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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
20 Sep
4 Oct
2026

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:
ITA0926-1
At a glance
What you need to know
Type of tour
Cultural
Profession
Medical History
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Nights
15
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Countries
3
Tour grade
Moderate
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Remaining places
0
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Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

1
Venice
Sunday
,
20
September
Arrive in Venice and check in to the hotel. Tour overview followed by welcome dinner in the evening.
2
Venice
Monday
,
21
September
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 / Ferarra / Bologna
Tuesday
,
22
September
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. Drive to Ferrara and on a walking tour, learn how the city dealt with the 17th century plague without losing a single inhabitant. Continue to Bologna.
4
Bologna
Wednesday
,
23
September
See the "good" and "bad" hospitals and visit the Museo di Palazzo Poggi and see its collection of anatomical wax model. Take a walking tour of the central area. 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
Thursday
,
24
September
Drive to Florence. Take a walking tour of the city, including the Cathedral, Baptistery, Giotto's Bell Tower, Signoria Square, Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce Square. At leisure with option to visit the Museo Galileo or the Uffizi.
6
Florence
Friday
,
25
September
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 / Lucca / Genoa
Saturday
,
26
September
Drive to the coast via the city of Lucca and understand the importance of walls in offering protection the medieval world and in particular, in controlling plague. Lunch and wine tasting and learn of the Decameron and changes in social attitudes during plague in 14th century Florence. Arrive in Genoa and at leisure.
8
Genoa
Sunday
,
27
September
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 with an option to visit the Galata Museum, an excellent modern maritime museum to get a sense of the history of Mediterranean trade.
9
Genoa / Marseille
Monday
,
28
September
Drive along the French Riveria and visit Grasse and the Fragonard Parfumeur. The herbs of Provence, long used in medicine were kept in clasps around the neck to ward of the plague and perfumes were used to cover the stench of death and decay. Continue to the great port city of Marseille for a local dinner and check in to the hotel.
10
Marseille
Tuesday
,
29
September
Tour through the historic quarter of the city, which was struck by plague in 1720 despite elaborate protective measures. Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Marseille and see two huge paintings depicting the Great Plague that ravaged France’s most important Mediterranean port three hundred years ago. At leisure.
11
Marseille / Paris
Wednesday
,
30
September
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. Continue to Avignon and explore the city which at the time of the Black Death was head of the Catholic Church. Take the train to Paris.
12
Paris
Thursday
,
1
October
Take a tour of Paris to learn how the city was redesigned by Baron Haussmann for the health of its densely populated inhabitants. See The Hotel Dieu de Paris the oldest Parisian hospital founded in 651 and still in operation. Afternoon at leisure.
13
Paris / London
Friday
,
2
October
Take the Eurostar train to London and transfer to the hotel. Take a walking tour in the footsteps of Dr John Snow in Soho to learn of the walking doctor and the evolution of medical anthropology and its role in combating cholera. End at the John Snow pub.
14
London
Saturday
,
3
October
Visit Charterhouse Square, one of London's largest plague pits. Walk to Postman's Park and the Watts Memorial of Heroic Deeds 1887. explore the narrow alleyways and byways of the City of London to see how the Plague & Great Fire of 1666 ravaged the City and how it was rebuilt. Visit the Hall of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries for a tour. Farewell dinner at the Medical Society of London.
15
London
Sunday
,
4
October
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
Paris

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

Medieval streets
Lucca

Understand the importance of medieval walls in plague control.

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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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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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