Artisans of Leisure is a luxury travel company offering private cultural tours in international destinations.Maier, Kathryn & Wilkinson, Brook (December 2006). “The Fabulous 50: 50 Experiences that Only Insiders Can Deliver.” Condé Nast Traveler, pp. 180, 182, 186Thrasher, Paula Crouch (July 25, 2004). “Premium Travel: More are Willing to Pay for Service.” The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, pp. K1, K6 The company offers tours in 70 countries on six continents.
History Artisans of Leisure was founded in 2003 by Ashley Isaacs Ganz. Food & Wine magazine has named Ganz a luxury travel “tastemaker,”Abdelnour, Salma (December 2004). “Luxury Travel’s Road Scholar.” Food & Wine, p. 144 and Departures magazine featured Ganz in their "Explorers" issue.Khanna, Nandita (July/August 2008). "Artfully Asian." Departures, p. 62
Artisans of Leisure has been ranked the Best Tour Operator in the World in Travel + Leisure magazine's World's Best AwardsWalhout, Hannah (August 2018). “World's Best Awards.” Travel + Leisure, p.44Richardson, Heather (July 2025). “World's Best Awards.” Travel + Leisure, and has appeared on the Top Tour Operators list in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards readers’ survey multiple times.Feldman, Jess (August 2026). “World's Best Awards: 15 Best Tour Operators.” Travel + Leisure, p.138Clemence, Sara (July 8, 2020). “World's Best Awards: The Top 10 Tour Operators.” Travelandleisure.comWu, Stephanie (August 2016). “World's Best Awards: The Top 10 Tour Operators.” Travel + Leisure, p.46
Condé Nast Traveler magazine regularly selects Artisans of Leisure for their list of Top Travel Specialists.Condé Nast Traveler (March 2026). "Condé Nast Top Travel Specialists 2026." Cntraveler.comCondé Nast Traveler (March 2025). "Condé Nast Top Travel Specialists 2025." Cntraveler.comCondé Nast Traveler (March 2024). "Condé Nast Top Travel Specialists 2024." Cntraveler.comCondé Nast Traveler (March 2023). "Condé Nast Top Travel Specialists 2023." Cntraveler.comCondé Nast Traveler (March 2022). "Condé Nast Top Travel Specialists 2022." Cntraveler.comCondé Nast Traveler (April 2020). "The 2020 Top Travel Specialists." Condé Nast Traveler, p.62Condé Nast Traveler (March 2019). "Condé Nast Top Travel Specialists 2019." Cntraveler.com Artisans of Leisure was ranked second in the Condé Nast Traveller magazine Readers' Choice Awards 2020. Condé Nast Traveller (November 2020). "Condé Nast Traveller The Readers' Choice Awards 2020." Condé Nast Traveller, p.87
Robb Report has named Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO Ashley Ganz a Master of Luxury in their list of Travel Masters in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.Robb Report (April 20, 2026). "Meet the Robb Report Travel Masters: 24 Luxury Pros Who Can Make Your Dream Vacation a Reality." Robbreport.comRobb Report (March 12, 2025). "Meet the Robb Report Travel Masters: 26 Luxury Specialists Who Can Make Your Dream Vacation a Reality." Robbreport.comRobb Report (March 13, 2024). "Meet the Robb Report Travel Masters: 22 Renowned Specialists Who Can Make Your Dream Vacation a Reality." Robbreport.comRobb Report (January 24, 2023). "Meet the Robb Report Travel Masters: 21 Renowned Travel Specialists Who Can Make Your Dream Vacation a Reality." Robbreport.com
Rolling Stone magazine gave Artisans of Leisure the Best Tour Operator award in 2024 and 2025Rolling Stone (June 20, 2024). "The Rolling Stone Travel + Wellness Awards 2024." Rollingstone.comRolling Stone (June 9, 2025). "The Rolling Stone Travel Awards 2025." Rollingstone.com and Coolest Tour Operator award in 2026.Rolling Stone (May 2026). "The Rolling Stone Travel Awards 2026." Rollingstone.com
Men's Journal magazine awarded Artisans of Leisure the Best Luxury Tour Operator in their 2026 Travel Awards.Men's Journal (March 4, 2026). "2026 Men's Journal Travel Awards: I'm a Travel Expert. These are the Best Tour Operators in the World to Book an Unforgettable Trip." Mensjournal.com
