Basilica of Santa Giustina
Eremitani Church
Inner Court of Bo Palace
Palazzo Bo
Pomposa Abbey interior
Pomposa Abbey view
Padova canal
Palazzo Della Ragione Palace
Basilica of St Anthony
Castel Vecchio
Capella Degli Scrovegni
Scrovegni Chapel
Scrovegni Chapel
Scrovegni Chapel
Padova
Padova
Cappella Degli Scrovegni
Verona
Tour highlights:
Private visit to the Scrovegni Chapel, the pinnacle of early Renaissance art
Palazzo della Ragione’s Astrological Frescoes
The Benedictine Abbey of Pomposa
Padova with its host of artistic treasures
Expert commentary by art historian Clare Ford-Wille
Often called the ‘father of the Renaissance’ Giotto broke away from the two-dimensional figures of Byzantine and Gothic art to use more natural line and form in his paintings. Although a Florentine by birth, it was in the culturally and intellectually influential city of Padova that he produced his masterpiece – the frescoes of the Scrovegni Chapel. The pivotal work of Renaissance painting as a whole, many consider these frescoes to be the most important masterpiece of Western art. Join Clare Ford-Wille to explore Giotto’s influence and to enjoy the fascinating and wonderful city of Padova.
This tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the artistic, intellectual and spiritual flowering that made Padova one of the cultural capitals of medieval and Renaissance Italy. Across four days, you will encounter masterpieces that transformed European art—from Giotto’s revolutionary frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel to the luminous cycles of Giusto de’ Menabuoi and the early innovations of Mantegna and Titian—while standing in the very spaces that shaped them. You will trace the city’s scholarly legacy at the University of Padua, home to the world’s first permanent anatomical theatre, and experience the serene grandeur of its great religious monuments, including the Basilica of St Anthony and Santa Giustina. Beyond Padova, the Benedictine Abbey of Pomposa reveals a quieter yet compelling chapter of medieval creativity, with its Giotto‑inspired frescoes and towering Romanesque campanile. Together, these visits illuminate a vibrant continuum of faith, learning and artistic ambition that has resonated through the centuries.
Available Departures |
From |
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| 17 - March - 2027 | £ 1945.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings London Heathrow Departing: 17th March 2027 at 13:40 Returning: 20th March 2027 at 18:05 |
Day 1: Arrival
Fly from London Heathrow to Venice and transfer to hotel in the Padua to check-in for a three-night stay. Evening welcome drink and lecture, ‘Giotto and the Art of Fresco in the Arena Chapel in Padua’ followed by dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Padova and Pomposa
Morning visits to the University of Padua's Palazzo del Bo, home to the world's first permanent Anatomical Theatre (1595), and 12th century Baptistry of the Cathedral, one of Padua's most important medieval monuments, which features an unparalleled cycle of 14th century frescoes. In the afternoon travel to the Benedictine Abbey of Pomposa, a little-known gem with its frescoed and mosaic-floored church and 11th century campanile - one of the finest Romanesque bell-towers in Italy. Evening lecture, 'Painting in Padova after Giotto: Giusto da Menabuoi to Mantegna'.
Day 3: Full day Padova including Scrovegni Chapel
This morning we have an exclusive private visit to the Scrovegni Chapel, lavishly frescoed by Giotto from 1303 to 1305. The cycle is considered a masterpiece of early Renaissance art, presenting vivid biblical scenes from the lives of Mary and Christ. Next we visit the 13th century Eremitani Church, famed for its magnificent reconstructed roof and surviving 14th century frescoes by Guariento; it was once home to Mantegna's 15th century Ovetari Chapel frescoes, destroyed in 1944. Free time for lunch then our afternoon visits start at the Basilica of St Anthony, a major pilgrimage centre filled with art treasures, frescoes, and sculptures. Next to the basilica is the Scuola del Santo which was founded soon after St Anthony's death, and includes the earliest documented painting by Titian, dating from the early 1500s. We then walk to nearby Oratorio di San Giorgio, a Gothic chapel that is entirely frescoed and forms part of Padua's UNESCO-listed 14th century fresco cycles. Afterwards, we have a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Last visits and home
Morning visit to the Basilica Santa Giustina, one of Padua's most ancient and architecturally significant sites which houses relics of St Luke the Evangelist, as well as Renaissance masterpieces. Our final visit is a private guided tour of the Palazzo Ragione, where the walls are covered with one of the few surviving cycles of medieval astrological frescoes, repainted in the 15th century after Giotto’s originals were lost. Free time for lunch at the market, then late afternoon we transfer to the airport for return flight for London Heathrow.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 24 passengers.
