Italy
The Hidden Treasures of Florence
Program No. 18647RJ
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The Hidden Treasures of Florence
The Hidden Treasures of Florence
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Participant Reviews
Based on 45 Reviews
SHOWING
Excellent itinerary. Good free time. Great group of women, and good guide and lecturers.
— Review left January 5, 2026
Traveling with all ladies is the best. We all had a story and often shared insights and personal details with each other. A kinder, friendlier, or more personable group could not be found!
— Review left December 11, 2025
Hidden Treasures of Florence was amazing! We got to see rooms and thing that were not available to a regular tour group
— Review left November 19, 2025
Hidden Treasures gave us Florence with all its art, food and history.
— Review left November 18, 2025
This trip is a bit of an anomaly, as you never got more than a mile from the hotel where you first arrive. No long bus rides, or changes in hotel (which was great). Thanks to an excellent tour leader and tour guides, we learned a lot and got to experience a lot right in the center of Florence.
— Review left November 1, 2025
A comprehensive tour of a beautiful and fascinating city with wonderful Road Scholar colleagues - we enjoyed our time very much and look forward to returning!
— Review left October 2, 2025
This was my first experience with Road Scholar, and I am so impressed with the care and thought put into this course. I've visited Florence many times in the past 15 years. I can happily say that the course title (The Hidden Treasure of Florence") is spot on. We were taken to places not easily accessed by typical tourists. And the wealth of knowledge provided by Mario and by Giovanni were top notch. And our group leader, Giulia, was so helpful, kind, knowledgeable and fun! She went above and beyond to make the trip special for all of us. The choice of restaurants and menus selected showed a great deal of care and provided a great variety of delicious Florentine food.
Thank you Road Scholar!
Joanie
— Review left May 29, 2025
Great trip as usual with a lot of information about the Medici and other during the renaissance like Michelangelo etc. both professorGiovanni GUidetti and professor Mario Carniani are excellent with a wealth of knowledge and they have the way to convey that knowledge to us very interestingly. It was not like a lecture. I have learned a lot about Florence history and influence. Like Florin, Pinocchio, Florence Nightingale, Amerigo Vespucci, Galileo, Giambollogna etc. One thing I wish that the tour of the Academy is included and also the Petti plaice and Boboli garden.
— Review left May 19, 2025
If you love the Renaissance and discovering more about it up close and personal with great knowledgeable guides, this is for you.
— Review left May 15, 2025
Very enjoyable trip and a deep immersion into Florence's impact on the Renaissance. Future participants should book tickets in advance (before leaving the US) for popular attractions they might want to visit during their free time - including Michelangelo's 'David' at the Accademia, the Pitti Palace, and climbing Brunelleschi's Dome at the Cathedral. These sites often sell out well in advance.
— Review left May 1, 2025
This tour will make you fall in love with Florence!
— Review left April 17, 2025
This is my third Road Scholar trip and will not be my last. Thoroughly enjoyed all of them - Washington, DC, Mexico City and Florence. Tell all my friends and family about how good the trips are. One friend signed up for a two-week trip to Italy with Road Scholar!
— Review left February 22, 2025
Our guides were lively, engaging and presented the art in historical, cultural and religious context. We were exposed to a diversity of museums and places. Overall, very well organized. If you love art, this was an exceptional program experience.
— Review left December 5, 2024
This program includes two of the best professors/lecturers. They really added so much to the program. Of more than 20 Road Scholar tours I have attended, this was definitely one of my favorites!
— Review left November 16, 2024
A full week (in rainy weather) allowing for a settled in depth experience and study of the art and the forces which shaped the art, of the Italian Renaissance. The hotel is Modern which was appreciated after a day of historic sites. The breakfast there was among the best that I ever experienced on a RS tour. If the weather had been drier, I would have enjoyed the beautiful rooftop pool. There is a bar on site so you are able to sip a late afternoon aperitivo on the rooftop patio under shade of a pergola. The hotel does have glitches at times and it is near the railway to there were a few unsavory derelicts sleeping in doorways that I passed each day. Yet, as a small, elderly woman traveling alone, I felt completely safe. The soundproofing is very good, I heard NO street noise at night and I faced the main road at the front of the building.
