Oscar Wilde Tour Reviews

This tour surpassed my expectations. Our group of 14 were congenial and interested. The chosen destinations were a broad sample of North Indian history, culture, and wildlife, from magnificent historic palaces and temples to demonstrations at workshops for stonework, painting, and fabric printing. The meals were delicious, much of the food unfamiliar but delightful. I much appreciated the two visits to LGBTQ activities, which were eye-opening and fun. Well worth the looong trip.

I traveled to India with Oscar Wilde Tours in February/March 2024 in a group of 14 gentlemen from the US. This is the 3rd tour I have taken with OWT, led by the irrepressible Professor Andrew Lear, whose deep knowledge of the history of art, culture, and gay sexuality continually enlivened the tour and educated us, without becoming in the least pedantic. He also has a delightful, even goofy, sense of humor!

Highlights of our itinerary included: Delhi (Qutub Minar, Chandni Chowk); Agra (Taj Mahal, Red Fort); Fatehpur Sikri; Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary; Jaipur (Amber Fort, City Palace, and visit to the Hijra “third sex” shelter home); Deogarh (Heritage narrow-gauge railway trip through the ancient Aravalli hills); Udaipur (performance of Rajasthani traditional dance, puppetry & music, City Palace, boat trip on Lake Pichola to Jagmandir Island); Rajpipla in Gujarat (visit with Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil at his asylum for disowned LGBTQ youth, Queer Bagh); and the statue-encrusted temples of Khajuraho, about 25% of which were on erotic themes. A few of us continued on to Ranthambore National Park for 3 wildlife safaris.

Hotels were of excellent quality, and 3 of them are converted palaces from former princely states — the Jai Mahal Palace in Jaipur, the Deogarh Mahal, and the Fateh Prakash Palace on the shore of Lake Pichola in Udaipur.

As in my previous tours with OWT in Western Europe, Andrew has wisely chosen excellent local partners on-the-ground: in this case, Manu Singh and his associates from India Personal Tours. Manu is a terrific guy, with a buoyant personality and great charm. He was indispensable to us in navigating through a new and unfamiliar culture, providing practical advice, and shepherding us through the rigorous security apparatus at Indian airports.

While my trip to India was by turns fascinating, exhilarating, and maddening (unbelievably awful traffic in Delhi, for example), I would highly recommend this tour as an excellent introduction — I am glad I stepped outside my comfort zone for this trip.

This was a wonderful tour. Andrew Lear put together a highly organized, informative, well-thought-out tour. He was cheerful and enthusiastic from beginning to end, and related well to each of us. Besides visiting the usual tourist attractions like the Taj Mahal, we explored bustling Old Delhi, met with youthful hijras at their center in Jaipur, and visited with an openly gay prince at his place in Gujarat. The food was amazing as were the accommodations.

… on the Gay Germany tour in September 2023! Once again, Professor Andrew Lear packs an amazing itinerary into 10 days of delightful travel, this time in Munich and environs and Berlin.

Highlights included: a guided tour to the Deutsche Eiche, Munich’s premier baths/restuarant/condo/rooftop bar complex, led by the adopted son of the owners (Freddy Mercury lived across the street!); an exhaustive but rewarding visit to the Residenz, the Wittelsbach city palace that’s bigger than 2 football fields; a trip to the Bavarian alps to visit 2 of “Mad” King Ludwig’s castles (Linderhof & Neuschwanstein); a sobering visit to Dachau, the first concentration camp; then, in Berlin, a walking tour from our hotel in the Friedrichstraße to the Brandenburg Gate, and thence south to Checkpoint Charlie & the Topography of Terror Museum; a visit to the Museum Island and the former Jewish cemetery; a quick romp through Sansoucci, Frederick the Great’s theme park in Potsdam (followed by a sumptuous meal Zum Fliegenden Höllander); and a visit to Isherwood’s haunts in the Nollendorfplatz neighborhood.

