Outline itineraries for tours to Italy Italy: Florence Florence We use several hotels in Florence, depending on individual availability. The hotel that we use most frequently is the three star Hotel Byron. The central location is extremely convenient for all of the excursions in Florence, with the Duomo and Ponte Vechio only fi fteen minutes walk away. The beautiful River Arno lies only ten minutes away and is crossed frequently to get to and from our restaurant. The hotel itself is modern and clean, with accommodation in 2,3 and 4 bedded rooms. Each room has en-suite Michelangelo’s - “David” Boboli Gardens facilities, a TV, hairdryer and telephone. They are all serviced daily and security is provided by the 24 hour concierge at reception. There is a pleasant lounge and bar area where participants can meet in the Day 2 evening, as well as an excellent choice of cafes and restaurants nearby for After breakfast we will transfer to the The Uffi zi Museum. This museum participants to sample the local ciabatta sandwiches with an espresso. contains the fi nest collection of art in Italy, and ranks with the Prado and The staff are extremely warm and helpful and we have found this hotel to the Louvre as one of the greatest art galleries in the world. The Uffi zi has provide a very comfortable and convenient base for our group study visits been arranged into periods or schools in order to show the development to Florence. and progress of the Italian art movement. Later parts of the collection include works by European masters in general. Pupils will enjoy a guided We ask parents to supply a packed lunch for the outward journey. A full tour of this museum that will include the famous Botticelli rooms. The continental buffet breakfast is taken in the hotel. afternoon will be spent at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, where pupils will have a contrasting view of some of Italy’s painters and sculptors from this Prior to departures, participants are invited to make up their own century. During the early evening pupils will enjoy recreational activities baguettes for lunch. They have a free choice of fi llings from a buffet bar. which may include a swim in one of the city’s open-air swimming pools. This includes a variety of meats, cheeses, salads and fruits. Our popular lunches are supplemented by a variety of cakes, crisps, biscuits and drinks. Day 3 The evening meals are a time for participants to experience authentic The morning will be spent at The Academy Gallery. This houses a Italian food in several restaurants that we have researched all over the city. collection of fi ne Renaissance paintings by artists such as Ghirlandaio, The restaurant that we use most frequently is ‘La Grotta di Leo’ - a busy the Lippi and Bronzino. The paintings are, however, overshadowed by and lively restaurant that is a popular haunt for locals. Pupils will have a the sculpture gallery, which contains many of Michelangelo’s works. The choice of many typical Italian dishes including risotto dishes, a wide choice Unfi nished Prisoners, designed for the tomb of Giulio II, form an avenue of traditional crusty pizzas, canelloni, lasagne, pesto dishes and salads. leading to the ‘David’, his masterpiece. The afternoon will be spent at The Water will be served with the meals and pupils can enjoy a dessert such as Vecchio Palace. Dating from the late 13th Century, the ‘Old Palace’ was ice-cream, tiramisu or coffee. This restaurant has proved to be immensely home to the ruling Medici family. Pupils will visit the famous ‘Hall of the popular with our groups and has been fl exible enough to cope with all 500’, fi lled with frescoes and sculpture, including Michelangelo’s ‘Victory’ dietary requirements. at the entrance. The tour will end with the salons and the torture chambers.

Outline itinerary for suggested fi ve day study visit to Day 4 Florence. After breakfast we will transfer to the Boboli Gardens and the Pitti Palace. These gardens were laid out for the Medici Family after they bought Day 1 the Pitti Place in 1549. They provide an excellent example of stylised Morning fl ight to either Pisa or to Milan and onward rail transfer to Renaissance gardening and offer a magnifi cent biew over the Duomo Florence. We plan to arrive in Florence by late afternoon. On arrival, and the valley below. During the afternoon we will visit the area and participants will enjoy an introductory walking tour of Florence that will magnifi cent gothic church of Santa Croce, which contains the tombs of include the following sights: Giotto’s Bell Tower. Reputedly the ugliest man many famous Florentines such as Michelangelo and Galileo. Pupils will ever to have walked the streets of Florence, Giotto spent the last three years view some of the radiant frescoes of Giotto and Gaddi, painted in the 14th of his life designing this, the most beautiful bell tower in Europe. We will Century. On Sundays, many groups enjoy exploring the International climb the 274 ft. tower to enjoy a panorama of the city, the enveloping Market in the Piazza Santa Croce, which offers samples of foods, drinks hills and the Medici Villas. The Duomo, built by Brunelleschi. Florence’s and crafts from all over the world. dome and cathedral were started in 1296. The Tour Director will give a guided tour of the interior of the cathedral, including Donatello’s stained Day 5 glass windows, before admiring the geometrically patterned marble on the We will walk through the Piazza Della Signoria -one of the most beautiful exterior of the building. The Ponte Vecchio. This is the oldest bridge to have squares in Italy- to get to the Pitti Palace on the left bank of the Arno. survived the destruction of the Nazis on their retreat from the city. Pupils Particularly famous for its collection of Raphaels, this palace actually will have free time to explore the boutiques on the bridge and many pupils contains several smaller museums- the Galleria Palatina, the repository of enjoy sketching the magnifi cent view over the ancient brown roofs and the Old Masters, The Appartamenti Monumentali and The Museo degli River Arno at sunset. Argenti, 16 rooms devoted to displays of ‘loot’ acquired by the Medici dukes. Pupils will have some shopping time in one of Florence’s piazzas before transferring to the airport for our return journey.

14 For further information on any aspect of our tours call 08444 930 631 • email [email protected] • www.travelpack.com/set