Travelers at Longwood Gardens in front of the renowned 10-foot tall Thousand Bloom Mum.

Susie McSorley and Andrew Prince, Downton Abbey jewelry designer

Last fall, members of the Carnegie Patrons and Donors Circle took a holiday trip to the Brandywine Valley, where they spent the day at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, the childhood home of collector and horticulturalist Henry Francis du Pont. The guests took in a tour of the 175-room house on the first day that its Yuletide decorations were on view. They also viewed the house’s unparalleled collection of American decorative arts, and indulged their appetite for Downton Abbey (the popular PBS series) with a private tour of the exhibition Costumes of Downton Abbey with Estate Historian Maggie Lidz. Another highlight of the visit was a lecture and trunk show with Andrew Prince, the jewelry designer for Downton Abbey. Prince’s exceptional knowledge of the history of jewelry made for an intriguing talk and wonderful afternoon—including the opportunity to try on some of his favorite pieces. On the final day, travelers stopped at Longwood Gardens for a private tour of the Chrysanthemum Festival, showcasing the Asian tradition of cultivating the flowers into artistic shapes.

Upcoming Trips

Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

Somewhere in Time: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
June 11-15
Travel back in time with a journey to Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel, one of America’s greatest summer getaway destinations for over a century. Spend three nights in one of the Grand’s uniquely decorated guest rooms designed by famed decorator Carleton Varney. During the stay, guests will have an opportunity to attend the First Annual School of Decorating hosted by Carleton Varney, where they’ll learn about the Dorothy Draper style, developing a symphonically creative space, and giving a room character and harmony. Other options include golf on The Jewel, shopping, carriage rides, renowned dining, and exploration of this island frozen in time. Departs from Pittsburgh by private motor coach on June 11 with curator-led tours at some of the great artistic institutions of the Midwest, including the Toledo Museum of Art and the Detroit Institute of Art. For those wishing to only participate in the Mackinac Island experience, you can meet the group at the Grand Hotel on June 12.

Mariinsky Theatre

St. Petersburg: The Russia of the Tsars
July 22-30
Travel with us to St. Petersburg, the cultural heart of Russia and the iconic city of the tsars. We’ll explore the golden age of Russia—a time of creativity, enlightenment, and extravagance—with visits to the grand Catherine Palace, The State Hermitage Museum, Fabergé Museum, and the Alexander Pushkin Museum and Memorial Apartment. Travelers will also have the opportunity to experience a performance by the world-renowned Mariinsky Ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre, along with a cruise down the Neva River, discovering the “Venice of the North.” Our accommodations at the iconic Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, a staple for 140 years in the heart of St. Petersburg, will bring us closer to living life as a tsar!

2015 Carnegie Museums Travel Program Schedule

A trip with Carnegie Museums provides opportunities for memorable discovery rarely found in conventional travel. Consider a 2015 trip today! For more information, contact Barbara Tucker at 412.578.2618.

Havana Art Biennial, with Arts & Architecture in Trinidad and Cienfuegos
May 22-30

Somewhere in Time: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
June 11-15

Sailing the Mediterranean in the Age of Odysseus aboard the Sea Cloud
June 27-July 5

St. Petersburg: The Russia of the Tsars
July 22-July 30

French Riviera and Provence: Fine Art, Gardens, and Villas with Louise Lippincott
September 26-October 5

Coming in 2016!

India: From the Raj to the Taj
January 28-February 9, 2016