Art & History Abroad Tours
Padova and the Birth of the Renaissance
Often called the ‘father of the Renaissance’ Giotto broke away from the two-dimensional figures of Byzantine and Gothic art to use more natural line and form in his paintings.
Although a Florentine by birth, it was in the culturally and intellectually influential city of Padova that he produced his masterpiece: the frescoes of the Scrovegni Chapel. The pivotal work of Renaissance painting as a whole, many consider these frescoes to be the most important masterpiece of Western art. Join Clare Ford-Wille to explore Giotto’s influence and to enjoy the fascinating and wonderful city of Padova.
This tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the artistic, intellectual and spiritual flowering that made Padova one of the cultural capitals of medieval and Renaissance Italy. Across four days, you will encounter masterpieces that transformed European art, from Giotto’s revolutionary frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel to the luminous cycles of Giusto de’ Menabuoi and the early innovations of Mantegna and Titian, while standing in the very spaces that shaped them.
You will trace the city’s scholarly legacy at the University of Padua, home to the world’s first permanent anatomical theatre, and experience the serene grandeur of its great religious monuments, including the Basilica of St Anthony and Santa Giustina. Beyond Padova, the Benedictine Abbey of Pomposa reveals a quieter yet compelling chapter of medieval creativity, with its Giotto‑inspired frescoes and towering Romanesque campanile.
Together, these visits illuminate a vibrant continuum of faith, learning and artistic ambition that has resonated through the centuries.
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
Clare Ford-Wille
Clare has taught art history for more than forty years and continues to lecture at leading institutions including the Wallace Collection, the V&A and The Arts Society. A graduate of Birkbeck, she has covered a remarkable range of European art and architecture throughout her career.
Clare brings vast experience and infectious enthusiasm to every Travel Editions tour. Her deep knowledge, clear explanations and passion for close looking enrich galleries, churches and historic cities alike, creating journeys that are both engaging and illuminating.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Arrival in Venice
Fly from London Heathrow to Venice and transfer to hotel in Padova to check in for a three-night stay. Evening welcome drink and lecture, ‘Giotto and the Art of Fresco in the Arena Chapel in Padova, followed by dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Palazzo del Bo, Padova Baptistry and Pomposa Abbey
Morning visits to the University of Padova’s Palazzo del Bo, home to the world’s first permanent Anatomical Theatre (1595), and the 12th-century Baptistry of the Cathedral, one of Padova’s most important medieval monuments, which features an unparalleled cycle of 14th-century frescoes.
In the afternoon, travel to the Benedictine Abbey of Pomposa, a little-known gem with its frescoed and mosaic-floored church and 11th-century campanile – one of the finest Romanesque bell-towers in Italy.
Evening lecture, ‘Painting in Padova after Giotto: Giusto da Menabuoi to Mantegna‘.
Day 3: Scrovegni Chapel and Padova’s Fresco Cycles
This morning we have an exclusive private visit to the Scrovegni Chapel, lavishly frescoed by Giotto from 1303 to 1305. The cycle is considered a masterpiece of early Renaissance art, presenting vivid biblical scenes from the lives of Mary and Christ. Next, we visit the 13th-century Eremitani Church, famed for its magnificent reconstructed roof and surviving 14th-century frescoes by Guariento; it was once home to Mantegna’s 15th-century Ovetari Chapel frescoes, destroyed in 1944.
Free time for lunch, then our afternoon visits start at the Basilica of St Anthony, a major pilgrimage centre filled with art treasures, frescoes, and sculptures. Next to the basilica is the Scuola del Santo, which was founded soon after St Anthony’s death, and includes the earliest documented painting by Titian, dating from the early 1500s. We then walk to nearby Oratorio di San Giorgio, a Gothic chapel that is entirely frescoed and forms part of Padua’s UNESCO-listed 14th-century fresco cycles.
Afterwards, we have a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Santa Giustina and Palazzo della Ragione
Morning visit to the Basilica Santa Giustina, one of Padova’s most ancient and architecturally significant sites, which houses relics of St Luke the Evangelist, as well as Renaissance masterpieces.
Our final visit is a private guided tour of the Palazzo Ragione, where the walls are covered with one of the few surviving cycles of medieval astrological frescoes, repainted in the 15th century after Giotto’s originals were lost. Free time for lunch at the market, then late afternoon we transfer to the airport for return flight to London Heathrow.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“As usual the guide lecturer was excellent, informed and informative, and many thanks for continuing when not in the best of health. I found the title of the tour – the birth of the Renaissance – somewhat misleading since the main focus was the art of fresco. The main drawback was the location of the hotel. Accommodation was good, breakfast was excellent in choice and quality. But having to walk half an hour each morning and return in the afternoon seemed to eat into the day and time available. There was less free time on this tour than on previous tours.”
Workman, March 2019
“Thank you so much to Clare Forde-Wile, who took us on such interesting and knowledgeable tours of the churches and other sites in Padua and Verona! lovely company with others on the tour! Tour manager Tessa was astonishingly efficient and helpful at every turn! Thank you! would have been nicer if the hotel had been more central.”
Anonymous, March 2019
Availability
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HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Hotel Majestic Toscanelli, Padova
This boutique four-star hotel is located in the heart of Padova’s historic centre, known for its narrow medieval streets and famous squares. The historic building dates back to the 1500s, retaining historic charm while updated with modern comforts including wifi, air-conditioning, TV, and tea/coffee making facilities.
Hotel Website
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Mobility Information
This tour has a demanding fitness rating and is designed for travellers who enjoy a more active pace of exploration. While it is not a walking holiday, you should expect busy days with extended periods on your feet and visits where conditions may be more varied. These may include uneven terrain, cobbled streets, archaeological sites, steep paths, steps, stairs, limited handrails or fewer opportunities to sit and rest.
A good level of fitness and mobility will help you enjoy the full experience of the itinerary. Please read the day-by-day itinerary carefully, as we highlight specific practical details wherever possible. This may include notes about ground conditions, stairs, walking distances, coach access or sites where lifts are not available.
If you have any questions about whether this tour is suitable for you, please contact our team before booking. We are always happy to talk through the itinerary and help you make the right choice.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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