Ravenna, Urbino & Ferrara

RAVENNA, URBINO & FERRARA

A FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 17 april & 9 September 2020

The first of our two holidays to this region focuses on three historic cities in the western part of Emilia-Romagna and Le Marche. Ravenna was the last capital of the Western Roman Empire, and remains a treasury of some of the world’s most dazzling mosaics and Byzantine architecture – memories of the final glowing embers of imperial glory. In Urbino, in Le Marche, we discover an idealised city state created by the Duke of Urbino and in Ferrara we will learn more about the powerful d’Este family whose court was based here.

Castello Estense, Ferrara

THE ITINERARY

We fly to Bologna and on arrival transfer to Ravenna where we stay for five nights at the centrally located 4 star Palazzo Bezzi. We spend the first day in Ravenna, famous for its ancient monuments including eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We visit the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, with dazzling mosaics from the 4th and 5th centuries, Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, with its procession of martyrs depicted in mosaics, and the National Museum. This morning we will see the mosaic portraits of Justinian and Theodora at San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe. A visit to the Cathedral Museum completes the day. We will spend today in Urbino, one of the most perfect ducal hill top towns in Italy. This was the seat of the Dukes of Urbino and at the Palazzo Ducale, dating from the 15th century, we will see the art collection of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, which includes works by Piero della Francesca, Titian, Gentileschi and Raphael. Afterwards we will see the frescoes at the Oratory of St. John and Raphael’s house. Ferrara is today’s destination, where we see a collection of outstanding buildings associated with the d’Este family including the Palazzo Diamanti with its great art collection, and there will be some free time during which you may like to visit the Casa Romei. We drive to Bologna airport for the flight back to London. Clients joining the second part of the tour will travel on to Parma.

DAY 6 DAY 5 DAY 4 DAY 3 DAY 2 DAY 1

TOUR LECTURER: andrew allen Andrew Allen read History of Art at the University of East

Anglia and undertook his postgraduate study at the University of Essex, taking his MA in early Italian painting. He worked for Phillips Auctioneers and lectured at Anglia

Polytechnic University before beginning his extensive work in the travel industry. He is a prolific traveller, spending much of the year abroad (working and investigating mediaeval iconography). He often contributes articles to travel publications and has built up particular experience in Islamic art and architecture and the great cities of Europe. Andrew Allen writes: “This is a tour of great contrasts and one which reinforces the image of Italy as the great cultural country of

Europe. Seeing the magnificent architecture and art from the Byzantine period, before the capital of the Empire moved east, and a few days later being immersed in the great cultural city states of the Renaissance provides a matchless cultural experience.”

tour information

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP

17 April £1,847 £398 9 September £1,847 £398

Our prices are per person, based on sharing a twin/double room. Supplements for single occupancy as shown.

flight details Flights with British Airways:

Depart London Heathrow 08.00 arrive Bologna 11.10 Depart Bologna 12.05 arrive London Heathrow 13.25

what we include

• Return flights to Bologna • Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Three dinners and one lunch • All entrance fees and gratuities • The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer