Amsterdam, Holland
Art of the matter
This year and next, a huge cultural event Holland Art Cities, takes over Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Amsterdam. Head for the capital, where the Van Gogh Museum has an exhibition on the painter's use of light, and where, in May, the new €39 million Hermitage Museum will be unveiled.
Painter's palate
It's obligatory to try chips squirted with mayonnaise, Holland's favourite snack. Pannekoekenhuis 'Up Stairs' (weekends only) on Grimburgwal is best for pancakes.
The price tag
From £372pp for three nights at the five-star Art Nouveau Grand Hotel Amrath with Expedia (expedia.co.uk), including flights.
Cadaqués, Spain
Art of the matter
The Catalan Cap de Creus coast was the backdrop to Salvador Dalí's life and work, and a new company offers luxury small-group tours of it. You stay in a stunning villa at Cadaqués, overlooking the Surrealist's house. With an expert you'll visit the house, the Dalí Museum at Figueres, and boho Cadaqués, learning about other artists who stayed there, such as Picasso and Man Ray.
Painter's palate
Ferran Adriá anointee Paco Pérez, head chef of the Michelin-starred Miramar restaurant in Llançá (which you'll also visit) will cook your meals, including a Dalí-inspired banquet.
The price tag
From £2,000pp for a four-night full-board tours, including drinks and transfers (07876 403648; timeandspacecadaques.com). Flights to Barcelona from £123 at cheapflights.co.uk.
Naoshima Island, Japan
Art of the matter
Naoshima, in Japan's balmy Seto Inland Sea, is known as Art Island. The modernist Benesse House is a museum with Warhols and Pollocks, in which you can also stay – there's more art in the rooms. Also on the island is Chichu Art Museum, and traditional houses that have been turned into artworks.
Painter's palate
Island restaurants and cafés include Issen, where you can savour seafood fresh from the Inland Sea.
The price tag
A 12-night Japan tour, including a night at Benesse, transfers and some meals, starts at £1,817pp (0870 120 5600; insidejapantours.com). BA (0844 493 0787; ba.com) flies to Tokyo from £620.
Mandarin Oriental, Munich, Germany
Art of the matter
Munich's Mandarin Oriental hotel is so cultured, it has its own art expert, Eva Karcher. Her tours are bespoke so, whether you're into Kandinsky (the Lenbachhaus has the world's biggest collection), Old Masters (in the Alte Pinakothek) or the 20th-century stuff at the new Brandhorst Museum, Eva will oblige.
Painter's palate
Slum it with street food such as weisswurst, made with calf's head, and smothered in mustard. High-life it in the hotel's restaurant, Mark's: its signature dish is sauerbraten of Simmental beef fillet.
The price tag
Kirker Holidays (020 7593 2283; kirkerholidays.com) has two nights from £871pp including flights and transfers. Art tours start at €400 (£357) (mandarinoriental.com).
The Merrion, Dublin, Ireland
Art of the matter
Dublin's art students regularly visit The Merrion hotel for its art collection, including work by Jack B Yeats, brother of WB. The new 'art of the Merrion' weekend includes tours of the hotel's art and the Hugh Lane gallery, where Francis Bacon's London studio has been reassembled, and a life drawing class.
Painter's palate
The weekend also includes 'ArTea for two', created by the hotel's pastry chef, with cakes inspired by the art, and champagne.
The price tag
The two-night package for two costs €1,060 (£950) b&b (merrionhotel.com). Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies to Dublin from Gatwick from £56.
Las Vegas, USA
Art of the matter
Hotelier Steve Wynn knows about the value of art – he once put his elbow through a $40 million Picasso. His Bellagio hotel has Picasso restaurant, hung with the maestro's priceless works, and an Old Master-stuffed gallery with on-loan moderns (Lichtenstein, Warhol et al) on show till autumn. At his hotel Encore, Botero Steak bulges with works by the fattie-loving artist for which it's named (maybe hold the fries).
Painter's palate
The Vegas dining scene has its own Michelin Guide, with one three-star restaurant (Joël Robuchon), three two-stars and 13 ones. Try the no-star diner Peppermill for a fun, old-school Vegas diner.
The price tag
Four nights at Encore with Virgin Holidays (0844 557 3860; virginholidays.co.uk) costs from £945pp, including flights and car hire.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Art of the matter
Vilnius is a European City of Culture for 2009. Year-long, the airport and railway station will be lit by video projections. From 12 March to 30 May, there's an exhibition of European landscapes at the Museum of Applied Art and from 4 to 31 July, galleries in the city will show works from 60 Lithuanian artists.
Painter's palate
Stay at the Stikliai hotel in the Old Town, in whose tavern you can try juka, a soup made with pig's blood, and, in summer, saltibarsciai (cold borscht).
The price tag
Regent (0845 277 3380; regent-holidays.co.uk) offers two nights' b&b at the Stikliai from £475pp, including flights from Gatwick.
Tjörn, Sweden
Art of the matter
Not only does the Nordic Watercolour Museum, on the island of Tjörn, radiate cool minimalism, it also has some rather good paintings too, from Sweden and abroad. The inspired can take watercolour courses in a waterfront studio.
Painter's palate
The museum's restaurant, Vatten, offers Scandinavian dishes, such as soused herring, and stunning views across the water. Stay nearby at Salt & Sill, Sweden's first floating hotel; it has dreamy sea views and an acclaimed restaurant serving local seafood.
The price tag
Simply Sweden offers three nights with flights and car hire from £695pp (0845 890 0300; simplysweden.co.uk). Three-day watercolour courses cost 2,700SEK (£230; akvarellmuseet.org). Most teachers speak English, but check before booking.
Rome Cavalieri, Italy
Art of the matter
The Cavalieri hotel, a staggeringly opulent gaff, reckons it has the best hotel collection of art in the world. There are works by Tiepolo, rare tapestries and the king of Poland's commode. Grab a free iPod tour, or pay for an art expert to guide you.
Painter's palate
The hotel also has La Pergola, Rome's only three-Michelin-star restaurant. Chef Heinz Beck's fagottelli La Pergola, pasta filled with Pecorino and egg yolk, is stupidly brilliant.
The price tag
Citalia (0871 664 0253; citalia.com) offers three nights staying at the Cavalieri from £535pp, including Gatwick flights. Private art tours are €60 (£53) per hour; minimum three hours.
Le Méridien Etoile, Paris, France
Art of the matter
The previously, er, retro Le Méridien Etoile hotel has had a hip makeover. The entrance has been adorned with an art installation inspired by North African mosaics, the keycards are artist-designed and also give free entry to the Palais de Tokyo art centre. At check-out, you can donate to 'Art is Life', a joint initiative with Unicef to teach African children about HIV. And Paris has a few galleries, too...
Painter's palate
The Etoile's redesigned restaurant, Orénoc, with its comfortable banquettes, dishes out solidly French, yet innovative cooking.
The price tag
Greenbee (0845 610 0320; greenbee.com) offers flights and two nights at Le Meridien Etoile from £203pp. The hotel (lemeridien.com/etoile) also offers packages that include museum passes.