Italy
New Year's In Florence
Program No. 19221RJ
Ring in the New Year in Florence, enjoying cuisine, culture, and artistic traditions as you learn about Renaissance architecture and the region’s fascinating history.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
9 days
8 nights
What's Included
15 meals (
7B, 3L, 5D
)
3 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Florence, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Florence
Meals:
D
Stay:
Rivoli Boutique Hotel
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 2:00 p.m. Transfer from Florence Airport to hotel is 4 miles (20-minute ride). Walking less than 1 mile; urban terrain and cobblestones.
Afternoon:
Check-in and settle in. At 4:30 p.m., we gather in the meeting room for an Orientation session. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Breakfasts will be buffets. Other included meals will be plated and served from a set menu unless indicated otherwise; water is included, other beverages will be available for purchase. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, attending performances or other events, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Transportation will be provided primarily by motorcoach and vans. Periods in the schedule designated as "Free time" and "At leisure" offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times might change due to local circumstances/conditions. We will alert you as quickly as possible in the event of changes. Thank you for being so understanding. Next, we will join our Group Leader in a welcome cocktail (or fruit juice).
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Palazzo Pitti, Free Time
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Rivoli Boutique Hotel
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; cobblestones and some uneven urban stone sidewalks. Elevator available in the Palazzo Pitti.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out on foot for our expert-led field trip to the Palazzo Pitti on the other side of the Arno. This former palace was inhabited by members of the Medici family from 1589 until the last, Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici, died in 1743. The palace was home to Napoleon when Tuscany was under French control and later was a residence of the House of Savoy under the period of Italian Unification. Today, the palace is home to works by Antonio Canova, Artemisia Gentileschi, Raphael, Tiziano, and Rubens.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Medieval Origins, Duomo & Museum, Oltrarno, Cooking Class
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Rivoli Boutique Hotel
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles throughout the day, extended periods of standing; mostly level urban stone sidewalks and streets, cobblestones; elevator available at Opera del Duomo Museum, unavoidable stairs. Extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather in the hotel meeting room for a presentation by a local expert on medieval Florence. We’ll learn of the Roman origins of the city and how, by the end of the 15th century, the Medici family had established a powerful dynasty and went on to rule Florence, transforming it into a cradle of the Renaissance. The Medici rebuilt large areas of the city in Renaissance style; became patrons of the humanities, arts, and science; and collected art treasures. After a short break, we will set out on a field trip and walk to the Duomo where a museum docent will lead our exploration of Florence’s most famous landmark. Known officially as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, it is called simply the Duomo. It is the third-largest church in the world. The magnificent dome, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and completed in 1434, was startlingly innovative at the time and is considered one of the wonders of the Renaissance. We will also explore the Duomo Museum complex, recently reopened after a major renovation and modernization. It includes more than 750 works of art covering more than seven centuries of history including medieval and Renaissance statues and reliefs in marble, bronze, and silver by leading artists of the day.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
We'll embark on an expert-led visit to the vibrant Oltrarno, often called the "left bank" of the Arno River. This charming and historic area is known for its artisanal heritage, and as we stroll along the narrow, cobblestone streets of this residential neighborhood, we’ll have the chance to observe skilled artisans at work. Depending on the open shops, we may encounter a variety of craftspeople, from potters carefully shaping their clay to furniture restorers meticulously preserving antique pieces. We might also see leather workers fashioning intricate goods or bookbinders preserving the art of traditional bookmaking. The Oltrarno is a charming window into Florence’s rich artisan culture, allowing us to witness firsthand the craftsmanship passed down through generations. Later in the afternoon, we will walk to a renowned culinary school and cooking experience provider, where we will learn how to make a typical Italian dish and dessert. Our passionate and experienced chef provides a hands-on, immersive, and enjoyable way to teach us how to make an authentic Italian dish and dessert.
