Do you enjoy independent travel while also seeking out cool museums, art galleries, concerts, and artsy travel experiences? Then you’ve come to the right place. Artsy Traveler is for you if you love the arts, prefer independent and comfortable travel, and want to get the most value out of your travel dollar.

I created Artsy Traveler because I love the arts and I love sharing with like-minded travelers my passion for fascinating museums, world-class art galleries, compelling performances, thought-provoking historical sites and more.

You’ll find tips about recommended places to go and what to see along with interesting, artsy activities, tours, and more. I focus a lot on the arts because the arts are my passion, and I also include recommendations for arts-inspired novels to read while you’re traveling because I love books and reading.

My name is Carol Cram and I live on Bowen Island in British Columbia when I’m not traveling. I’d love to be your guide to artsy traveling, particularly in Europe, but sometimes in other places, depending on where the wind takes me.

I’m also a podcaster and an historical novelist with four novels published, all of which are inspired by my love of the arts.

Ever since my first trip to Europe with my mom when I was fourteen (see My Story), I’ve loved planning trips, going on trips, and especially sharing travel tips to help other independent travelers enjoy awesome travel experiences. I guess it’s because for many years I was a teacher, but I really enjoy helping people figure out where to travel, what to see, where to stay, and a lot more.

My usual travel companion is Gregg Simpson who, apart from being my husband, is a visual artist. Often, we’re attending his exhibitions while we travel, particularly in Europe. Have a look at Gregg’s fabulous artwork. I also travel frequently with my wonderful daughter, Julia Simpson. In recent years, we’ve traveled to Iceland, Costa Rica, and Greece. Julia is a crochet artist and often takes along her creations to photograph them in interesting locations. If you’re looking for nifty crochet patterns, head on over to her website Wayward Pineapple Creations.