- Duration
- 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Product Type
- Lecture
- Venues
- Museo Accademia , Uffizi Gallery, and Florence Duomo
Lecture Details
Photos & Highlights
- Presented by the same world-class experts as our walking tours, Context Lectures highlight must-see attractions, reveal hidden landmarks, and explore the best things to do during your trip so you don’t miss a thing.
Lecture Description
For the discerning traveler, long-term Florence resident Kate Bolton-Porciatti shares her Top 10 must-see sights and cultural experiences in the historic city center and the surrounding hills of Florence and Tuscany. Our picture-perfect virtual itinerary includes art in context, ancient castles and abbeys, monumental churches, palazzi and gardens, all interlaced with the best Tuscan food and fine Chianti wines.
Meet Your Expert
Kate (M.Phil.) lectures in Music & Cultural History at various prestigious institutions in Florence, including the British Institute, New York University and the Istituto Lorenzo de’Medici. She is also a licenced Italian tour guide. Before moving to Italy in 2007, she was Senior Producer for BBC Arts and Music and, for 10 years, she was Artistic Director of the Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music in London. Her post-graduate thesis (1992) led her into the fascinating world of late medieval Florence, via the shadowy, poet-composer Don Paolo da Firenze, since when she has published extensively as an academic, a critic and a journalist.
In this lecture, Kate Bolton-Porciatti will share suggestions for concerts and operas where you can mingle with the locals in the city where opera was born; visits to artisan workshops where Florence’s ancient crafts are still practiced; food shopping and culinary tips; the best roof terraces and panoramic hilltop gardens where you can enjoy an aperitivo overlooking the towers and spires of the city. This lecture will also include some beautiful locations off the beaten track and suggestions of how to avoid the heaviest crowds at the most famous sights. Finally, we’ll propose day trips from Florence where you can visit ancient castles, abbeys and wineries girdled in some of Tuscany’s most ravishing scenery.
Hosted by an expert on Italian culture and music, Kate Bolton-Porciatti, this lecture will look beyond Florence's most touted sights to propose other truly memorable experiences for the sophisticated traveler. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with a portfolio of suggestions for their Florentine holiday.
How do I access the lecture?
Once you complete your purchase, you will receive an email with a link to stream the lecture on the Context Travel website. You can also access your past purchases anytime under My Orders. Please ensure you are logged into your account to open the streaming page.
Is closed captioning (i.e. subtitles) available?
Yes! All of our lectures have the option to turn on closed captioning should you have difficulty hearing the expert.
How long does each event last?
Our recorded lectures typically run for 75 minutes.
How can I share this lecture with friends or family?
You are welcome to watch together with friends or family but each person viewing on their own device will need to purchase the lecture individually.
How long does my access to the lecture last?
Once you purchase a lecture, you are welcome to view it as many times as you like and your access does not expire.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Sales for recorded lectures are final upon purchase. Please contact us at digital@contexttravel.com if you have any questions or concerns about your purchase.
Can I purchase a gift card for a friend who is traveling?
Absolutely! Gift cards can be purchased here. Gift cards are good for 365 days from the date of purchase.
"Great Advice for my Upcoming Trip. I'm going to Florence/Tuscany in a few weeks. Kate's talk was an excellent primer on the top highlights, hidden gems, and even covered Italian artisan workshops that I'm interested in exploring. I've been researching for months and still learned many new things. Grazie."
– Caroline O., viewing from North Hollywood, CA
"Simply outstanding. Kate is very knowledgeable and very effective sharing her knowledge. The presentation was well-organized and will help us tremendously as we choose how to spend our limited time. Thanks Kate!"
– Robert C., Overland Park, KS
24 Reviews
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Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Starting off with the "iconic sites" (Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, Accademia) and proceeding through other great sites (e.g., Palazzo Pitti, the Gardens, important churches), Kate related an interesting and succinct view of Florence highlights. Also, food and drink recommendations were mentioned along with fun things to do (sail along the Arno River, patronize artisans. Easy to get to sites outside of Florence were also described. The seminar had an addendum of resources forwarded to viewers which was full of helpful information. Photos, short video shots on site and speaker commentary enhanced the presentation. A wonderful, wonderful learning experience!
Sandra
May. 8, 2023
Kate brought up new and exciting things to do in Florence. I definitely want to look into some of them when I am able to return there. She thoroughly covers so much territory.
Kareen
Apr. 30, 2023
Kate Bolton-Porciatti takes one on an armchair trip through Florence and Tuscany. I always learn something new, always find a new place to visit when I take her classes. She is the best guide, imparting knowledge without being over-bearing or professorial.... I highly recommend any Context Conversation offered by Kate.
Elizabeth
Apr. 30, 2023
