The Life of Galileo through Padua and Florence
Italy | October 20-29, 2027
Follow the revolutionary journey of Galileo Galilei through two Renaissance cities that shaped modern science. Begin in Padua where, from 1592 to 1610, the young professor conducted groundbreaking experiments and built his famous telescope, calling these years the happiest of his life. Discover the workshop where he revealed Jupiter’s moons and transformed our understanding of the cosmos. Continue to Florence, where Galileo lived from 1610 to his death in 1642 and where he served as the Medici court’s mathematician and philosopher, publishing works that challenged centuries of belief. Walk through the sites of his greatest triumphs and deepest struggles, from the glittering halls of the Palazzo Pitti to his villa in Arcetri, where—under house arrest—he completed his masterwork on physics. Experience the places where genius, ambition, and courage collided with authority, forever changing how humanity views the universe.
Dates:
October 20-29, 2027
Duration:
10 days / 9 nights
Scientist to Passenger Ratio:
1:10 Maximum
Price:
$5,865 Double Occupancy
Trip Highlights
- Private tours in Padua and Florence, Italy
- Private airport and city transfers by luxury coach
- 4-star accommodations
- A taste of Tuscany, a day trip to the Chianti region with a winery and wine tasting included
- Galileo Museum, Uffizi Galleries, Arcetri, Palazzo Vecchio, and more
- Evening “apertitivo” sessions with astronomer guides
- Professional local guides
- Maximum tour size: 29 passengers
- Complete guided explanations of all visited sites
- Daily Breakfast, Lunches, and Dinners as described in the itinerary.
- Luxury coach when needed
- Admission included to all sites specified on itinerary
Pricing and Terms
Payment
- $5,865 (USD) per traveler (11 and older) – based on double occupancy
- Single supplement: $1,000
- Lower age limit is 11 years old. There is no child rate.
- To secure a reservation, initial deposit ($1,500) with a completed reservation form is required.
- Cancellations must be made in writing by email or mail to Sirius Travel.
- 2nd payment ($2,500) due April 20, 2027
- Final payment due July 20, 2027
Cancellations
- If cancellations are made:
-
- prior to October 20, 2026 97% of your total tour cost is refunded..
- 10/21/2026 – 06/22/2027 (364-120 days prior to travel):
65% of your total tour cost is refunded. - 06/23 – 08/21/2027 (119-60 days prior to travel):
35% of your total tour cost is refunded. - 08/22 – 09/20/2027 (59-30 days prior to travel):
10% of your total tour cost is refunded
- There are no refunds after September 21, 2027
Detailed Itinerary
* Subject to minor modifications
DAY 1: Arrive in Padua
Welcome to Padua! Your tour begins at our hotel in the heart of Padua, Italy.
If you arrive on this day we will provide airport transfers from the Venice airport to your hotel in Padua. Our hotel is in a limited traffic area of the city and so the bus will drop off at the closest possible point to the hotel. In the afternoon there will be a short orientation.
Get acquainted with your local guide and fellow travelers during our welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Majestic Toscanelli
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Padua City Tour
Following an international breakfast buffet at the hotel, discover Padua’s treasures on a leisurely walking tour through one of Italy’s most enchanting university cities. Stroll through the magnificent Palazzo della Ragione, Europe’s largest medieval hall, where stunning frescoes depicting astrological cycles adorn soaring walls above the historic market squares. Wind through charming porticoed streets to the jewel of Padua—the Scrovegni Chapel, home to Giotto’s breathtaking fresco cycle, considered a masterpiece of Western art. These luminous 14th-century scenes revolutionized painting and continue to captivate visitors centuries later. Between these highlights, meander past vibrant cafés, Renaissance architecture, and lively piazzas where students and locals gather, experiencing the authentic rhythm of this timeless Venetian city.
In the evening, join the astronomers for an aperitivo spritz and an informal talk on pre-renaissance worldviews. (topics may be modified)
Accommodation: Hotel Majestic Toscanelli, Padua
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Padua & the University
After breakfast, experience Padua’s rich academic and spiritual heritage on a captivating walking tour. Begin at the historic University of Padua, founded in 1222, where Galileo once taught—explore the famous Anatomical Theatre inside Bo Palace, the world’s first permanent anatomy lecture hall. Wander through the UNESCO-listed Botanical Garden, established in 1545 as the world’s oldest academic botanical garden, featuring rare medicinal plants and Goethe’s palm. Continue to the magnificent Basilica of Saint Anthony, a stunning pilgrimage site housing the beloved saint’s tomb, adorned with Donatello bronzes and ornate chapels. This journey reveals Padua’s profound contributions to science, medicine, art, and faith across centuries.
