Art & Architecture of Northern Italy, 12 Days Bologna to Venice with A&K

Day 1

Arrive Bologna.

Arrive into the Italian university town of Bologna where you are met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni (Deluxe Room)

Day 2

Bologna.

Discover some of Bologna’s finest highlights on foot today, beginning with a visit to the Basilica of San Petronio. Construction of this cathedral began in the 14th century and work was still in progress on this vast building some 300 years later. It still stands unfinished with the wings of the transept missing and the facade only partially decorated. Continue through the maze of stunning medieval streets until you reach the complex of churches known collectively as Santo Stefano, known locally as Sette Chiese (Seven Churches) which you explore with your guide. You then visit the world’s oldest university to marvel at the Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio, a stunning 17th century theatre carved from spruce. Finally, reach Bologna’s legendary two towers which have watched over the city since the Middle Ages. Finish the morning fittingly with a pasta making demonstration by the famous “Sfogline” women – fresh pasta artisans – and lunch.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni (Deluxe Room)

Day 3

Bologna – Ravenna – Bologna.

The city of Ravenna is an art and history lover’s dream and your visit today explores its dazzling collections of early Christian art. Visit the extraordinary 6th century Basilica of San Vitale, with its mesmerising green and gold mosaics and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, which dates from around 430 AD, also famous for its mosaics. Continue to Piazza del Popolo, passing St Francis’ crypt and the tomb of Dante Alighieri before reaching the exquisite 6th century Basilica of Sant’Appollinare Nuovo. Named after Ravenna’s first bishop, it is famed for its figurative mosaics dating from the mid-6th century and its fusion of eastern and western Christian architecture.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni (Deluxe Room)

Day 4

Design Your Day Emilia Romagna.

Explore your way today. Head into the countryside of Emilia Romagna towards Castelnuovo Rangone, near Modena, where you take part in an incredible Parmesan cheese-making and Balsamic vinegar-tasting experience. A rustic lunch in a local vineyard is a highlight with mouth-watering produce from the Emilia-Romagna region on the menu. If time permits on the way back, admire the Franciscan abbey of Monteveglio which dates back to the 5th century.

Or visit two of the most famous museums connected with the biggest names in motor sports today- Lamborghini and Ferrari. Start off at the Lamborghini Museum in Modena and discover the history of the House of the Raging Bull as well as viewing a large number of prototypes and exclusive models that are on display. Next stop is at Maranello, where the Ferrari Museum gives you the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive shuttle bus tour of the Fiorano Test Track and Viale Enzo Ferrari factory complex. Afterwards take time to explore the museum, which touches on the future of Ferrari but whose displays are deeply rooted in the Prancing Horse’s extraordinary history. Time permitting visit the Enzo Ferrari Museum before returning to Bologna.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni (Deluxe Room)

Day 5

Bologna – Tavarnelle Val di Pesa.

A morning at leisure before travelling to neighbouring Tuscany and your accommodation south of Florence.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa (Superior Room)

Day 6

Tuscany.

A full day exploring some of Tuscany’s most striking villages and towns: Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni. First stop is scenic Siena where a 3-hour walking tour introduces you to this walled city. See the Piazza del Campo, one of the finest main squares in Italy, and the Palazzo Pubblico which has served as Siena’s Town Hall since the 1300s. Visit the Duomo, considered to be one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Italy with unforgettable frescoes in the Piccolomini Library. After lunch continue on to the hamlet village of Monteriggioni, famous throughout Tuscany because its vast defensive walls are all still intact and it is referenced in Dante’s “Divine Comedy”. Your final stop of the day is San Gimignano. With its typical skyline of medieval towers and palaces, the town is incredibly well preserved and is listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. You may wish to visit the Collegiata containing 15th century frescoes, the Palazzo del Popolo, now the municipal museum containing Renaissance paintings, and the Church of Sant’Agostino.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa (Superior Room)

Day 7

Tavarnelle Val di Pesa – Florence – Tavarnelle Val di Pesa.

An extraordinary day today exploring Florence, the world’s favourite Renaissance city, on foot. Stroll through the narrow streets, take in the lovely piazzas, churches and palaces and visit one of Florence’s most famous museums: the Galleria dell’ Accademia – where the world’s most celebrated statue awaits. Marvel at Michelangelo’s exquisite David; a colossal five-metre tall nude inspired by the biblical hero renowned for heroically killing the giant Goliath. Art-lovers will also appreciate a visit to the Bargello where a fine collection of Renaissance sculptures are held, including Michelangelo’s Bacchus.

