Dates: December 27, 2009 - January 6, 2010
The transition in Western Europe from the medieval to the Renaissance world both contributed to and was shaped by new modes of expression in art, literature, philosophy, and spirituality. Through a first-hand observation of some of the most important of these intellectual and artistic creations in their original historical settings, this tour will seek to give participants a rich and lively understanding of one of the most fascinating episodes in human history - the Florentine Renaissance.
Participants shall reside at the Villa Le Balze in Fiesole, a lovely hill town overlooking the city of Florence, and visit the relevant historic, artistic, and architectural sites of Florence and its environs.
Florence decorated for the holidays
Tour Director
The tour leader will be Professor John Pfordresher, longtime tour leader and professor for the Villa.
The cost of the tour includes tuition, accommodations at the Villa in Fiesole, most meals, ground transportation, entrance fees, and tours as indicated in the itinerary and subject to the specified conditions.
Since accommodations at the Villa are limited, places on the tour will be reserved in the order in which deposits are received, and preference will be given to Georgetown alumni, students, and parents of students and alumni. Places may be reserved by completing the reservation form and returning it with a deposit of one thousand dollars per person.
Painting of Dante in the Duomo
The Villa decorated for the holidays
Ordinarily, we shall visit the city in the morning by private bus and return to the Villa for pranzo, the midday main meal; generally afternoons will be free for individual explorations. On some evenings, after cena, the lighter supper meal, there will be presentations and discussions which will allow participants to broaden and share their appreciation of what they are seeing and experiencing. There will be two out of town excursions: a day trip to the nearby medieval city of Siena, Florence's traditional rival, followed by a visit to the unique Tuscan hill town of San Gimignano; and a day trip to Pisa, to view some of Italy's most famous monuments at the Piazza dei Miracoli.
A special feature of the Holiday tour is the focus on a broader spectrum of authentic Tuscan foods and wines than tourists ordinarily sample. A series of special events, including tasting-suppers with menus coordinated with appropriate wines, is designed for education as well as delectation.
Santa Croce
Liberal Studies Credit
The tour may be taken for credit through Georgetown University's Liberal Studies Program with prior approval from the student's dean. For a copy of the course syllabus, click here. If you plan to take this course for credit, you must first obtain approval from your dean. Once you have obtained approval, the Villa Programs Office will register you for the course. The Graduate level course is called "From Medieval to Renaissance." (LSHS-423- 62)