York Association of the National Trust
Florence
YANT Holiday Archives 2017
Holidays Organiser: Peter Drew 01904 702285 holidays@yant.org.uk
Other 2017 Holidays
Florence & Veneto
18th - 24th February, 2017
Florence
Venice
Boat ride, Venice Canal
Venice Carnival
Pisa
Padua
Verona
Holiday Review: Florence & Veneto
18th - 24th February, 2017
Nineteen of us set off from York with our tour guide Michael Gill. Straight off the flight to Pisa we headed for the Duomo area. It looked stunning in the late afternoon sunlight. Four intrepid members of the group headed straight for the leaning tower and after a tough climb were rewarded with wonderful views across the city. Then on to Florence for two days of wonderful architecture and art in lovely weather. A lovely C19th hotel not far from the centre was our venue –all wood and painted ceilings. It was such a contrast to the second hotel- the usual modern block on a busy road.
Our first full day involved four museums, the largest being the Uffizi with all its wonderful paintings. Our excellent Italian guide pointed out the highlights as we fought our way through crowds of Chinese tourists taking selfies! The most moving part of the day was the Accademia Gallery which houses Michelangelo’s stunning sculpture of David. We approached it from one end of a long room which made it so imposing. The next day there was the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio, residence of the infamous Medici family. Again the most intrepid were rewarded with lovely views from the tower after a stiff climb. To end the day we visited the church of Santa Croce with its tombs of Rossini, Michelangelo, Dante and Galileo. Such amazing people all buried in one church!
On to Padua by high speed train-a new experience for some and slightly disappointing as the early part of the journey was through tunnels so no good views. When we emerged the weather had changed to cold and misty where it stayed for the rest of our trip but luckily no rain! A short trip around Padua ending with the stunning Scrovegni Chapel one of the artistic wonders of the Renaissance with its frescos by Giotto completed in 1305! In Vincenza we visited the Villa Rotunda. Built in 1570 it was revolutionary in its day and very influential on architecture coming after it. Perched on a hill it is a majestic sight .We saw real ‘tourism’ when we visited Juliette’s balcony in Verona, very popular with the young and would be in love!
Our trip finished with a day in Venice. Despite the weather it was exciting as the carnival was on and there were lots of masked people in fabulous costumes walking around to be admired and photographed.We travelled the lengh of the Grand Canal with all its wonderful buildings. Some of us squeezed in a tour of La Fenice the opera house –beautifully restored after its latest fire.
Then time to fly home, tired but having had a thrilling few days in a wonderful country. Our Italian guides were informative and spoke excellent English. Michael Gill coped with us all very well and Peter Drew our home grown tour leader was endlessly patient. They helped make the trip really enjoyable as did our fellow travellers!
Gill Jones
Holiday Itinerary: Florence & Veneto
18th - 24th February, 2017
Day 1 – Saturday 18 February 2017
We depart by coach this morning from York and transfer to Manchester Airport in time to check in for our flight to Pisa. On arrival we are met by our local coach and guide and transfer to the centre of Pisa where we visit the famous Leaning Tower as well as the Cathedral for which the tower is the campanile or bell tower. We then continue to our 4-star centrally located hotel in Florence. In the evening we enjoy a welcome drink followed by dinner.
Day 2 – Sunday 19 February 2017
After breakfast we begin our exploration of Florence with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery. The marvellous collection here spans over 600 years and includes works by Lippi, Cimbue, Duccio, Giotto, Leonardo and several works by Botticelli, including his Birth of Venus, Primavera and Madonna. We continue to the Church of Santa Croce, which is truly unique, not only for the purity of the Gothic style, but also for the famous works of art it contains and its historical importance. We follow this with a visit to the Accademia Gallery. This is among the finest of Florence museums thanks to the high quality of some of its exhibits, among them Michelangelo's celebrated David. Dinner is served in the hotel.
Day 3 – Monday 20 February 2017
After breakfast we continue our exploration of Florence with visits to the Palazzo Pitti, a Rennaissance palace which is now the largest museum complex in the city; Palazzo Vecchio, a former residence of the Medici family, and the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, one of the oldest buildings in Florence, dating back to 1255, which today is the setting for works of sculpture and examples of decorative arts. Dinner in the hotel.
Day 4 – Tuesday 21 February 2017
Following breakfast we check out of the hotel and transfer to the railway station and take a high-speed train direct to Padua. On arrival we are met by our local coach and guide and depart on a sightseeing tour of Padua, an historic and lively university town, and visit the Scrovegni Chapel, one of the artistic wonders of the Renaissance world. Also known as the Arena Chapel, it contains a rich and elaborate fresco that is universally considered Giotto di Bondone’s masterpiece, a complex and emotional narrative on the lives of Mary and Jesus. We then transfer to our 4-star centrally located hotel. Dinner is served in the hotel.
Day 5 – Wednesday 22 February 2017
After breakfast we depart for a visit to Verona where we will see the Roman Arena di Verona (exterior only) and the Juliet House, with its famous balcony overlooking the courtyard. Given that Shakespeare never visited Verona and his characters Romeo and Juliet are entirely fictional, this is of course not the actual house of Juliet but nevertheless it is a genuine 13th century building, with a very photogenic balcony, which has become inextricably linked with the ‘star-crossed lovers’ of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy.
We then visit the Villa Valmarana, an outstanding architectural and artistic site belonging to the Valmarana family taking its name from the statues of dwarves (nani) which decorate its garden wall. The Villa’s surroundings are designed to suite different tastes and functional needs, ranging from an Italian garden with dovecote and the well, the walk through the hornbeam and the pagoda in the woods.
From here a short walk (500 yards approx.) along a leafy lane takes us the Palladian Masterpiece, Villa Rotonda, which was designed by Andrea Palladio around 1570 and became one of the most recognisable buildings of the Renaissance. Situated on the top of a hill just outside the town of Vicenza, the Villa Capra is called the Villa Rotonda, because of its completely symmetrical plan with a central circular hall. The interior was designed for elegant entertainment and is lavishly decorated with stucco and frescoes. We return to our hotel for dinner.
Day 6 – Thursday 23 February 2017
Following breakfast we depart on a day trip to Venice, travelling by coach to Tronchetto. From here a water taxi will take us on a canal trip along the Grand Canal – within minutes we will find ourselves sailing past some of the most iconic sights in Italy such as the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge and the Ca’ d’Oro. Thereafter we will be free to explore Venice at leisure. As our visit coincides with the Venice Carnival and one of the masked costume contests is scheduled to take place today, the streets will be very crowded and access to places such as St Marks’ Basilica may be limited, however there will be very colourful scenes to add to the unique atmosphere of the city. We return by coach to the hotel, where dinner is served in the evening.
Day 7 – Friday 24 February 2017
After breakfast we transfer to Venice Marco Polo airport for our flight back to Manchester and return by coach to York.
Included in the price
- Three nights Florence and three nights Padua.
- Visit to the Leaning Tower and Cathedral, Pisa.
- Two full day sightseeing tours of Florence including visits to the Uffizi Gallery, Church of Santa Croce, Accademia Gallery, Pitti Palace, Palazzo Vecchio and Museo Nazionale del Bargello;
- Sightseeing tour of Padua including the Scrovegni Chapel;
- Sightseeing tour of Verona including the Juliet House;
- Visits to the Villas Rotonda and Valmarana;
- Full day excursion to Venice including boat trip on the Grand Canal.
- Service of a Brightwater Holidays tour manager
Not included (per person)
- Single Occupancy Supplement
- Insurance