Tour Grading: Please note that this tour has been graded as demanding due to the amount of time spent walking and standing for viewing. Some streets are cobbled and uneven underfoot. Please visit the mobility page on our website or call our team for further information prior to booking.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Hotel Majestic Toscanelli, Padova
This boutique four-star hotel is located in the heart of Padova's historic centre, known for its narrow medieval streets and famous squares. The historic building dates back to the 1500s, retaining historic charm while updated with modern comforts including wifi, air-conditioning, TV, and tea/coffee making facilities.
Hotel Website
Clare Ford-Wille is an independent art historian, well known for her courses at the V&A, Birkbeck, ARTscapades, City Lit and Morley College as well as a lecturer at the Wallace Collection, and for The Arts Society groups in Britain and Europe. She has led many tours abroad. Clare is President of the London Art History Society.
Formerly associate lecturer at Birbeck, she brings vast experience and enthusiasm to every tour she leads. Her deep knowledge and passion for art and history enrich each journey with insight, making her tours both engaging and illuminating.
We love to receive feedback from our customers. Their views help us to keep improving the ours we offer. If you have been on this tour and would like to submit a review, please log in to our client area here and fill in the short form.
Review by Spouse who travelled 28-March-2019
As usual the guide lecturer was excellent, informed and informative, and many thanks for continuing when not in the best of health. I found the title of the tour - the birth of the Renaissance - somewhat misleading since the main focus was the art of fresco. The main drawback was the location of the hotel. Accommodation was good, evening meal was disappointing, breakfast was excellent in choice and quality. But having to walk half an hour each morning and return in the afternoon seemed to eat into the day and time available. There was less free time on this tour than on previous tours.
Review by Workman who travelled 28-March-2019
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-March-2019
thank you so much to Clare Forde-Wile, who took us on such interesting and knowledgeable tours of the churches and other sites in Padua and Verona! lovely company with others on the tour! Tour manager Tessa was astonishingly efficient and helpful at every turn! Thank you! would have been nicer if the hotel had been more central
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-March-2019
1. Tessa as Tour Manager simply the best! Claire FW also excellent. 2. Hotel was too far out of Padua town centre: long walk before the day's visits started. Difficult to eat out on the free evening. 3. The two evening meals in the hotel were pretty average. 4. Decision to alter schedule so we saw Zan Zeno on day 1 was inspired. We wren sitting in the sun having lunch within an hour of landing! And it meant day 1 had some real content. 5. Although I am computer literate the complete absence of any pre-tour printed information was a minus.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-March-2019
A wonderful trip which quite came up to expectations . Clare Forde Wille was superb in spite of struggling with very little voice and gave two very interesting talks with excellent course notes. The hotel was adequate; not very central and the food was dull and uninspiring (in Italy!) and poorly cooked and presented. The rooms were clean, quiet and comfortable. This was a trip I had been wanting to do for ages and was not disappointed! .
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-March-2019
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-March-2019
Well planed and interesting tour.in friendly group. The lecture and host were excellent they put then selves out to take us to best places and help us Evening meals in hotel poor;.the breakfasts good. A holiday I will remember with pleasure . Thank you
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-March-2019
A most interesting trip and a marvellous opportunity to see the glorious art and architecture of Padua & Verona; visits to the abbey in Pomposa and Giardino Giusti in Verona an additional treat. Clare Ford-Wille superb as a lecturer & guide, and both she and Tessa excellent organisers and travel companions.
Review by Sadowski who travelled 28-March-2019
This was a brilliant trip, to wonderful cities and art. The hotel was little far from the centre but very comfortable and the tour guide, Clare Ford Wille and manager, Tessa Say, were excellent in their respective roles. The only downside was the food served by the hotel for two evening meals, which was mediocre at best. The breakfasts were very good however. This was my first Travel Editions Tour and I was delighted to have found it.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-March-2019
A more central hotel would have been more convenient, especially for the 'free' evening. Another company I use (MRT) gives lists of passengers and includes gratuities in the overall price, both of which practices I endorse.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-March-2019
An excellent experience in all aspects. I would thoroughly recommend this tour to anyone who wishes to know more about the early renaissance and fresco painting. Both leaders were excellent
Review by Pyatt who travelled 28-March-2019
All your art tours with Clare cannot go wrong She is the best. How could I have not mentioned the superb administration from Tessa, always with a smile.
Review by Goorney who travelled 28-March-2019
Clare was so good - really enjoyed it. Exhausting at times trying to take in all information but a great experience.
Review by Mrs Christine Marriott who travelled 14-March-2014