Content on the whole was good and indeed had unique access events like the visit to the Restoration School and Palazzo Gondi. Some travelers in my group amended the itinerary by opting out of one day and instead visiting the Tuscan countryside, smaller towns, wineries, etc. Lecturers were very high level scholars and those taking the tour with a deep interest in Italian Renaissance Art and the forces of the times that shapes that art and its artists, will not be disappointed.
— Review left November 5, 2024
If you didn't get enough art history in your life, this program will suffice; and Florence will fill your mind with wonder.
— Review left October 25, 2024
The emphasis on art and architecture in this Florence program gave the perfect introduction to the city and its history, and to the role that the city and its artists, politicians, and civic and religious leaders played during the Renaissance and beyond. The art historians were excellent, providing insights far beyond what we might have expected.
— Review left October 12, 2024
Highly recommend Road Scholar for your next trip. My trip to Italy was Amazing and unforgetable! I Love it!
— Review left May 16, 2024
Road Scholar provides the perfect combination of teaching and enjoyment in their selection of guides, lecturers, sites, and lodging. I brag about my trips with them.
— Review left May 4, 2024
I'll start with the positives: The entire city of Florence is a treasure! Those with an added interest in seeing and learning more about Medieval and Renaissance art will be rewarded! The Glance Hotel was well situated ( although on a highly trafficked commercial street) with an easy walk to most sites. The staff was friendly and accommodating; the varied breakfast buffet was excellent; very clean rooms, modern decor.
The negatives: The tour leader, Patrizia, did not exhibit good management skills overseeing her guides. Yes, she kept us on a timely scheduled but did the minimum in keeping track of the exhaustive detailed material the two guides were covering. There was so much overlap - duplicated facts and background information we had previously heard from one or the other. And way too much obscure info -- guides gently needed to be reminded that we were not a group of art/cultural historian scholars!!
Giovanni was an excellent local guide, but Mario repeated himself, spent much precious time talking about the 1966 flood in Florence and in promoting his book. There were too many churches, (cold, drafty interiors) on the daily schedule, with fewer opportunities for visiting museums - some of us were disappointed that we hadn't be given adequate advance warning to buy online tickets for The Accademia. Nor were we properly alerted as to the opening/closing days of other art museums and collections. It would have been highly desirable to include a day trip to some of the Tuscan villages surrounding Florence.
I certainly hope that Road Scholar makes some suggested changes as overall, believe me, this is a great tour worthy of 5 stars!
— Review left April 7, 2024
Excellent immersion in art and history of early Renaissance in Florence. 5 stars
— Review left March 31, 2024
The Hidden Treasures of Florence met and exceeded our every expectation.
— Review left March 28, 2024
Florence is one of the world’s destination tourist cities. This February tour avoids the crowded masses of summer.
— Review left March 10, 2024
This program is so worthwhile even if you have visited Florence before! Great experiences and education!
— Review left December 1, 2023
Road Scholar went far beyond my expectations in providing a welcoming atmosphere with highly competent and personable instructors who were immersed in and passionate about their subject matter. Our guide was excellent and the accommodations and meals were first class. This was the experience of a lifetime!!
— Review left November 14, 2023
As a participant who has done 18 programs, this is among the very best! A wonderful hotel in a city filled with opportunities to learn.
— Review left November 1, 2023
Florence is a glorious place to visit. If you love Italian Renaissance art and architecture, this is the trip for you. Incomparable learning experience.
— Review left October 26, 2023
I don't have time to write it again, but feel free to select any parts of my glowing assessment of the program and share it publicly.
— Review left October 7, 2023
This tour was somewhat disappointing. The tour leader, Patrizia, was very weak and did not have good leadership abilities. Giovanni was an excellent local guide, but Mario overloaded with information and became easily distracted. There were too many churches on the agenda, with fewer opportunities for visiting museums. The visit to the Uffizi Gallery focused on the floor with the religious images and did not include the floor with the beautiful Renaissance portraits (which I saw by going to the Gallery before the start of the tour). It was also be more interesting to include a day trip to some of the Tuscan villages surrounding Florence. The Glance Hotel was excellent: quiet, clean, friendly staff, wonderful breakfasts. If Road Scholar made some of the changes suggested, this could be a great tour!
