Art historian, lecturer and broadcaster, Leslie Primo is a graduate of Birbeck, University College London with an MA in Renaissance studies. He formerly taught at Reading University and at the Courtauld Institute. He currently teaches courses at Imperial College, London, and City Lit, Covent Garden, London. He worked at the National Gallery, London, for 18 years and currently works at the National Portrait Gallery, London. He has broadcast for BBC TV and Radio 4 and was a contributor to the Oxford Companion Guide to Black British History and an art history consultant for the Getty publication, Balthazar: A Black African King in Medieval and Renaissance Art. His book The Foreign Invention of British Art was published by Thames & Hudson in 2025.
Expert-led
Artistic treasures of Renaissance Florence with Leslie Primo
Florence is famed for its art, architecture and gardens. During this five-day tour, you'll explore its Renaissance masterpieces and iconic treasures in the company of art historian, lecturer and broadcaster, Leslie Primo.
Among the highlights are a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, where you'll have plenty of time to marvel at the outstanding collections of ancient sculptures and paintings on display, and the Accademia Gallery, where you'll see the iconic sculpture of Michelangelo's David.
You'll also wander through the magnificent Boboli Gardens, admire Fra Angelico's sublime frescoes at San Marco, and step inside churches and museums that reveal the city's enduring cultural legacy.
Leslie will be joining you for the duration of the tour, also giving two talks and his illuminating insights will guide you through the treasures of this famous city.
Stay in the heart of Florence, within walking distance of the sights and enjoy an afternoon at your leisure discovering some of these further.
Reasons to book
Expert Insights
Artistic Masterpieces
Glorious Gardens
You'll be joined by
Price includes
- Four nights' accommodation at the Hotel Executive, Florence, including breakfast
- One welcome dinner at a local restaurant
- One dinner at a local restaurant
- One lunch at a local restaurant
- Entrance to Palazzo Medici Riccardi
- Entrance to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
- Entrance to the Accademia Gallery in Florence
- Entrance to San Marco Museum in Florence
- Entrance to Boboli Gardens
- Entrance to Brancacci Chapel
- Enjoy the company of Leslie Primo, fine art lecturer, author and broadcaster throughout the tour
- Make the most of talks with Leslie on days 1 and 3 to delve into Renaissance Florence
- Professional English-speaking local tour manager throughout
- English-speaking local guide for all included sightseeing in Florence
- Audio headsets for all visits as per itinerary
- Return flights from London to Pisa
- Return private coach transfers between Pisa airport and the hotel
FLIGHT TIMES
British Airways
BA0614 LHR - PSA 08:15 - 11:30
BA0616 PSA - LHR 16:10 - 19:35
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT - £398
Please note this information is indicative and subject to change.
Please note that due to restrictions on coaches moving in central Florence, there are some walks of around 20 minutes to reach certain galleries/museums which we have detailed in the itinerary. For anyone wanting to join this tour but not wishing to undertake these walks, it will be possible for the hotel to assist in arranging taxis locally (not included/ payable locally) and to rendezvous with the group at location.
Availability
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £398. Deposit 30%. All mandatory additional charges are included in the price, please enquire for details. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Tripsmiths Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded). Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.
Itinerary
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Day1Arrive in FlorenceFlorence, Italy
Fly from London to Pisa. Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to the Hotel Executive in Florence. (Due to coach restrictions in central Florence, you will be dropped off in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 10 minutes from the hotel and minivan transfers will take you from the coach drop-off to the hotel).
This afternoon, enjoy an introductory talk on the tour. Then, meet your local guide at the hotel. Enjoy an orientation walking tour of Florence before heading to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner.
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Day2Renaissance FlorenceFlorence, Italy
After breakfast this morning, meet your local guide at the hotel and walk to Piazza del Duomo (15 minutes on foot). Visit the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Opera del Duomo Museum, and the Santa Reparata archaeological site. Discover stunning medieval mosaics, remarkable Renaissance masterpieces, and the remains of Florence's ancient Christian basilica, enjoying a captivating journey through the city's rich religious, artistic, and architectural heritage.
This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour to Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture in Florence. Visitors can admire elegant courtyards, magnificent frescoes, and richly decorated rooms, offering a fascinating journey through the city's artistic, political, and cultural heritage. At the end of the visit, head back to Hotel Executive (20 minutes on foot).
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Day3Uffizi GalleryFlorence, Italy
After breakfast this morning, meet your local guide at the hotel and walk to Uffizi Gallery (16 minutes on foot). Commissioned in 1560 by Cosimo I de' Medici and designed by the great architect Giorgio Vasari, the Uffizi has drawn visitors for centuries to view the masterpieces by maestro artists of the Renaissance, such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Giotto, Botticelli, Tiziano and Michelangelo.
This afternoon, enjoy the sights of Florence at your leisure. This evening, dinner is at a local restaurant.
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Day4Accademia GalleryFlorence, Italy
After breakfast this morning, discover the Accademia Gallery, one of the most important sculpture museums in the world. It houses the highest number of sculptures by Michelangelo, including the world-famous David. This Renaissance masterpiece became one of the symbols of Florence, personifying the freedom of the Florentine Republic.
After lunch at a local restaurant, visit San Marco Museum, showcasing Fra Angelico's frescoes, Renaissance art, monastic architecture, and historic Dominican convent spaces.
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Day5Boboli Gardens and departureFlorence, Italy
After breakfast this morning, explore the marvellous Boboli Gardens, where Nature, Art, Science and Alchemy meet. The Medici family established the layout of the gardens, creating the Italian garden style that would become a model for many European courts. The vast green expanse with a regular layout is a real outdoor museum, populated by ancient and Renaissance statues. The gardens are also adorned with grottos, the most important of which is the famous grotto realised by Bernardo Buontalenti, as well as large fountains, such as the Fountain of Neptune and the Fountain of the Ocean.
Before heading back to the hotel, enjoy a brief visit to Santa Maria del Carmine church to admire the renowned Cappella Brancacci. This afternoon, transfer to Pisa airport for your return flight to London.
Accommodation
Hotel Executive, Florence
A luxury four-star hotel in the historic centre of Florence.
The original hotel was designed by Poggi in the 18th century, an additional part was commissioned by the Medici family at the beginning of the 19th century. Today it evokes the grandeur of Florence's golden era and enjoys a great location next to the River Arno and close to Santa Maria Novella.
Bedrooms come with orthapedic beds, a mini bar, smart TV and free Wi-Fi.
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Availability
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £398. Deposit 30%. All mandatory additional charges are included in the price, please enquire for details. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Tripsmiths Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded). Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.