Art Pursuits - Renaissance Florence

Art Pursuits Study Tour Programme

Renaissance Florence

10-16 November 2008

Day 1	Morning flight with BA from London Gatwick to Pisa. Transfer to Florence by private coach. Introductory walk through the Piazza della Signoria, a unique outdoor sculpture gallery, followed by dinner in a nearby restaurant.
Day 2	In the morning visit the Duomo, with Brunelleschi’s spectacular dome, and the Baptistery, followed by a visit to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, featuring Ghiberti’s original panels from the Baptistery’s ‘Gates of Paradise’, as well as works by Donatello and Michelangelo. After lunch explore San Lorenzo, the Medici parish church by Brunelleschi, with outstanding works by Michelangelo in the New Sacristy. Dinner in a restaurant near the hotel.
Day 3	Morning visit to the Bargello, to see its superb collection of Florentine Renaissance sculpture, and to the great Franciscan church of Santa Croce. After lunch (independent) visit the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s controversial David. Independent dinner.
Day 4	In the morning explore the Dominican friary of San Marco with frescoes and panel paintings by Fra Angelico. Continue to Palazzo Medici, family home and powerhouse, with the enchanting frescoes of the Procession of the Magi by Benozzo Gozzoli. By coach to the village of Arcetri for a Tuscan lunch (included), followed by a visit to the enchanting mediaeval church of San Miniato, with a magnificent view of the city. Independent dinner.
Day 5	Morning visit to the Uffizi, studying its unrivalled collection of Florentine Renaissance pictures, including works by Piero della Francesca, Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael. Free afternoon and independent dinner.
Day 6	In the morning visit Brunelleschi’s exquisite church of Santo Spirito and the Brancacci Chapel at Santa Maria del Carmine with outstanding frescoes by Masaccio and Masolino. After lunch (independent) we will explore the Dominican complex of Santa Maria Novella with Masaccio’s monumental Trinity, then continue to Alberti’s Palazzo Rucellai, before concluding at S.Trinita with Ghirlandaio’s frescoes in the Sassetti Chapel. Dinner at a restaurant near the hotel.
Day 7	Coach to Poggio a Caiano to see the remarkable early Renaissance Villa Medici built for Lorenzo the Magnificent, then on to Artimino and a 16th-century Villa Medici. After lunch at the villa (included) continue to Pisa for our late afternoon flight with BA to London Gatwick, arriving at 18:55.