In their annual survey that rates travel companies according to client satisfaction, quality of service, sustainability, education, and other criteria, National Geographic Adventure magazine named Artisans of Leisure one of the best luxury travel outfitters in the world.Christ, Costas & Martin, Claire (February 2009). "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth." National Geographic Adventure, p. 81 National Geographic Traveler has named the company's tours to their 50 Tours of a Lifetime in multiple years.Loftus, Margaret (May–June 2010). “50 Tours of a Lifetime: The Year of Adventure.” National Geographic Traveler, pp. 91-92Loftus, Margaret (May–June 2011). “50 Tours of a Lifetime: Going Deep, Getting Personal.” National Geographic Traveler, p. 90 Trade publication Recommend said, “Travel industry insiders go as far as saying that Artisans of Leisure hasn’t merely raised the bar when it comes to private touring—they claim Artisans of Leisure is the bar.”Ortiz, Sergio (February 2009). “Tour Talk: Artisans of Leisure.” Recommend, p. 14
The company's tours have been listed in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine Dream List repeatedly.Maier, Kathryn & Wilkinson, Brook (December 2006). “The Fabulous 50: 50 Experiences that Only Insiders Can Deliver.” Condé Nast Traveler, pp. 180, 182, 186Maier, Kathryn & Wilkinson, Brook (December 2007). “The Dream List: 40 One-of-a Kind Experiences and How to Get Them.” Condé Nast Traveler, pp. 207, 216, 218Maier, Kathryn & Wilkinson, Brook (December 2008). “The Dream List: 32 One-of-a Kind Experience--and How to Get Them.” Condé Nast Traveler, p. 153 Artisans of Leisure tours have been recommended by The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Forbes, NBC’s Today show, CNN, Frommer's, Fodor’s, and other major newspapers, magazines, guidebooks, affluent market studies"HNWIs’ Pursuit of “Passion Investments” Is Not Deterred by Economic Volatility: Luxury/Experiential Travel" (June 24, 2008). Merrill Lynch / Cap Gemini World Wealth Report 2008, p. 25 and trade publications.
Products and services Artisans of Leisure specializes in luxury Foreign Independent Travel (FIT) and arranges tours with a cultural focus in 70 countries.Artisansofleisure.com (official site)
The company also offers special-interest tours focusing on various themes,Chessher, Melissa (December 2006). “Customized Culture.” Hemispheres, p. 32 such as culinary tours,“Traveling with Taste.” (March 2005). Bon Appetit, p. 30Gordon, Alice (September 2006). “Become an Expert.” Travel+Leisure, p.136Holliday, Taylor (April 10, 2005). “Savoring the Bounty of Vietnam.” The New York Times, Section 5, p.1 family tours,Edwards, Yolanda (July/August 2007). “Best of Family Travel.” Cookie, p. 73 art and architecture tours, active travel, garden tours, tours for travelers with food allergies and dietary restrictions, and religious heritage tours. The company also designs one-of-a-kind international honeymoons“Custom-Made Escapes.” (August/September 2007). Modern Bride, p. 172“A Year of Honeymoons.” (Winter 2006). InStyle Weddings, p. 99 and offers a honeymoon registry.“Q & A Travel: Is it possible to register for our honeymoon?” (Spring/Summer 2008). The Knot. p. 430“10 Surprising Registry Ideas.” (Spring 2007). InStyle Weddings, p.235
Artisans of Leisure is noted for incorporating specialized experiences into their tours, such as philanthropic activities,Alsever, Jennifer (December 9, 2007). “When a Luxury Vacation Cultivates Philanthropy.” The New York Times, p. BU 6 specialized shopping excursions,Dean, Josh (July/Aug 2007). “Special Agents.” Blueprint, p. 72Lee, Denny (June 11, 2006). “Turning Souvenir Shopping Into an Art.” The New York Times, p. TR2Sealover, Denise Jobin (Spring 2007). “Sophisticated Shopping.” Wachovia Renaissance Magazine, p. 6 special lessons and classes such as Japanese tea ceremony and Italian cooking, and innovative activities for families, couples and groups of friends.Morales, Natalie & Orwoll, Mark (August 21, 2006). “Five Life-Transforming Trips.” NBC TodaySlon, Steve (June 13, 2007). “First Class Passage to India.” Forbestraveler.com
Notes
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