Tony has 45 years of architectural experience, most of those leading teams on major civic projects in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Some notable projects include Federation Square, Elizabeth Quay, and major redevelopments of the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne Central, Hamer Hall, and most recently the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House. All these projects were RAIA award winners. Tony worked with Malcolm Carver as Tour Manager on our recent tours to Japan in 2023 and the USA in 2024. Malcolm has now retired from tour leading, and we are delighted that he selected Tony to take over the leadership of our architectural tours. Tony's first tour as leader was to Northern Europe in September 2025.
Here is what participants on our past European tours have said:DAY 1 Tuesday 29 September 2026 Lisbon
Arrival day in Lisbon. Check in is available after 3:00pm (Flight and pre tour accommodation options are available). This evening join Tony for welcome drinks.
DAY 2 Wednesday 30 September 2026 Lisbon
Our orientation tour today will provide a taste of the heritage of this great medieval city as you wander the higgledy-piggledy streets of the traditional neighbourhoods, combined with delightful heritage landmarks. Sites visited will include the Expo 98 Pavillion (Alvaro Siza Vieira), Estacio do Oriente (Calatrava), the Champalimaud Foundation (Charles Correa) followed by the Vasco da Gama Monument on the waterfront. In the evening you might like to walk the riverfront promenades that have been the setting off point for some of the world's greatest expeditions.
DAY 3 Thursday 1 October 2026 Lisbon
We will have an exciting day today seeing some of Lisbon's best contemporary architecture. We begin with the MAAT Museum of Art (Amanda Levete) followed by the Lisbon Cruise Terminal (Carrilho da Graca) and lastly the Centro de Arte Moderna Canopy (Kengo Kuma).
DAY 4 Friday 2 October 2026 Porto, Portugal
This morning, we travel north to Porto, known locally as Oporto and famous for its fortified wine. Upon arrival we will enjoy lunch at the Boa Nova Tea House, spectacularly located on the Atlantic coast. This afternoon is at leisure.
DAY 5 Saturday 3 October 2026 Porto
Today we have an orientation tour and see the imposing Casa da Musica (OMA). This new home of the National Orchestra of Porto stands on a new public square in the historic Rotunda da Boavista. It has a distinctive faceted form made of white concrete. The Grand Auditorium has corrugated glass facades at either end that open the hall to the city and offer Porto itself as a dramatic backdrop for performances. We will also see the Sao Bento Rail Station (Jose Marques da Silva), the famous Livaria Lello Bookshop, the ICON Douro Building (Luis Pedro Silva) and the Vodaphone Headquarters (Barbosa+Guimaraes).
DAY 6 Sunday 4 October 2026 Valencia, Spain
We take an early flight to Valencia via Madrid and arrive late morning. On arrival we see some of Santiago Calatrava's impressive work. We visit the spectacular Ciuddad de las Artes Y De La Ciencias and Serreria Bridge. We then settle into our hotel before dinner. Why not try some tapas in a local bar or restaurant?
DAY 7 Monday 5 October 2026 Valencia
This morning, we have an orientation tour and a full day of visits to L'Oceanografic (Candela), the Palacio de Congresos (Foster) and the Edificio Veles e Vents (Chipperfield+Vazquez). We conclude with La Lonja de la Seda, Valencia's emblematic building and one of the most famous gothic monuments in Europe.
DAY 8 Tuesday 6 October 2026 Majorca, Spain
We take a short flight to Palma on the island of Majorca. On arrival we will see Can Lis, the home Jorn Utzon built for his family on Majorca in 1972 (subject to availability). We then transfer to our hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
DAY 9 Wednesday 7 October 2026 Majorca
We begin the day with an orientation tour including visits to the Joan Miro Foundation (Rafael Moneo) followed by Es Baluard Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art (several architects), Pueblo Espanol (Fernando Chueca Goitia) and Project Gomila (MVRDV+GRAS).
DAY 10 Thursday 8 October 2026 Barcelona, Spain
We fly to Barcelona this morning. Our visits this afternoon are to the Barcelona Pavilion (Mies van der Rohe) and the Palau de la Musica (Montaner). The Barcelona Pavillion was designed as the German national pavilion for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. The Palau de la Musica is of the most emblematic works of Catalan modernism right in the heart of Barcelona. We then check into our hotel.
DAY 11 Friday 9 October 2026 Barcelona
We will see some spectacular buildings today during our orientation tour, including Antoni Gaudi's most famous residential buildings, Casa Mila (La Pedrera) and Casa Batllo, followed by the Museum of Contemporary Art (Meier), the Edifico Forum (Herzog+de Meuron) and Las Arenas (RSHP).
