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Legacies of Plagues - A Social and Medical History Tour of Italy, France and England

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Tour leader
Norman Swan
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Dates
2 May
20 May
2024

Plague has shaped our world. From ancient times through the Black Death to COVID-19, our medical, economic, culinary, social and art history has been irrevocably influenced by plague.

This tour follows the route of the Black Death through Europe, where it was first introduced by Genovese and Venetian merchants. Travelling through a range of beautiful European cities, each day will focus on a lasting legacy of plague; from marmots to mustard, to perfumes and pleasure, on conspiracies and scapegoats, art, architecture and town planning; learn the myriad ways plague has affected our world.

The tour includes a number of specialist visits, experiences, talks and culinary events, with expert guides and speakers connecting past and present. These experiences are combined with a journey through some of Europe’s most attractive and historic cities with excellent accommodation and opportunities to experience regional wines and cuisine. Tour leader, Dr Norman Swan, will share expert and insightful commentary along the way.

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Price (room to yourself)
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Reference:
ITA0524-1
At a glance
What you need to know
Type of tour
Cultural
Profession
Medical History
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Nights
17
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Countries
3
Tour grade
Moderate
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Remaining places
10
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Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

1
Venice
Thursday
,
2
May
Arrive in Venice and check in to Splendid Hotel. Tour overview followed by welcome dinner in the evening.
2
Venice
Friday
,
3
May
Tour by water exploring Italy's connection to the Silk Road and trade. See the Ca'D'oro and the houses of merchants and traders. Continue to Isola del Lazzaretto Nuovo, where lepers and visitors were isolated during plague outbreaks. Visit Scuola Grande di San Rocco, dedicated to providing support for the victims of plague and known for its magnificent paintings related to the plague.
3
Venice
Saturday
,
4
May
Take the train to Padua and visit its botanical gardens. Take a guided tour of the beautiful Renaissance anatomical theatre – the oldest in the world - at Padua University. Continue to the Scrovegni Chapel to see the Giotto frescoes. Return to Venice.
4
Venice / Ferrara / Bologna
Sunday
,
5
May
Drive to Ferrara and take a walking tour to learn how the city successfully dealt with the 17th century plague. Continue to Bologna and see the "good" and "bad" hospitals and visit the Museo di Palazzo Poggi and see its collection of anatomical wax model. Option to enjoy a glass of frizzante at Osteria del Sole, Bologna's oldest bar, which has not changed a great deal since 1465.
5
Bologna / Florence
Monday
,
6
May
Take a walking tour of the city, including the Cathedral, Baptistery, Giotto's Bell Tower, Signoria Square, Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce Square. Afternoon at leisure.
6
Florence
Tuesday
,
7
May
See the Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova, once a hospice for Black Death victims. Visit the beautiful Ospedale degli Innocenti (the Hospital of the Innocents), with magnificent Renaissance artworks. Visit the ornate Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy, one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, and the eclectic La Specola Museum, known for its collection of highly detailed wax anatomical models.
7
Florence
Wednesday
,
8
May
Visit Misericordia museum, dedicated to the society serving the people of Florence during the plague. Drive out to the Tuscan countryside. At the Badia a Coltibuono winery, have lunch and take part in a wine tasting. Return to Florence with an optional walking tour of the old plague 'wine windows', some now re-opened with the option of a glass of wine.
8
Florence / Lucca / Genoa
Thursday
,
9
May
Drive to the coast via the city of Lucca and understand the importance of walls in offering protection in the medieval world - and in particular, in controlling plague. Arrive in Genoa mid-afternoon and at leisure.
9
Genoa
Friday
,
10
May
On a walking tour of Genoa visits include the Capuchin Convent of Annunziata di Portoria containing the mummified body of St Catherine of Genoa, and the Commenda di San Giovanni di Pré (the Commandery of the Order of St John). At leisure.
10
Genoa / Marseille
Saturday
,
11
May
Drive along the French Riveria and visit Grasse and the Fragonard Parfumeur. Continue to the great port city of Marseille for a local dinner and check in to the hotel.
11
Marseille
Sunday
,
12
May
Tour through the historic quarter of the city, which was struck by plague in 1720 despite elaborate protective measures.
12
Marseille / Lyon
Monday
,
13
May
Drive to the lovely villages of Gordes. The villages of this part of Provence built the Mur de la Pest (the 'wall of plague'), a 27 km wall manned with armed guards who requested plague permits in 1721 to keep the Great Plague out. Take the train to Lyon and check in to Hotel Charlemagne.
13
Marseille / Lyon
Tuesday
,
14
May
In 1643, Europe was heavily affected by the second bubonic plague, which also threatened Lyon. The citizens made a promise; to build a statue of the Virgin Mary if she could protect them from the plague. The city was spared from the plague and the promise was fulfilled. Take a city orientation tour and enjoy a local lunch with wine tastings.
14
Lyon
Wednesday
,
15
May
Approximately 25% of the population died during the Black Death, leading to employment shortages and subsequent political reform along with wage increases leading to better nutrition, for the majority of workers. This is a full day at leisure to enjoy the many delights in and around Lyon.
15
Lyon / Dijon / Paris
Thursday
,
16
May
Drive from Lyon through Burgundy to visit the 15th century Hospice de Beaune, which functioned as a hospital and then a hospice until 1971. Continue to Dijon and visit the Maille boutique and learn of their plague cures. Take the train to Paris arriving in the evening and transfer to the Les Jardins du Marais.
16
Paris
Friday
,
17
May
Take a tour to learn how the city was redesigned by Baron Haussmann for the health of its densely populated inhabitants. At leisure.
17
Paris / London
Saturday
,
18
May
Take the Eurostar train to London and transfer to the Marylebone Hotel. Visit Charterhouse Square, one of London’s largest plague pits. Meet with Jelena Bekvalac, curator (Human Osteology) at the Museum of London and hear of recent archaeological digs in London, lessons and legacies of from human osteology. Dinner at the Royal Society of Medicine.
18
London
Sunday
,
19
May
Take a walking tour in the footsteps of Dr John Snow in Soho to learn about the evolution of medical anthropology and its role in combating cholera. End at the John Snow Pub and at leisure. Farewell dinner.
19
London
Monday
,
20
May
Morning at leisure and depart hotel after breakfast.
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Tour map

