Cox & Kings has announced the launch of its 2016 collection of Royal Academy of Arts worldwide tours. These escorted group tours focus on the art and architecture of fascinating destinations and extraordinary civilisations, and all are accompanied by specialist lecturers. The tours, designed to appeal to experts and enthusiasts alike, are open to anyone with a love for the arts and some of the proceeds go to support the work of the Royal Academy. There are 36 expert-led art tours in the portfolio, of which 11 have been introduced for 2016, including itineraries to Bulgaria, Portugal, Japan, Egypt, Peru, Crete and the Cote D'Azur.

The lecturers accompany the group throughout the entire tour, and are available for more formal lecturers and site-specific talks, as well as more informal dinner discussions. Many of the tours also include exclusive visits and special access to areas which are not open to the general public, as well as introductory talks from curators of their exhibitions. Lecturers will often organise additional experiences that are not included on the formal itinerary, but which are relevant to the tour.

Here is a selection of the new Royal Academy of Arts worldwide tours for 2016:

Venice: Splendours of the Renaissance  - 4 days / 3 nights from £1,295 per person
8 - 11 November 2016 with Richard Stemp

Led by art historian Richard Stemp, this tour goes behind-the-scenes to uncover some of Venice's lesser-known sites. Focusing on Renaissance art and architecture, linked to the Royal Academy's 'In the Age of Giorgione' exhibition, it includes an exclusive evening visit to Basilica San Marco and its chapels, plus a private visit to the Cini Foundation, to see its artworks and stroll through Renaissance courtyards.

Crete: Minoans, Venetians & Ottomans – 9 days / 8 nights from £1,795 per person
5 - 13 May and 13 - 21 October 2016 with Dr Konstantine Politis

This tour joins Greek archaeologist Dr Konstantine Politis to discover the Minoan civilisation of Crete; including an exclusive visit to Villa Ariadne at Knossos, special access to the archaeological study centre in Gournia, a private tour of the archaeological site of Eleftherna and lunch in a convent and a tour with a nun.

Bulgaria: Balkan and Thracian Treasures - 9 days / 8 nights from £1,795 per person
17 - 25 September 2016 with John Osborne

This varied tour explores Bulgaria's wealth of historical monuments, from prehistoric Thracian treasures to Orthodox monasteries and frescoed churches. It visits the renowned Troyan monastery, the 13th and 14th century capital of Veliko Tarnovo, and includes special access in the Bachkovo Monastery to the medieval frescoes.

India: Treasures of the Punjab & 'Little Tibet' – 14 days / 12 nights from £3,145 per person
27 March - 9 April and 9 - 22 October 2016 with Jasleen Kandhari

Heading to the north of India, this tour explores the artistic and cultural diversity of the area, from the holy cities of Amritsar and McCleod Ganj, to Tibetan and Sikh art, and local textiles. Led by Jasleen Kandhari, a textiles and art historian of Sikh origin herself, the tour includes a private audience with His Holiness the Karmapa at Gyuto Monastery, exclusive tours of the Presidential Palace and the National Museum with the deputy director, and more.

Peru: Pre-Colombian & Colonial Treasures – 15 days / 12 nights from £3,695 per person
11 - 25 April and 3 - 17 October with David Drew or Dr Frank Meddens

Combining pre-Inca, Inca and colonial history, this tour includes an exclusive visit to San Juan de Pariachi with the excavator, a tour of the tombs of Lord Sipan and a talk from the original archaeologist who discovered the ruins, and a meeting with the curator of Lima's Larco Museum.

All tours include international flights, transfers, sightseeing escorted by English-speaking guides, accommodation with breakfast daily and other meals as specified and are accompanied throughout by an expert lecturer.

For the full range of tours please visit www.coxandkings.co.uk/ra

Cox & Kings pays a fee to the Royal Academy for every booking on the arts tours programme and any booking on any Cox & Kings holiday from a Friend of the Royal Academy, which contributes to the work of the Royal Academy and specifically its Learning Department.

For more information, please contact Kimberley Hay on 020 7808 5694 or email kimberley.hay@coxandkings.co.uk

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NOTE TO EDITORS

Cox & Kings is the world's longest established travel company. Its history stretches back more than 250 years to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed regimental agent to the Footguards (later the Grenadier Guards). The company's fortunes grew hand in hand with the British empire and by the early 20th century the company was acting as agent and banker throughout the armed forces and as a shipping agent. In 1922 Cox & Co merged with the Henry S King bank, which had strong connections with India. The bank became part of Lloyds and the shipping agency grew separately, evolving into the modern travel company.

Today, built on the high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox in the 18th century, the company continues to flourish as an independent tour operator, with operations in London, the US, Japan, Australia and throughout India. Cox & Kings organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel in the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and the Caribbean.