Florence: Heart of the Italian Renaissance

APRIL 20–28, 2018

FLORENCE: HEART OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCEAPRIL 20–28, 2018

Dear Member,

Step into a world of unparalleled artistic beauty, from the lauded works housed in the city’s world-renowned galleries to the little-known gems tucked into neighborhood churches and private homes. At the U�zi Gallery, view masterpieces by Raphael, Botticelli, Caravaggio, da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Titian. Climb the staircase of the iconic Duomo—a Gothic masterpiece completed in 1436—with its famous Brunelleschi dome. Tour the Bargello, the former prison and headquarters of the Florentine police force that now houses one of the greatest collections of Renaissance sculpture. Visit the restoration labs of the city that have taken on the herculean task of restoring Europe’s great masterpieces. Take in the sun in the gardens of expansive villas and private palaces. Walk the path of the Palio, Siena’s legendary horse race, and discover the fraught history of the divisions of the city’s contrade, or neighborhoods. Immerse yourself in the wonders of Italy’s shining gem on the Arno. Finally, no trip to Florence would be complete without a visit to the prestigious Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s David.

I hope you can join the Art Institute in the spring on this art-filled journey through the City of Lilies.

Sincerely,

Aleksandra Matic Associate Director of Member Travel

Art Institute Study Leader

Cynthia Costanzo Noble, MA, is a Member Travel study leader and adjunct lecturer at the Art Institute. Noble began at the School of the Art Institute in 1993 with a lecture fellowship and subsequently became a full-time sta­ lecturer with a specialization in modern and contemporary art. Today, Noble has over 20 years of experience interpreting the Art Institute’s encyclopedic collection for docents, teachers, VIP visitors, Art Institute members, and the public. She is the engagement manager at the Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, and previously served as an educator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Noble has taught art history at Northwestern University as well as the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Columbia College Chicago.

This travel program is specially designed for Art Institute members. For more information or to become a member, please call the Department of Member Travel at (312) 443-3115.

ITINERARY

Friday, April 20 Departures

Depart the U.S. on independent flights to Florence Airport, Peretola.

Saturday, April 21 Welcome to Florence

Upon arrival, transfer to the elegant Hotel Savoy. After checking in to the hotel, enjoy an evening walking tour along the iconic Ponte Vecchio. Celebrate your arrival with a welcome dinner as the sun sets.

Hotel Savoy (D)

Sunday, April 22 The Heart of the City

Spend the morning at the U�zi Gallery, home to works by some of the greatest artists of all time, including Raphael, Botticelli, Caravaggio, da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Titian, among others. Break for lunch in a historic local square before embarking on a walking tour of the city center with our local guide, including a visit to the historic church of Santa Maria Novella, with masterpieces by Masaccio, Ghirlandaio, and Giotto. Enjoy the evening and dinner at leisure.

Hotel Savoy (B, L)

Monday, April 23 Florentine Masterpieces

Visit the Bargello, the former prison and headquarters of the Florentine police force that now houses one of the greatest collections of Renaissance sculpture. Stop in Brunelleschi’s stunning Pazzi Chapel in the cloisters of the Basilica of Santa Croce before continuing into the basilica itself, the largest Franciscan church in the world. Witness Giotto’s frescoes, underneath which notable Italians such as Galileo, Machiavelli, and Michelangelo are buried, earning the church the nickname “the Temple of Italian Glories.” This afternoon, continue on to Florence’s prestigious Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s David since 1873.

Founded as an artists’ guild in 1563, the Accademia hosted and trained virtually all of the Florentine masters. The evening and dinner are at leisure.

Hotel Savoy (B, L)

Tuesday, April 24 The Contrade of Siena

Discover the Tuscan beauty of the rolling hills and cobblestone streets of Siena. Take in the majesty of the Palazzo Pubblico and the Duomo. Walk the path of the Palio, Siena’s legendary horse race, and discover the fraught history of the divisions of the city’s contrade, or neighborhoods. Step inside the Contrada Museum and the beautiful Baptistery to witness the role of the Palio in daily Sienese life. There will be an optional visit to the ornate Pinacoteca this afternoon. Travel back to Florence this evening for dinner at leisure.

Hotel Savoy (B, L)

Wednesday, April 25 Restoring and Preserving Iconic Villas

Leave the city behind for the day and immerse yourself in the gardens and sprawling estates of Florentine nobility. Visit Villa le Balze, site of Georgetown’s Renaissance studies campus, to discuss with the sta� the challenges and triumphs of restoration and research. Spend the afternoon at a beautifully restored property, surrounded by one of the most breathtaking 18th-century gardens in Europe. End the day with a visit to the restoration lab at Fortezza da Basso, where scholars from around the world collaborate on preservation and restoration. Dinner is at leisure.

Hotel Savoy (B, L)

Thursday, April 26 Palaces of Old Florence

Step back in time on a tour of the ornate halls and magnificent frescoes hidden inside the private palaces of Florence’s former ruling families. Explore the competition between the Medici and Strozzi clans by visiting the Strozzi Palace, which was built in 1489. Consider the mystery of the Rucellai Palace, a palatial townhouse that is believed to have been designed by Leon Battista Alberti, but may in fact be the work of Bernardo Rossellino. Stroll through the great hall of the Davanzati Palace, where the atmosphere of Florentine life has been painstakingly preserved. Enjoy the afternoon and dinner at leisure.