While the German cities can’t compete with Italy in terms of physical beauty (and, after all, they were bombed to smithereens in WWII), the history, culture, Professor Lear’s deep knowledge and unique perspective lent an added dimension to our experience of these and other attractions. I’d definitely recommend this trip, (I can’t help it!)

What a spectacular trip to Italy this October with Andrew Lear and a bus-load of new friends! The fascinating places Andrew chose to visit, the lively and informative guides, the rich history, the mind-blowing art in abundance, the memorable and delicious food, well, it all adds up to a tour unlike any other. We’re so glad we went. And we’re still talking about it. Thank you, Andrew!

My ten days in Greece was sublime — Andrew is a wonderful guide who knows his stuff. And he’s funny and charming and such an amazing resource of history (literary, political, cultural). The tour was rigorous and fun, the hotels were comfortable and convenient, the additional onsite guides were first-rate, and hey — it’s Greece. Beautiful. My experience was also enhanced by my fellow-travelers — a great group of guys from around the globe. I should also say I’m not a “joiner”, I’ve never been on a tour like this, didn’t know if it would be my jam — but because of Andrew’s passion for history (and the gay lens) this is a tour I highly recommend. I hope to be on another Oscar Wilde tour soon!

The Gay Italy Tour was a new experience for me. I had little knowledge about Gay Italian art and history before taking this incredible Tour. Dr. Andrew Lear with his extensive knowledge and his brilliant Tour guides in each of the regions we visited (Florence, Naples, and Rome) became a master class for me.

I saw so many incredible Museums, Temples, and Churches, and learned so much about Italian homoerotic art masterpieces and the artists who created them.

A boat ride around Capri, Visiting Pompeii, the Forum, Colosseum in Rome, The Vatican Museums and a night visit to Michelangelo’s magnificent Sistine Chapel were some of my most memorable take aways.

Last but certainly not least was the incredible restaurants and food choices Dr. Lear picked for our group. They were absolutely superb. Thank you Oscar Wilde Tours.

Andrew: Thank you again for all your help planning my 10 days with you and your team as my guides when in Greece. I was worried about planning a trip for I was alone at this time after my partner of 25 years passed, but you took the stress away and helped create a wonderful Greek experience that I will never forget. I appreciate keeping all on the tour organized with clear schedules, local contacts during the 10 days that we scheduled with you. The transportation was coordinated perfectly, and I had the best 10 days in Greece on the private tours I had with you and your team. I enjoyed the tours with the knowledge you had at hand on all the different cities we went through -and the other members of the tour were all so kind – was a great group. I look forward to returning to Oscar Wild Tours and seeing new country’s I missed and booking your company to complete my next experience. Thanks for making my trip to Greece an unforgettable experience! I’m so Appreciative of the time and effort you and your team put in planning my Greek Experience. Gene C

I appreciated that Andrew was very patient with me and did not push for me to pay the remaining amount as I sorted my Passport issues. The knowledge and experience he brings to the table is incredible and makes all the difference from other tours.

We just got back from Italy. Andrew did an amazing job organizing our expedition and herding us from place to place. The tours were all interesting, informative and well worth it. Plus our hotels were very nice and placed centrally. We’ve made new friends with the other guys from the group and that was an unexpected bonus. All in all, a great experience.

We were two of the thirteen men on Professor Lear’s 2022 Gay Italy Tour. We cannot say enough good things about it.

All aspects of the tour were first rate. The itinerary was very well chosen, with either Professor Lear or knowledgeable, personable guides selected by him providing interesting, insightful commentary at each museum, archeological site or other location. The hotels at which we stayed were perfectly located, well appointed and very comfortable. The restaurant meals that were part of the tour package were marvelous. There was good camaraderie among the participants. All of this contributed to our great enjoyment of the experience and very happy memories.

