SOLD OUT! But don’t worry, you can add yourself to the waiting list to see if a place becomes available. Please email Katherine and Helen on reservations@theoldie.co.uk
Charlie Hall runs the John Hall Venice course founded by his father and leads regular tours to Italy.
Charlie Hall writes:
Genoa, the city that called itself La Superba (the proud) declared herself one of the first medieval communes in the 12th century but came into glory in the 16th century, as the banker to the Spanish Conquistadores. She attained riches and decorated herself with glorious palaces and stunning Baroque churches, decorated by an emerging school of fabulous painters, including Rubens and Van Dyck.
Our tour will take in some of the highlights of this extraordinary city, from the medieval centre with its narrow lanes winding down to the great port and four of the most exceptional palaces. We will go on to visit historic towns such as Chiavari, where we will have a private tour and lunch in the Palazzo Ravaschieri, and Cervara, perching on the coastline next to Portofino, where we will have lunch at the Hotel Splendido (the late Michael Winner’s favourite haunt). We then visit the stunning coast of Cinque Terre, with its picturesque villages that seem to cling onto the hills. Our base for the first two days will be the glamorous Hotel Savoia (https://www.grandhotelsavoiage...)overlooking the city and old port of Genoa and for the next four days will be the exquisite Excelsior Palace Hotel, bang on the coast in Rapallo, where we will have lunch looking out to sea whenever possible.
Thursday 15th April – Arrival
Depart Heathrow on the 1115 flight to Pisa, landing at 1435; transfer to the hotel. Welcome drinks on the rooftop terrace and introductory talk by Charlie. Dinner at hotel.
Friday 16th April – Tour of Genoa
Our day will start at Porta dei Vacca from where we will stroll to the churches of San Luca and San Siro, followed by a visit to Palazzo Spinola. Lunch will be at Genoa’s answer to White’s Club, the Societa’ del Casino dei Nobili.
Then we’ll visit the magnificent Palazzo del Principe owned by the Doria Pamphili family.
Andrea Doria effectively ruled Genoa for much of the 16th century and the palazzo is sumptuously decorated with frescoes by Perino del Vaga and magnificent tapestries depicting the Battle of Lepanto.
A highlight is Bronzino’s portrait of a virile Andrea Doria as Neptune.
Saturday 17th April – La Strada Nuova of Genoa
Today we make our way along Via Garibaldi, which was known as La Strada Nuova in the late 16th century when rich mercantile families built grand palaces. We will see the hidden gem of Santa Maria di Castello, with the famous fresco of Giusto di Ravensburg; then, down in Piazza Soziglia, have a panna at the Cremeria Buonafede. After lunch, we will visit Palazzo Lomellino, before visiting the Palazzo Rosso and the Palazzo Bianco, both of which hold major art collections.
Later in the afternoon there will be an opportunity to visit the acclaimed Maritime Museum, which tells the history of the city’s golden age, and the cathedral where we will have a tour with the museum’s director and learn that jeans originated in Genoa.
Sunday 18th April – La Cervara and Portofino
We will leave the hotel at 09.45 and drive to the Benedictine abbey at La Cervara to visit the lovely interiors and enjoy views of the bay from the split-level gardens. Afterwards we continue to Portofino, one of the smartest and most picturesque resorts in Europe, where we will have lunch at the magnificent Hotel Splendido, which overlooks the port below.
Monday 19th April – Cinque Terre
The best way to visit the Cinque Terre is to take the train from Rapallo to Vernazza and then a boat. Rivalling the Amalfi coast, the Cinque Terre is one of the great coastlines of Europe. The villages built into the sheer cliffs appear to cling perilously to the rock, like a collection of colourful pastel-painted limpets decorating the shoreline. We will have lunch at Belforte, overlooking the Ligurian sea.
Tuesday 20th April – Chiavari and Sestri Levante
We will arrive in the centre of the lovely old town of Chiavari and walk through streets lined with fine old houses to the Palazzo Ravaschieri, the grand residence of the Ravaschieri family. We will visit the piano nobile as private guests of the owner. After a tour of the impressive rooms and a talk on the history of the family and the palace, we will stay on for lunch. Afterwards, we will go to nearby Sestri Levante where we will visit Villa San Lorenzo, one of the many villas built for the Genovese aristocracy, and the beautiful Bay of Silence.
Wednesday 21st April – Home
Our BA flight departs Pisa at 1205 and lands back at Heathrow at 1330.
Price: £2,495 per person including accommodation, breakfast, all lunches and dinners with wine, all entrance fees and the tour rep. Single Supplement: £400. Balance due on 10th January 2027.
PRICES AND HOW TO BOOK:
Call 01225 427311 or please email Katherine at reservations@theoldie.co.uk
WALKING & MOBILITY
Our tours have been created to show you as much as possible of your chosen destination, and often the best way to do this is on foot. In order to enjoy these holidays you need to be reasonably fit, able to stroll at a normal pace for at least 40 minutes, to go up and down a staircase without assistance and to stand – perhaps in a queue – for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Should you have any concerns whatsoever, please speak to Katherine on 01225 427311.
TRAVELLERS WITH DISABILITIES
Although we are pleased to welcome clients with disabilities, their participation will depend on the nature of the disability and in some cases it will be necessary to be accompanied by an able-bodied companion. In order to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of all participants on any tour we must ask you to declare full details of your disability, especially if this affects your mobility, so that we can consider your personal circumstances.
