There are 19 Societies in this Area which covers Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, part of North Wales and the Isle of Man.

The Area Support Team exists to enhance your enjoyment of the Society as an existing or potential member and offers support to local Societies through Area Meetings, educational events and co-ordination of the Arts Volunteering, Heritage Volunteers and Trails of Discovery activities.

Our aims are to promote the appreciation and study of every aspect of the arts and to preserve our artistic heritage for the benefit of all. To this end, we organise programmes of lectures, visits, tours and special interest days as well as the volunteer activities. Non-members are welcome to attend special interest days, and are particularly welcome to join the volunteers in their work in arts and heritage projects.

Tour to the Netherlands, 26th – 31st May 2023   

The Vermeer Exhibition at the Rijksmuseum 

With loans from all over the world, this promises to be the most important and comprehensive exhibition of Vermeer’s work ever and it is unlikely to be repeated.         

Our group will be based in the charming town of Delft, staying at the centrally situated Hampshire Hotel.  Our comprehensive tour of the art, architecture and culture of the Netherlands will include: 

Walking tour of Delft,

Leiden including a canal boat trip and time in the historic Botanic Gardens, 

Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum including the Vermeer Exhibition and visit to Amsterdam Palace, Gouda with its Cheese Market and wonderful stained glass in St Janskirk, 

UNESCO World Heritage Site ride to see the 19 windmills, Kinderdijk, with canal boat 

The Hague, visiting the Mauritshuis Art Gallery and the Mesdag Panorama,

Haarlem, where we will see the Frans Hals Museum. 

The walking content will be gentle and manageable.

Cost: £1,229.00 per person, single supplement £260.00, to include return flights, five nights’ bed and breakfast, transport by coach to venues, entrance fees, welcome drinks on the first evening, two dinners at the hotel, farewell dinner at a local restaurant focussing on regional specialities, and the services of a tour manager.

For a full brochure please contact Sue O’Brien: suegreenfoot@outlook.com

Or Travel Editions: tours@traveleditions.co.uk