In the evening, join the astronomers for an aperitivo spritz and an informal talk on the beginnings of modern science and medicine. (topics may be modified)
Accommodation: Hotel Majestic Toscanelli, Padua
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Travel to Florence
After breakfast we will travel in comfort on a private coach transfer from Padua to Florence, traversing approximately 260 kilometers through Italy’s stunning countryside. Your professional driver collects you directly from your hotel (the coach may not be able to come to the door but we will be collected nearby), handling luggage while you settle into air-conditioned luxury. The scenic four-hour journey winds through Veneto’s landscapes, past the Euganean Hills, and across Emilia-Romagna’s rolling terrain toward Tuscany. Unlike crowded trains, your private coach offers flexibility for photo stops or refreshment breaks. Enjoy panoramic windows showcasing cypress-lined roads, vineyards, and distant Apennine peaks. Arriving refreshed at your Florence accommodation, you’ll appreciate the door-to-door convenience between two of Italy’s most captivating Renaissance cities.
Once we check-in the remainder of your day will be at leisure in this lovely city.
In the evening, join the astronomers for an aperitivo spritz and an informal talk about the Players in the Game: the religious orders, the nobility, the Pope… and this new guy with a telescope. (topics may be modified)
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Discovering Florence
Following breakfast in the hotel, immerse yourself in Renaissance splendor on an unforgettable Florence walking tour. Including the breathtaking Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, where Brunelleschi’s iconic terracotta dome dominates the skyline—marvel at the intricate marble façade and Ghiberti’s legendary bronze “Gates of Paradise” on the adjacent Baptistry. Stroll through narrow medieval streets toward Piazza della Signoria, Florence’s political heart for centuries. Explore the fortress-like Palazzo Vecchio, where the Medici ruled and Michelangelo’s David once stood. Inside, discover opulent chambers adorned with Vasari frescoes, the magnificent Salone dei Cinquecento, and secret passages revealing centuries of intrigue. This journey captures Florence’s artistic genius and political power at their zenith.
In the evening, join the astronomers for an aperitivo spritz and an informal talk about Galileo in Florence – gathering friends and enemies. (topics may be modified)
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: A Taste of Tuscany: Wine, Villages, & Landscapes
Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at your hotel and afterwards escape to Tuscany’s enchanting Chianti region with a private coach tour from Florence. Wind through rolling hills blanketed with vineyards and silvery olive groves, stopping in charming Greve in Chianti to explore its triangular piazza and artisan shops at leisure. Continue to medieval Castellina, where ancient stone walls and panoramic views invite leisurely wandering. The highlight awaits at a family-owned winery, where passionate vintners share generations of winemaking tradition. Savor multiple Chianti Classico tastings paired with an authentic Tuscan lunch featuring local cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal specialties. Your private coach ensures comfort throughout, allowing you to relax and enjoy Tuscany’s legendary wines without worry. Return to Florence with unforgettable memories and perhaps a bottle or two.
Enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7: Galileo & Arcetri
In the morning, we discover Galileo’s Florence with a fascinating guided excursion exploring the scientist’s life and legacy. Begin at the exceptional Galileo Museum, housing his original telescopes, astrolabes, and scientific instruments that revolutionized astronomy—marvel at preserved fingers from his right hand and intricate Renaissance devices demonstrating his groundbreaking experiments.
Following the museum, we will journey by private coach to the tranquil hills of Arcetri to visit Villa il Gioiello, Galileo’s final residence where he lived under house arrest from 1631 until his death in 1642. Walk through rooms where he completed his masterwork on motion and mechanics while nearly blind, gazing at the same Tuscan landscapes that witnessed his greatest triumphs and deepest struggles. This tour illuminates the profound connection between Renaissance Florence and modern science.
In the evening, join the astronomers for an aperitivo spritz and an informal talk about Galileo and a New Pope and the Dialog of 2 Worlds (topics may be modified)
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: Uffizi Galleries
Experience Florence’s artistic treasures on a guided excursion through two world-renowned museums. Begin at the Uffizi Gallery, home to the finest Renaissance collection on earth—encounter Botticelli’s ethereal “Birth of Venus,” Leonardo da Vinci’s “Annunciation,” and masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian. Your expert guide reveals stories behind each canvas, bringing the Italian Renaissance to vivid life. Continue to the Accademia Gallery for an unforgettable encounter with Michelangelo’s colossal “David,” standing seventeen feet of perfect marble anatomical precision. Admire his unfinished “Prisoners” sculptures, seemingly struggling to escape stone, and other Florentine works spanning centuries. An enriching journey through Western civilization’s greatest artistic achievements.
