Villa La Massa Friends of Art A Taste of Renaissance in Florence

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1 Villa La Massa Friends of Art A Taste of Renaissance in Florence Spring Edition: from Monday, May 19th to Saturday, May 24th, 2014 Autumn Edition: from Monday, September 22nd to Saturday, September 27th, 2014 Villa la Massa: Villino building on the Arno Villa la Massa: the Medicean Hall Villa la Massa: interior design The city of Florence offers visitors the world s largest concentration of fi ne art within its city walls. Over the course of history, its wealthy merchants and bankers spent their fortunes amassing beautiful works of art. We invite you to spend a few days with Andrea Ghiottonelli, Florentine art historian, to understand the inspiration that led these families to create the treasure that is Florence.

the world s largest concentration of fi ne art within its city walls.

2 DAY 1: Arrival in Florence Monday, May 19th or Monday, September 22nd Individual arrivals in Florence during the day. Check-in at Villa La Massa Welcome cocktail and dinner at Il Verrocchio Restaurant of Villa La Massa. DAY 2: The Renaissance s greatest Art Collectors, the Medici and Corsini families Tuesday, May 20th or Tuesday, September 23rd A Church with a View : short visit to San Miniato al Monte La Misericordia: the oldest charity Institution in Europe (founded in 1244) Private visit of Palazzo Corsini al Prato with Princess Donna Giorgiana. Guests will receive a private tour of the palace, its art collection and the gardens, fi ne example of Baroque landscaping, guided by the Pricess. Luncheon will follow Immediately after lunch, guests will head to the Oltrarno to the Palazzo Pitti, where the Medicean Grand Dukes once lived. The private visit will include the Galleria Palatina (Palatine Gallery), where the opulence of the era is exemplifi ed by the grand and gilded silks, brocades and tapestries depicted in the beautifully framed paintings. You will get exclusive access to some of the secret apartments of the Palace (usually not open to the public). After the Palazzo Pitti, guests will visit the Antico Setificio Fiorentino (Ancient Silk Factory), where looms dating back to the 17th century are still used by artisans to create bespoke textiles for a modern and refi ned clientele Return to Villa La Massa and dinner at the Hotel (individual). Palazzo Corsini al Prato, Garden Palazzo Pitti Palazzo Pitti, Interior Giuditta e Oloferne by C.Allori

00 - La Misericordia: the oldest charity Institution in Europe (founded in 1244). 12.00 - Private visit of Palazzo Corsini al Prato with Princess Donna Giorgiana.

3 DAY 3: The Precious Renaissance Wednesday, May 21st or Wednesday, September 24th A visit to the Opificio delle Pietre Dure (Workshop of Hard Stones), a world authority where ancient techniques for the restoration of hard stone carving, stone and marble sculptures, bronzes and ceramics with ancient techniques. Guests will be accompanied by one of the last master s of Commesso Fiorentino ( Florentine Inlay ), one of the world s rarest arts, where a piece of art is reproduced using mosaics. He will illustrate the delicate balance of talents (paintings, design, sculpture) needed to create each piece. Visit to the Cappelle dei Principi a San Lorenzo (Chapels of Princes in San Lorenzo), mausoleum of the Medici family and masterpiece of the Opifi cio. Among the many sculptors who worked in the Chapel, Michelangelo Buonarroti. Guests will also visit the Sacrestia Nuova (New Sacresty) and exceptionally the secret room where Michelangelo took refuge, that was discovered a few years ago behind a wardrobe, and that still contains his charcoal sketches Lunch at the Mercato Centrale in one of the most traditional trattorias in Florence. Afternoon promenade through the historic heart of the city to reach the Museo degli Argenti (Museum of Silverware) which displays a large collection of precious objects. From the pittura di pietra (painting in stone) to the semiprecious stone tablewear used during the Medicean banquets. Leisure time in Florence. Return to Villa La Massa and dinner at the Hotel (individual). Florence Crest, XVII century Cappelle Medicee, interior Sacrestia Nuova by Michelangelo The silver

4 Morning at leisure. DAY 4: Contemporary Collections in Tuscany and... Musica Maestro! Thursday, May 22nd or Thursday, September 25th Light lunch at Villa La Massa and departure for the Villa di Celle, received by its owners and contemporary art collectors, the Giuliano Gori family. One of the largest private collection of land art in the world, specifi cally commissioned for this vast property. Departure for Lucca, birthplace of opera s grand composer, Giacomo Puccini, to enjoy the beauty of this town and with a little break in the delightful Palazzo Pfanner gardens. Short time at leisure before the Concert at the Chiesa di San Giovanni, A Night at the Opera, music by Giacomo Puccini. Dinner at Buca di Sant Antonio in Lucca will follow. Return to the Hotel after dinner. Fattoria di Celle, site specifi c art Lucca Palazzo Pfanner Garden La Turandot last unfi nished Puccini s work Villa La Massa is owned by Villa d'este Hotels Tel Fax Website: info@villalamassa.it

One of the largest private collection of land art in the world, specifi cally commissioned for this vast property.