DAY 12 Saturday 10 October 2026 Barcelona
This morning, we have a guided tour of the spectacular Sagrada Familia Basilica (Gaudi). A one-of-a-kind temple, for its origins, foundation and purpose. Fruit of the work of genius architect Antoni Gaudí, more than 140 years after the laying of the cornerstone, construction continues. This afternoon there is free time for sightseeing and shopping.
DAY 13 Sunday 11 October 2026 Genoa, Italy
We fly to Genoa this morning, the home of Renzo Piano. Our visits this afternoon will include several examples of Piano's work including the Porto Antico Regeneration, the Waterfront de Levante, and the new San Giorgio Bridge recently constructed following the destruction due to an earthquake of the original bridge. We then check into our hotel.
DAY 14 Monday 12 October 2026 Genoa
Today is free to enable you to enjoy more of the old town of Genoa, or if you are interested in seeing more of the Italian coastline, take a 2 hour train journey south to Cinque Terra, a collection of five colourful coastal villages.
DAY 15 Tuesday 13 October 2026 Venice, Italy
We travel by coach this morning to spectacular Venice. After checking into our hotel we will visit the Ponte della Constituzione (Calatrava), a somewhat controversial bridge, and a charming private apartment on one of the canals, Casin di Palazzo Lezze (subject to the owner's permission).
DAY 16 Wednesday 14 October 2026 Venice
Today 's orientation tour will take us to San Marco Basilica, the Foundaco Dei Tedaschi Renovation (OMA), the Procuratie Vecchie Restoration (Chipperfield), and to Punta della Dogana Museum and Teatrina di Palazzo Grassi, both by Tadao Ando. Along the way you will be immersed in the unique heritage of Venice. In the afternoon we visit the Porta Nuova Tower Restoration (MAP) and the Biennale Arte Arsenale & Giardini, the location for the international pavilions that host the exhibitions.
DAY 17 Thursday 15 October 2026 Venice
Today is free for meandering the laneways and waterways of Venice. We enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.
DAY 18 Friday 16 October 2026 Departure
Tour concludes after breakfast.
| The price per person twin-share | Single supplement |
|---|---|
| $12,490 | $15,390 |
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this tour without the need of assistance from others.
TOUR OPERATOR:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour organiser. All passengers must complete and sign a Travelrite International booking form.
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT:
A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per passenger should be sent with a completed Travelrite International booking. As soon as the booking is confirmed, (usually within 24 hours), a confirmation advice will be posted to the client. A further deposit of $1,500 is due by 29 May 2026. Final payments are due to be paid to Travelrite International 60 days prior to the commencement of the tour. A 1.5% administration fee will be added to payments by credit card.
CANCELLATION CHARGES:
Number of days before departure.
| Days prior to Departure | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| Over 120 days | $1,000 per person |
| 120-61 days | $2,500 per person |
| 60 days or less | 100% of full fare |
REFUNDS:
The tour is based on arrangements that do not allow for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals, airfare or other services not utilised after the tour has commenced.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
All passengers will require a valid passport. If you hold another passport please check with Travelrite International.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Adequate travel insurance is highly recommended to cover tour members for the consequences of unforeseen events during the tour and for cancellation fees which could result from events such as illness, accident, death etc.
BAGGAGE:
All passengers qualify for 1 piece free baggage allowance.
MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS & CONDITIONS:
The tour has been priced on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 60 days prior to departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified cost. Travelrite International reserves the right to change advertised entrances if necessary for the smooth operation of the tour.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (ATAS No. A10538) is the tour organiser. Travelrite acts only as an agent in the making of arrangements for hotels, transportation, restaurants or any other service and does not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any services included in the tour, or by act of God. Further no responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. The passage contract between the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of this tour and/ or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any tour and/or make such changes in the tour as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. This contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia and any legal action must be undertaken in the State of Victoria.
DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EVENTS:
You engage Travelrite International to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite International acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
HOW TO BOOK:
Bookings can be made by sending full names and addresses of intending tour members with a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information or a booking form can be obtained by contacting Travelrite International
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 8803 6868
Email: sales@travelrite.com.au
www.travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a well-established travel company which has been operating in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for more than 40 years. It is a member of ATAS (number A10538) and has an accredited IATA office at Balwyn. As such, it directly represents the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international tour and transport operators. Travelrite International has been operating special interest tours for over 35 years, and now runs over 120 tours a year. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Travel Industry Association - ATIA.
“Many thanks to you both (and Travelrite) for a fantastic US tour! A very memorable experience indeed…and nice to meet all the Tour group as well!”
“What a delight and privilege it was for me to spend that time soaking in amazing architecture with such a lovely, interesting group of people. I enjoyed meeting all of you.”
