Art Fairs Around the World

Art lovers and collectors the world over make regular travel plans to attend their favorite art fairs.

These events can be intense and thrilling. Many attendees will simply immerse themselves in the art on display, with the intention of taking it all in but not taking any of it home. But the (sometimes hundreds of) participating galleries, the real focus at art fairs is on commerce and collecting.

For the most important fairs—Art Basel, for example, being held this weekend in Switzerland—gallery owners will hold back the best works of their artists, saving them for those shows, like Art Basel, where they are more likely to draw a higher price than they might on the gallery wall back home.

But the art market is a fickle one, and this year some artists and galleries may NOT be bringing the best loot to Basel. Art prices have been a little depressed as of late, and some of those same pieces that may have been carefully reserved for special selling opportunities are still being held back, waiting for market recovery.

How has Art Basel impacted the art world since its beginnings?

Art Basel has had a significant impact on the art world in various ways. While Art Cologne (Köln) may hold the title of the oldest art fair, Art Basel has emerged as the frontrunner in the industry.

One of its most notable contributions is its emphasis on contemporary art, which has brought forth new and emerging styles. For instance, the inclusion of street art and graffiti at Art Basel Miami Beach has played a crucial role in legitimizing these forms as valid artistic mediums. Similarly, the fair's support for installation and performance art has contributed to their increased acceptance in the art world.

In addition to shaping art trends, Art Basel has also been instrumental in launching the careers of numerous individual artists. By providing a global platform for galleries to showcase their artists, the fair has created a demand for innovative contemporary works and influenced collectors to seek out new talent.

What are some of the milestones in Art Basel's global expansion?

It has several additional incarnations around the world, with its first expansion being to Miami Beach in 2002. This allowed the fair to target the American and Latin American collector markets, as well as providing a prominent showcase for artists from North, Central, and South America at the same time. It doesn’t hurt that Miami Beach is a vibrant cultural hub with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, and is a popular destination year round. The fair is held annually in December.

Art Basel Hong Kong became the second spinoff in 2013 and marked a significant milestone, expanding the fair's presence into the rapidly growing Asian market. This new location created valuable opportunities for galleries and artists to connect with collectors and curators within the flourishing Asian art scene in March of each year.

More recently, Art Basel introduced Paris+ par Art Basel in October 2022, further extending its influence.

Who are some of the other major players in the art fair scene?

In addition to Art Basel, Frieze is another important presenter in the art fair universe. It’s a comprehensive platform for modern and contemporary art, active in many arenas of the art world. In addition to its three publications, Frieze has created and/or purchased several important art shows around the globe, from London to Seoul to the Unites States (NYC, LA, and Chicago).

Other notable international art fairs:

Art Dubai (March)

Dallas Art Fair (April)

The Sydney Contemporary (September)

Art Köln (November)

Have you ever visited an art fair? Would you like to? Special events can be a great anchor for longer trips but planning ahead is essential due to availability issues that can arise.

Speaking of planning ahead, here are the latest updates on future Mon Voyage Small Group trips.

Of Myths and Moussaka (Greece, Aug. 31 to Sept. 15, 2024): I have released unsold rooms but please inquire for availability if you’re feeling spontaneous. We have only nine in the group and if there is another room to be had, I am happy to add you for this trip. Click for the brochure.

Crescent City Creativity (approx Dec. 15-19, 2024): Well, I definitely have art on the brain this week. I’ve been talking with my friends at Thomas Mann Studio and Gallery in New Orleans (my hometown) and have been cooking up a really cool art- and food-focused City Break for the festive season. New Orleans dresses herself up spectacularly for the holidays, and the best restaurants dress up their menus, too. If it all comes together as I hope, we’ll have some incredible art experiences during the day and some mouthwatering Réveillon dinners in the evening. No brochure yet, but reply on the instant survey if you’d like to receive further info when I have it ready.

Bravo, Berlin! (March 16-23, 2025): I’m just tweaking the final details on this City Break and should have the pricing and brochure ready in the next couple of weeks. Highlights will include a guided tour of Parliament, visits to several of the city’s major museums, important historical sights and monuments, Charlottenburg Palace, and much more. Naturally, evenings will be free for those wishing to attend performances in one of Europe’s top music destinations. In addition to its renowned orchestra, Berlin is probably the top opera city in Europe, if not the world, with at least three outstanding companies presenting full seasons of varied repertoire. Again, please reply on the instant survey if you want to have first dibs on this one. I know that some of you already have your finger on the trigger!

Irish Country Idyll (May 14-28, 2025): There’s only ONE ROOM LEFT on this glorious escape to the Emerald Isle. Read more here and contact me right away to snag this last room.

Those are all land-based trips. Any river cruises coming up next year?

Gems of Southeast Europe (June 22-29, 2025, plus optional land extensions pre- and post-cruise): This cruise aboard the elegant and spacious AmaMagna will take us from Giurgiu, Romania, to Budapest--to the countries of Eastern Europe that were sealed behind the Iron Curtain for much of the 20^th century. Please note that the AmaWaterways Complimentary Land offer expires in two weeks. I myself plan to participate in the pre-cruise four-night extension in Romania; following the cruise Mon Voyage will be offering a fantastic Hungarian wine tour, ending with a couple of days in Budapest. Again, final tweaks and pricing are being negotiated at this time and I will release the info to cruise participants as soon as I have it. This post-cruise Mon Voyage package will likely be limited to ten guests. Let Milan give you a quick preview of the cruise itself (below) and read more here. Then let me know which stateroom category you want to book (and if you want that free land package)!

Rhine and Moselle Splendors (Sept. 10-17, 2025, with a post-cruise extension in Alsace): This is another terrific opportunity for wine lovers. For this trip I will be partnering with my sommelier colleague again (some of you met her in Bordeaux last year) to offer special extra experiences that will be curated exclusively for our guests on board our AmaWaterways cruise. Details on the extensions will be available later this summer but if you’d like a preview of the cruise itinerary, please click here. Let me know in the instant survey if you’d like to be among the first to know more.

LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST (TICK TOCK)

Wonders of Colombia (Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2026, plus optional land extensions to Cartagena, Medellin, and Panama): I launched this group about a week ago, the very day that 2026 itineraries on the Magdalena River opened for booking. The beautiful AmaMelodia river ship only has 32 cabins and 14 of them have already sold, just over a week after they became available Mon Voyage currently occupies four cabins and we’d love to have a few more in our group. But this is most likely a major “you snooze, you lose” situation. While I could theoretically take a dozen more clients with me, the clock is ticking. Read more here and snag one of the few remaining staterooms with your $400 deposit—contact me for details.