Are you an independent traveler who chooses museums over tourist traps, personalized experiences over generic tours, and local restaurants over anywhere with laminated menus in four languages?
Then youโre in the right place!
Iโm Carol Cram: novelist, passionate lover of the arts, and an enthusiastic traveler who books concert tickets and special exhibitions before hotel rooms.
If you love arts and culture, concerts, great food, the occasional wildlife encounter, and hidden gems that make a trip genuinely memorable rather than just another checklist of sights, then come along with me for the ride!
Know What You Want?
New to Artsy Traveler? Start Here
Love Museums?
Explore curated museum guides and must-see highlights that bring history and art into focus.
Want Cultural Experiences?
Discover performances, workshops, and hands-on experiences that connect you more deeply to a place.
Planning a Trip?
Browse destination guides with arts-focused itineraries and practical tips to help you travel comfortably and confidently.
Short on Time?
Try a โPerfect Dayโ itinerary that brings together art, culture, relaxed wandering, and memorable meals.
Get Arts & Travel Inspiration
Every two weeks, I send a short update with a featured post from Artsy Traveler, a Travel Tip drawn from my decades of independent travel, a Carolโs Pick featuring a recommended hotel or tour, a featured episode from The Art In Fiction Podcast, and an artsy novel recommendation to read before, during, or after your next trip. Itโs the kind of email arts-loving travelers look forward to.
Whatโs New on Artsy Traveler
Fresh posts, new discoveries, and the occasional deep dive into a museum, destination, or cultural experience worth knowing about.
The Golden Rules of Senior Travel in Europe
Is the Paris Museum Pass Worth It for Art Lovers? I Did the Math
How to Plan a Paris Art Museum Trip Without Wasting a Single Day
Art Museums in Venice: My Guide to the Essential Visits
Exceeding Expectations: Best of Gwaii Haanas with Moresby Explorers
The Best Resources for Planning an Arts-Focused Trip
The โPerfect Dayโ Series
When I visit a new destination, I like to distill my experience into one satisfying day to share with fellow artsy travelers. My Perfect Day itineraries balance art, culture, relaxed wandering, and memorable meals to help you connect more deeply with a place, even if you have just one day to explore.
How to Spend a Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Venice
How to Spend a Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Vienna
How to Spend a Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Copenhagen
How to Spend a Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Florence
How to Spend a Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Athens
How to Spend a Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Madrid
Meet Your Artsy Traveler Companion
Looking for museums, cultural experiences, and novels set in the places youโre planning to visit? Your Artsy Traveler Companion knows the Artsy Traveler archives and the Art In Fiction database inside out. If youโre Europe-bound, ask it about destinations, art museums, or novels set in the countries and cities youโre visiting, and it will match you with exactly what youโre looking for.
Carol M. Cram is the author of five award-winning novels inspired by art and the women who shaped it; the creator of Artsy Traveler, an arts-focused travel blog; the founder of Art In Fiction, a curated database of 2,700+ novels inspired by the arts; and the host of The Art In Fiction Podcast. She also authored 60+ textbooks on computer applications and taught at Capilano University for over two decades. Carol lives with her husband, artist Gregg Simpson, on beautiful Bowen Island near Vancouver, BC.