In the evening, join the astronomers for an aperitivo spritz and an informal talk about Galileo’s Trial and Verdict (topics may be modified)
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: Last Day in Florence
After breakfast, we will spend our last day in Florence exploring the city’s scientific and spiritual heritage on this captivating guided excursion. Begin at the Basilica of Santa Croce, the magnificent Franciscan church housing tombs of Italy’s greatest minds—pay respects to Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Dante’s cenotaph amid stunning Giotto frescoes. Continue to La Specola, Florence’s extraordinary natural history museum within Palazzo Torrigiani, featuring anatomical wax models of astonishing precision and vast zoological collections dating to the Medici era. Enjoy part of the day at leisure before joining the astronomers for an aperitivo spritz and an informal talk about rebranding Galileo: Who says what Science is? (topics may be modified)
As twilight descends, gather for an elegant three-course farewell dinner at a traditional Florentine restaurant. Toast your Italian journey over regional wines, savoring Tuscan specialties while reminiscing about Renaissance wonders—a perfect conclusion to an unforgettable adventure.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10: Farewell to Italy
Our tour concludes this morning after breakfast. Private coach transfers from the hotel to the Florence airport. Farewell and safe journeys!
Included
- Sirius Astronomer guides
- Professional local guide
- 1:10 maximum passenger to guide ratio
- All ground transportation
- 4-star accommodations
- Meals (as described in itinerary)
- Daily science talks
- Admission fees to sites described
Not Included
- International flights
- Items of a personal nature
- Alchoholic beverages (unless specifically included)
- Tips for drivers and guides
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Activities or services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
Other Information
Trip cancellation, health, and accident insurance is recommended but not required. It can save you money if you are forced to cancel or alter your trip. We recommend TravelGuard trip insurance (www.travelguard.com) and we recommend that all travelers purchase their insurance within 7 days of their initial reservation to take advantage of any pre-existing condition clause.
Precautions should always be taken seriously and pre-trip education on what to eat or to avoid should be planned. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC webpage for travel to Italy.
It is every traveler’s responsibility to consider all appropriate medical advice regarding whether or not they are fit to take this trip prior to booking their reservation. We recommend that all interested travelers check with their healthcare provider before signing on.
Children 11 and older are welcome on this tour but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian if they are under 18. Please note that most countries have very strict entry/exit requirements for minors (under the age of 18 years old), especially minors traveling with only one parent. Please review the requirements before choosing to travel with a minor.
If you are traveling alone, you may save quite a bit of money by opting to share a room. We will match solo travelers of the same gender so that they can share a double occupancy room with two beds. We will do our best to match travelers but if we cannot find a match for you then you will be required to pay the single occupancy price.
Historical weather prospects for Northern Italy in October: You’ll have at least seven hours of sunshine per day in Florence and Padua in October that often increases to ten hours depending on cloud coverage and rainfall. The average daytime temperature is 19°C (66.2°F) with warm highs of 24°C (75°F) towards the start of the month. Autumn is one of the wettest seasons, so you need to be prepared for a few showers throughout the duration of your stay. The average monthly rainfall is 107mm, which means there are 12 rainy days spread across the month.
We recommend bringing clothes for temperate days, chilly nights, and be prepared for rain. Layers are the key as you want to be able to strip off clothes when it is warm and put them back on when it gets colder. Links here are the same as those on our “packing suggestions” page and are Amazon affiliate links.
- Walking Shoes – You will be doing a lot of walking outside on uneven surfaces like cobblestones. You need good walking shoes that will be comfortable all day.
- Base layer – We recommend bringing one or two items like this. Although not too cold, anytime we are outside for extended periods you may wish you had this.
- Fleece jacket – A fleece jacket is very useful. It is lightweight, and can be layered under a windbreaker if more warmth or rain protection is needed.
- Water and windproof jacket – At minimum a water and windproof jacket over the fleece sweater is as good as a winter coat.
- Hats, gloves and warm socks – It will not be freezing but it may be cold and damp.
- Personal Medications – This is important to remember to carry with you in your carry on luggage.
