RELIVING THE RENAISSANCE

After breakfast meet your private guide in your hotel lobby and enjoy a full-day tour of one of Italy’s best-loved cultural capitals.

This Tuscan pearl has very few serious rivals: it’s in a class of its own. Priceless art, stunning architecture, gripping history, exquisite craftsmanship, delectable gastronomy, world-acclaimed fashion… a truly eclectic mix of human achievement. Florence offers the visitor a vast range of unique experiences and the avenues to explore are endless. This private walking tour aims to introduce you to some of the celebrated highlights of the Cradle of the Renaissance and provide insight into why the period’s greatest works of creative genius and artistic mastery took root and flourished on this very spot, turning Florence into such a spectacular jewel.

Built as a military settlement by the Romans in the 1st century BC, the ancient Florentia blossomed in the Middle Ages and reached the peak of its splendour under the rule of the prominent Medici family, when it became an unrivalled artistic and cultural centre. Your guide will unravel the trail through the alleys of this enchanting city, revealing its precious fabric and animating the route with stories and anecdotes about Florentine celebrities. Power-mad lords, headstrong artists and a host of other fascinating characters will make their appearance in the colourful canvas that unfolds before your eyes.

Make your way to Piazza del Duomo, the city’s religious heart, to admire three striking monuments: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s best-known landmark and an astonishing feat of engineering; Giotto’s Bell Tower, a fine example of Gothic architecture; the Baptistery, the city’s oldest religious site where poet Dante Alighieri himself was baptized. As you lap up views of the square, you will discover how architect Filippo Brunelleschi, back in the 15th century, built the largest masonry dome still in existence and hear about the competition for the creation of a bronze door that, according to tradition, marked the beginning of the Renaissance era in 1401.

You will then reach Piazza della Signoria dominated by the towering Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of political power and intrigue for over seven hundred years. Here, in the out-door sculpture gallery of the Loggia dei Lanzi, you will come face to face with Greek heroes Hercules and Perseus, brought vividly to life on the cusp of their triumphs by Giambologna and Benvenuto Cellini.

Your quest for Florentine attractions will also include the superbly decorated exterior of the Church of Orsanmichele and the 14th century Ponte Vecchio, world-famous for its goldsmiths and jewellery shops… And don’t forget to rub the boar’s snout in the Porcellino market for good luck as well as to ensure your return trip to Florence!

After some free time for lunch it’s time to discover Florence’s most cherished artworks on a tour of the Uffizi Gallery. Your guide will lead you through the halls and highlight the masterpieces no visitor to the city should ever miss. The treasure trove you see today originated over four hundred years ago as the Grand Duchy’s administrative centre having been built at the request of Cosimo I de’ Medici to house the Florentine magistrates’ judiciary offices – called uffizi in old Italian. Construction work began in 1560 under the direction of architect Giorgio Vasari and was completed by Bernardo Buontalenti in 1574. Only 7 years later, in 1581, Francesco I de’ Medici, Cosimo’s son, set up his private gallery inside the building’s rooftop loggia adorning it with all sorts of precious artefacts, including cameos, stones, jewellery, bronzes, scientific instruments, paintings and statues. As time passed the Medici family’s collection was enriched until it was eventually bequeathed to the city of Florence by the last member of the dynasty, Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, in 1743. The gallery first opened to the public in 1769 and has delighted visitors ever since with its vast store of wonders.

Where else in the world could you find such a dazzling, prestigious collection of Renaissance marvels? Over sixty rooms display stunning works of art from the 12th to the 16th centuries, including classic paintings by well-loved artists Cimabue, Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. Your guide will treat you to the insider information you need to appreciate the significance of the pieces on display and the circumstances in which they were produced and commissioned. Who could resist the charms of Botticelli’s Venus emerging from her shell, as pure and perfect as a pearl? The grace of Leonardo’s Gabriel announcing the glad tidings and the thrill of meeting an illustrious Italian couple, immortalised in Piero della Francesca’s finely rendered portraits are among the lasting Florentine memories you will take away with you.

