Restoration in Italy
10 Days in Florence & Tuscany
Optional 4 day Extention to Sorrento & Amalfi Coast
October 23 - November 6, 2011

Saturday, October 23

Arrival in Florence

Transfer to the Hotel Brunelleschi, a four star luxury hotel in the heart of Florence’s historic center. Take the afternoon to relax, recoup, and recover from travel.  Program coordinators will be available for suggestions or take time to explore.

Sunday, October 24

Neighborhood Walk - 3:30pm    

Join fellow travelers in the afternoon for a neighborhood orientation tour.  Walk in the footsteps of great artists and historical figures who made Florence the glorious city of the Renaissance. Begin at what has been the political center of Florentine politics since the 14^th century, the Piazza della Signoria. The Piazza is a unique outdoor sculpture gallery, which commemorates events in the city’s history. Many of the figures are linked to the rise and fall of the Florentine Republic.

Welcome Reception & Dinner - 6:45pm

In the early evening gather for a program orientation and cocktail reception followed by a welcome dinner at the Hotel Brunelleschi in a Medieval Tower.

Monday, October 25

Private Uffizi Gallery and Vasari  Corridor - Morning 

Introductory led by Elaine Ruffolo in the Sala San Michele at the Hotel Brunelleschi. One of the world’s most important museums, the Uffizi Gallery was also one of the first in Europe to emerge in accordance with the modern idea of a museum. Two centuries before it was officially opened in 1765, the Gallery was in fact open to visitors on request. In 1591, writer Francesco Bocchi described it as “amongst the most supremely beautiful sights in the world filled with ancient statues, with noble paintings and extremely precious objects.” Artists such as Leonardo and Michelangelo gathered here for beauty, for work and for recreation. The Uffizi occupies the top floor of a u-shaped building on the front side of the Arno and was designed by Vasari in 1559 to hold the administrative offices of Medici Grand Duke Cosimo I.  Here the later Medici installed their art collections.  Restoration Journeys will enjoy private access to both the Uffizi and the Vasari corridor.

Enjoy a group lunch in the Oltrarno

Oltrarno: Backstreets of Florence – 3:00pm

Travel to the Oltrarno, a fascinating area to wander around and discover the true character of Florence.  While it preserves some signs of its ancient history, today this Florentine neighborhood is full of antique shops and artisan studios.  Begin by taking in the great view from Ponte Vecchio.  The only medieval bridge to have survived destruction during World War II, today Ponte Vecchio is famed for its jewelry shops, which are housed in shops built on and along the bridge itself.  Move on to the ancient church of Santa Felicita to the Capponi Chapel to view Pontormo’s Deposition, considered one of the greatest works of mannerist art.  Next continue to the beautiful church of Santo Spirito, designed by Brunelleschi in 1435.  A real treat awaits you at Santa Maria del Carmine in the Brancacci Chapel.  The magnificent frescoes of the Life of St. Peter, painted here by Masaccio, became the foundation for much subsequent Florenctine Renaissance art. 

Free for dinner on your own.

Tuesday, October 26

The Dawn of the Renaissance: Private visit to the Cathedral Complex - Morning

Walk to the Piazza del Duomo, the religious center of Florence, for a look into the city’s ecclesiastical history. In 1296 Arnolfo di Cambio was commissioned to build “the loftiest, most sumptuous edifice human invention could devise.” A symbol of the Florentine determination always to have the biggest and best, the Duomo was consecrated in 1436, and was the largest dome in the world. Today, it ranks fourth.

Uncover the fascinating history of the Piazza del Duomo. Learn about the heated contest for the Baptistry doors, the controversy raised by Brunelleschi’s plan for the cathedral and the role these two structures played in the history of the city. Climb up along the terraces for a closer look at the construction of the dome and the bell tower. End the morning with a visit the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo which houses the most important works which were once found in the Duomo and the Baptistry. The original Doors of Paradise by Ghiberti, many works by Della Robbia, Michelangelo’s last Pietà, Donatello’s Mary Magdalen .

Free for lunch on your own

Preserving History - 2:00pm  

Go inside the walls of the Fortezza da Basso, to see the most important state-run restoration laboratory. You will see how paintings and other art works are restored to their original splendor, learn about the latest advances in the science of restoration and hear stories about some of the most famous restoration projects. Get an up-close look at several pieces of art currently undergoing restoration with your guide conservator, Diane Kunzelman. Visit the Opifico delle Pietra dura to view the current sculpture restoration projects.  This tour is limited due to space in the restoration studio; please sign up early if you would like to attend this tour.

