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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.

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.
Download
Brochure

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.
Download
Brochure

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