Program
Thursday October 4
Welcome Cocktail hosted by Mr., and Mrs. Lowry Bell
Welcome Cocktail hosted by Mr., and Mrs. Lowry Bell
Art and Wine, tour of top Tuscan wineries
Visit to prominent wineries with special opening of Rocca di Frassinello, a wonder of modern architecture by Renzo Piano with the spectacular barrel cellar and winemaking spaces.
Unique possibility to visit their important Etruscan Museum with artifacts of the Necropolis of San Germano.
Unique possibility to visit their important Etruscan Museum with artifacts of the Necropolis of San Germano.
Lunch at the Ornellaia Winery, hosted by Marquis and Marchioness Frescobaldi, and tour of the estate’s historical vineyards and contemporary art collection up to the unique cellar with durmast wood barrels, where the world-renowned wines are aged and stored.
Early dinner at the Castle della Gherardesca at Castagneto Carducci, received by Countess Sibilla della Gherardesca.
The castle has been residence of the della Gherardesca family since the Middle Age, with the famed Count Ugolino immortalized in Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. The ancient construction comprises grand halls and rooms bringing select guests in a trip through history.
The castle has been residence of the della Gherardesca family since the Middle Age, with the famed Count Ugolino immortalized in Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. The ancient construction comprises grand halls and rooms bringing select guests in a trip through history.
Art and Florentine Merchants
Visit to the Church of Santa Maria Novella, symbol of the synergy between Art and Merchants in Renaissance Florence. Built in the 13th century by the friars of the Dominican order, the church became one of the world’s most beautiful churches thanks to its unique marble facade and rich decorations, commissioned by the noble, wealthiest merchant families who became patrons of the greatest artists of the Renaissance.
The museum is housed in the deconsecrated Church of San Pancrazio, where, in the second half of the 15th century, the Rucellai family commissioned one of the treasures of Florentine Renaissance: the funerary chapel with the small-scale copy of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, an architectural jewel by Leon Battista Alberti who also completed the Church of Santa Maria Novella facade.
After the visit, short walk to see the beautiful facade of the Rucellai family historical Palazzo.
Lunch and afternoon free
Dinner at Osteria di Giovanni
Cultural visits to be defined
Afternoon free
Palazzo Pitti 7:00 pm
Sala Bianca: concert of the St. Petersburg-based Mariinsky Orchestra led by its Artistic and General Director, world-renowned conductor Valery Gergiev. Maestro Gergiev’s accolades include being named one the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.
Tour of the Palatine Gallery with masterpieces by painters such as Raffaello, Botticelli, Tiziano, Rubens and many other great masters.
Visit of the Sala di Bona with frescoes by Bernardino Poccetti, which is being restored thanks to the generous donation of our patron Veronica Atkins.
8:30 pm Drinks on the terrace over the Rondò di Bacco and Gala dinner in the Sala della Vasca
Visit of the Sala di Bona with frescoes by Bernardino Poccetti, which is being restored thanks to the generous donation of our patron Veronica Atkins.
8:30 pm Drinks on the terrace over the Rondò di Bacco and Gala dinner in the Sala della Vasca
Visit to the new rooms housing the Contini Bonacossi Collection, renovated thanks to the Friends that have contributed to the restoration works and the new lighting system.
Farewell dinner at Villa Il Garofalo, hosted by Countess Maria Vittoria Rimbotti
October 7, 2018