 OR

Specialties of Florence – 3:00pm

Visit with a local Florentine expert, antique shops, specialty shops, artisan’s ateliers and the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy.  Have a refreshing prosecco, a dry sparkling Italian wine, at Procacci on the famous Via Tornabuoni

Dinner in Local Trattoria - 8:00pm

Dine-around at typical Florentine trattorias in the center of Florence.

 Wednesday, October 27

Michelangelo and the Medici/Tuscany – 9:00am

Michelangelo Buonarroti was without a doubt one of the most inspirational and talented artists in modern history. One of the leading lights of the Italian Renaissance, his talents were prodigious; not only was he a superb painter, he was also a magnificent draftsman, sculptor, poet and architect. Join Elaine Ruffolo in the Sala San Michele at the Hotel Brunelleschi for an introductory talk on Michelangelo followed by a visit to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Tombs, Laurentian Library and the Chapel of the Princes. Finish the morning with a visit to the Accademia Museum to view Michelangelo’s David and Slaves.

Lunch on your own

Free afternoon in Florence

Contemporary Italy Dinner – 6:00pm

Lecture by New York University’s Director, David Travis on Contemporary Italy. Dinner followed in Baroque splendor at the Palazzo Borghese.

Thursday, October 28

Day Away: Rome or Venice

Optional Excursions to Rome or Venice with a guide available for additional fee; please contact our office for more information on pricing.

Rome:  Two excursions in Rome will be offered.  Ancient Rome will include a visit to the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and Capitoline Hill.  Papal Rome will include a visit to the St. Peters Basilica, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel.  Both tours will include lunch.

Venice:  Enjoy a day in beautiful Venice where cars are banned and the only way to get around is on foot or by boat in the canals and every shop has the Venetian made Murano Glass.  This tour will include a ride in a gondola and a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica.  Lunch will be on your own.

Or take the day for yourself!  Stay in Florence for the day or travel to another wonderful Italian location.  See program coordinators for suggestions.

Friday, October 29

Free day in Florence

Today is at leisure in Florence.  See program coordinators for suggestion on how to spend your free time.

Gala dinner at the Palazzo Corsini – 6:30pm

The Palazzo Corsini boasts one of the most important private art collections in Italy, as well as the most extravagant interior of all Florentine palaces.  The huge edifice was therefore used for entertaining and subsequently as a picture gallery.  The Corsini family was once among the wealthiest and most powerful in Italy.  It is said that they could travel from Florence to Rome without ever leaving their land. Spend the evening with Giorgiana Corsini and Livia Branca, who will lead you on a tour of this magnificent palazzo, including many rooms not open to the public. 

Saturday, October 30 

Siena: A Gothic Dream. 

Transfer to Siena - 8:30am

Visit the major monuments of Siena including the main piazza (known as the campo), the Cathedral, the Piccolomini library and the museum of the Cathedral.  At the end of the morning visit a local contrada and here about the history of the famous horse race known as the Palio.

Lunch at a local Sienese restaurant - 1:00 pm

Enjoy conversation and magnificent views over the campo. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure wandering through the shops and museums of Siena.

Check into the Hotel Continenetal in the heart of Siena.

Dinner on your own

Sunday, October 31

A Day in the Country:

Option 1: Chianti Vineyards

Spend the day visiting castles, villages, and vineyards in Chianti. Today will be devoted to exploring the region of Chianti.  The 17^th century poet Francesco Redi, was the first to note the virtues of “Florentine red” from Chianti, but since then the Italians have invested a lot of worry and time into defining exactly what Chianti means.  Some 800 farms and estates produce wine in the mere 70,000 hectares in the Chianti Classico zone.  Visit different wineries sampling the different labels, each striving to be unique with the different mixtures of grapes, different soils, and bottling methods.

The Antinori family owns large and productive estates all over Tuscany, producing a range of well-regarded wines, olive oils and liquers.  Travel to the Badia di Passignano, in the heart of the Chianti region and visit the vineyards and Castel of the Antinori family.  Enjoy lunch at the Antinori vineyard

Return to Siena in the late afternoon.

