Fra Angelico

The Divine Art of Fra Angelico - Pilgrimage to Florence

Introduction

Fra Angelico: The artist was born in the late 14th Century, and became a member of the Dominican Order of Friars in the small town of Fiesole, which is situated in the hills above Florence. Afterwards, he spent some time in the Dominican Community in Cortona, before coming to St Mark’s in Florence, where he covered the walls of public rooms and cells of the friars with outstanding works of religious art, including his acknowledged masterpiece, ‘The Annunciation’.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE - WEDNESDAY

Bristol or Gatwick – Pisa

Scheduled flights from Bristol, or Gatwick to Pisa. Transfer by road or train to Florence, where we check into our hotel, situated near to Museo S. Marco, for a six-night stay. Dinner will be in a local restaurant on each night of our stay.

DAY TWO - THURSDAY

Florence

Walk from the hotel to the Museo San Marco (admission included), once a Dominican monastery where both Savonarola and Fra’ Angelico were one time residents. It is still possible to see Savonarola’s cell where he awaited his death at the stake. Of course the most striking thing about San Marco is Fra’ Angelico’s personal interior decoration with the pièce de résistance being the ‘Annunciation’ greeting you at the top of the stairs. Walk back to the hotel by way of the Piazza Santa Annunziata and San Lorenzo market area. This afternoon we have a tour by a local guide of the cathedral and the outside of the Baptistery with its ‘Gates of Paradise’. Our final visit is to the Church of San Maria Novella containing a wonderful altarpiece by Gentile da Fabriano, a contemporary of Fra Angelico.

DAY THREE - FRIDAY

Florence

This morning we have a timed visit to the Uffizi Gallery, which contains a wealth of religious art, including ‘The Coronation of the Virgin’, by Fra Angelico in room 7. Works by artists other than Fra Angelico not to be missed are, ‘Madonna and Child’ by Filippo Lippi (room 8), ‘Madonna of the Magnificat’, by Bellini (room 10), and ‘Adoration of the Magi’. Do not forget rooms 25 & 26 with works by Michelangelo and Raphael. This afternoon will be at leisure.

DAY FOUR - SATURDAY

Cortona

Travel by coach to the medieval hill town of Cortona, where Fra Angelico lived for several years as a
member of the community of the church of St Dominic. We visit the church as well as the Diocesan Museum, which contains another ‘Annunciation’ by Fra Angelico, and a ‘Deposition’ by Signorelli. Later, we visit the Friary of Le Celle, founded as a Hermitage, by St Francis of Assisi.

DAY FIVE - SUNDAY

Florence and Fiesole

This morning, we attend Eucharist at the English Church of St Mark. After lunch we travel by public bus to Fiesole where Fra Angelico was for a time a member of the Dominican community. We visit the church of San Domenico, which contains works by Fra Angelico including “Virgin and Child” between Saint Thomas Aquinas, Barnabas, Dominic and Peter Martyr.

DAY SIX - MONDAY

Optional Excursion to Siena

Today is at leisure in Florence or you can join the optional excursion to Siena at £29 per person: After breakfast we leave for Siena (90 minutes). On arrival there will be a guided tour by a local guide to include the church of San Domenico (where St Catherine’s head is kept!), the patronal home of St Catherine as well as the cathedral and Piazza del Campo (not forgetting St Bernadine of Siena, who used to preach here). We have some time at leisure in the afternoon before returning to Florence.

DAY SEVEN - TUESDAY

Florence – Pisa – Bristol or Gatwick

Transfer to Pisa Airport for the return flight to Bristol or Gatwick.

Travel Dates and Cost:

10th October 2012 - 16th October 2012
Seven Days
£959

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Terms of Payment:

Deposit of £150 (plus the travel insurance premium if the cover we offer is required) per person on booking, balance payable two months before the departure date.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Return scheduled flights: Bristol – Pisa or Gatwick – Pisa. U.K, and Italy airport taxes. 6 nights accommodation in shared twin or double bedded rooms with private facilities at the 3-star Hotel Della Pace (or similar), situated a short distance from San Marco. Florence city tax. Meal plan: 6 continental breakfasts and 6 dinners. All touring and transfers by air-conditioned coach as per the itinerary. Guided tours by fully-licensed English speaking guides as per the itinerary. All entrance fees as per itinerary. Pax Travel Italian speaking tour manager to accompany the tour whilst in Italy. ATOL and AITO financial protection. Assistance with booking religious services.

EXTRAS:

Single room supplements at £156 per person for 6-nights (limited availability). Travel insurance at £29.50 per person. Entrance fees not stated in the itinerary. Fuel surcharges if passed on by the airline. U.K. coach transfers. Lunches, drinks and souvenirs.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

This tour will be led by two Anglican Priests. However, members of all denominations are welcome.

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