Art & History Abroad Tours
Frescoes in Florence Tour
Join us in the beautiful city of Florence for a journey through the city’s most captivating Renaissance treasures.
Over five days, we explore a series of remarkable museums, chapels and palazzi, each offering its own unique insight into Florence’s artistic golden age. From the peaceful cloisters of the Museo di San Marco to the splendour of the Medici world, and from rare, privately accessed historic interiors to some of the most celebrated fresco cycles in Italy, this is a chance to experience Florence in a truly special way.
Throughout the tour, we enjoy privileged access to sites not normally open to the public, including upper floors of Palazzo Davanzati and the Chapter House at San Domenico in Fiesole, where further works by Fra Angelico await.
We also visit the Brancacci Chapel, Santa Maria Novella, plus the Basilica of Santa Croce in a special after-hours visit, and the much‑anticipated Lorenzo de’ Medici exhibition at the Uffizi Gallery. Accompanying us throughout the tour is art historian Clare Ford‑Wille, whose knowledge and passion will bring the art to life through her fascinating talks and expert commentary.
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: Pisa to Florence
Fly from London Gatwick to Pisa. On arrival transfer to Florence for check-in to our hotel. This evening there will be a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Museo di San Marco & Palazzo Medici Riccardi
Morning visit to Museo di San Marco. Housed in a former Dominican convent redesigned by Michelozzo for Cosimo de’ Medici, it contains the world’s most extensive collection of works by Fra Angelico. It is especially renowned for its frescoes, including Fra Angelico’s celebrated Annunciation and the cycle of frescoes decorating the monks’ cells, created between 1438 and 1446.
After time for lunch (not included) we finish the afternoon at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi where the vaulted ceiling of the Mirror Gallery was frescoed by the major Baroque painter of the time, Luca Giordano. Evening talk from Clare: ‘Florence in the time of Fra Angelico’, then dinner.
Please note: Days 2-4 will be spent on foot in Florence as all sites visited are close together and not all reachable by coach.
Day 3: Palazzo, a convent, Santa Maria Novella & Sant’ Apollonia
Full day to view some of most beautiful frescoes of the Renaissance city of Florence. We start at Palazzo Davanzati, dating from the 14th-century, which showcases medieval and Renaissance life with its frescoed rooms and period furnishings. We also take a private guided tour of the second and third floors to view the frescoed walls and needle lace displays.
Next we visit the Convent of Sant’ Apollonia, renowned for Andrea del Castagno’s fresco of the Last Supper; and the Tornabuoni Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, where we view the magnificent fresco cycle by Domenico Ghirlandaio. These 15th-century frescoes depict the lives of the Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence. Evening talk from Clare: ‘15th Century Florentine Frescoes’.
Day 4: Brancacci Chapel, Santa Trinita & Uffizi Gallery
Morning visit to the Brancacci Chapel within the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. It is often called the Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance for its impressive cycle of frescoes, which influenced generations of Florentine artists, including the young Michelangelo. We also visit Santa Trinita which features many frescoes, mosaics and statues, including the Sassetti Chapel with beautiful frescoes of ‘Stories of St Francis’. We spend the afternoon at the Uffizi Gallery, including entry to ‘Magnifico 1492’, a historic exhibition on Lorenzo de’Medici (subject to Uffizi Gallery scheduling).
The exhibition will reunite over 100 works, in the most extensive and detailed reconstruction ever attempted of the Medici art collections as they were recorded in 1492, the year of Lorenzo’s death. This evening we enjoy a special out of hours visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in the world, where illustrious figures such as Galileo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli are buried. Farewell dinner tonight.
Day 5: San Miniato al Monte, Fiesole & return to London
Morning visit to San Miniato al Monte, a beautiful Romanesque Basilica decorated with frescoes and a 13th century golden mosaic depicting Christ Pantocrator. Next drive to the lovely village of Fiesole, up in the hills to the north of Florence. Fiesole offers wonderful views of the city below as well as works by Fra Angelico at the Monastery of San Domenico. Here we have special permission to enter the Chapter House to view two more Fra Angelico works.
Afternoon transfer to Pisa for the return flight to London Gatwick.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“The expertise and teamwork of Clare, Barbara and Silvia really stood out. They worked seamlessly together and their enthusiasm and knowledge added greatly to our enjoyment of the holiday, bringing the art and history of Florence to life. The itinerary was rich and rewarding throughout.”
Mrs M, January 2026
“A wonderful tour led by a lecturer and tour manager I already knew and greatly respect, which added hugely to the experience. Florence itself was, of course, magnificent, and the one-off Fra Angelico exhibition was a real privilege to see. The itinerary was very rich and rewarding, thank you for a great trip.
Mrs H, January 2026
“The outstanding exhibition of Fra Angelico’s work was a real highlight and made the trip truly special. The itinerary was expertly put together and very rewarding, though understandably intense at times. Convenient flight times were particularly appreciated, especially when travelling in January, and overall the tour struck a great balance between depth and enjoyment.”
Mrs C, January 2026
“The tour was wonderfully centred around the Fra Angelico exhibition, with the Palazzo Strozzi section being a personal highlight. The trek through the snow to Sant’Apollonia was challenging, but the Last Supper fresco and the Cappella Brancacci made it all worthwhile. The programme was very full, and a little more free time to explore Florence independently would have been perfect, but overall it was a rewarding and memorable experience.”
Mrs P, January 2026
“Seeing the Fra Angelico exhibition across two venues was a real highlight, especially works rarely brought together. Visiting a monastery outside Florence to view a fresco in such an intimate setting was particularly memorable. Clare Ford-Wille was an excellent lecturer with outstanding knowledge, and Barbara was a friendly and well-organised tour manager.”
Mrs F, January 2026
Availability
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HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Hotel De La Ville, Florence
Located in the historic centre of Florence the hotel is housed within two buildings, one of which was built around 1460 with important graffiti on the facade which is still visible today and created by Andrea di Cosimo Feltrini in 1579. The hotel is very warm and charming and offers a bar with lounge for an aperitif or snack. Bedrooms are comfortable with a classic design and Florentine style. They offer en-suite bathrooms, TV, telephone, wifi, safe, air-conditioning, minibar and hairdryer.
Hotel De La Ville Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing.
If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
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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