Experience A Personal Renaissance in Florence
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After careers in art, education and design, I was drawn to become a travel professional by a passion to “live on the whole planet”. I specialize in creating – and sometimes leading – trips of discovery for individuals and small groups. Curiosity driven travel and creating an authentic connection with people and the places visited is what it’s all about. Travel should be exhilarating, eye-opening and FUN!
I am thrilled to be planning and leading Art and Exuberant Living in Florence this August, which will offer an intimate depth of engagement with art, architecture, Florentine culture and, of course, the glorious Tuscan food and wine. During our week in Florence, we will be accompanied by Amy Sudarsky, Professor of Painting and Drawing at the Art Institute of Boston, as well as hand-picked local experts. They will lead our group on personalized, in-depth tours which will provide broader insight into the spectacular art for which Florence is famous. There will also be informal walking tours, market visits, gallery talks and visits to hidden spots, all of which will reveal glimpses into Florentine life, both in the Renaissance and the present. Additionally, each guest will have one unique tour individually crafted for them based on their own personal interests.
Each day will culminate with a “salon” style gathering at our palazzo headquarters for presentations by Professor Sudarsky and our local experts, to share our daily discoveries, and to enjoy the conviviality of the group over cocktails. We will enjoy several dinners as a group sharing fabulous food and wine, and, if desired, guests can even have a hand in creating the meal alongside our chefs. Finish off your day with a glass of Barolo and an evening stroll alongside your own personal art expert!
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Our home base for the week will be a stunning 15th century palazzo decorated in opulent Florentine style with gorgeous frescoes, historic furniture, carpets and tapestries - a masterpiece in itself - just steps from the Arno River (pictured above and below). We will gather here each morning for breakfast, each evening for cocktails and lively conversation, as well as for several festive dinners together around our own large table.
Guests can stay within the Palazzo itself, or nearby in one of the luxurious apartments reserved for our group or the five star Hotel Lungarno (enjoying a great deal starting at only 149 euros/night and including Virtuoso amenities).
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| Botticelli's "Primavera" via Wikimedia Commons |
Whether this is your first trip to Florence or your tenth, this will be an enlightening journey. The ideal participant is someone who desires to see the world with newly opened eyes...someone who loves the idea of venturing deeper into the art and culture of Florence, both during the Renaissance and in today’s society. My hope is that by living an authentic Florentine lifestyle, in a place where the Renaissance is still so vividly palpable, one can cement a lasting relationship with the art, the people and the culture of this magnificent destination.
Where better to experience a personal renaissance than Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance.
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| Caravaggio's "Bacchus" via Wikimedia Commons |
Individual attention to each guest's experience is a key feature of this trip so space is very limited. Due to the outpouring of enthusiasm for this trip in August, we have decided to also offer the same trip in Spring of 2014. Please visit my web site, contact me at info@cristacarr.com or give me a call to discuss the trip further at 314-401-9797.