Private Palaces & Villas of Florence for the ICAA - Defence, humanism, magnificence & beauty

Day 1

Independent arrivals to Florence. Meet at the Hotel Savoy. In the afternoon, visit the Palazzo Vecchio, a sturdy fortress at the civic heart of the city with outstanding interiors and lavish frescoes by Ghirlandaio in the sala dei gigli and by Bronzino in the Chapel of Eleanor of Toledo. Continue to the 16th-century Palazzo Lanfredini, with handsome sgraffiti on the façade and home to the British Institute where the Director hosts a talk and drinks reception. First of five nights at the Hotel Savoy.

Day 2

In the morning visit Palazzo Davanzati, built in the second half of the 14th century in one of the oldest quarters of Florence. See Palazzo Strozzi, a late 15th-century construction of formidable proportions. Palazzo Rucellai demonstrates the introduction of Greek and Roman features to Florentine palaces in the 1440s by Leon Battista Alberti. After some free time for lunch, there is a private visit to Palazzo Budini Gattai, designed by Renaissance architect and sculptor Bartolomeo Ammannati.

Day 3

The Bargello, a mediaeval palazzo, houses Florence’s finest sculpture collection with works by Donatello, Verrocchio and Michelangelo. Private visit to Palazzo Marucelli Fenzi. Built in the 16th century for the Castelli family by Gherardo Silvani and later enlarged by the Marucelli family, it contains paintings by Sebastiano Ricci. Continue to Palazzo Corsini al Prato: begun in 1591 to designs by Bernardo Buontalenti, the palazzo was acquired in 1621 by Filippo Corsini and most of the palace and gardens date to his refurbishment. The Corsini are among the oldest and most distinguished of Florentine families. Lunch here, hosted by the owner. The rest of the afternoon is free.

Day 4

Enjoy a day in the hills and countryside surrounding Florence. Villa Poggio Torselli has undergone a recent, award-winning restoration; the grand 17th-cent. house with a magnificent avenue is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Private lunch here. At picturesque Settignano, visit Villa Gamberaia, one of the loveliest gardens in Italy. Villa La Pietra, created by Arthur Acton (Harold’s father) has one of the largest Anglo-American gardens set in 57 acres with fine vistas, a green theatre, 180 statues and much else.

Day 5

Private visit to the exuberantly baroque Palazzo Corsini al Parione. The main façade fronts the Arno, with two wings on either side of a recessed central block with superimposed loggie and terrace overlooking the river. In the afternoon, visit the Uffizi, which has masterpieces by every major Florentine painter as well as international Old Masters. In the early evening, visit the privately owned Palazzo Gondi (private visit), designed in 1490 by Giuliano da Sangallo, the favourite architect of Lorenzo de Medici. There are remarkable views of the city from the terrace. Dinner is at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Day 6

The tour ends today after a morning visit the chapel in the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi with exquisite frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli.

The tour is dependent on the kindness of many individuals and organisations, some of whom are reluctant to make arrangements far in advance, so the order of visits outlined above may change and there may be substitutions for some palaces mentioned.