The science of the Renaissance: Italy

13 November 2023 - 8 days for £2,395

Encounter the great scientific minds and discoveries of the Renaissance on a cultural adventure through the period's pre-eminent cities of science: Florence, Pisa and Bologna. Led by art and architecture expert Andrew Spira and accompanied by former New Scientist editor Jeremy Webb.

Factoring in astronomical, anatomical, architectural, medical and mathematical perspectives, the tour will look at the wondrous collections, buildings and churches that demonstrate the burgeoning knowledge of the period, while also allowing you to enjoy these beautiful cities. Plus a visit to the European Gravitational Observatory to see the large interferometer Virgo Machine.

You will learn fascinating stories about polymaths like Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo Galilei, as well as about a wealth of other Renaissance scientists and artists, who under the patronage of families such as the House of Medici, helped cement Italy's role at the forefront of scientific endeavour during this period. 

In partnership with Travel Editions

DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO BOLOGNA AND MEET THE EXPERTS

You will fly into Bologna airport, where you will be met by Andrew Spira and join the group transfer to the four-star Una Hotel Bologna Centro in the heart of Bologna for your first two nights. Andrew is not only an art and architecture expert but will also be the tour leader throughout your visit.

Then in the evening, a welcome drink and introductory talk in the hotel from Jeremy Webb, a former editor of New Scientist and Andrew. Who will cover Celestial Heights: The Poetics of Space in Renaissance Art and Astronomy. This is followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 2: BOLOGNA: CATHEDRALS, THEATRES AND THE MUSEUM OF COMMUNICATION

A full day in Bologna with Andrew and Jeremy. It is one of Italy’s most underrated but beautiful cities. A jumble of atmospheric streets leading to magnificent Renaissance period palazzos. 

You will visit the Cathedral of San Petronio which houses a "hidden-in-plane-sight" solar observatory. Here, you will hear the surprising story of cooperation between religion and science to record the structure and rhythm of the cosmos.

Afterward, you will explore the Palazzo Archiginnasio with its beautifully crafted 17th-century anatomical theatre. In the period after the Renaissance, this became a model learning establishment in Europe linked to the Age of Enlightenment.

Then onto the Museum of Communication which focuses on all forms of telecommunications from its technological infancy. It's not part of the Renaissance story but fascinating nevertheless.

DAY 3: MUSEO DI SCIENZA E ARTE THEN JOURNEY TO FLORENCE

After breakfast, you will visit the Museo di Scienza e Arte, where research and education from Bologna's past has been preserved. Set against a backdrop of 16th-century wall paintings, you will find a varied collection that includes 18th-century anatomical models and cartographic displays. 

Afterward, you will take a two-hour transfer to Florence and check-in to the four-star Palazzo dal Borgo for a five-night stay. Andrew and Jeremy will take you on a walking orientation of the city. Then in the evening, there are lectures including Vital Forces: Soul, Mind and Body in the Human and Animal Worlds, from Andrew. This will be followed by a group dinner.

DAY 4: PISA: THE EUROPEAN GRAVITATIONAL OBSERVATORY AND THE CAMPANILE LEANING TOWER

Today, you will travel for just over an hour to the historic town of Pisa for a full day of exploration. Starting with the European Gravitational Observatory, which houses the Virgo Machine, a large interferometer designed to detect gravitational waves and the only one of its kind in Europe. This is Jeremy’s final morning with you and he will be able to give you insight into the observatory’s incredible work. The scientists of the Renaissance would have been in awe of such concepts. We thought it was well worth including even though it is way off-topic. Prior to arriving, Jeremy will give on their work and it's impact on physics. 

Then you will spend the afternoon exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site Piazza dei Miracoli with its Cathedral where Galileo is believed to have formulated his theory about the movement of pendulums by watching the swinging of an incense lamp. Next door, is the largest baptistry in Italy and the Campanile, otherwise known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

DAY 5: FLORENCE: MUSEO DEGLI ARGENTI AND THE BRANACCI CHAPEL

After a hearty breakfast, you will enjoy a full day in Florence that includes the Museo degli Argenti (Silver Museum) at the Pitti Palace. 

In the afternoon, you will be stunned by the Brancacci Chapel within the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. It is often called the Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance due to its impressive cycle of frescoes that Michaelangelo copied while receiving his artistic training.

DAY 6: FLORENCE: FONDAZIONE SCIENZA, SANTA CROCE AND THE MUSEO GALILEO

In the company of Andrew, you will have another full day exploring this stunning city. You will starting with the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica, which contains a rich collection over 50,000 items covering physics, natural history and astronomy. Then you will enjoy the austere Basilica di Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in the world, where illustrious figures such as Galileo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli are buried.

Finally, the Museo Galileo, the former Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, which celebrates the studies of astronomer and scientist Galileo Galilei, who did work that was in some ways centuries ahead of its time. Andrew will enlighten you on the struggles that Galileo experienced with the religious and political establishments of the era. Plus, the museum houses many other exhibits covering science, geography and medicine.

DAY 7: FLORENCE: OPERA DEL DUOMO, BAPTISTRY AND THE PTOLEMAIC PLANETARIUM

During your final full day in Florence, Andrew will guide you around the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Museum) a transformative experience due to the amazing housing of the Cathedral's treasures, which include works by Michelangelo, Brunelleschi and the stunning doors, known as the Gates of Paradise. 

This is followed by other sites within a short walking distance including the Baptistry of Florence with its Zodiac Floor solstice marble slab, the Duomo including the Gnomon of Paulo da Pozzo Toscanelli; the Ptolemaic Planetarium in the dome of the Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo and Egnazio Danti’s instruments on the facade of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella.

DAY 8: FLORENCE AT LEISURE THEN DEPART

On the last day, there is a free morning before transferring to Florence airport for your return journey.

You are welcome to spend additional time in Florence and our operating partner Travel Editions can help you with additional nights’ accommodation, visits and alternative travel arrangements.