The Oscar Wilde Tour led by Professor Andrew Lear in Greece exceeded my expectations. The hotel accommodations were superb and well located to explore local sites. The tour highlighted locations of interest that I would not have been able to find on my own and provided just the right blend of organized group outings and time to venture out and explore places of personal interest. Professor Andrew Lear with his expertise as a classicist provided valuable insight and commentary at places of interest with a gay historical context that you would not find anywhere else along with well-chosen local tour guides. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned and well organized to cover multiple locations. Our tour group was the perfect size to provide personal attention and develop a delightful comradery among us. I would highly recommend an Oscar Wilde Tour led by Andrew Lear for a most rewarding and unforgettable travel experience.

Professor Andrew Lear is an amazing, indefatigable, and cheerful guide to the art and culture of Italy throughout the millennia, and is just in every way a lot of fun to be with. His enthusiasm is contagious, and he led our intrepid group of 13 gay souls (assisted by wonderful local guides) through numerous adventures in antiquity (Pantheon, Forum, Colosseum, Hadrian’s Villa, Villa d’Este, Paestum, & Pompeii), as well as through gorgeous collections of ancient, Renaissance, & Baroque art (Galleria Borghese, the Archeological Museum in Naples, Academia, Bargello, & Uffizi in Florence). While our focus was on Gay Italia (i.e., Hadrian/Antinoös, Michelangelo, Caravaggio), Professor Lear’s knowledge is by no means narrowly constrained (I remember a number of us singing Ruth’s song from Pirates of Penzance while riding in a museum elevator!). Bring comfortable, well worn-in walking shoes — “it’s only a 10 minute walk” became a mantra with our group — but there’s no better way to discover these cities (though comfortable transportation is provided for longer trips). My highest recommendation!

To quote Noel (and if you has to ask Noel who?, I am sorry for you), “Ive been to a marvelous party”. My partner Bill is a complete Wildean and has spent most of his life trying to share his genius with others in one way or another. As a good spouse I try to find new and interesting sources of Wilde to please him. It was pure luck that I found Oscar Wilde Tours and knew that we were destined to one day add an Oscar Wilde Tour to our lifelong Wilde activities. From the start Professor Lear was absolutely the right man for the job. How he managed to keep 13 Gay men interested, well fed (both bodily and intellectually ), entertained, informed and content in Italy and 9 of us in Greece is something I will never quite figure out. But he did and we were and I cant wait for the next one. We have all been given the basic heterosexual history of the Greek and Roman worlds . How wonderful to be in a group of like minded people and exposed to the histories that arent always taught. To be able to see Statues of Hadrians Lover Antinous and hear how the world of the time worshipped this young man as a God or see the Palazzos and Palaces of the Borghese and Farnese families and find that they too had gay family members who not only held high positions in both church and political arenas, but had lovers that were equally important. To be able to ask questions about how these people lived and thrived and not be afraid of being outed or feel shamed is wonderful and to share it with a friendly group of fellow gay travelers who can enjoy being in each others company, share photos, enjoy cooking classes, try different foods and learn that we too as LBGTQ+ are part of the history of this beautiful place is really something special. The Hotels we stayed in were always a treat, the restaurants were terrific (You will not go hungry on these tours believe me), the local guides were very good and several of our group members were so well versed that we sometimes had even more information than a standard guide could have given. Professor Lear was there, as well, to augment any information that would be pertinent to what we were seeing and the groups often met after the day to process or just have a drink and enjoy each others company. It was all together a very pleasant time with a very special group of people. Dont miss the next one!

This tour was a unique way to experience this wonderful country. While visiting the fascinating and well known sites in Rome, Florence, Pompeii, Naples, Sorrento, Capri, and Paestum, I learned interesting additional history with a gay twist. The group of men in the tour were very friendly. Professor Lear was a delightful and informative guide.

I personally find the “Gay Greece” tour adventurous, enjoyable and memorable. Professor Lear had kept our attention and interest continuously throughout the tour by his research of historical evidence (further backed up by numerous museum artifacts in front of our very eyes – astounding!). Food served, of various restaurants assigned throughout the tour, was indeed gourmet.

