Genoa and Turin
12th – 16th October 2026
Just when you thought you knew Italy, this trip to two of its northern cities will open your eyes to how much else it has to offer. Just over one hundred miles apart, these cities could not be more different. We will start with lively and majestic Genoa. Once a great maritime republic that rivalled Venice, this remarkably cosmopolitan city is composed of a labyrinthine centre juxtaposed with grandiose palazzi and churches. We will explore Renaissance and Baroque palaces with excellent art collections, some fantastic churches, as well as commercial features along the great port.
From here we will move on to the refined elegance of Turin with its graceful avenues and piazzas built to honour the Royal House of Savoy. Home to fabulous art collections and museums, it will be a pleasure to discover the history of this beautiful city. We will also explore the more modern aspects of this great manufacturing hub with a visit to the old Fiat automobile factory in Lingotto. These two very different cities will provide a fascinating comparison, and there will of course be plenty of wonderful local food.
Itinerary
Monday 12th October
Arriving at Genoa airport we will meet our private coach for the brief transfer to the centre. We will check into the lovely Bristol Palace Hotel before spending the rest of the afternoon orientating ourselves in this fascinating city. First stop on a leisurely walk will be the church of the Gesù, home to some wonderful Baroque paintings by Rubens and others. From here we will visit the striking Cathedral of San Lorenzo and its treasury, home to the precious relic said to be the Holy Grail. Finally, we will emerge at the port to take in this great source of wealth for the city and look at buildings such as the Palazzo di San Giorgio, once political headquarters to the Republic of Genoa, and later the prison of Marco Polo. We will spend the evening sampling some of the excellent local seafood or perhaps some pesto Genovese!
Tuesday 13th October
In the morning we will navigate through the ‘caruggi’, the narrow alleys of the old town, visiting hidden churches and experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the city. In contrast to these maze-like streets is the elegant via Garibaldi, lined with beautiful palazzi, the facades of many of which have been immortalised through etchings in Rubens’s Palazzi di Genova. We will visit the Palazzo Rosso, designed by Pietro Antonio Corradi and home to one of the city’s most important art collections. We will see some wonderful portraits of Genoese nobility by Van Dyck, as well as works by Veronese and other big names. There will also be a chance to ascend to the terrace for spectacular panoramic views of the city and the harbour.
After a good lunch we will visit the historic Galleria Nazionale di Palazzo Spinola to take in this extensive art collection that features great fresco decoration, beautiful works by local artists, as well as portraits by Rubens and a rather wonderful Antonello da Messina. Following this we will explore more of the town, passing the extraordinary church of SS. Annunziata del Vestato and finishing at the exorbitant Palazzo Reale. Here we will be treated to further masterpieces decorating royal apartments used by the House of Savoy and culminating in the Hall of Mirrors, inspired by that of Versailles. In the evening we will enjoy our final dinner in Genoa.
Wednesday 14th October
The morning is free to either explore the city further with a spot of shopping or join us for a quick visit to the Palazzo Ducale. Historically home to Genoa’s doges, there are often interesting exhibitions hosted here, and we will also catch a glimpse of the Doge’s apartments. If there is time we will make a speedy pilgrimage to the nearby house of the great Genoese explorer, Christopher Columbus. We will set off for Turin in our private coach, stopping for lunch en route in the lovely city of Asti where we may also be able to taste some of the famous local wine.
Arriving in Turin in the afternoon, we will have time to settle into the Grand Hotel Sitea in the centre of town. In the early evening, we will set out to begin exploring this beautiful city and enjoy an aperitivo in one of its beautiful piazzas. Following this, we will enjoy our first Piedmontese dinner.
Thursday 15th October
In the morning, we will head straight to the Mole Anontelliano, the iconic feature of Turin’s skyline, where we will take a lift right to the top for spectacular panoramic views of the city against the Alps behind. Following this we will explore the city’s ancient past with a walk to the Roman gateway, the Porta Palatina, where the remains of the Roman amphitheatre are also on view. Just around the corner is the Cathedral of St John the Baptist where we will visit the chapel designed by Guarino Guarini that holds Turin’s most treasured relic, the Turin shroud. If time permits, we will also see the wonderful Baroque church of San Lorenzo to further appreciate the work of this interesting architect. We will finish the morning with a visit to Palazzo Madama in the Piazza Castello, for a look at one or two artistic gems.
We will certainly have earned our lunch at the nearby restaurant famed for its excellent local food. Revived, we will head to the Royal Palaces, in which the Galleria Sabauda houses a comprehensive collection of paintings. We will take a look at the work of some little-known, yet remarkably talented, local artists. After a quick wander through the Royal Apartments, we will head back towards our hotel, stopping at the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento to see how the Royal House of Savoy became rulers of the united Italy we know today. Housed in the Palazzo Carignano, another masterwork by Guarini, this is a fascinating journey through a tumultuous period. Supper will be at a local trattoria.
Friday 16th October
Checking out of our hotel in the morning, we will take our private coach to drive out to the Lingotto district of Turin, home to the building which once served as the Fiat automobile factory. Here cars were built on a production line that ascended the building on a spiraling ramp and cars drove out at roof-level onto a test track. Closed in the 1980s, this complex was later redesigned by Genoese architect Renzo Piano, to house a shopping mall, but also the Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli, a fantastic little collection of paintings that also allows access to the iconic test track featured in the great film, The Italian Job.
A short drive from here is the Castello di Rivoli and a chance to enjoy a great collection of contemporary art within a 10th-century castle. After a delicious final lunch, we will take our coach to Turin airport for the flight home.
Further Details
Tuition – Nick Ross and Frankie Dytor will lead the trip. Both are two of our most experienced tutors and have led courses for Artemisia for many years.
Hotels – For the first two nights of the trip we will stay at the 4-star Bristol Palace Hotel in Genoa which is close to all of the main sites and the harbour. we have booked superior rooms. The next two nights will be spent at the beautiful Grand Hotel Sitea right in the heart of Turin and a stone’s throw from the main sites and many lovely piazzas. We have booked classic rooms. Upgrade to a deluxe room in Genoa and a Junior suite in Turin for £340 per room for total stay. Please let Charlie know as soon as possible as numbers are limited.
Flights – We do not book the flights thus allowing you to travel to suit your budget, use airmiles, travel between different airports or on different dates. The flights for October 2026 have not yet been released, as soon as they are we will let you know.
Transport – There will be airport transfers to meet the recommended flights. We will travel by private coach between the two cities but may take public transport for ease within the cities.
Ability – There is quite a lot of walking on this trip, as well as slopes and uneven cobbles. As many of the streets are small you will need to walk from the coach to the churches and museums. As is the case for all our courses, there is a lot of standing while we discuss the works we are looking at.
Lunches and Dinners – Lunches are a set menu of two courses to include drinks. Dinner is by no means compulsory, but we book a table for the group each night at different restaurants and divide the bill equally between everyone. Sometimes these may also need to be a set menu but we try our best to avoid this. We will adjust the bill for those not drinking alcohol.
Cost – The fees are £2000 which includes accommodation and breakfast, all lunches, transfers for the recommended flight, transport when connected with teaching, entrance fees, tuition, reading lists and local advice. The single occupancy supplement is £200 (double room for single use). Room upgrade is £340. Not included are the flights, all suppers, travel insurance. The group will not exceed 16 people and we will divide in to two smaller groups wherever possible.
To register – Please complete the online registration form, having read our terms and conditions and pay a deposit of £600 via bank transfer. Your place is not confirmed until we have received the deposit.
If you have any queries, please email [email protected] or call 01379 871800 (302)
NB you must buy your own flights