Hotel Savoy (B)

Friday, April 27 Exploring the Duomo

Climb the staircase of the iconic Duomo—a Gothic masterpiece completed in 1436—with its famous Brunelleschi dome. Stroll around its balconies with your guide before immersing yourself in the newly reopened cathedral museum, which includes Lorenzo Ghiberti’s original Gates of Paradise panels for the baptistery doors. Visit the restoration team that works to keep the cupola and pillars intact in their lab, opened exclusively for this Art Institute tour. Enjoy an independent afternoon before reuniting with your fellow travelers for a festive farewell dinner.

Hotel Savoy (B, D)

Saturday, April 28 Departures

This morning, transfer independently to Florence Airport, Peretola for return flights to the U.S.

(B)

TOUR PRICELand Package: $5,495 double occupancy Single Supplement: $1,400

Land Package price is per person, based on double occupancy and 20 paying participants. Tour prices are based on the itinerary listed in this proposal and corresponding dates in spring 2018. Alterations to the tour itinerary may result in an adjustment of pricing. Tour prices are based on quotations, price estimates, and currency exchange rates as of February 2017, and are subject to change based on currency exchange rate, inflation, actual prices in 2018, or any other element out of the direct control of International Seminar Design, Inc. (ISDI).

TOUR PRICE INCLUDESSeven nights in deluxe accommodations at the Hotel Savoy: breakfast daily, four lunches, two dinners, one cocktail reception; two glasses of wine or beer at dinners, co­ee and tea included with each lunch and dinner; entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary; one group airport transfer upon arrival, from the Florence airport to the Hotel Savoy, and one group transfer upon departure to the Florence airport from the Hotel Savoy; all land transportation by deluxe private motor coach, as outlined in the itinerary; handling of two pieces of luggage per person upon arrival and departure from the hotel; bottled water for excursions on private motor coach; gratuities for guides and motor coach drivers; complete pre-departure documentation and materials, including recommended reading list, destination information, and luggage tags; personal listening devices to enhance guided tours; expert local English-speaking guides to accompany the tour on planned activities; services of an ISDI tour manager throughout the program; services of Cynthia Noble as study leader.

TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDEInternational and domestic U.S. airfare, airport and airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and passport fees; transfers to and from the airport for individuals not using group transfers; meals not included in the itinerary; airport porterage; any personal items not listed as included, such as telephone calls, personal services, travel extensions, room service, and valet service; items such as wines, liquors, mineral water, à la carte orders, and laundry charges; and items not specifically mentioned as included.

ACTIVITY LEVELThis tour involves moderate-to-active walking tours through cities and rural settings, including uneven paths as well as stairs. Portions of this program are not handicap accessible. Please call the Department of Member Travel at (312) 443-3115 for more information.

DEPOSIT AND FULL PAYMENTA deposit of $1,000 per paying participant is required to guarantee participation in the program. Final payment will be invoiced and is due on January 18, 2018, to International Seminar Design, Inc. Registrants will be accepted beyond this date on a space-available basis. Deposit and balance may be paid by Visa, Mastercard, or check. Mail application to:International Seminar Design, Inc.4115 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 101Washington, D.C. 20016

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDSAll cancellations must be received in writing by ISDI and are subject to a nonrefundable administrative fee of $500 per person.

On or before January 18, 2018: Full refund minus $500 per person administrative fee

Between January 19 and March 14, 2018: 50% of tour cost, including administrative fee

On or after March 15, 2018: No refund

After the tour has commenced, it is not possible to issue any refunds. No refunds will be issued for any unused portion of the tour, including, but not limited to, occasional missed meals or any missed sightseeing tours. In the case of cancellation, substitutions are not accepted. Tour cost is nontransferable. If ISDI or the Art Institute of Chicago cancels the tour, active registrants will receive a full refund of all tour payments. A package of cancellation, baggage, and medical insurance is strongly recommended.

WAIVER AND RELEASEIn order to participate in this travel program, you will be required to complete an Art Institute of Chicago Waiver and Release form that will be provided to you prior to departure.

TRAVEL INSURANCEAll tour participants are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance, regardless of present good health. Should one need to cancel participation in this travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. ISDI must strictly abide by the cancellation terms outlined above. Purchasing travel insurance is the best way to protect your financial investment in the trip against unexpected complications. A travel insurance brochure will be sent upon receipt of registration and deposit.

FLIGHTSAirfare is not included in the tour price. Participants are responsible for all aspects of their air arrangements round-trip to and from Florence.

TERMS & CONDITIONSInternational Seminar Design, Inc. (ISDI) acts only as an agent for the participant with respect to transportation, accommodations, and all other services relating to this tour. ISDI, the Art Institute of Chicago, and/or their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error, or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be caused by any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus, or other carrier, or through neglect or default of any subcontractor or other third party, which may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the participants of the tour. ISDI and the Art Institute of Chicago reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason, including insu§cient number of participants, as well as the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour at any time. If bookings fall below the minimum required, passengers will be advised of additional costs or itinerary alterations before departure date.

© 2017 International Seminar Design, Inc./CST 2072963-40

FLORENCE: HEART OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCEAPRIL 20–28, 2018

Florence: Heart of the Italian Renaissance

APRIL 20–28, 2018

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Complete and return to:International Seminar Design, Inc.4115 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 101 Washington, D.C. 20016Fax: (202) 244-1808/e-mail: info@isditravel.com

Double occupancy

(We prefer separate beds.)

I will share a room with

Single supplement ($1400)

I would like a roommate but will pay the price of the single sup-plement if one cannot be found.