My co-workers and I attended the tour of The Met. I was very happy with the tour and found it to be quite informative. Professor Lear was very knowledgeable about the history of gay and lesbian art and conveyed that knowledge in a fun and interesting way. I would definitely recommend this tour to a friend.

This was a great tour, and above all, a really informative one. I had visited many of the sights before, but this time Professor Lear—a well-known Classical scholar and expert on gay history—provided a level of historical background and aesthetic commentary that I had never experienced before. The historical sweep of the tour—from Bronze Age Mycenae to Hellenistic times, with Athens’ Golden Age along the way—brought home the longevity as well as the magnificence of the ancient Greeks’ achievement. I highly recommend it, for first time or repeat visitors!

Once Andrew Lear begins his Shady Ladies At The Met tour, it quickly becomes clear not only how knowledgeable he is about his subject, but also how much he enjoys giving these tours and sharing what he knows. He discusses paintings, sculptures and pottery in the Met’s great collection, from an unusual point of view. It is a pleasure to listen, look and learn.

I have been an on-again-off-again patron of the Met since I was very young. However, I have never felt as informed, energized, and enthusiastic about art as I did when I participated in the Gay Secrets of the Metropolitan Museum tour with Professor Lear. Wow! Professor Lear is a bit of a character with an overall sunny disposition and an indisputably shining passion for art. His knowledge about the history of homosexuality and of art in general is quite vast, and his entertaining yet thorough explanations make each stop on the tour such a delight. He was very open to questions, comments, and playful back-and-forths with the people in the tour group, which added a much-welcomed sense of community and casualness. I learned so much and couldn’t have been happier with my experience. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Phenomenal, loads of interesting new information and a wonderful guide. He left little to be desired and provided both an historical and anecdotal overview that was highly communicative and even entertaining.

My husband and I highly recommend experiencing Italy in the company of friendly gay folk, especially when escorted by a distinguished gay history scholar! We were very happy with the food, the hotels, and the local guides. Every day was such a feast for the senses and we learned so much from the incomparable Andrew Lear, that we are already looking forward to our next journey with Oscar Wilde Tours.

The tour of the Met was amazing! Prof. Lear is quite knowledgeable about gay and lesbian history in art and presented the information in an enthusiastic and interesting manner. Forget about a dry, watered down tour… this was real and I felt much more connected to the art and artistes than I ever have on any other tour. Bravo, what a great idea! Highly recommended.

This two-hour tour of gay art and artists was a complete delight. Prof. Lear is a very knowledgeable and personable guide. The focus was on European art from the Ancients to the Moderns (with a brief detour to New Guinea). Prof. Lear shed new light on the often-overlooked gay subtext of paintings and sculptures, and offered valuable insights into the lives and loves of gay and lesbian artists. Highly recommended!

Gay Italy was a totally enjoyable Italian adventure. I can’t explain how special it was not only as a fantastic vacation, but an informative exploration of our gay history. I hope I can join you on another adventure soon. You are the perfect, charming host. Wish you the best and thanks for offering a unique, wonderful life experience. In the vernacular, yo go girl!

This tour was a unique way to experience this wonderful country. While visiting the fascinating and well known sites in Rome, Florence, Pompeii, Naples, Sorrento, Capri, and Paestum, I learned interesting additional history with a gay twist. The group of men in the tour were very friendly. Professor Lear was a delightful and informative guide.

I had the pleasure of going on the tour of Greece with Professor Andrew Lear. I rate the tour at an 11 (on a 1-10 scale). Greece is a beautiful country and there is so much history. It was great to learn so much in a relatively short period of time! I especially enjoyed Olympia where the actual Olympics began. The trip would not have been complete without going to the island of Mykonos. A little commercialized, but a must see. Another island we visited was Delos, which is considered to be the best preserved ancient Greek town. The accommodations were perfect. One night we stayed on the outskirts of a city with indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The next night we stayed right on the main thoroughfare in a quaint city. Thanks for a wonderful tour, Professor Lear. I look forward to traveling again with Oscar Wilde Tours.

