Why Classical Pursuits?

WHERE LIFE INTERSECTS WITH ART

shutterstock_286542470Would you like to retreat for a while from the hurly-burly of daily life to throw yourself into a good book, great art, or fine music? Do you ever finish a book or leave a concert hall, theatre, or museum fired up, wishing you had someone to talk with about what you had just read, heard, or seen? Are you looking for a travel or self-enrichment experience with a difference? Come spend some time with us! Classical Pursuits offers three distinct but complementary options: Toronto Pursuits, small-group tours, and online seminars.

TORONTO PURSUITS: A SALON IN THE SUN

Toronto Pursuits is our annual salon in the sun. It is an unmatched opportunity to be part of a community of people who love talking about books as much as they love reading them. This five-day program hosted at the University of Toronto combines seminars on a diverse range of topics with social and cultural activities that take advantage of our location in one of North America’s most exciting cities. We work closely with the Great Books Foundation (GBF) in Chicago, which provides many of the discussion leaders both in Toronto and abroad and offers continuing guidance on how to more meaningfully read and discuss books, art and music. For full details on our 2024 program, please see our Toronto Pursuits page.

TRAVEL PURSUITS: TRAVEL ADVENTURES FOR THE MIND

Travel Pursuits is unique in offering culture lovers the opportunity to travel through both space and time to destinations like Lorca’s Spain, Paris in the twenties, Dante’s Italy, or Joyce’s Dublin. Each year we offer fully guided travel shutterstock_286542470adventures to destinations around the world. People take our trips not just to visit a new or familiar place, but also to share their ideas about great works of literature, art, and music in a relaxed and informal setting.

What makes our trips special is the balance of

  • in-depth discussion of important texts,
  • guided walks to immerse ourselves in the cultural and natural history of a place,
  • informal talks that provide background and context to our inquiry,
  • generous unscheduled time, and
  • exceedingly convivial company.

And, of course, lingering conversation over great meals!

Most important, with Travel Pursuits you will not lose the spontaneity, flexibility, and sense of personal discovery you seek in your own private travels – only the logistical hassles. All Travel Pursuits and Made-to-Measure trips operate under the umbrella of Worldwide Quest, a full-service, licensed tour operator (TICO Reg: #2667946). Worldwide Quest handles all registrations, bookings, and insurance. Decide where you’ll go in 2024 on our Travel Pursuits page.