Lunch is at leisure before hitting the splendid Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore). After an introduction by your guide, the best view of the city awaits as you climb the 462 steps up to the cupola. Inside the vast dome, the artist Giorgio Vasari began painting the incredible fresco of The Last Judgment which gets even more amazing the closer you get to it. The final reward at the end is a stunning panoramic view of the city, from what is still its highest building. Time permitting continue your tour at the impressive Church of Santa Croce which contains the tombs of many famous Florentines including Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo. From here you are driven to the panoramic hilltop square of Piazzale Michelangelo for even more incredible views over the magnificent city of Florence and surrounding hills.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa (Superior Room)

Day 8

Chianti.

Tuscany is renowned for its glorious views, eminently drinkable wines and the simplicity of its mouth-watering cuisine. Today you explore the famous Chianti area, which is often considered the most beautiful in the whole region. As you gaze across the countryside, soak up the rich panorama comprising rolling hills and hilltop towns, many of which are encircled by Etruscan walls and slender cypress trees. See charming hamlets and farmhouses, as well as fortified villas and castles that symbolise the conflict that tore Tuscan communities apart in the Middle Ages. Stop at one of the delightful hilltop towns and enjoy a private wine tasting at the charming Monterinaldi winery, located in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine region.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa (Superior Room)

Day 9

Tavarnelle Val di Pesa – Venice.

Travel effortlessly today on an A&K Concierge Rail journey through the stunning countryside of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna heading north to Venice where you are met and privately transferred to your hotel by water taxi. This evening experience a long-established Venetian tradition when you head to a local bacaro, wine bar, for ciccheti, Venice’s answer to tapas, and local wines. The bacari ritual is an important part of the rhythm of life in Venice, and a Venetian way of catching up with friends.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Baglioni Hotel Luna (Superior Room with Canal View)

Day 10

Design Your Day Venice.

Explore ‘la Serenissima’ your way. See the city’s most celebrated landmarks on a private walking tour. Immerse yourself in history at the Doge’s Palace, a triumph of Gothic architecture with lavish frescoes, graceful staircases and intricately-gilded stuccowork, which clearly reveals the opulence of the Venetian Empire. Afterwards, continue to the stunning Byzantine-style St Mark’s Basilica with a history stretching back to the 9th century. Many of the treasures here, including the beautiful bronze horses, were acquired during the Crusades. Admire the awe-inspiring mosaics and then step back into St Mark’s square, soak up the vibrant atmosphere and admire the iconic 98-metre high campanile and the handsome Clock Tower by Paolo Uccello.

Or explore the fascinating but lesser-known side of Venice, walking along the pretty alleyways and narrow winding streets in one of its charming neighbourhoods. See some of the most important monuments in the city, which are, surprisingly, relatively unknown to most visitors. On your way to the San Polo District, stop at the magnificent Rialto Bridge, completed in 1591 and the oldest of four that span the Grand Canal. Continue to the Scuola of Saint Rocco, a powerful confraternity in Venice and decorated by Jacopo Tintoretto, a leading artist of the time. Visit the Frari church, considered one of the most imposing Gothic monuments in Venice, and discover that its austere facade hides a lavish interior, home to many treasures including Titian’s early altarpieces and a true masterpiece by Giovanni Bellini.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Baglioni Hotel Luna (Superior Room with Canal View) 

Day 11

Venice.

Climb aboard a private water taxi this morning and head towards Dorsoduro, one of Venice’s most picturesque neighbourhoods, to learn about gondola building with one of the most traditional companies in the city. Meet Signore Tramontin and breathe in the authentic smells of wood and paint, discovering the incredible technique involved in the creation of one of Venice’s most iconic boats – the gondola. At the end of your visit, discover the authentic flavour of the ‘real Venice’ without the bustling crowds of San Marco as you discover Dorsoduro. Culture is key in this tasteful neighbourhood where pretty bridges, colourful houses, Gothic style churches and renowned temples of art like the Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim reign.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Baglioni Hotel Luna (Superior Room with Canal View)

Day 12

Depart Venice.

Depart your hotel this morning and privately transfer by water taxi to Venice Airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast