For Independent Travelers Who Love the Arts

Last updated on December 20th, 2024 at 05:20 pm

Welcome to Artsy Traveler!

I’m Carol, and I’d love to be your guide to arts-inspired travel!

Artsy Traveler is for you if you love the arts, prefer independent, comfortable travel, and want to get the most value out of your travel dollar.

Find tips about places to go and what to see, along with my recommendations for artsy activities, museums, and artsy novels.

Why Artsy Traveler?

I created Artsy Traveler to share with like-minded travelers my recommendations for fascinating museums, world-class art galleries, and thought-provoking historical sites.

A woman in a blue patterned dress poses next to a modern bronze statue of a child riding a horse, outside a museum with decorative windows.

Artsy Traveler is also for you if you are seeking out artsy activities and performances, enjoy connecting with local artists, and love to read arts-inspired novels.

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A woman standing on a sandy beach, wrapped in a colorful shawl, with a cloudy sky and logs in the background. The overlay text reads "Destinations."

A woman sits at a sunny outdoor café, writing in a notebook. The overlay text reads "Travel Smart."

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Top Posts on Artsy Traveler

The world is awash with artistic and cultural sights! Check out these top posts to get your imagination fired up for trip planning.

View of Athens and the Acropolis of Athens: A panoramic view showcasing the city of Athens with the Acropolis prominently perched on a hilltop, highlighting its significance as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Should You Make the Climb to the Acropolis of Athens?

Ah, the Acropolis of Athens! It is the pinnacle of Greek culture and a mecca for cultural travel. It's both ...

How Not to Tour the Colosseum in Rome

You’ve arrived in Rome! Maybe, you’ve been lucky enough to have your taxi whisk you past the Colosseum on your ...

Eiffel Tower: Should You Soar to the Summit?

Riding to the summit of the Eiffel Tower—or even to the second level—has long been a Paris must-do. Millions flock ...

Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, Spain, one of the top ten modern art museums in Europe

12 of the Best Modern Art Museums in Europe

Some of the best modern and contemporary art museums in the world are located in Europe. In this post, I've ...

Music in VIenna - statue of Johann Strauss

A Music Lover’s Guide to Enjoying Music in Vienna

If you love music, you owe it to yourself to plan a trip to Vienna in Austria. For over 250 ...

Explore Seven of the Best Prehistory Sites in Europe

Prehistory sites abound in Europe and I go out of my way to visit them--the older the better. In Europe, ...

Didn’t see what you were looking for? Click the categories Arts & Culture, Destinations, and Travel Smart above or on the main menu and keep on exploring! You can also search for a destination, museum name or specific site in the Search box.

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NEW! The “Perfect Artsy Traveler Day” Series

When I travel to new places, I like to know what other travelers think is a perfect way to spend my time, even if I have only one day. With that in mind, I’ve created a new series of Artsy Traveler Posts that give you my take on a Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in various destinations. Check back frequently as I keep adding new Perfect Artsy Traveler Day posts!

How to Spend a Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Athens

In one day in Athens, you can easily see and enjoy a good taste of what this wonderful and historic ...

How to Spend a Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Madrid

A Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Madrid must include a visit to at least one of the three major art ...

How to Spend A Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Paris

A Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Paris must include three essentials: museums, parks, and great food. Here’s my take on ...

Who Am I?

My name is Carol Cram and when I’m not traveling, I live on Bowen Island in British Columbia on the west coast of Canada. 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.

If you also enjoy novels inspired by the arts, join me on The Art In Fiction Podcast where I chat with some of the top novelists featured on Art In Fiction, my curated online database of books inspired by the arts.

Discover your next great read and get valuable advice on what it takes to be a successful writer.

A woman wearing a colorful shirt sits in front of bookshelves, holding a pen and notebook, smiling warmly at the camera.

What’s On Artsy Traveler?

Two people smiling indoors, both wearing white sun hats. Behind them is a mounted bull's head and various framed photos and memorabilia on the wall. — Gregg and me and a new friend in Toledo, Spain

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.

I’m overflowing with gratitude that I’m able to travel, and hope I can share some tips and inspiration with you!

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