The Florentines became immensely rich through banking and trade and spent great sums on the public display of this wealth through their churches, sculptures, altarpieces, frescoes and paintings. The Italian Renaissance can only be understood by seeing the city of Florence and the many great masterpieces it contains. These have been preserved and restored. So they can still, even after five hundred years, be enjoyed as they were originally, in the settings for which they wree designed. Our tour puts these great works into their artistic and historical context.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Fly to Pisa and transfer to the hotel in Florence where we stay throughout. In the afternoon we visit the great Cathedral, famous for its dome, an engineering marvel by Brunelleschi, and its slender campanile designed by Giotto. we also see the Baptistery, with its bronze doors by Pisano and Ghiberti, described by Michelangelo as fit for the 'Gates of Paradise'.

Day 2 – The Bargello sculpture museum is in one of the oldest buildings in Florence. it is a treasure house of Renaissance sculpture, containing works by Donatello, Michelangelo, and Cellini. In 1425 the merchant Brancacci commissioned Masolino to paint his Santa Maria del Carmine. Masolino employes Masaccio to help him paint the expressive scenes of people in the streets of Florence. In the afternoon, when the Uffizi is lease crowded, we make an extended visit to this famous collection of paintings.

Day 3 – In 1418 the Medici adopted the church of San Lorenzo and asked Brunelleschi to redesign it. His Sagrestia Vecchia is a virtuoso display of architectural bravura. In the Medici chapel are the famous Medici tombs by Michelangelo. Nearby in the small chapel of the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi are the famous frescoes by Gozzoli of the 'Journey of the Magi'. One hundred of Fra Angelico's paintings, including a 'Last Judgement', a 'Crucifixion' and an 'Annunciation' can be seen in the Convent where he lived and worked.

Day 6 – There will be some free time in Florence befoer you travel to the airport for the return flight.

Florence - City of Art
Price: £550 per person
Single Supplement: £90
Deposit: £200 per person

Price Includes:  3 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the 3-star Grand Hotel Cavour, one dinner, airport transport for suggested flights, and a full itinerary of visits accompanied by a Prospect Guide.

Travel: Please note that the flights aer not included in the price, but we can source and book your flights for you.

Suggested British Airways scheduled flight timings.