Arts-Inspired Travel That Goes Beyond the Checklist

Last updated on March 11th, 2026 at 10:43 pm

Are you an independent traveler who chooses museums over tourist traps, personalized experiences over generic tours, and local restaurants over anywhere with laminated menus in four languages?

Then you’re in the right place!

I’m Carol Cram: novelist, passionate lover of the arts, and an enthusiastic traveler who books concert tickets and special exhibitions before hotel rooms.

If you love arts and culture, concerts, great food, the occasional wildlife encounter, and hidden gems that make a trip genuinely memorable rather than just another checklist of sights, then come along with me for the ride!

What’s On My Mind This Week

I just returned from a mother-daughter trip to Thailand that included a fall, a food tour, and a fabulous day out with elephants.

And that’s just the beginning.

I’m working through my posts so I can share what I loved (and sometimes didn’t). Here are my two elephant posts (I really love elephants):

How to Visit Elephants Ethically in Chiang Mai
How to See Elephants in Chiang Mai Without Guilt: Sunshine for Elephants Review

Also this week: my fifth novel, The Choir, is out now.

Set in 1890s Yorkshire, it follows a group of working-class women who form a choir to compete for a prize that could change their lives.

If you love historical fiction with music at its heart, this one’s for you.

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Carol Cram in front of the National Gallery of canada

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Caorl Cram in front of the Seine with the Notre Dame in the evening light in the distance

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The “Perfect Day” Series

When I visit a new destination, I like to distill my experience into one satisfying day that I can share with fellow artsy travelers. My “Perfect Day” itineraries balance art, culture, relaxed wandering, and
memorable meals to help you connect more deeply with a place, even if you have just one day to explore.