— Review left June 1, 2023
Absolutely fabulous!!! The hotel was within walking distance of just about everything we did. Plenty of free time and evenings to explore on your own. Rained every single day we were there except one, but who cares?! It's Florence! The TL, Patrizia, was fabulous as were both lecturers/experts, Mario and Giovanni. Everything was well planned and executed.
— Review left May 18, 2023
An utterly absorbing visit to the art and architecture of Florence. All tour leaders were very knowledgeable and inclusive.
— Review left April 5, 2023
This program was well organized and very informative. I learned so much from the program instructors.
— Review left March 5, 2023
Hidden Florence was a fabulous tour! Because it is a deep dive into Renaissance art and architecture, we had one of two art historians with us at each sight and this made all the difference in the world. For a lover of art and history, it doesn't get any better than this tour.
— Review left October 27, 2022
This program is very special. By the program's conclusion you will have a new appreciation for Renaissance art and history in Florence. Don't be surprised if at the program's end you feel as if you've lived in 15th and early 16th century Firenze.
— Review left October 13, 2022
It's a good website, but does not give users the option of confirming changes in travel plans - just a continued stream of "please review your itinerary and travel plans" messages. That needs to be changed.
— Review left May 21, 2022
This somewhat deep dive in Florence is the way to experience and enjoy the art capital of the world. Florence is a one of a kind experience. We arrived a day early and then nine days with Road Scholar offered us some depth and was a delight. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone.
— Review left April 30, 2022
This was an excellent program led by a kind, caring Group Leader and simply marvelous, intellectually outstanding instructors, who, in the brief time we were together did an excellent job of explaining the Renaissance in Florence. Such an excellent program should be expanded by a few days!
— Review left April 17, 2022
This program was a wonderful experience and I definitely would recommend it. I loved how Road Scholar took care of everything, even scheduling covid tests before going home and Julie, the guide, was at the pharmacy to help out if needed. The instructors were very knowledgeable and taught the information in a very understandable way. We were on the go mornings and afternoons with very little free time for other activities.(For example, not enough time to stop in a gift shop after visiting a museum). I felt that I was ready for all the walking and standing but I was surprised at how difficult it was. I purchased a cane to help with the uneven cobblestones and worn down steps. Two people in our small group got injured on the steps (not Road Scholar's fault)-one had to use a wheel chair after and Florence is not handicap friendly, and one left since he had a broken shoulder. Julie took great care of these individuals, accommodating them. This is just to let you know it's quite rugged. My favorite part was the restoration school. It was very interesting and we saw their work in action at the Uffizi after we knew what to look for in the paintings. I felt we didn't need to purchase all the books suggested. Make sure you know the Medici line and it will help you with the time lines. Yes, I would recommend this program if you love art history and want to spend time in a gorgeous city.
— Review left April 17, 2022
What a great program. For someone who wants to learn about the art history of the Renaissance, this is the cat's meow!
— Review left November 1, 2021
This was my first Road Scholar trip and I am already planning my second. The trip to Florence was wonderful. I have never seen such beautiful art and learned a lot about the city, the artists and Italy. We got to see many places the average tourist can't visit, which was fascinating. Delicious food, great fellow travelers and experienced staff made my week unforgettable.
— Review left March 12, 2020
This program was a great introduction to the beautiful architecture and art of Florence. I traveled as a single person and everyone was so friendly in this group.
— Review left March 6, 2020
Wonderful trip for returning visitors to Florence. It is a city that has new and old sites around every corner!
— Review left June 16, 2019
We enjoyed our tour in Florence enormously. The itinerary provided us with a generous overview of Florence's treasures plus time to explore on our own. In addition to the well-known sites, we especially appreciated the visits to Pallazzo Gondi, Torrigiani Garden,and to the School of Restoration. They are treasures in their own right.
Patrizia (our leader), and our two "experts", Mario and Giovanni, brought their expertise, passion and engaging personalities to the tour. We appreciated their commitment to share their love of Florence.
Sharon and Rick
— Review left May 14, 2019
What better place to be than in Florence? Despite the crowds I would return
as soon as possible..
— Review left May 5, 2019
If you like the art, Italy and would like to know more about Renaissance, - this trip is for you.
— Review left April 19, 2019