From Bologna to Parma: A Feast for the Soul & Senses
26 Apr — 2 May 2021 | Tour Director: Andrew Spira

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Ascension of Christ, San Giovanni Evangelista by Livioandronico2013/CC-BY-SA-4.0
Tour Director
Andrew Spira,
MA
Andrew was a specialist in Byzantine and Russian icons at the Temple Gallery, London, before working as a curator at the V&A Museum.
Itinerary
Day
1
Depart London Heathrow for Bologna. Transfer to Art Hotel Commercianti, Bologna, for three nights. Evening lecture: Medieval Devotion & the Origin of the Renaissance.
Day
2
Morning: Pinacoteca Nazionale (Bolognese paintings). Afternoon: Palazzo Poggi, Oratory of Santa Cecilia (fresco cycle by Costa, Francia and Aspertini) and San Giacomo Maggiore.
Day
3
Morning: Cathedral and Archiginnasio (Anatomical Theatre). Afternoon: San Petronio, San Domenico and Oratorio di Santa Maria della Vita. Evening lecture: Humanism & Courtly Culture followed by independent dinner.
Day
4
Depart for Parma via 4 Madonne Caseificio dell’ Emilia (Parmesan cheese factory) for tour and tasting. Visits in Parma: Palazzo della Pilotta (former palace of Farnese dynasty), San Giovanni Evangelista (Correggio’s Vision of St John frescoes), Cathedral and Baptistery. Evening lecture: Art, Theatre & Propaganda. Three nights at Hotel Mercure Parma Stendhal.
Day
5
Whole day excursion to Mantua: Palazzo Te (Giulio Romano frescoes), Church of San Sebastiano and Civic Museum (Palazzo San Sebastiano), Mantegna’s House and Guilio Romano’s House (exteriors), Basilica di San Andrea, Palazzo Ducale (Mantegna and Pisanello), Camera Picta and Teatro Scientifico Bibiena.
Day
6
Whole day excursion to Sabbioneta: Synagogue, Palazzo Ducale, Teatro all’Antica, Palazzo Giardino and Galleria degli Antichi. Return to Parma via former Valserena Abbey (Centro Studi e Archivio della Comunicazione dell’Università di Parma).
Day
7
Depart Bologna for London Heathrow.
Tour Dates
26 Apr — 2 May 2021
Days
7
Cost
£2245
Tour Code
BOLG-21
Gallery
our photos
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Testimonial
“Andrew Spira was very well informed, and able to pull together the things that we were looking at and demonstrate how artistic trends developed. I couldn’t have wished for better”
ACE customer on a previous Bologna, Mantua & Parma tour with Andrew Spira.
FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES
A good overall level of fitness is required for this tour. Participants should expect to spend much of each day walking, and be aware that some of our visits will involve standing for periods of time.
FLIGHTS
For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of £150.
Cost of £2245 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, one lunch, five dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.
Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £235, double room for single use supplement £380.