This scavenger hunt through France and England will explore symbology and codes in art in a unique way while giving trip participants the chance to experience the thrill of the "hunt".

 

Our assignment begins where it all began, at the fabulous Musee du Louvre with a private tour hosted by a well-known art historian and a social historian. "Art gives keys to understanding other times. They help us appreciate the beauty – and ask new questions of the present." Catherine Aubin Art was also used as a communication tool to spread messages openly as well as those which could not otherwise be spoken.

This is the focus of our tour.

We explore these codes (and find answers for our Hunt) with a full four days in Paris. The search for hidden symbols of the "Rose" takes us to the Eglise of Saint Sulpice and other locations and is combined with a photographic tour featuring Claude Abron, renowned Paris photographer. Claude introduces us to the "Eves", the 19th century nude sculptures that adorn so many buildings and depict women as both Powerful and Sensual figures. After this introduction to a Paris even locals do not know, we discuss the depiction of women in art and how this has changed through history.  

Also included is the Hotel de Sully, the Place des Vosges, the Bastille, the Palais-Royal, the Covered Passage, a workshop where flowers are made for haute couture, and a high- stepping/high-energy end to our time in Paris with a cancan demonstration-lesson as we explore the hidden messages in this famous art form.  

Our Hunt continues as we leave Paris behind and collect our Smart Cars on the edge of the city. With clues in hand, our Smart Cars explore the countryside of France looking for further answers to the puzzle. One of our destinations may perhaps be the Teacher's hideaway, the Chateau de la Villette, but we're not telling!  

Our story takes us beyond the scene of the crime to another land. In London, a special talk by an expert on the subject of codes and cryptology help us with clues which can be found at Temple Church and Westminster Abbey. We might pause for a spell in a Library to do a bit of our own research and find answers which lead us to our next destination.
 

Decipher clues, unscramble anagrams and see the city from unusual angles! You can decide for yourself what messages are to be found in Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks while on a visit to London's National Gallery including a special tour of some of its treasures. It seems that all roads lead to …… the Cathedral of Codes (Rosslyn Chapel) in Edinburgh which holds the key to many secret messages. Here we will find the answer we have been seeking!  

 
The 9-day tour begins on October 9 and includes 4-nights Paris, 3-nights London and 1-night Edinburgh. Expert art historians and guides along the way share a wealth of information about each location while keeping the tour fresh. Special access and events will make travelers anxious for their next Robert Langdon adventure! Price including 4- star hotels, most meals, transfers including Euro Star, trains, Smart Car rental, treasure hunts, discussions, workshop and Chateau Villette - $2999.00/double occupancy. Please contact Beyond Boundaries Travel at 800-487-1136 for reservations or information.  

Limited availability. 

Read an excerpt from The New York Times about this tour

Beyond Boundaries Travel's Da Vinci Code Tour is not an official event and is not endorsed nor sanctioned by The Da Vinci Code book publishers or Dan Brown and his representatives.