Tour Details
So abundant are Florence’s artistic riches that some masterpieces elude all but the most regular visitors. And those that are in private ownership, or for which access is only by special arrangement, are beyond the reach of all but the well-connected resident – unless you join this tour, which has been designed specially for those who are already familiar with the main sights. As an introduction to Florence, it would be eccentric; as a week spent in pursuit of great art and architecture in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it will be a delight. In quality and importance, the art seen far exceeds that on many of our tours to regions that have been less creatively productive. But in Florence, even the second division is a world-beater.
One of the reasons why many of the items on this itinerary are usually missed is simply because they are, geographically, peripheral, being located in the suburbs, or, even if within walking distance of the centre, they are away from the main clusters of monuments and museums.
Subsidiary themes will emerge, such as depictions of the Last Supper, and the brief but brilliant episode of Mannerist painting. The visits we do make to the major museums and monuments are selective, picking up on these themes and threads. But the tour is a medley of pleasures, from medieval to (nearly) modern, from the famous to the little known, from the hard-to-find to the (nearly) impossible to get into. And then there is the beauty of Florence itself, and the charm of its surroundings.
Inclusions
Private coach travel outside the city centre for the transfers and excursions; accommodation as described below; breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners with wine, water, coffee; all admissions; all tips; all taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager.
Accommodation
Hotel Santa Maria Novella, Florence: a delightful, renovated 4-star hotel in a very central location. Single rooms are doubles for sole use.
Group Size
Between 8 and 18 participants.
Expert Speakers
Dr Michael Douglas-Scott
Dr Michael Douglas-Scott mixes scholarship with accessible discourse, with reasoned opinion, and is highly sought-after as an art history lecturer. He has lectured for New York University (London campus) and Birkbeck College, University of London, specialising primarily in 16th-century Italian art and architecture. He studied at the Courtauld and Birkbeck College and lived in Rome for several years. He has written articles for Arte Veneta, Burlington Magazine and the Journal of the Warburg & Courtauld Institutes.
Practicalities
This is a particularly strenuous tour. The nature of Florence means there is quite a lot of walking, and the tour would not be suitable for anyone who has any difficulties with everyday walking or stair-climbing, or standing for long periods of time in museums. Average distance by coach per day: 24 miles.
Price
Double Occupancy: $7,140 AUD per person.
Single Occupancy: $8,040 AUD per person
Tour by Martin Randall Travel.
- Designed for those already familiar with the main sites, concentrating on places that are lesser known, privately owned or difficult to access.
- A medley of pleasures, from medieval to modern, pursuing a number of key themes.
- Special arrangements include lunch in the Palazzo Corsini al Prato, hosted by the owner, and an aperitivo in a 15th-century palace.
Day 1 - Santa Maria Novella
Tour commences. In the afternoon, visit S. Maria Novella, the Dominican church with many works of art (Masaccio’s Trinità, Ghirlandaio’s frescoed sanctuary).
Day 2 - Museo di San Marco, Palazzo Pitti
The Cenacolo di Sant’Apollonia has a Last Supper by Andrea del Castagno; in the Museo di S. Marco, see the frescoes and panels of pious simplicity by Fra Angelico. In the afternoon visit the redoubtable Palazzo Pitti, which houses several museums including the Galleria Palatina, outstanding particularly for High Renaissance and Baroque paintings.
Day 3 - Fiesole
The Last Supper by Andrea del Sarto at San Salvi is the greatest 16th-century picture in Florence. In Fiesole visit the cathedral and the gardens of the Villa Medici, the first of its genre to provide a stunning view over Florence. It was built by Michelozzo in the 15th century and became home to Sibyl Cutting and her daughter Iris Origo. See also the Badia Fiesolana near Fiesole, a 15th-century church with a Romanesque façade.
Day 4 - Uffizi, Palazzo Gondi
Avoid much of the daily crowd by heading early to the Uffizi, for a selective tour of Italy’s most important art gallery, which has masterpieces by every major Florentine painter as well as international Old Masters. An aperitivo follows at Palazzo Gondi, designed in 1490 by Giuliano da Sangallo, favourite architect of Lorenzo de Medici.
Day 5 - Poggio a Caiano, Artimino
Poggio a Caiano was the country retreat of Lorenzo il Magnifico, and a highly important monument in the history of grand country houses. See another Medici villa at Artimino, viewed from the outside after lunch nearby.
Day 6 - Orsanmichele, Museo Marino Marini
Visit the Renaissance statuary at the church-cum-granary of Orsanmichele. In the afternoon, see the Rucellai Chapel in the deconsecrated church of S. Pancrazio, now part of the Museo Marino Marini.
Day 7 - Palazzo Corsini al Prato
Palazzo Corsini al Prato was begun in 1591 to designs by Bernardo Buontalenti; it was acquired in 1621 by Filippo Corsini and refurbished by him. Lunch here, hosted by the owner.
Many of the visits are by special arrangement and are dependent on the generosity of owners or institutions. There is the chance that one or two visits may have to be withdrawn, but suitable alternatives will be arranged.
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