The Treasures of Florence

Depart on foot for a walking tour through the Piazza della Signoria dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio, former Ducal Palace of the Medici Grand Dukes, and on past the Dante House Museum, built on the spot where, according to tradition, the famous poet was born. Continue past the unusual Church of Orsanmichele where we see the exterior of the church, covered in marble tabernacles supporting statues of the patron saints of the guilds of Florence. Visit the Convent of San Marco, famous for its frescoes by Fra Angelico who resided here as a Dominican monk. Visit the Magi Chapel in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi with its walls almost entirely covered by a famous cycle of frescoes by the Renaissance master Benozzo Gozzoli, painted in 1459-1461 for the Medici family.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Bargello Museum, which now accommodates the National Museum, part of which houses one of the richest and most impressive collections of Renaissance sculpture anywhere in the world. It is housed in the famous Palazzo del Podestà and contains minor works by Michelangelo, Donatello’s Saint George and David, and the celebrated panels presented by Brunelleschi and Ghiberti for the competition to design the Baptistery doors in 1401. Private visit to the Duomo after it has closed to the public (subject to confirmation). The style of the Cathedral, begun in 1296, is Romanesque-Gothic whereas the cupola is one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance, created by Filippo Brunelleschi between 1420 and 1436. The interior of the dome was frescoed by Vasari and Zuccari and depicts The Last Judgement. Return to the hotel. Dinner under own arrangements.

Depart on foot to visit the Accademia Gallery which houses Michelangelo’s renowned David and the Prisoners. Walk past the Hospital of the Innocents (Foundling Hospital) an architectural masterpiece designed by Brunelleschi. Visit to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, the Cathedral Museum, to see Michelangelo’s hauntingly beautiful Pietà.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Church of San Lorenzo, parish church of the Medici Family, built by Brunelleschi and burial place of all the principal members of the family from Cosimo il Vecchio to Cosimo III. It houses important works of art such as Donatello’s pulpits and paintings by Rosso Fiorentino, Bronzino and Annigoni. Visit the Medici Chapels within the Church of San Lorenzo, the New Sacristy by Michelangelo, who also designed the Medici tombs and statuary within it, and the octagonal Chapel of the Princes, surmounted by a frescoed cupola and lavishly decorated with coloured stone and marble. Dinner under own arrangements.

Depart on foot for a visit to the Gothic Church of Santa Maria Novella which houses extraordinary works of art including Masaccio’s Trinità, Ghirlandaio’s fresco cycle in the Tornabuoni Chapel and Giotto’s Crucifix. Continue to the Church of Santa Trinita which was commissioned by Vallombrosan Benedictine monks in the middle of the 11th century and subsequently patronized by many of Florence’s wealthiest families; as a result, it was rebuilt many times and is extremely rich in art work. Walk across the river to the Brancacci Chapel at Santa Maria del Carmine, to see the exquisite 15th century frescos. Though damaged when the main church was destroyed by fire, they have been restored to their former glory and are now considered one of the seminal works of the early Renaissance.

Private lunch at Palazzo Torrigiani by kind arrangement with Marchesa Elena Torrigiani. Visit the garden which is one of the largest gardens located within the city walls. It fully expresses the aesthetic and philosophical ideal of the English garden that developed in Europe during the 18th century and began to spread through Italy near the end of the century. Remainder of afternoon at leisure. Optional visit to the Uffizi Gallery Uffizi, designed by Giorgio Vasari for Cosimo I dei Medici to serve as government offices (‘uffizi’), but now world-famous for its superb art collection including the famous Florentine Renaissance artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Check-out of the hotel and group transfer to Florence airport. Suggested flight (not included in the cost of the tour) British Airways BA 525 departing Florence at 12.25 hrs arriving London Heathrow at 13.50 hrs.