5 DAY 5: The Green Thumb Renaissance Friday, May 23rd or Friday, September 26th The last and most signifi cant episode of Medicean collecting and the most ephemeral: botanical collection Explore green symbolism among the flowers, fruits and gardens depicted in artworks by Renaissance masters at the Galleria degli Uffizi (with private access - no waiting time) Outing to Ferdinando De Medici s hunting lodge, Villa di Artimino Lunch with a panoramic view of th Tuscan countryside at "Delfina", renowned trattoria at Artimino. After lunch, visit to the Villa Medicea di Poggio a Caiano and the newly opened Museo della Natura Morta (Still life Museum). Among the many artworks there are large paintings by Bartolomeo Bimbi, unique and visionary testimonial of the last Medici collecting obsession: fruit trees Return to Villa La Massa and Farewell Dinner. Primavera by Botticelli, Galleria degli Uffi zi Villa di Poggio a Caiano Villa di Artimino Agrumi by Bartolomeo Bimbi Breakfast and individual departures. DAY 6: Departure Saturday, May 24th or Saturday, September 27th Please note - dinners (wine included) are counted in the program and foreseen at the Hotel: 2 are group dinners (the welcome dinner and the farewell dinner), all the others are individual.

00 - Outing to Ferdinando De Medici s hunting lodge, Villa di Artimino. 13.00 - Lunch with a panoramic view of th Tuscan countryside at "Delfina", renowned trattoria at Artimino.

6 FOR INFORMATION AND BOOKING Villa La Massa Mrs. Tamara Trambusti Ph INFORMATION & BOOKING CONDITIONS REGISTRATION The program is reserved to a limited number of participants due to its exclusive nature. We ask participants to apply within the following deadline: Spring Tour (May19th- 24th, 2014): please register no later than April 19th, 2014 Autumn Tour (September 22nd - 27th, 2014): please register no later than August 22nd, 2014 MODALITY OF PAYMENT The total amount for each tour is: Double Deluxe Room: Euro 6.610,00 (2 persons); supplement for accomodation in: Junior Suite - Euro 700,00, Junior Suite Top - Euro 1.400,00, Suite - Euro 2.100,00. Double Deluxe Room: Euro 4.530,00 (1 person); supplement for accomodation in: Junior Suite - Euro 700,00, Junior Suite Top - Euro 1.400,00, Suite - Euro 2.100,00. The above rates include accomodation, everything specified in the program except for transportation from/to airport or train station, activities not mentioned in the detailed itinerary, meals not stated on official itinerary, additions or substitutions to meals, incidentals, tips, and gratuities. In order to secure the reservation 50% deposit of the total amount is required upon registration and within the above specifi ed deadlines. The remaining 50% of the total amount of the tour will be paid by clients once arrived at the Hotel. Payment can be made by credit card or bank transfer. The Reservations Office at Villa La Massa will send bank details upon booking confirmation. Should the organization not reach the minimum number of participants to go on air with the program, it will be the Hotel s care to refund the requested deposit. IN CASE OF CANCELLATION If the cancellation is received before the deadlines (April19th or August 22nd): the total deposit will be refunded. If the cancellation is received after the deadlines: no deposit will be refunded.

We ask participants to apply within the following deadline: Spring Tour (May19th- 24th, 2014): please register no later than April 19th, 2014 Autumn Tour (September 22nd - 27th, 2014): please

7 Please note This program is created and organized by: Villa La Massa - Villa d Este Hotels & Andrea Ghiottonelli, Florentine Art Historian. The organizer reserves the right to make substitutions to the itinerary with similar activities/venues as those described in the original offi cial programme, if necessary. Villa la Massa, the Hall

The organizer reserves the right to make substitutions to the itinerary with similar

Villa La Massa Friends of Art A Taste of Renaissance in Florence

Villa La Massa Friends of Art A Taste of Renaissance in Florence From Monday, September 21st to Friday, September 25th, 2015 Villa la Massa: Villino building on the Arno Villa la Massa: the Medicean Hall