Daydream Tourist

Mar 24

Madame X at the Metropolitan Musem of Art

Why Every Trip Should Include Museums

Metropolitan Museum of Art sculpture hall

This Sculpture Garden inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is a beautiful and peaceful space – perfect for any traveler.

I’ve been meaning to write for some time about why every trip should include art museums. But when I read Robert Reid’s post “Are Museums Overrated?” on National Geographic’s blog, I knew it was time. In his piece, Reid argues that Museums don’t necessarily need to be on anyone’s “To See” list – unless of course that’s your thing. I would encourage the opposite! Even if you’ve never been to a museum in your own community, you must visit museums when traveling. Most travelers are skeptical about spending precious vacation hours looking at old stuff, so let me tackle some of the mental barriers for visiting museums and elaborate on the major pluses for this cultural experience.

Mar 20

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Back from Israel

Southern view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.

I’m back from two weeks in Israel!

It was an incredible trip filled with history, archaeology, art, religion and cultural experiences. I visited Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Acre, Nazareth, Cana, Tiberias, the Sea of Galilee, some of the Southern desert, the Dead Sea, Bethlehem and of course Jerusalem! What a trip!

The jet lag is wearing off and I’m starting to go through my pictures now, so I’ll be bring you more stories shortly. But for now, here’s a classic view of Jerusalem – one of the best “old cities” I have ever explored.

Mar 3

Bowls for sale in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

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Ceramic Folk Art from Around the World

The monthly ArtSmart Roundtable brings together some of the best art-focused travel blogs to post on a common theme. This month we are focusing on National Art – whether iconic styles that remind us of a certain place, or a movements that developed in and became emblematic of a region. Be sure to check out everyone’s posts below!

Simple but very functional, I got this olive dish in Siena, Italy.

Every culture makes utilitarian objects like furniture, clothing and ceramics. Folk art is decoration applied to these functional items which reflects the tastes of a people. In addition to seeing works from professional artists in a national museum, I am always on the look-out for local craftspeople or cultural museums that show off local folk art. As a lens to compare several cultures, let’s take a look at some traditional ceramic styles around the globe.

Feb 17

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The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

There wasn’t sunshine all day, everyday when I visited Ireland. But when the sky was clear, the landscape was simply beautiful. During one of these occasional blue sky moments, it’s better to be at one of the most amazing vistas on the island – the Cliffs of Moher.

Feb 10

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Saint John’s Hospital and Hans Memling, Bruges

St. John’s Hospital in Bruges is an excellent example of when preservation and art exhibition are done correctly. A former pilgrim’s hospital, the grand hall and church have been transformed into a museum. The space exhibits art and medical objects from the history of the clinic, plus a very special section dedicated to Bruges’ most famous resident and Flemish Primitive painter Hans Memling.