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Italy

The Hidden Treasures of Florence

Program No. 18647RJ
See a side of Florence rarely shown to outsiders as you enjoy inside access to the Museo del Duomo, explore palaces and aristocratic mansions and attend lectures at private galleries.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Program
At a Glance
Duration
10 days
Program Begins
Florence
Program Concludes
Florence
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
16 ( 8B, 5L, 3D )
Activity Level
This is a special opportunity to experience Florence at its absolute best — beyond the throngs of tourists in quiet neighborhoods where artisans and patricians live side by side amid colorful window boxes, cobblestone streets and churches with many hidden stories waiting to be told. View works by Michelangelo, Donatello and the great Renaissance masters.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Learn from top historians about lesser-known works of art in galleries and private collections not open to the public.
  • Visit the Scuola del Restauro and discover what it takes to preserve and repair invaluable masterpieces.
  • Enjoy Roman, Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic architecture over cocktails and apéritifs.
Profile Image
Mario Carniani
A native of Fiesole, Italy, Mario Carniani graduated with honors from the University of Florence with a focus on foreign languages and literature. After pursuing studies on Elizabethan drama in England, he moved on to teach Italian at the British Institute of Florence and English in Italian State schools. He has conducted courses on Italian literature and history for numerous international institutes based in Florence, including Georgetown University and Dartmouth University.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Profile Image of Patrizia Vigiani
Patrizia Vigiani
Patrizia Vigiani is a native Florentine who grew up with an authentic love for her city, being passionate about art, history, and culture. She attended the Technical Institute for Tourism in Florence and has worked in travel since 2001 when she started traveling through Italy and Europe as a group leader, finally coming back to her city after many years. In 2008, she became an officially licensed guide for Florence. Patrizia has been with Road Scholar since 2017.
Profile Image of Alessandra Sarappa
Alessandra Sarappa
Alessandra Sarappa was born and raised in Rome. She studied English at Rice University in Texas before spending seven years in the UK. She was part of the cabin crew at British Airways for 25 years, and worked with English customers in Sorrento as a customer resort helper for Jet2Holidays for one summer. She then became a group leader for companies including AG Boutique in Rome, Laser Jet in Riccione, and the Aloschi Bros cruise agency. Her interests range from art to nature and gastronomy.
Profile Image of Caterina Zanobetti
Caterina Zanobetti
Caterina Zanobetti is a licensed group leader because she loves arts, history, and visitors' curiosity. She likes telling stories, legends, and sharing the emotion of discovering the towns and beautiful places of her country. She was born in Rome, but has lived in Florence since she was a teenager. After working several years in an import-export, she decided to turn her passion into a job, and studied to become a group leader.
Profile Image of Alma Lizia Vasquez
Alma Lizia Vasquez
Alma Lizia Vasquez was born in Mexico, and moved to Florence over two decades ago. Alma is a licensed group leader who is also a sommelier, photographer, and paper artworks restorer. Alma is curious and restless by nature; she is passionate about history, art history, languages, and travel. Since 2015, she has been working in the tourism sector for several national and international agencies. She began working with Road Scholar in 2022, initially as an assistant and later as a group leader.
Profile Image of Eleonora Tartarini
Eleonora Tartarini
Eleonora Tartarini was born in northern Tuscany between the Mediterranean Sea and the Apuan Alps famous for the white marble of Carrara. After researching as a cultural anthropologist in the U.S.A., Eleonora has been living and working in Florence as a local guide, hiking guide, and tour manager since 2012. The focus of her work is to narrate the mechanisms of Italian and European culture through art, history, and daily life. Eleonora loves animals, the woods and the Mediterranean, singing, and creating ceramic pieces.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 3 miles over the course of a day, uneven terrain; standing up to one hour at a time during on-site lectures.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (9 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.






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