Dinner:
At the cooking school.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Art Lecture, Uffizi, Free Time, New Year's Eve Dinner
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Rivoli Boutique Hotel
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles total throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; cobblestones and mostly level urban stone sidewalks and streets. Elevator available at the Uffizi. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
In the meeting room of the hotel, an art historian will join us and give an overview of Renaissance Art and, with an illustrated presentation, describe highlighted works of art in the collection of the Uffizi. We will walk to the Uffizi; once inside, we’ll take in a self-directed visit of the many rooms of artistic treasures at your own pace. In the Uffizi, works are arranged in an order that illustrates the progression from the International Gothic style to Mannerist and examples of Baroque art with pieces by Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentilleschi. There is a coffee bar at the end of the corridor on the upper level where you can relax and purchase refreshments while enjoying a commanding view of the bell tower of Palazzo Vecchio and the Cupola of the Duomo.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
We will celebrate New Year’s Eve at a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
San Gimignano, Organic Farm, Chianti, Concert
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Rivoli Boutique Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 40 miles one way to San Gimignano, under 1.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day with periods of standing during site visits; uneven paths, cobblestones, mostly level urban stone sidewalks, pedestrian-only roads with inclines and descents. Gravel walkways at the agriturismo.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
In the late morning, we’ll board a bus and make our way south of Florence, venturing into the picturesque hills of the Chianti region. Known for its rolling vineyards and olive groves, this area is the heart of Tuscany’s wine production, where the famous Chianti red wine is made. Upon arrival in the charming medieval town of San Gimignano, we will enjoy some free time to explore independently. With our Group Leader available to provide guidance, you can wander through the narrow cobblestone streets and admire the town’s iconic towers that have earned it the nickname “Medieval Manhattan.” San Gimignano is renowned for its preserved medieval architecture, offering a perfect setting for a leisurely exploration of its historic sites, quaint shops, and local eateries. Whether you visit the Collegiate Church, enjoy panoramic countryside views, or immerse yourself in the town’s medieval charm, San Gimignano offers a memorable experience that perfectly complements our journey through Tuscany. A few miles outside of San Gimignano, we will drive to an organic farm where you can visit the farm and wine cellar. The host explains the production of extra virgin olive oil, wine, saffron, and the characteristics of Chianina cattle.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a farm-to-table lunch and wine tasting at an agriturismo.
Afternoon:
We'll board the bus for the return journey to our hotel in Florence.
Dinner:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Evening:
At a venue in the heart of the Oltrarno, we’ll attend a performance of opera arias by Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini, native son of the nearby city of Lucca. The live performance is by a solo artist with piano accompaniment.
Day
7
Sculpture, Bargello, San Lorenzo, Santa Maria Novella
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Rivoli Boutique Hotel
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; cobblestones and mostly level urban stone sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We begin the day in the hotel meeting room with a lecture on Florentine sculpture. The presentation by a local art historian examines the development of the art form from antiquity through the Renaissance with special emphasis on the works of Ghiberti, Donatello, and Michelangelo. We'll walk to the Bargello where an art historian will lead us through the museum and examine the development of sculpture from antiquity through the Renaissance with special emphasis on the works of Ghiberti, Donatello, and Michelangelo. Notable works include Donatello's David and bronzes by Cellini and Giambologna. Our local expert will then lead us back toward San Lorenzo where we'll learn about this imposing structure and its unfinished facade.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll meet at an appointed time and place to walk to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella complex, located near the city's central train station, to meet our local art historian. Santa Maria Novella is Florence’s Dominican church, built on land assigned to the Order in the early 13th century. The basilica was constructed in the early 15th century; its famous façade was designed by famed Renaissance man, Leon Battista Alberti in the 1470s. The interior of the basilica contains astounding works of 15th-century frescoes, including Masaccio's Trinity and Domenico Ghirlandaio's (and possibly young apprentice Michelangelo) Tornabuoni Chapel, not to mention works by Lorenzo Ghiberti, Giambologna, Bernardo Daddi, and Filippino Lippi. Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Accademia, Free Time
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Rivoli Boutique Hotel
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; cobblestones and mostly level urban stone sidewalks. Sculptures at the Accademia are on the ground floor; elevator available to the paintings on the first floor. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our day begins with a walk to the Accademia delle Belle Arti where we will marvel at Michelangelo's David. A local expert will lead the field trip through the sculpture collection in the main hall which includes the David as well as the unfinished pieces called the Prisoners, which seem to be still imprisoned in the block of Carrara marble. There are other small collections in the museum that you might want to browse on your own, such as the collection of early musical instruments or the painting gallery with works from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and early 17th century.
Lunch:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
9
Program Concludes
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. For those with early departures, the hotel will prepare a bag breakfast to take. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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