My husband Kim & I went on the Oscar Wilde Tour of Greece, with the eminent Prof. Andrew Lear as tour leader. It was one of the best trips we have ever taken. Prof. Lear is knowledgeable, personable, and funny, and his explanations cover a wide range of topics, including things that get left out in most tours. We visited many sites and saw many fascinating things, including the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, where the oracle gave her prophecies more than 2500 years ago (and which I’ve been reading about since I was six), and the ancient Antikythera Mechanism at the National Archeological Museum in Athens (a touchstone for us because we’re computer geeks). Heartily recommended!

Our tour of Gay Italy with Andrew Lear was a highlight of our month-long trip to that country. We learned quite a lot, not only about homoerotic themes and art by gay artists in ancient and relatively modern times, but also about interpreting and understanding what we were looking at, which helped tremendously as we visited museums and archaeological sites during the rest of our trip. Dr. Lear was attentive to our needs both prior to and during our tour, ensuring it was accessible and a positive experience. Lodging and food – oh, the food! – was first class and then some. We definitely will consider taking another Wilde tour in the future.

I had the best time with a great group traveling in Italy… Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Paestum, Naples, Capri and much much more…museums, ruins, fine dining and hotels in central locations. It was worth every cent and I hope to travel with our guide Andrew again on another exciting gay tour.

What a wonderful experience. I fell in love with Italy thanks to Andrew Lear. The local guides were extremely knowledgeable and the itinerary allowed us to enjoy the country’s many beautiful historic sites and museums. The whole experience was magical, whether exploring antiquities, sailing around gorgeous Capri, eating lunch adjacent to a ruined temple, or making new friends while eating a delicious seafood meal with wine. This tour exceeded all my expectations.

We just returned from the Italy tour and I have to say that even after working in the travel industry for forty years, this was the most fun and well-organized experience I have ever had. Andrew’s vast knowledge of history and obvious enthusiasm for the subject transferred to the tour participants. It encourage lively discussion and many interesting questions. I would definitely encourage anyone to travel with Professor Lear and share his experience and knowledge.

I’ve wanted to see Rome all my life. This tour, focusing on gay themes in art and history, was packed with sights and insights (and great meals). Andrew is a font of scholarship and gossip about the classical world and a great storyteller. And our tour group was made up of delightful and interesting people. The trip was a gift from mio marito, and I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.

Witty, funny, thought-provoking. Prof Lear should speak louder, however. I love alot of his insights and the fact that he included Non-European cultures. Great fun!

Fascinating, and I learned a lot without even trying. Professor Lear is not only knowledgeable, but entertaining–and makes history seem like the telling of gossip!

The Gay Italy trip was a dream come true. It was a lifelong goal. Every new city, every museum, every experience, every meal was so well planned and just perfect. The added bonus was how friendly the entire group was and how well we bonded. This introvert was especially impressed. Andrew, I sing the praises of your expertise and Oscar Wilde Tours. Looking forward to your future tours.

Gay Italy was a totally enjoyable Italian adventure. I can’t explain how special it was not only as a fantastic vacation, but an informative exploration of our gay history. I hope I can join you on another adventure soon. You are the perfect, charming host. Wish you the best and thanks for offering a unique, wonderful life experience. In the vernacular, yo go girl!

I was a participant on the Gay Italy tour that included Florence, Naples, Paestum, Capri and Rome.

Professor Lear is a wonderful guide, oftentimes better informed that the charming obligatory local guides. He is in full command of his topic, scholarly but with a refreshing clarity and humor in his presentation that brings the subject to life. His interest and love of the subject is palpable and you cannot fail to be drawn into the lives and societal influences of the time.