Day 1 – To Rome: Fly from London to Rome
with British Airways. Arrive and transfer by
coach to the Basilica di San Clemente, which
houses a 15th-century chapel frescoed by
Masolino. Walk to the nearby San Pietro in
Vincoli for Michelangelo’s Moses, centrepiece
of the tomb of Pope Julius II. Admire the
nearby Arch of Constantine and the exterior
of the Colosseum before transferring to the
Hotel Veneto for 4 nights. Evening welcome
dinner. (D)
Day 2 – Rome: This morning, visit the
Capitoline Hill, where the monumental
civic plaza and palaces were designed
by Michelangelo. Housed inside are the
Capitoline museums, holding one of Italy’s
finest collections of classical art. This afternoon,
make an exclusive visit to the 15th-century
Palazzo della Cancelleria, the grandest of the
15th-century Roman palaces, which features
a magnificent double loggia by Bramante.
Continue to the Basilica di Sant’Agostino, a
fine example of early Renaissance architecture
with statues by Andrea and Jacopo Sansovino
and a fresco by Raphael. (B)
Day 3 – Rome: Travel by coach to the Santa
Maria del Pace to seeBramante’s cloister for
Cardinal Caraffa. Continue to Santa Maria del
Popolo, which features the Chigi Chapel by
Raphael and the retro-choir by Bramante, with
tombs by Andrea Sansovino. Continue to the
Villa Medici, both a retreat and entertaining
house for Cardinal Ferdinando de’ Medici. See
his studio with its mannerist frescoes by Jacopo
Zucchi and the wonderfully manicuredgardens
, which offer panoramic views overcentral
Rome. This afternoon, visit Oratorio di Santa
Lucia del Gonfalone, a hidden gem also known
as the ‘miniature Sistine Chapel’, together
with the nearby Santa Maria sopra Minerva.
Finish today with a private visit to the Farnese
Palace, now the French embassy, home to the
remarkable Hercules ceiling fresco cycle by
Annibale Caracci. (B)
Day 4 – Rome: Begin today at the Pantheon,
which contains the tombs of Raphael and
Caracci as well as several 15th-century
paintings, including Annunciation by Melozzo
da Forlì. Proceed by coach to the slopes of
Monte Mario, on the outskirts of Rome, for
a private visit to the exquisite Villa Madama.
Designed by Raphael in 1518, this villa was modelled on those of Pliny and Hadrian
with its simple facade, vast windows and
colossal courtyard. Inside, see the beautiful
stuccoes, friezes and painted lacunar ceilings by
numerous Italian masters, including Raphael
himself. Return to Rome for lunch. Spend this
afternoon at the Vatican City, visiting St Peter’s
Basilica and the Treasury, before an early
evening private visit to the Vatican Museum.
Exclusive access is given to the Nicholas V
Chapel, the stanze and the Sistine Chapel. (B)
Day 5 – To London: Morning tour of the
Church of San Pietro in Montorio, home to
Bramante’s Tempietto. Perhaps the masterpiece
of High Renaissance architecture, this circular
sanctuary is perfectly proportioned; its Tuscan
columns and Doric entablature highlight the
reported spot of St Peter’s martyrdom. Continue
to the Villa Farnesina, built for Agostino
Chigi, a Sienese banker and therichest man in
Renaissance Rome. The villa’s interior features
several important works including Raphael’s
Triumph of Galatea. After lunch, visit the Santa
Maria church, one of the oldest in Rome,with
its late medieval mosaics by Cavallini together
with the Altemps chapel, which commemorates
the Council of Trent and the Counter-
Reformation . Late afternoon transfer to the
airport for a return flight to London with
British Airways. (B, L)
Itinerary: As special access has been granted
to several Renaissance palaces and villas owned
and used by the Italian government, which are
not normally open to the general public, the
exact selection and order of visits may vary
slightly to the order given above, as official
engagements demand.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
