Updated: Monday, April 7, 2007 3:45 PM

Join Eric Knowles on these delightful tours led by one of Britain ’s best-loved antiques experts.

As well as being a recognised expert in his chosen field, Eric is now a well-known face in the world of antiques, particularly to viewers of the BBC's 'Antiques Road Show'. He is one of those rare individuals who is able to share his considerable knowledge in a way that is exciting, amusing and easy to understand.

As a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts and Director of Bonhams, Eric Knowles has become a leading authority in the following fields: European and Oriental Ceramics from the seventeenth to the twentieth century; the glass of Tiffany and Lalique; and nineteenth and twentieth century decorative arts. He was also responsible for Bonham's internationally renowned sales of Lalique glass. Today he looks after museum liaison and several of his finds can now be seen in national museums.
As well as presenting and appearing on radio and TV, he has written books on subjects such as Victoriana, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Royal Memorabilia.

Eric is also the Number One Fan of Burnley FC.

Click here to see pictures from Eric's Charles Rennie Mackintosh tour to Glasgow

The Art of Lalique & Gallé

SOLD OUT - we are planning a new tour for 2009

Art Nouveau in France

Monday 30th June to Saturday 5th July 2008

£798 per person (twin share)

£998 in a single room

Join Eric on a unique trip to France to visit the Gallé Factory  near Strasbourg and the Gallé Museum in Nancy.

The tour is exclusive to Arena Travel as lalique do not usually open their gates to visitors. However, for Eric they will.

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A Winter Break in The Potteries

Hosted by Eric Knowles

Saturday 8th to Monday 10th November 2008

£218 per person (twin share)

£248 per person in a single room

Eric Knowles invites you to join him on a wonderful weekend in The Potteries to discover the importance and rich heritage of the famous ‘five towns’. You will enjoy visits to two fascinating museums and to some of the most famous names in British pottery – Leeds, Burleigh, Spode, Moorcroft and Wedgwood.

You are also invited to bring one of your own small ‘treasures’ for a special Valuation Session which Eric will hold on Saturday evening.

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Meissen & Dresden

hosted by Eric Knowles

Monday 20th to Friday 24th October 2008

£698 per person (twin share)

£798 per person in a single room

Join Eric Knowles for a wonderful journey of discovery through Saxony on this lovely five-day holiday in southern Germany. Eric will accompany you throughout your time in Germany and present two entertaining and informative after dinner talks sharing his knowledge and passion for porcelain and fine arts.

The tour includes a visit to the world-famous Meissen Porcelain factory. Despite the fact that the production of “white gold” was one of August the Strong’s best-kept secrets, today’s visitors can observe the world-famous Meissen porcelain being made in the demonstration workshops. The porcelain museum shows changing exhibits of more than 3,000 items from the vast collection of the repositories. After the visit you’ll board the coach for the drive to Moritzburg for a guided tour of the Hunting Lodge transformed into a magnificent Baroque palace by Augustus the Strong.

During a full day in Dresden you will see the villas of the Blazewitz quarter, the Blue Wonder Bridge and the magnificent ‘Pfund’s Molkerei’ , one of the most beautiful milk/cheese shops in the world whose interior is decorated with 19 th century porcelain Villeroy & Boch tiles . You’ll also enjoy a walking tour before visiting the fabulous Green Vault which houses 2,000 works of art presented against a backdrop of richly embellished and mirrored display walls and on ornamental tables in an incomparable Baroque setting. The tour ends in the treasure chamber of the Saxon court, the Jewel Room where diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires vie for your attention with priceless ivory figures and masterpieces of the goldsmith’s art.

A second lovely full day excursion will show you the wonders of Pillnitz , Koenigstein and Saxon Switzerland . You will board the coach after breakfast and drive to the Bastei Cliffs to enjoy the magnificent panorama over the deeply cut Elbe river valley and the surrounding mountains. There’ll be time for lunch (not included), before continuing to Koenigstein fortress, often given the epithet “The Impregnable”, as this 750-year-old fortress has to date only ever been stormed by visitors. On then to Pillnitz Park , beautifully situated on the banks of the river Elbe and former summer residence of the Saxon royal court. It is one of Saxony's architectural treasures and was built to rival the Palace of Versailles and you’ll be impressed by its setting, the garden and the architecture of the Chinese-style palace.

After the visit you will board one of the famous Elbe paddle steamers for a 60 minute cruise to Dresden, enjoying the landscape of the Elbe river valley – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and, perhaps, a Saxon beer or a fine regional wine.

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