Pre-cruise tour: Caravaggio
Caravaggio, Lombardy to Rome
17–20 September 2009 •
Led by Dr Helen Langdon •
Price £1500
Day 1, Milan, Caravaggio
Fly from London to Milan and drive out to the town of Caravaggio for an introductory walk. Stay overnight near Milan.
Day 2, Milan, Rome
A morning walk in Milan includes the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana to see Caravaggio’s ‘Still Life: basket of fruit’ and his ‘Supper at Emmaus’ in the Brera gallery. Travel by Eurostar train to Rome.
Note that participants are in the same Rome hotel, irrespective of the cabin category selected.
Day 3, Rome
In the morning visit the chapel with Caravaggio paintings in Sta Maria del Popolo, see his ‘Madonna di Loreto’ altarpiece in Sant’Agostino and the breathtaking St. Matthew cycle in San Luigi dei Francesi. More paintings by Caravaggio and his peers are seen in the Capitoline Museums. Overnight in Rome.
Day 4, Rome
The Pallazo Barberini holds several important works by Caravaggio, including Judith beheading Holofernes. In the evening join others for the concert and the private viewing at the Palazzo Doria-Pamphilj. Overnight in Rome.
Day 5, Rome
A selective tour of the Vatican and its museums includes Caravaggio’s Entombment of Christ, for long his most famous work, the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s Creation and Last Judgement, and Raphael’s stanze and loggie. In the afternoon transfer to the Galleria Borghese for the special opening. Drive to Civitavecchia and board the ship.
Price: this is quoted in conjunction with the cruise – see the prices page. It includes: air travel with British Airways flight, coach, rail (1st class), hotel, breakfasts, one lunch, two dinners with wine, admissions to museums, tips, taxes.
Hotels: Milan (1 night): a 4-star Belle Epoque style hotel in the city centre, 50 metres from the Duomo. Rome (3 nights): a delightful hotel in a 17th-century palazzo, in a wonderful location just off the Via Condotti at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.
How strenuous? There is a lot of walking on this tour as coach access in the city centres (particularly Rome) is restricted–it would not be suitable for those who have difficulty with everyday walking and stair–climbing. Average distance by coach per day: 24 miles
Small group: this tour will operate with between 10 and 22 participants.