Travel the World Based on Famous Paintings

The impressive and serene cascade that winds through the mountain was captured in the gorgeous work of Katsushika Hokusai’s Kirifuri Waterfall at Mount Kurokami in Shimotsuke Province. The painting is part of a larger series of landscape woodblock prints completed between 1833 and 1834.

“Kirifuri” translates to “falling mist” and was named for the spray of water that occurs when the falls crash against the rocks. A wooden observation deck built on the opposite mountain offers a fabulous panorama of the weaving water, stunning forest canopy, and two-tiered falls stretching over 246 feet tall.

April to November are the best months in which to view the Kirifuri Waterfall, especially in the autumn, as the changing leaves accentuate the region’s beauty. You can embody the images of Hokusai’s painting as the small figures at the edge of the lower pool dwarfed by the staggering whitewater of the falls, creating a larger sense of nature’s power.

Toledo is famous for its preserved medieval architecture and a cultural history established during an openness for multiculturalism. El Greco featured the city’s beauty with moody colors and expressionistic brush strokes.

The panorama features the eastern corner of the city and creates a specific point of view that changes its layout. The painting was created in the 16th century, but little seems to have changed when touring the streets of the medieval city, including the curves of the River Tagus and the proud features of the ancient Alcántara Bridge.

The best time to visit Toledo is in spring, from April to June, or autumn, from September to October. View the incredible walls of El Alcazar fortress, with foundations established during the Roman Empire, visit the square-shaped mosque of the 10th-century Mezquita, or visit the El Greco Museum to find more works by the artist.

As one of the most recognizable paintings in the world, Starry Night is a timeless illustration of the sky over Sain-Rémy in the South of France. Completed in 1889, Van Gogh was visiting the hospital after a struggle with his mental health.

After painting the sky over an imaginary village throughout the day, the artist eventually featured the darker colors and vibrant light of the night before sunrise, with yellow and white features drawing the viewer’s eye to the sky. The swirls and thick brush strokes of the sky create an extremely stylized vision of the area, contrasting the sharp lines and angles of the village below. The best time to visit is April to June and September to October.

The pleasant temperatures make it easy to follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps for a view of the landscape, visit the hospital room in which the artist stayed, or explore the beautiful combination of Roman ruins, hidden vineyards, and enchanting walking trails.

Nicholas Roerich’s works are considered national treasures in India. The stylized artistic point of view offers an engrossing perspective of vibrant blossoms shimmering in spring in front of a backdrop of the snowcapped Himalayas. Egg yolk mixed with the paint adds a captivating shimmer to the mountains.

The work was completed in 1930 and still speaks to the natural wonder of the mountainous region. April, May, and June feature lush greenery and melting snow, while October and November have cooler weather, with crisp snowfall, but sunny days.

Whether standing in awe of the panoramic view, rafting on the River Beas, or touring Naggar Castle, you can wander through a variation of Roerich’s Kullu.

Renoir’s vivid colors and loose brushstrokes reflect a celebratory ambiance in the heart of Paris in Bal du Moulin de la Galette.

The outdoor dance hall creates a time capsule for the city and neighborhood, providing viewers a glimpse into the life, style, and preferred leisure activities of the country during the Belle Époque period. Completed in 1876, Renoir was among the Impressionist painters who employed a unique perspective, with gauzy brush strokes and interest in light. Figures dance and lounge in the sun to create a loose, exciting environment.

The Parisian neighborhood of Montmartre remains popular with visitors eager to enjoy the fashionable and historically Bohemian ambiance. Tour the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, stroll beneath a remaining mill along cobblestone streets, or enjoy a hidden view of the Clos Montmartre Vineyards during the best time to visit, between March and May or September and October.

With a focus on color and detail, Matisse’s famous style featured the Moroccan city of Tangier in 1912 after he completed Window at Tangier. The North African city glows with bold blues and blends Matisse’s stylized artistic vision with elements of traditional Moroccan elements.

The warmth of the color palette and perspective the artist used helps create a harmonious combination of detail, an inviting atmosphere, and a minimal concept, with intentional pops of color. The window was part of room 35 inside the Grand Hotel Villa de France, where Matisse enjoyed views of the historic medina, Bay of Tangier, and more.

When visiting from March to May or September to November, you can enjoy pleasant weather that’s perfect for wandering through the antique marketplace, visiting the old fortress, or lounging in the French-influenced Ville Nouvelle.

Innovation and classic beauty help bring Manet’s depiction of the Grand Canal in Venice to life. The 1874 piece features the beautiful details found in daily life, but captured with loose or broken brushstrokes, particular cropping, and a perspective on light different from his contemporaries that’s on full display in The Grand Canal of Venice.

As the major transportation artery of Venice, you can embrace the gorgeous views that inspired the artist and participate in the life of locals. Visit between December and January, May, or October to enjoy the best weather, while also indulging in the atmospheric piazzas, ornate historic palaces, and the small details of day-to-day life.

From the grandeur of the gilded mosaics in St Mark’s Basilica to the treasured beauty of passing gondolas, art featured in the Guggenheim Collection to the High Renaissance architecture of the Palazzo Corner della Ca’ Grande, Venice and the Grand Canal have breathtaking layers.

In 1874, Rafael Troya accompanied a scientific expedition around Ecuador’s numerous volcanoes and captured the standing beauty of a snowcapped Cotopaxi towering above the surrounding valley and rising above distant volcanic peaks.

At the time, the delta the artist used helped illustrate traces of lava from previous eruptions and accounted for areas of low vegetation, as well as the typical cloud cover, giving The Volcanoes of Chimborazo and Cotopaxi a realist perspective. When visiting Ecuador from June to September, you can explore Cotopaxi National Park, with fewer rainy days to experience the majesty of the volcanic crater that stands over 19,347 feet above sea level, making It one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

Hike the slopes, cycle the trails, horseback ride through the lush landscape, or search for wildlife like the puma or high-altitude hummingbirds to sample the majesty Troya caught in his work.

Painted between 1903 and 1904, The House of Parliament, Sunset by Monet was one of approximately 95 canvases the artist produced while staying in St Thomas’s Hospital on the opposite bank.

The common London fog added an ethereal glow to the cityscape, depicted in the hazy orange and purple swirling around the sky. If you follow in the footsteps of Monet, you can experience the stunning view of the Parliament building in spring and fall, specifically from April to May or September to October.

The summit of Parliament Hill is one of the highest points in the city and provides a fantastic view of its skyline from nearly 321 feet high. From viewing Monet’s works in the National Gallery to visiting the Tower of London, strolling alongside the Thames to embracing pub culture, you can bask in the city’s beauty alongside the inspiring vision of the impressionist painter.

Unique in its timely experimental style, blending geometric compositions with symbolist undercurrents, Pierneef’s Farm Jonkershoek with Twin Peaks Beyond, Stellenbosch, offers a reflection on the transitioning styles of the artist that bridges exposure to European aesthetics with traditional homestead panoramas.

Completed in 1928, the modernist work has sharp mountains looming over the typical country home and shines a light on the fierce features of the Jonkershoek Mountains and valley. If visiting during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter from May to spring, you can trek the trails, cycle the foothills, or relax with a stunning vineyard view at a winery in nearby Stellenbosch.

Whether eager to step inside a painting or charmed by the way an atmospheric place can inspire enduring art, you can follow in the footsteps of artists by exploring the destinations that inspired their work.

From France to England, Ecuador to India, you can combine the mesmerizing sensations of art and travel. Find more inspiration for your trip with our experiences of a lifetime: trip ideas for the culture lover or search for continued artistic styles and traditional crafts by exploring our list of amazing artisan experiences from around the world.