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Horse Guards Parade

Horse Guards Parade

Horse Guards Parade

Horse Guards Parade

Great British Heritage

Van Eyck and the Flemish Masters in London

Join celebrated art historian Clare Ford-Wille for an exclusive journey through the world of the Flemish Masters, centred around the exceptional exhibition Van Eyck: The Portraits at the National Gallery. This carefully curated London tour offers a rare opportunity to explore masterpieces by Jan van Eyck, Rubens, Van Dyck, Brueghel and their contemporaries across some of the capital’s most prestigious museums and galleries.

Alongside expert-led visits, guests will enjoy specially arranged talks by Clare, whose engaging and accessible approach brings artists, patrons and the rich cultural history of Renaissance Flanders vividly to life. From close study of works in the British Museum’s Prints and Drawings collection to the treasures of the Courtauld, V&A and Wallace Collection, this promises to be a fascinating and rewarding exploration of one of Europe’s most influential artistic traditions.

From

£1445

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts and two dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Two nights at the four-star DoubleTree by Hilton London Kensington    , based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
  • Discover The Flemish Masters in London
    Join art historian Clare Ford-Wille for an exclusive exploration of the Flemish Masters in London, centred on the National Gallery’s Van Eyck: The Portraits exhibition, with special visits, expert talks and privileged access to outstanding collections featuring Van Eyck, Rubens, Van Dyck, Brueghel and their contemporaries.
  • Your Expert Guide
    Expert guide Clare Ford-Wille throughout the tour    .
  • Talks & Tours
    All talks, tours and admissions as detailed in the itinerary.
  • Transfers & Tour Manager
    Coach transfers and tour manager throughout.
MEET YOUR EXPERT GUIDE

Clare Ford-Wille

Clare has taught art history for more than forty years and continues to lecture at leading institutions including the Wallace Collection, the V&A and The Arts Society. A graduate of Birkbeck, she has covered a remarkable range of European art and architecture throughout her career.

Clare brings vast experience and infectious enthusiasm to every Travel Editions tour. Her deep knowledge, clear explanations and passion for close looking enrich galleries, churches and historic cities alike, creating journeys that are both engaging and illuminating.

Meet Our Expert Guides
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Day 1: Arrival and Introduction to The Flemish Masters

Arrive independently at The Doubletree by Hilton London Kensington from 15.00. This evening, there will be a welcome drink, dinner with wine, and a talk from Clare Ford-Wille.

Day 2: National Gallery, British Museum, and The Courtauld Gallery

This morning we visit the National Gallery for the landmark exhibition Van Eyck: The Portraits. For the first time, all of Jan van Eyck’s known portraits are reunited, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate the astonishing realism, technical brilliance and psychological insight of one of Europe’s most influential painters. Following the exhibition, there will be free time to explore the Gallery’s outstanding collection of Flemish masterpieces at leisure.

This afternoon offers a rare behind-the-scenes experience at the British Museum’s Department of Prints and Drawings. Guests will have the opportunity to view selected works at close quarters in the study room while Clare discusses their artistic significance, techniques and historical context.

Our final visit of the day is to the recently refurbished Courtauld Gallery, where we enjoy a focused exploration of its remarkable Flemish paintings. Clare will highlight key works and themes, tracing developments in Flemish art from Van Eyck through to later generations.

Returning to the hotel, Clare will give a second lecture. A group dinner follows, with wine.

Day 3: V&A Museum and Wallace Collection

We begin at the V&A, whose collections include superb examples of Flemish painting and decorative arts. Highlights include works by Jan Brueghel the Elder, Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck, alongside decorative objects that reveal the extraordinary craftsmanship for which Flanders became celebrated throughout Europe.

This afternoon we visit Hertford House, home of the Wallace Collection. Among its treasures are outstanding works by Flemish artists including Rubens, Van Dyck, David Teniers the Younger and Pieter Pourbus. Clare will explore the development of Flemish painting across the centuries and the enduring appeal that made these artists favourites among collectors.

We return to the hotel at approximately 17.00hrs.

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
09/03/2027
London
£1445
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Solo Traveller Supplement From: £270
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

DoubleTree by Hilton London Kensington
DoubleTree by Hilton London Kensington offers classic comfort in a prime South Kensington location. Elegant interiors, a peaceful garden, and a welcoming restaurant and bar create a refined city retreat. Just moments from the V&A, Natural History Museum and Kensington Gardens—ideal for relaxed cultural days and leisurely London strolls.

Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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Founded in 1994 offering unique cultural tours beyond typical high street itineraries.

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Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.

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