TRIP TO ITALY - fior Johnsons Family

Enjoy the Art of Italy

DAY 4, 5 & 6 - FLORENCE

DAY 4 - TRAIN TO FLORENCE

This morning you will be met by a Kirker representative for your private water taxi transfer from the hotel to Venice Santa Lucia train station, an iconic building which links the city to the mainland over a narrow causeway. Board your high-speed train and take your reserved seats for the journey to Florence, which takes a little over two hours, passing through the fertile countryside of the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna. Arriving into Florence’s grand Santa Maria Novella station, you will be met by a Kirker driver for the short transfer to your next hotel.

DAY 5 - 

5 - FLORENCE WALKING TOUR

Florence is a perfect city to explore on foot, with much of the historic city centre within easy walking distance. Start your day with a private walking tour with an expert Kirker guide – or, for those staying in Florence on a Sunday, join the Kirker small group tour which departs from the Piazza della Republica and takes in the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Pitti and the church of Santo Spirito. Stop for lunch in one of our recommended trattoria, Florence is famous for its fabulous cuisine, in particular the traditional Bistecca Fiorentina, truffles from the Tuscan hills, and wild boar ragu with fresh pasta. Or, for the more adventurous, try a tripe sandwich – a popular local snack. In the afternoon, head to Piazza Duomo to admire Brunneleschi’s magnificent cupola, and if you feel like earning your supper, climb the steps to the top of the campanile – bell tower – where you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Florentine rooftops.

DAY 6 - 

6 - THE ART GALLERIES OF FLORENCE

Devote your second day to the art galleries of the city – starting with the Uffizi, the world’s greatest gallery of Italian Renaissance art. Recent renovations have provided more modern galleries for some of the greatest masterpieces, including rooms dedicated to the works of Botticelli, Leonardo and Caravaggio, which enable these paintings to be appreciated in the space which they deserve. After admiring Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, take a short stroll to the nearby Accademia Gallery, where you will find the original stature of David by Michelangelo – or try the Bargello Gallery for a less-visited but equally impressive collection of sculpture. Tickets for all three galleries can be arranged by the Kirker Concierge before you travel, to save the queues on the door, and Kirker clients receive complimentary entrance to the first museum of their choice.

DAY 7, 8 & 9 - ROME

DAY 7 - TRAIN TO ROME

Departing from Florence you will be whisked back to the station for the high-speed train journey south – it takes just 80 minutes to reach Rome. The scale of the Eternal City is apparent as soon as you arrive at Termini station and your Kirker driver takes you through the bustling streets towards the oasis of the L'Orologio Roma, located within walking distance from Piazzo Navona and the Pantheon. Spend the afternoon exploring the designer shops of the Via Veneto and perhaps take a walk down to the illuminated Trevi Fountain in the evening.

DAY 8 - ROME

Rome is a vast city which is nonetheless eminently walkable, providing you have the stamina. The best way to appreciate the city is to tackle one area at a time. First-time visitors to Rome should not miss the iconic Colosseum, the most famous monument of Ancient Rome, and it is now possible to also explore the building’s upper levels as well as the former dungeons. Speak to the Kirker Concierge before you travel to pre-book a ticket which also includes entrance to the adjacent Roman Forum, the heart of the Classical city and still home to some impressive remains. If you have been to Rome before, or are visiting during the heat of summer, head instead into the lush, shaded Borghese Gardens where you will find one the best sculpture galleries in Europe, within an elegant villa.

 

DAY 9 - ROME - VATICAN MUSEUMS

Today, head over to the other side of the Tiber River to explore the Vatican, starting at the Vatican Museums with your pre-booked Kirker entrance ticket, which will help you to avoid the often lengthy queues. The museum complex here is an astonishing treasure trove of art accumulated by the Vatican over many centuries, and is displayed within magnificent interiors, decorated with frescoes and murals – including the famous Gallery of Maps. You will find classical sculptures, masterpieces by Raphael including his magisterial School of Athens, and not forgetting Michelangelo’s interiors of the Sistine Chapel.