Our fifth winter program explored the world of Machiavelli.
ITINERARY
Friday, February 17th
- Morning meeting in the Sala Guarnieri of the Hotel Lungarno to receive the welcome materials and final program itinerary, followed by a lecture by Bill Cook and Ross King, our program historians.
- Private visit to Orsanmichele and a viewing of the Condottieri in the Cathedral of Florence.
- Visit to the home in exile of Niccolò Machiavelli in S Andrea in Percussina, including lunch and a seminar on his writings.
- Return to Florence in the later afternoon.
- Cocktails and dinner in a private palace.
Saturday, February 18th
- Visit to the Casentino, with a viewing of the Castle of Poppi and related sites that follow our theme of the growth of city states in Tuscany, including lunch and an overview of the battle site of Campaldino.
- Return to Florence in the later afternoon.
- Dinner in a historic trattoria in Florence.
Sunday, February 19th
- Morning departure for Pisa with particular emphasis on important monuments, a visit to the Pinacoteca in the Monastery of San Matteo, and discussion of Machiavelli’s thoughts on defeating Pisa. Lunch in Pisa.
- Visit San Piero a Grado as we return to Florence.
- Dinner in a private home.
Monday, February 20th
- Visits during the day to various sites in Florence related to our theme, including a stop at Machiavelli’s tomb to render homage in Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella’s Spanish Chapel. We will also view Friends of Florence restoration projects in the Churches of Santo Spirito, SS. Annunziata, and the Uffizi Gallery.
- Luncheon at the Cantinetta Antinori.
- Cocktails at the Bardini Museum followed by dinner in a private palace.
Tuesday, February 21st
- Departures.