Plot your journey

Travelling through a range of beautiful European cities, each day will focus on a lasting legacy of plague; from marmots to mustard, to perfumes and pleasure, on conspiracies and scapegoats, art, architecture and town planning; learn the myriad ways plague has affected our world.

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What to expect

Tour highlights

Cruise through Venice
Venice

Cruise through Venice to the Isola del Lazzaretto Nuovo

Sample local delicacies
Dijon

Sample wine and mustard in France, while learning how to escape the Plague

Private archaeology talk
London

Meet with the Plague and Osteo Archaeologists at Charterhouse, London and hear of their excavations

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Beautiful landscapes

Tour gallery

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Tour exertion grading

Is this tour right for me?

Moderate
Level 3

Some walking between destinations, more time spent standing, and increased travel distances. Requires a reasonable level of fitness.

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Your expert companions

Tour leaders

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Accommodation

Hotels

We like charm, comfort, convenience in location, and of course, excellence in service.

Venice

Splendid

Bologna

Hotel Porta San Mamolo

Florence

Grand Hotel Baglioni

Genoa

Grand Hotel Savoia

Marseille

Grand Hôtel Beauvau Marseille Vieux-Port – Mgallery

Lyon

Hôtel Charlemagne

Paris

Les Jardins du Marais

London

The Marylebone Hotel

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Ask us anything

If you have some questions about this particular tour, you can contact the Jon Baines Tours team by phone or email.

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02072239485
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