The last stop on this tour will bring you to the impressive Basilica of Santa Croce, one of the largest Franciscan churches in the world. Attributed to the genius of Arnolfo di Cambio, who probably began work in 1294, this splendid church is also one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture. Over the centuries several notable Florentine families acquired patronage of the basilica’s chapels, thus incurring the responsibility of embellishing and furnishing its walls. Not to be missed are the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels decorated by master Giotto, Taddeo Gaddi’s magnificent frescoes in the Baroncelli chapel, the Pazzi chapel designed by Brunelleschi and a wooden Crucifix by Donatello. Highlights also include the funerary monuments of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and Rossini as this very spot is the burial place for the great and good.

After the tour spend the rest of the day at leisure.

World-renowned as a centre of excellence for the production of the finest quality hand-made goods, Florence is home to a thriving, age-old arts and crafts scene. Don’t miss the chance to encounter some of the city’s contemporary masters on this inspiring artisan expedition. Your assistant will meet you at your accommodation, accompany you to a paper bottega, a leather school and a perfume boutique and entertain you with fascinating stories about the protagonists of Florence’s creative craft world.

You begin your day with a leisurely stroll to a historical paper shop located in the Oltrarno district. Founded in 1856 as a bookbinder, this bottega began practising the art of paper marbling in the early 20th century. After an explanation of the art of marbling and a technical demonstration, you will participate in a hands-on workshop and learn how to make your own marbled paper. As you will have the chance to discover, part of the appeal of paper marbling is that no two pieces are ever exactly the same. By floating colour on an aqueous surface and then carefully transferring the marble-like pattern onto absorbent paper, you will turn out a truly exclusive work of art and feel the excitement of mastering a technique that dates back centuries.

Tucked away in a wing of the complex of Santa Croce lies the prestigious Leather School where, since the 1950s, generations of artisans have learned to create top class leather goods. The school was founded after World War II with the aim of providing orphans of war with the opportunity to learn a profession and revive ancient traditions and production methods following the destruction caused by the conflict. Today, in this one of a kind setting, time-honoured techniques continue to be taught and practised, allowing students to acquire the knowledge and expertise needed to fashion a range of leather products, including handbags, book covers, frames and belts. Escorted by a member of staff, you will enjoy a tour of the premises, gain an overview of the history of leather craftsmanship in Florence, discover the different skills and materials used and attend a demonstration of leather gilding.

After some free time for lunch the last stop on this tour will bring you to a perfume boutique. Here, you will participate in a workshop and enjoy a sensory journey into the world of artistic perfumery. A master profumiere will open the shutters of his treasure chest and share his secrets with you. More than 1,500 rare extracts and valuable raw materials are carefully preserved on the shelves of the boutique’s precious olfactory library. Learn about the variety of fragrances – from floral and fruity, to citrus-like and exotic – and how their different combinations generate an extraordinary array of scented elixirs. Under the master’s guidance, select the essences for a personalised scent, calling on your own senses to concoct a unique signature perfume. A 100 ml bottle of perfume created during the workshop, along with its exclusive formula and your newly acquired olfactory awareness, are among the cherished souvenirs you will take back home.

After the workshop spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Savour Tuscany’s irresistible sights, scents and flavours on an unforgettable excursion to the countryside from Florence. Inside a Renaissance villa, set in the peaceful Chianti hills, you will participate in a cooking lesson and prepare a delicious meal with fresh, prime quality ingredients. You will also learn all about one of the world’s most popular wines on a visit to a highly esteemed estate.

You may not know that the word Chianti originates from the Latin term clangor meaning “clamour”, which refers to the noise produced by the blasts of trumpets, rolling drums and clashing swords that resonated throughout the countless battles that shook the area. As a border territory between the two rival cities of Florence and Siena, Chianti often found itself at the centre of tumultuous events and was far from being the peaceful Eden you can admire today!

Beautiful landscapes, charming towns and fine red wines have made Chianti a must-see for visitors to Tuscany. The region boasts an age-old tradition of vine cultivation that dates back to Etruscan times but it was only in 1716 that Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de’ Medici officially defined the boundaries of the Chianti wine area. Today, a true Chianti must contain at least 80% Sangiovese grapes and can be recognised by its distinctive label, the black rooster – a symbol steeped in a curious legend. Florence and Siena agreed to put an end to their long quarrel over the borders of their territories by each sending out a knight on horseback when the rooster crowed, at daybreak on a given date. The place they met would become the new border between them. The two cities both did their best to outwit their rival. In Siena, the white rooster was treated to a lavish meal in the hope that a full stomach would produce a vigorous morning crow, while in Florence, the black rooster was left hungry so that it would rise earlier, allowing their knight a head start. The latter strategy proved to be the right one for the Florentine knight set off long before his opposite number in Siena and successfully claimed most of Chianti for Florence. Since then the black rooster has been the emblem of the region.

