World Venture Travel

On a high hill in a beautiful park in Zurich, Switzerland, travelers can discover the Reitberg Museum , displaying art work from around the world — including China, Angola, the Congo, Japan, Nigeria, India, Liberia, Pakistan, and Mali, among others. It’s the only museum in Switzerland for non-European art, mostly exhibiting art from Asia, Africa, and Ancient America. The purpose of the museum is not only to display and study the art, but to foster an interest in and understanding of foreign views, religions, and cultures.

The museum’s core collections begin with the donations of Baron Eduard von der Heydt, who lived from 1882 to 1964, and continues to grow. As recently as February of 1997, the Rietberg Museum was able to double its exhibition space. Various works of art from Asia, Africa, America, and Oceania, are now available to the public for the first time.

The three main display areas include the underground extension known as The Emerald. Here, the focus is on Chinese art, with bronze vessels and tomb art from the Han to the Tang Dynasty (ranging from 2nd Century BC to the 9th Century AD). Buddhist art is also featured here, in addition to a jar of imperial quality, considered to be one of the most important examples of Chinese cloisonne art work.

In the underground extension, Asian works may be found next to African objects, where the viewer can appreciate the differences in styles. You’ll find, too, masks from Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Guinea.

The Wesendonck Villa contains Buddhist sculptures from India and Pakistan, some of which contain Greco-Roman influences. There are Hindu temple sculptures and south Indian bronzes from the 9th to 11th century. Also in the Villa, there’s work from Indonesia and New Zealand, as well as artifacts from North and South America and Mesoamerica.

In the Park-Villa Rieter, the third part of the museum, visitors will find mostly Indian paintings, but temporary exhibits will also show art work that’s taken from a collection that draws from 1,500 paintings, covering an entire range of painting styles from the 12th to the 20th century. On the upper floors, there are illustrations and art work from Iran dating back as far as 1340.

Situated in central Zurich, close to many fine Zurich hotels, it’s also easy to get to by bus or tram, right at the Reitberg stop for Tram Line #7. The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, ten a.m. to five p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and closed on Mondays.

The Central Park Conservancy offers the best walking tours through the better parts of this vast park in New York City. There are 3 walking tours offered by the Conservancy; the Conservancy Walking Tour; the Custom Van or Walking Tour; and the Amble Through the Ramble. Each one is unique and offers something different, and all will stimulate, excite and expand your appreciation for nature.

The Conservancy Walking Tour go through the gardens near Belvedere Castle , strolls by the Harlem Meer and informs about the park’s 19th century history, ecology and design. Saturday Mornings Tours, starting at 11am and Wednesday Lunchtime Tours, starting at Noon, April through October, will be led by a Garden Staff who will highlight the unique plantings of the 70 year old Conservatory Garden. Summer tours beginning on June 16th, will feature blooming perennial and annual borders, which there are over 250 varieties, as well as ornamental trees and shrubs.

The Conservancy’s Custom Van Tours is led by Sara Ceda Miller, the best-selling author of ‘Central Park – An American Masterpiece’. So, no matter which hotle in New York you are staying at, this one-of-a-kind, private tour is a ‘must-do’. Together, you and Miller will design your very own 1 to 1 1/2 hour van tours that will fit up to 7 people. Donations of $500 or $750 (respectively), are accepted and both options include a complimentary signed copy of Miller’s book. For the Custom Walking Tour, which is perfect for any special occasion, is led by experienced, volunteer guides who have special knowledge about Central Park. These custom walking tours accept donation of $100 for up to six people groups, and this tour is guaranteed to delight and astound even to most conservative in the bunch.

Amble Through the Ramble tour lasts only from October through March each year, if you missed it this year, make sure to come back next year, because this tour will walk you passed streams, through the woods, under arches, and along a maze of pathways in a secluded 38-acre woodland respite. This exquisite walking tour starts at the Belvedere Castle, and can last all day, it all depends upon you because you might just get lost in this centuries old woodland as you guide yourself.

Art Basel Miami Beach is an annual contemporary art exhibition, which will take place this year on December 2nd through the 5th, 2010. Art Basel is the most important art show in the United States and is the sister event to the most prestigious Art Basel in Switzerland. Recently, the Miami Beach Art Basel shows has eclipsed its sister in both size and popularity, mainly because it has combined its international selection of top-notch galleries with special exhibitions that crossover with exciting programs featuring films, music, design and architecture. The event takes place in the beautiful Art Deco District and it’s within walking distance of the Miami Beach hotels .

Ever since 2002, Art Basel Miami Beach has been held in more than 250 art galleries featuring exclusive selections of artworks by over 2,000 renowned, cutting-edge and new artists from Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa and Asia. Plus, many of the galleries will feature public art projects, performance art and video art allowing art lovers to discover contemporary developments in new art, which is vital for any art community for its continuance and survival. There will be special programs for art collectors, curators and first-time buyers that will help and guarantee to make this event a very special encounter.

The public exhibits are held along the beach and in the various parks of South Beach. Private events are held at the Miami Beach Convention Center along with adjoining fairs and associated events. Most art studios in the area will host public events in relation to Art Basel that will showcase local Miami artists and their work; many local galleries have started special events before and after the official Art Basel dates taking full advantage of the increase in patrons and media. The Miami Art Museum and the Downtown area with associations of the Bicentennial Park and Bayfront Park, as well as the Gusman Theater will also participate, making Art Basel Miami Beach only increase in size and in importance with not only with the local art community, but with the international art community as well.