Some of the UK’s most famous modern day artists - including Banksy, Damian Hirst and Tracey Emin - have had the capital’s critics at loggerheads over what is and isn’t art. London does have its share of universally acknowledged artists - including Julian Opie, whose individual style was thrown into the mainstream with the design of the Blur Greatest Hits CD cover.

Unsurprisingly, London is home to all styles of art, ranging from the colourful graffiti at the Embankment skate park near the Royal Festival Hall and the creations that call Tate Modern home to the classical works of the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and Tate Britain.

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It is impossible to overstate the influence that art has had on the French capital. Paris is a beautiful city that has given us some of the finest and most influential artists in history including Degas, Rodin, Monet and Matisse. In a city whose artists have produced such a stunning body of work it seems only right that it also houses possibly the world’s most famous art gallery, The Louvre.

The Louvre’s 650,000 sq ft houses nearly 35,000 works of art, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo statue. Works by Pablo Picasso and Auguste Rodin are found in Musée Picasso and Musée Rodin respectively, while the artistic community of Montparnasse is chronicled at the Musée du Montparnasse.

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Larger than life in every way, one wouldn’t expect any less from its art collections. With an impressive array of galleries and museums available, there’s a huge amount on offer to suit all tastes.

The ‘Museum Mile’ area bordering Central Park is home to the stunning Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, housing modern and contemporary pieces by artists such as Picasso and Kandinsky. Rivalled perhaps only by the Louvre in Paris in terms of size and quality of collections, The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s vast collection spans ancient to modern art.

The situation of these art galleries and museums means that you’re never too far away from enjoying all of the other sights, sounds and experiences Manhattan has to offer. Moving away from Central Park, make your way to Chelsea on the West Side of Manhattan. The centre of the New York art world, this upstate area of Manhattan oozes cool.

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Evidence of Rome’s enormously rich artistic history exists in every corner of the city. The many sculptures that adorn the centre are testament to the numerous artists that have lived (and in the case of Raphael and Michael Angelo, died) in Rome.

The Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna is a central gallery dedicated to modern art. With its neoclassical and Romantic paintings and sculptures, it marks a dramatic change from the glories of the Renaissance and ancient Rome. Its 75 rooms house the largest collection of works by 19th and 20th-century Italian artists, including Giacomo Balla, Umberto Boccioni, Giorgio de Chirico and Lucio Fontana. On the other side of the city the Villa Giulia was built by Pope Julius III in 1550-1555 and now houses an impressive collection of Etruscan art and artefacts.

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Being the hometown of Michelangelo and birthplace of the Renaissance art movement, there was no way that Florence could be missed off of our Top 10 list. With some of the most awe-inspiring architecture and art you’re likely to find anywhere in the world (not to mention delicious authentic Italian food on every corner!), Florence is a work of art in itself.

Be sure to visit the awe-inspiring Duomo Dome and the Academy Gallery, which houses Michelangelo’s David alongside a treasure trove of fine art. The Galleria Degli Uffizi is a modern-day showcase for works by masters such as Botticelli, Raphael and Rembrandt. If you like contemporary art, the Centro di Cultura Contempranea Strozzina offers it in abundance; from video installations in the courtyard, to exhibitions of Chinese modern art, this relatively new gallery is definitely worth visiting.

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AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) is Toronto’s main art museum and it can be found on the eastern edge of Toronto's downtown Chinatown district, it is one of the largest art museums in North America.

The collection displayed at AGO includes an extensive collection of Canadian art, which depicts the development of Canada's heritage from pre-Confederation to the present and an impressive collection of European art which includes work by renowned artists Rubens, Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Edgar Degas. The AGO also has one of the most significant collections of African art in North America.

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For those who want to visit somewhere relatively undiscovered, look no further than San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. This beautiful town is situated high up in the mountains outside Mexico City and offers the perfect location to create your own art.
With its colonial architecture, culture, scenery and plenty of art classes on offer (which are unbelievably inexpensive or in some cases free!), this destination is truly unique. The most reputable art school in San Miguel de Allende is the Instituto Allende, offering art workshops and handy Spanish classes for adults and children.

Although not renowned for its art collections per se, there are plenty of quaint galleries lining the small town’s colourful streets. San Miguel de Allende is a destination that offers culture in every sense of the word.

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Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Berlin has established itself as one of the leading European art venues. With a contradictory yet complementary combination of old vs. new, high-end galleries alongside street art, Berlin offers something for everybody.
With a mix of modern, Soviet-inspired and neo-classical architecture, walking through Berlin is like taking a stroll through history. Berlin also boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Arts Centre accommodating numerous museums and galleries. This includes the Alte Nationalgalerie, renowned for its German and French Impressionist paintings, plus works by celebrated German artists such as Max Lieberman and Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

Also recommended is the Gemaldegalerie (Picture Gallery), housing works by European masters such as Rembrandt, and the Neue Nationalgalerie, where you’ll find more recent works from artists such as Picasso and Ernst.

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Chicago isn’t necessarily somewhere you would think of straight away for art, but it certainly isn’t to be sniffed at. Chicago boasts a lively, exciting arts scene, with some of the best art galleries and museums in the U.S.

The Art Institute of Chicago is a force to be reckoned with, being the 2nd biggest museum in the U.S and boasting one of the world’s finest collections of Impressionist Paintings. Other works on offer include paintings by more recent artists; Picasso, Dali, Pollock and Warhol to name a few.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is home to a wide variety of contemporary art forms, including paintings, sculpture, photography, film, dance and music. For those who want to see something a bit different, head long to the National Museum of Mexican Art or the exotic Oriental Institute Museum. Outdoor public art is offered in abundance in the city, and actively supported by the authorities to maintain its position as one of the world’s leading cities for art.

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A bit off the wall this one but we like to think of Frankfurt as a diamond in the rough. From a classic art perspective you do have the Schirn Kunsthalle galley which features progressive works from the likes of Frida Kahlo and the Frankfurter Kunstverein which has been bringing classic and up and coming artists to the attention of the public since 1829!

If modern architecture (rather than traditional art) is more your bag then Frankfurt is a must see. The city features a staggering collection of skyscrapers which combine to provide a skyline that has to be seen to be appreciated.

On a final creative note did you know that Frankfurt is also the home of Trance music? Good to know if you like a change of pace in the evening.

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