Masterpieces of Madrid: An Extraordinary Close Look

October 11 – 17, 2026

Starting from

Follow in the footsteps of legendary artists and discover the creative spirit of Madrid on this five-day immersive journey.

Experience the rich history and artistic heritage of Madrid with Rika Burnham, an art historian and former Museum Educator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With Rika as your guide, enjoy special before-hours access to museums including the Thyssen Museum, the Museo Del Prado, and the Reina Sofia Museum. Rika will lead interactive, extended close looks and discussions focused on a single masterpiece by a renowned artist. A highlight will be a close look at El Greco’s The Burial of the Count of Orgaz during a rare after-hours private visit to the Church of San Tome in Toledo.  Along the way, experience expert-led tours of cultural landmarks, including the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando.

Highlights

Lecturer

Rika Burnham

Lecturer

Rika Burnham, Lecturer, has served as Head of Education at the Frick Collection, Museum Educator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Project Director for TIME/Teaching Institute in Museum Education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has given lectures and led workshops for art museums across the U.S. and in Europe and currently teaches as a Lecturer in the Columbia University School of Professional Studies. An influential author in her field, Burnham’s many publications include Teaching in the Art Museum: Interpretation as Experience (Getty, 2011, with Elliott Kai-Kee), winner of a PROSE Award for best title in education from the Association of American Publishers. Her catalogue, chapter, and other essays have appeared under the National Gallery of Australia, Barnes Foundation, and SITE Santa Fe, as well as in numerous academic journals. Burnham holds a degree in art history from Harvard University and was awarded the degree of Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2014.

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