Frescoes in Florence Tour

Join us in the beautiful city of Florence for an extraordinary exhibition, 'Angelico'. The exhibition is split between the Palazzo Strozzi and Museo de San Marco, and is a celebration of one of the founding fathers of Renaissance art in Florence, exploring the production, development and influence of Fra Angelico's works. This is your chance to see restored masterpieces reunited for the first time in over 200 years, with pieces loaned from museums and art galleries from around the world, for a limited time. As well as this first major exhibition in Florence dedicated to Fra Angelico in over 70 years, we tour the churches and palazzo of Florence to view the most stunning frescoes, all in the company of art historian Clare Ford-Wille whose knowledge and passion will bring the art to life.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Pisa to Florence
Fly from London Gatwick to Pisa. On arrival transfer to Florence for check-in to our hotel. This evening there will be a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel. 

Day 2: Palazzo, a convent, and Santa Maria Novella
Full day to view some of most beautiful frescoes of the Renaissance city of Florence. We start at Palazzo Davanzati, dating from the 14th-century, which showcases medieval and Renaissance life with its frescoed rooms and period furnishings. Then visit the Convent of Sant’ Apollonia, renowned for Andrea del Castagno's fresco of the Last Supper; and the Tornabuoni Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, where we view the magnificent fresco cycle by Domenico Ghirlandaio. These 15th century frescoes depict the lives of the Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence. We finish our tour at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi where the vaulted ceiling of the Mirror Gallery was frescoed by the major Baroque painter of the time, Luca Giordano. Evening talk from Clare: ‘Florence in the time of Fra Angelico’.

Day 3: Fra Angelico Exhibitions
Today is devoted to the Fra Angelico exhibitions as we visit Palazzo Strozzi and Museo de San Marco. Evening talk from Clare: ‘15^th Century Florentine Frescoes’, then dinner at the hotel.

Day 4: Brancacci Chapel, Santa Trinita, and Santa Croce
Morning visit to the Brancacci Chapel within the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. It is often called the Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance due to its impressive cycle of frescoes that Michaelangelo copied while receiving his artistic training. We also visit Santa Trinita which features many frescoes, mosaics and statues, including the Sassetti Chapel with beautiful frescoes of ‘Stories of St Francis’. Afternoon visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in the world, where illustrious figures such as Galileo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli are buried.

Day 5: San Miniato al Monte, Fiesole, then return to Pisa
Morning visit to San Miniato al Monte, a beautiful Romanesque Basilica decorated with frescoes and a 13^th century golden mosaic depicting Christ Pantocrator. Next drive to the lovely village of Fiesole, up in the hills to the north of Florence. Fiesole offers wonderful views of the city below as well as works by Fra Angelico at the Monastery of San Domenico. Afternoon transfer to Pisa for flight to London Gatwick.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers.

Tour Grading: This tour has been graded moderate due to the amount of time spent walking and standing for viewing at attractions. Please visit the mobility page of our website, or call our team for further information prior to booking.

INCLUDED

• Return flights from London Gatwick to Pisa
• Four nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel de la Ville, Florence, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Two dinners with wine 
• Two lectures at the hotel
• Transfers, tours and entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Clare Ford-Wille throughout
• Tour manager throughout
  
  

NOT INCLUDED

• Double for sole use supplement - £416
• Holiday insurance 
• Meals other than those stated 
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc 
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Hotel De La Ville, Florence 

Located in the historic centre of Florence the hotel is housed within two buildings, one of which was built around 1460 with important graffiti on the facade which is still visible today and created by Andrea di Cosimo Feltrini in 1579. The hotel is very warm and charming and offers a bar with lounge for an aperitif or snack. Bedrooms are comfortable with a classic design and Florentine style. They offer en-suite bathrooms, TV, telephone, wifi, safe, air-conditioning, minibar and hairdryer. 

Hotel De La Ville Website

MORE INFO 

Your expert lecturer – Clare Ford-Wille

Clare has lectured in most areas of art history for over thirty-five years. She still teaches at the University of London, where she obtained her degree at Birkbeck, but also lectures regularly for Morley College, the City Literary Institue, the Victoria and Albert Museum and NADFAS societies throughout Britain, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Every year since 1978 Clare has led art study tours to places of artistic importance throughout Europe and the USA, including Amsterdam, Padova and Vicenza. Clare has led tours for us for many years now and her tours are packed full of historic and artistic appreciation, illuminated by her vast experience and enthusiasm for her subject.