Hospes Non Hospi – A Guest Not A Stranger
Tours & Study Days At
Ciceroni Travel
Our company name, CICERONI, is the Italian word for a group of eighteenth century ‘Grand Tour’ guides. We create and conduct our tours in the relaxed and informative manner of the Grand Tour with a particular accent on private visits. We use comfortable hotels in enviable country and city locations while good food and wine are an important part of our sense of hospitality. Our study days focus on individual themes, collections and exhibitions, offering an independent overview of each subject, many of which complement our tour programme.
We are in the process of publishing our revised 2021 programme following the impact of Covid-19. You can find the draft programme under the 'News' here
We are in the process of publishing our revised 2021 programme following the impact of Covid-19. You can find the draft programme under the 'News' here
A Weekend in Renaissance Bologna
Popes & Patricians:
Italy
Thursday 26 - Sunday 29 November 2020 (4 Days)
Bologna is renowned for its fine medieval architecture in warmly welcoming brick and its distinguished role in the history of painting. The city centre is a delight to stroll in, and its churches and picture gallery house many gems, surprisingly little known. Of course, no round of cultural exploration would function properly without adequate sustenance and Bologna is one of the great culinary cities of Italy.
Turin & the House of Savoy
Elegance Personified
Italy
Tuesday 1 - Saturday 5 December 2020 (5 Days)
The House of Savoy was one of the most celebrated and well-connected dynasties in Europe. Turin, its capital, was upgraded in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to reflect its new status as a kingdom and power broker in the diplomatic affairs of Europe. Turin just before Christmas is a most handsome city. Masterpieces of fine art and architecture in both the urban palaces and country hunting villas of the Savoy family we will visit will be complemented by superb food and wine during our festive few days.
connoisseurs' madrid & toledo
Habsburgs & bourbons
Spain
Sunday 14 - Saturday 20 February 2021 (7 Days)
Madrid has an amazing number of royal palaces and we shall see not only the most important of these, but a special feature will be the opportunity to see the Habsburg and Bourbon Royal collection of paintings, when we have three private early morning visits to the Prado. The Thyssen and Reina Sofia collections will also be included.
Florence & the Early Medici
Patricians & Patronage
Italy
Wednesday 24 February - Monday 1 March 2021 (6 Days)
The Medici family are synonymous with Florence and with the birth of renaissance art - the list of the architects, sculptors and painters employed by the family is astounding. Focusing on the era of the early Medici, we shall explore the monuments, churches and museums of Florence, looking at some of the masterpieces created for successive generations of the family. This visit is specifically designed to bring some of the best-loved works of the Renaissance into sharp relief.
connoisseurs' rome
behind closed doors
Italy
Tuesday 2 - Sunday 7 March 2021 (6 Days)
This is a remarkable opportunity to explore a Rome normally concealed behind closed doors. From our hotel located directly next to the Pantheon. you will be taken to visit the city's most important palaces and art collections. There will be an evening private visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and many lesser-known jewels in the city. There is no other visit to Rome of this quality.
spring in galicia
Camellias & Pilgrims
Spain
Thursday 18 - Wednesday 24 March 2021 (7 Days)
This will be an exciting week spent exploring some of the very best camellia collections in Europe, as well as combining the best of horticultural, artistic and religious traditions as we encounter many sites associated with the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.