. The name Liselund means Lise’s grove, or small forest. Lisekund is one of the highlights included in our upcoming tour for to Denmark, May 19-26, 2024.
DENMARK: The thatched roof neo-classical jewel box Liselund, in Denmark. Designed in 1792 by architect Andreas Kirkerup, with interiors presumably by the 18th century Royal Court decorator Joseph Chr.Lillie. This is just one of the highlights on our upcoming tour to Denmark with May 19-26.
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UPCOMING TOURS: New Urbanism in the Florida Gulf Coast: Alys Beach, Seaside & Rosemary Beach, December 9-12, 2024. Join us on the @classicist_org sponsored tour exploring the planned communities of the panhandle. Presentations by Alys Beach Town architects @khouryvogt sharing the 20 year evolution and development of this sophisticated Mediterranean/Morrocan style town. A day in neighboring Seaside with founder Robert Davis and The Seaside Institute visiting this charming and colorful family friendly planned southern town. Rosemary Beach with its more European style is also included in this 3 day tour. For further details contact office@classicalexcursions Photos courtesy of @alysbeach #classicalexcursions #floridapanhandle #alysbeach #newurbanism #plannedcommunities
UPCOMING TOURS: MAGIC ON THE NILE: January 8-18, 2025 with @classicist_org Join Classical Excursions founder & archaeologist Lani Summerville on this iconic journey through Egypt, taking in all the great wonders of this ancient land. Private after hours tours at some of the best preserved tombs and temples, exclusive private access to the Valley of the Queens & Nobles. Dinner by the pyramids and sailing on King Farouk’s historic luxury steamer are just a few of the highlights on this truly “Insider Egypt” excursion. The tour is co-hosted by travel and interiors writer @cosmobrockway who curates dinners in private homes and spaces and shares his insider view of Cairo and Luxor with us. For more information about this very special tour please contact [email protected]. #classicalexcursions #egypt #bespokeegypt #luxurytourstoluxor
Upcoming Tour: 18th century Portsmouth NH & Southern, Maine with Mount Vernon, September 14-17, 2024. This exciting fall travel program includes a three night stay at the historic Gilded Age hotel Wentworth by the Sea. For more information please contact [email protected].
The Glessner House on Prairie Ave in Chicago was designed in 1886 by architect Henry Hobson Richardson for the Glessner family. This house is a fine example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. Richardson had been trained at the Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris before returning to the US to embark upon his career as an architect. The interiors of this house feature a jaw droppingly gorgeous collection of William Morris and Morris & Co wall paper and textiles. It’s a must see in Chicago. #glessnerhouse #chicago #chicagomustsees #classicalexcursions #artsandcrafts #prariestylearchitecture
Announcing a last minute space available on our @classicist_org tour to Madrid, Toledo & Segovia, Spain: September 21-29, 2024. Join us for a 8 night stay at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Ritz hotel in the historic center of Madrid, where we explore not only the highlights of Madrid including the Liria Palace, The Royal Palace, artists homes and museums, but also the towns of Segovia, Toledo and de Escorial. With before hours private tours of the famed collections of the Prado Museum with an art historian and The Palacio Real, this tour is not to be missed. Discover the greatest art, architecture & gardens of Madrid & surroundings. For details or to reserve your space please reach out to us at [email protected]. #madrid #spain #toursofspain #bespokeluxurytravel #classicalexcursions
Our last stop on our Irish tour was Leixlip Castle with the incredible @theirishaesthete . What a great way to conclude an amazing week with two private home stays and visits to private homes and gardens in Northern Ireland. #classicalexcursions #irisharchitecture #irishcountryhouses @markdonnelly1401
Our last day in Northern Ireland included a visit to the very elegant 18th century Palladian style Florence Court ☘️ #classicalexcursions #irishcountryhouses #irishinteriors
Our morning visit to Hillsborough Castle with @markdonnelly1401
Underwater video of the Titanic. Today we arranged a visit to the Titanic Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland for a private group. Did you know that the Titanic was built and fitted out with its luxurious interiors in Belfast? Harland & Wolf based in Belfast was responsible for the largest ships of the time, including the Olympic, Britanic and Titanic. The industry brought rapid growth and expansion to this Northern Irish city, previously known for its fine linen and rope industries. The Tiranic musem was opened in 2012 and contains state a state of the art comprehensive Titantic exhibition spanning the history of the building, fitting out and tragic sinking of this iconic ship. It’s a must see. @titanicbelfast #titanic #classicalexcursions