Your private chauffeur will meet you at your accommodation and drive you to a splendid country villa where you will enjoy a hands-on cooking experience. In a comfortable, intimate setting, under the guidance of a friendly instructor, you will pick up culinary tips, put some infallible cooking techniques to the test and learn how to make nutritious, mouth-watering dishes. Recipes are deliberately kept simple and easy to recreate so as to encourage rising chefs to practise their newly acquired skills once they return home.

After lunch a short drive will bring you to a renowned Chianti wine estate. Here, on a tour of the property led by a qualified member of staff, you will get to know about wine-making and ageing methods, become familiar with the particular features and regulations that define Chianti Classico and discover the unique characteristics of the terroir and climate that make wines produced here so special. Top off your day with a tasting of the estate’s wines and a toast… cheers to Chianti!

In the afternoon your private chauffeur will drive you back to your accommodation in Florence.

“….nor has there ever been seen a pose so easy, or any grace to equal that in this work, or feet, hands and head so well in accord, one member with another, in harmony, design, and excellence of artistry. And, of a truth, whoever has seen this work need not trouble to see any other work executed in sculpture, either in our own or in other times, by no matter what craftsman”. With these words Italian artist Giorgio Vasari paid homage to Michelangelo’s David in 1550, praising the superb workmanship of his enduring triumph. Find out more about the exceptional life, extraordinary career and priceless artistic legacy of one of history’s incomparable masters on this half-day walking tour.

Born in 1475, Michelangelo is widely known both as the leading light of the Renaissance and the world’s all time greatest artist. His remarkable achievements in the fields of sculpture, painting and architecture were to wield an unparalleled influence on the evolution of Western art. His works masterfully blend exquisite craftsmanship, emotional depth and physical realism that still today, almost five hundred years after their completion, continue to astound, to impress and to profoundly move onlookers. “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it,” declared the master as he freed his creations from the blocks of marble that imprisoned them.

Michelangelo was only 26 years old when he was commissioned with the creation of a sculpture originally intended to adorn the buttresses of the cathedral. When his celebrated statue of David was unveiled in 1504, it became clear that the grandeur and intensity of the hero demanded the more prestigious setting of Piazza della Signoria where a copy stands today. Housed inside the Accademia Gallery since 1873, this colossal 5.17 metre marble wonder embodies the Renaissance criteria of perfection and was immediately reputed by the artist’s contemporaries to be a symbol of strength and heroism – an emblem of the city of Florence itself. Your guide will lead you through the museum’s halls and throw light on the artist’s sculptures exhibited here, including the unfinished Prisoners and his statue of Saint Matthew.

After browsing the gallery, make your way to the New Sacristy of the Basilica of San Lorenzo where the funerary monuments of notable members of the Medici family are kept. Between 1521 and 1534 Michelangelo designed the structure, devised the sophisticated underlying symbolism of the chapel and created some of its most magnificent sculptures. These include the allegorical figures of Day, Night, Dusk and Dawn and the statues of Duke of Urbino Lorenzo and Duke of Nemours Giuliano. Here you will gain an understanding of the prime role played by the Medici patrons in the development of Michelangelo’s artistic career and the pre-eminence of the New Sacristy among the great accomplishments of Renaissance sculpture and architecture.

The last stop will lead you to the 14th century Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, a splendid example of Gothic architecture in Tuscany and a true treasure trove of wonders. The interior and cloister are filled with extraordinary artworks by early Renaissance masters. Highlights include Giotto’s Crucifix, a skilful depiction of a human body; Masaccio’s Trinity, considered to be the first painting ever to display a scientific approach to perspective and space; the Tornabuoni chapel decorated with brightly coloured Scenes from the Life of the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist by Ghirlandaio.

After the tour spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

In the evening a Michelin star dinner will be served at one of Florence’s finest restaurants, set in a magnificent 18th century palazzo.

After breakfast and check out, which will take place before 10:00 or 11:00 AM, meet your private driver outside your hotel and head for the airport, train station or your next travel destination.