Extraordinary Experiences

"Look, and you will find it – what is unsought will go undetected."
Sophocles (497/95 - 406 B.C.)

We don't think that the world is getting smaller, just more crowded. This is the reality of the world today. When you travel with Exeter we can't promise you that there will be no crowds but we can promise you that we have done as much as we can to smooth the way for you.

When you travel with us, we want to take you past the sign that says ‘No entry to the public’ because isn’t that always where one wants to go? We work closely with curators, museum directors and film studio directors, so that we can take you inside to see, for example, the restoration of a church in Tsarskoe Selo or the making of a film in the Koliba Film Studios in Slovakia. We call them extraordinary experiences because that is what so many of you have called them. The Exeter difference is all about taking you behind the scenes. It’s also about talking with you, surprising you perhaps – where is the birthplace of postmodern architecture? We can make a good case for saying that it’s in Llubljana. Come with us and find out why.

		Backstage Tour of the Estates Theater in Prague Mozart premiered Don Giovanni at the Estates Theater and its place in history has grown ever since.  On our tours through Eastern Europe, you will be taken by special arrangement through the closed theater by one of its historians. Prague is a city of music and this is an experience no one should miss.
		VIP Tour of the Strahov Monastery in Prague Most visitors view the famous Strahov Monastery through a doorway located at the end of the main gallery.  As an Exeter International guest, you will be invited in the backdoor of the monastery and allowed into the exquisite library to walk among the ancient books and artifacts. Enjoy this experience on our Eastern Europe Through Closed Doors tour or any privately arranged itinerary.
		Private Tour of the Mestrovic Gallery with a Museum Curator (Split, Croatia) The Mestrovic Gallery commemorates the work of the most celebrated Croatian artist of the 20th century, Ivan Mestrovic. As an Exeter International guest, you will tour the sculptor’s magnificent works with a museum curator who will take you around personally. The gallery in Split was the original residence of the artist and includes his famous work, Psyche. Enjoy this experience on our Alps to Adriatic Tour or any privately arranged itinerary.
		Croatian Truffle Hunting in the Istrian Peninsula Visit Livade, a small village in the Istrian countryside famous for being one of the best truffle regions in Europe. White Istrian truffles are among of the most expensive mushrooms in the world, and harvesting them is a local tradition going back centuries. Enjoy a truffle hunting demonstration, guided by an expert and a trained dog (pigs are no longer used in Croatia). Top off the experience with a fabulous truffle tasting at a local konoba. Enjoy this experience on our Alps to Adriatic Tour or any privately arranged itinerary.
		Herend Experience Herend porcelain has grown in popularity over the past decade, but its quality has been legendary for over 100 years.  As an Exeter International guest in Budapest, you will have the option of adding a very special day in the Hungarian countryside to visit the Herend porcelain factory as a VIP guest.  You will learn how Herend is created, visit the extraordinary Herend museum and then dine in the only restaurant in the world that serves on Herend porcelain!  Of course, you will also have the opportunity to shop in the factory store at significant savings.
		Hermitage Storage Rooms Many people get the chance to spend time in the world famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, but few get the opportunity to enter the Hermitage’s vast storage chambers. Located in a closed storage facility 40 minutes from the Hermitage, these chambers hold a wealth of treasures ranging from world-class works of art to royal carriages, original palace furniture, and imperial wardrobes. For the return visitor to St. Petersburg or serious art and history lovers, the Hermitage Storage Rooms make a trip to St. Petersburg unforgettable.
		Backstage at the Mariinsky (Kirov) and  Bolshoi Theaters Why just see a performance at the world famous Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theaters, when you can explore backstage with a theater historian?  As private, invited guests of the theater, you will hear about the Tsar’s Box protocol, the premieres and the history.  You may even be backstage when preparations are being made for the evening’s performance- dancers warming up and musicians practicing.
		The Amber Room Workshops of Catherine Palace On selected tours, we invite you into the actual workshops of Catherine Palace where masters rebuilt the world famous Amber Room panels.  Meticulously, each panel is designed and fitted with Baltic amber- an exacting process that has taken decades for each piece of wall decoration.  You will see completed panels, works in process and designs for future pieces- all with the amber masters as our exclusive guides.
		Grand Kremlin Palace and Terem Home to the tsars for 200 years, the Faceted Palace and Terem is now used by the Russian President to entertain foreign dignitaries at the highest level. No palace is more opulent in all of Russia and after a $300 million renovation, the glorious rooms of the Faceted Palace and Terem have never looked more beautiful. The Faceted Palace and Terem are strictly closed to the public, but can be seen on our Hidden Russia tour and on any privately arranged itinerary.
Not all of the above experiences are featured in each tour; please read each tour description for complete details.