TOURS: Classicism in Denmark. Our @classicist_org travelers had an afternoon curatorial tour of the enormous and impressive decorative arts collection housed at Fredericksborg Castle as the Museum of National History. #classicalexcursions #denmark #danishart #danishcastles #icaachicago
TOURS: ITALIAN VILLAS & GARDENS with @classicist_org . For our final afternoon in Verona we planned a beautiful al fresco lunch in the gardens of Villa Giusti followed by a tour of the gardens and palace. What a day with lovely weather as well. An Italian bartender making aperol spritzs, and an abundance of delicious Veronese specialties. Photos courtesy of @mrmitchowens #classicalexcursions #italy #verona #villagiusti #italiangardens #bespokeluxurytravel #curatedtravelwithlani #luxurytours
I had the opportunity to dine @passalacqualakecomo last night with a few clients. This hidden gem is surely going to be the new hot spot on Lake Como. This 18th century villa turned chic boutique hotel combines history, sophisticated Italian design and culinary innovation to offer the guest an elevated experience. Thank you to Judy, Jennifer and Mary Ann for such a memorable evening at Passalacqua! #classicalexcursions #italy #bestnewhotels #bestitalianrestaurants #luxurytravel
ITALIAN VILLAS & GARDENS TOUR: Classical Excursions founder Lani Summerville just arrived in beautiful Stresa, Italy on the shores of Lake Maggiore where the @classicist_org tour commences on Saturday. The group will stay two nights at the Grand Dame Grand Hotel de Iles Borromées, before continuing onward to Lake Como. Stay tuned for more! #classicalexcursions #llagomaggiore #lakemaggiore #italy
TOURS: NEWPORT, RI with our @classicist_org travelers. We were thrilled to organize a three day tour to Newport for the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art this week. With private lunches, dinners and special behind the scenes tours of some of Newport’s finest homes, gardens and mansions. Here are photos courtesy of Tour Director @chasmiller3 of our visit to The Breakers. #breakers #newport #classicalexcursions
UPCOMING TOURS: Classicism in Denmark May 19-26, 2024 with @classicist_org #denmark #classicalexcursions #danishmuseums #copenhagen #tourstodenmark
Announcing our next tour to Egypt January 8-16, 2025. The tour is sponsored by @classicist_org and co-hosted by Lani Summerville, Founder of Classical Excursions and the ever so talented travel writer @cosmobrockway . This special journey will begin in Aswan with a two night stay at the iconic Old Cararact Hotel, with visits to Abu Simbel along with a Nubian village, ending with a sunset sailing on the Nile. This is followed by three nights on the historic Steam Ship the SS MISR, which was one of King Farouk’s private luxury vessels. Day trips to the temples of Philae, Edfu, Esna and more, while en route to Luxor, where we spend two night at the luxurious Al Moudira hotel with further exploration of the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Nobles, private tomb openings, Luxor and Karnack Temples. The journey along the Nile ends in Cairo with a three night stay which includes visits to private homes, palaces, Mosques and of course the new Grand Egyptian Museum and the Giza Pyramids. Travellers will experience Egypt through Cosmo’s lense, which includes many hidden gems of bustling and vibrant Cairo, that most people never experience. If you are interested in joining this magical journey along the Nile please contact office@ classicalexcursions.com #insidertraveltoegypt #insidertravel #classicalexcursions #egypt #cairo
UPCOMING TOURS: NORTHERN IRELAND, June 5-15! We are thrilled to announce another exceptional tour to Northern Ireland, June 8-15, 2024. With stays in two privately owned estates and visits, lunches and dinner in other stately aristocratic homes of beautiful Northern Ireland.
UPCOMING TOURS: NEWPORT, RI May 1-4, 2024 with @classicist_org To reserve your space please contact [email protected]
A big thank you to my dear friend and collaborator @oscars_odysseys for hosting my group at his Havana home and for curating so many amazing experiences for them in Cuba.
CLASSICAL COPENHAGEN MAY 19-26, 2024, Classical Excursions had planned a weeklong journey to Denmark including five nights in the design mecca of Copenhagen, Denmark. With visits to museums such as Thorvaldsen, The David Collection and walking tours featuring CF Hansen’s classical masterpieces and much more, this sophisticated Scandinavian city will captivate you. 🇩🇰 #danishdesign #denmark #danishcastles #classicalexcursions
