As museum enthusiasts, we couldn’t be more excited about International Museum Day (May 18th)!
To commemorate the occasion, we wanted to spotlight some of our most loved museums as well as share which museums our team is excited to visit this year.
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 Vatican Museums, Vatican City
There’s more to the Vatican than the Sistine Chapel! In fact, the Vatican Library and Museums have an estimated 1,400 rooms, chapels, and galleries. Bookmark our complete guide to make the most of your visit.
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“It’s hard to pick a “favorite child” but I have to pick the Stanza della Segnatura. The two central figures of the fresco (Plato and Aristotle) were on the cover of my ancient Greek manual that I had to study to get into university, and I ended up doing what I love the most – giving tours.”
– Smaragda M, Rome Guide
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 NYC’s Met
Did you know that the Metropolitan Museum of Art houses more than two million works of art? Wandering through the sphinxes, sarcophagi, and tombs in the Egyptian Galleries is a highlight of any visit. We also love reveling in the enormity of Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware; 20 feet long and 14 feet high, this massive painting makes it feel as if you’ve been dropped straight into the pages of your high school history book!
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“My favorite piece in the Met is the bronze Shiva Nataraja Lord of the Dance in the Asian Art Collection. It takes people towards something they can all relate to: a personal invitation into the larger mysteries of the Universe. There is always a collective pause of recognition after I explain this piece.”
– Roberta M., NYC guide
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Madrid’s Prado Museum
With amazing treasures like Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights, it’s no wonder that the Museo Nacional del Prado welcomes millions of visitors every year. This collection is enormous, so make sure you have a game plan! For a self-guided tour, our article on the Prado lays out the works of art you simply can’t miss.
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“Without leaving the Prado Museum you can enter churches, palaces, or even Goya’s own house. Furthermore, photos are not allowed, providing an oasis to observe, contemplate, and connect directly with the paintings.”
– Alfonso M., Madrid Guide
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Prefer to bypass the long lines and busy halls? Our small group Alone in the Prado tour allows you to access the museum before general entry! You’ll come away with an enriched understanding of the museum’s icons and hidden gems.
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 National Archives, Washington DC
The National Archive is a veritable pilgrimage for understanding the nation’s founding principles. In addition to treasures such as the Declaration of Independence, it contains millions of records, photographs, and artifacts that provide insights into American life.
“My favorite exhibit is in the rotunda: The Charters of Freedom; the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and The Bill of Rights. These documents are the framework that the Founding Fathers risked everything to create: The United States of America. To stand in front of the document ratified on July 4, 1776 is a powerful reminder of the risk and reason our country exists.”
– Amanda H., DC guide
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Wine lovers can’t miss the Cité du Vin (City of Wine) in Bordeaux, which traces the region’s winemaking legacy all the way back to Roman times. Key exhibits – with interactive elements – cover wine production methods, merchant influence, and even the evolution of bottle design.
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Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera
The Pinacoteca di Brera might be the best art museum you’ve never heard of. While most think of the Uffizi or the Borghese Gallery as Italy’s best art museums, the lesser-known Pinacoteca di Brera is also considered one of the best art museums in the world. Read on to discover why this gem should be on your travel radar.
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