Option 2 Biking:

Explore some of the most unspoiled landscape in all of Italy. Leaving the busses and cars behind, venture off on bicycles alongside Marco Tornaghi of Ciclo Posse, to discover hamlets and farmhouses, and fortified villas and castles. Begin at the main square in Castellina in the Chianti region at the medieval fortress of Via delle Volte. Walk along the town’s passageways set into its high walls and glimpse through the narrow arrow slits for a view of the countryside. Bike downhill through vineyards, olive groves, past abandoned and renovated farmhouses as you make your way to the village of Poggibonsi. Then it is on to San Gimignano, the “city of beautiful towers,” and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Tuscany. Its stunning skyline bristles with tall 13th-century towers, and its unspoiled jumble of palazzi is filled with shops, galleries and jewelers. During the course of the day, you will find Tuscany will leave an indelible mark on your memory and perhaps, your soul.  Lunch is included.

Option 3: Southern Tuscany

Depart for the Hill towns of Southern Tuscany - 8:30am 

Pienza, unlike most Tuscan cities, which are of ancient origins, was created during the Renaissance under the influence of Pope Pius II (1405-1464), for whom the city is named.  The main piazza of the town is shaped of a trapezoid and is intended to give a sense of infinity.  Everything about the design of Pienza is intended to exalt reason and perspective, and also the pope who was the city’s patron.  We will tour of the city’s important architecture and piazza and sample the local production of pecorino and olive oil.

Montalcino

Continue to Montalcino, just west of Pienza. Montalcino is beautifully situated on a hill since Etruscan times, swathed in vineyards and olive groves; the walled village of Montalcino dominates the serene countryside. Montalcino, and the beautiful green hills that surround it, is the heartland of Brunello, considered by many to be the finest red wine in Italy. 

Wine tasting and farewell lunch at the famous Banfi estate, one of the most important Brunello producers in Italy. 

Sant’Antimo

After lunch drive a very short distance to the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, one of the finest Romanesque churches in Tuscany.  It originally formed part of a 9^th century Benedictine monastery founded, according to the legend, by Charlemagne himself.  The church is exquisite, with its elegant tower, rounded apse and alabaster capitals.    The experience of visiting Sant’Antimo is like stepping back into the Middle Ages.

Monday, November 1

Transfer to Sorrento

Enjoy a relaxing bus ride to Sorrento in Southern Italy.  We will stop for Lunch along the way.

OR

Transfer to Airport in Florence and have safe travels home!

Check into the Sorrento Hilton Palace.

This five star hotel is located overlooking the town of Sorrento with a beautiful view of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.  Take the evening to relax and/or explore Sorrento on your own.

Cocktail Reception

Dinner on your own.

Tuesday, November 2

Free day to explore Sorrento. 

Wednesday, November 3

History of the Campania Region & Pompeii – Morning

Optional Excursion - Afternoon

Thursday, November 4

Optional Excursion Day or Free day on your own.

Farewell Cocktail Reception & Dinner

Friday, November 5

Optional Excursion Day or Free day on your own.

Saturday, November 6

Transfer from Sorrento to Airport in Naples, Safe Travel Homes!

Excursions in Sorrento are all optional at an additional fee.

Three Tour Options Available from Sorrento

For more information and pricing, contact our office.

Option 1:  Explore the Island of Capri

Sail across the bay of Naples for an unforgettable day.  Visit the Capri town which is very chic with shops, hotels, and restaurants lying along winding streets.  Walk the side streets and alleyways to find shops selling handicrafts of the island, clothing, jewelry made of coral and god, shoes, and ceramics.  Travel to the other side of the island to see the famed Faraglioni Rocks and Marian Piccola where you can relax on a beach or take a swim.  There is so much to see and do on this tiny island paradise that you will be sorry to leave!

Option 2:  Amalfi Coastline Drive

The “Amalfi Drive” is said to be the most spectacular in Europe!  From Sorrento the winding cliff top road offers breathtaking views at every turn.  Stop in three of the coastline villages including Ravello which is nestled 1100 feet above sea level on the mountain side.  Here we will visit the Villa Rufolo which overlooks the coastline and provides a magnificent view that you will never forget!  Return to Sorrento along the highway.

Option 3:  Visit to Historic Pompeii

Take time to visit the infamous Pompeii.  Following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79AD, Pompeii was buried and forgotten for hundreds of years.  This town is high on the Wonders of the World list and the excavations that began in the 18^th century are still being carried out today.  Take time to wall through the ancient streets of Pompeii where you can see the baths, forums, and villas built by prosperous Romans in the year 80BC.  Marvel at the amazingly preserved frescoes and mosaics that adorn the walls and floors of the villas.  See first-hand ash molds of the people who were caught in the volcanoes eruption and their perfectly preserved pottery.  This is an archaeological site that you cannot miss!