ROME: MICHELANGELO & SEBASTIANO 

COX & KINGS INTRODUCES SPECIALIST TOUR TO ROME TO ACCOMPANY NATIONAL GALLERY'S NEW EXHIBITION

London – 6 March 2017

To complement the National Gallery's 2017 exhibition, Cox & Kings has launched a one-off escorted tour to Rome. Led by National Gallery lecturer Gayna Pelham, Rome: Michelangelo & Sebastiano is a 5-day / 4-night tour priced from £2,195 per person departing on 18 September 2017. From frescoes to sculpture, paintings to architecture, the tour discovers the best of Michelangelo and Sebastiano's works that are on view in Rome.

The tour not only explores the relationship between the two artists but will examine the influence of the classical world and patronage from the Church. Among the highlights is a private after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums which includes the Sistine Chapel, Upper Galleries, Raphael Rooms and Museo Pio Clementino.

Gayna Pelham will accompany the group throughout the entire tour, and will give lectures and site-specific talks, as well as more informal dinner discussions.

The National Gallery exhibition runs from 15 March – 25 June 2017.

Prices are per person and include flights from London, transfers, excursions and accommodation with breakfast daily and two dinners.

For more information on the tour please visit

http://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/europe/italy/group-tours/michelangelo-and-sebastiano

For images please email Katie.cosstick@coxandkings.co.uk or call 0207 873 5694.

RESERVATIONS: 020 7873 5000 / www.coxandkings.co.uk

PRESS OFFICE: 020 7808 5694 / katie.cosstick@coxandkings.co.uk

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NOTE TO EDITORS

Cox & Kings is the world's longest established travel company. Its history stretches back more than 250 years to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed regimental agent to the Footguards (later the Grenadier Guards). The company's fortunes grew hand in hand with the British empire and by the early 20th century the company was acting as agent and banker throughout the armed forces and as a shipping agent. In 1922 Cox & Co merged with the Henry S King bank, which had strong connections with India. The bank became part of Lloyds and the shipping agency grew separately, evolving into the modern travel company.

Today, built on the high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox in the 18th century, the company continues to flourish as an independent tour operator, with operations in London, the US, Japan, Australia and throughout India. Cox & Kings organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel in the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and the Caribbean.

About the National Gallery

The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The collection contains over 2,300 works including many famous works such as van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait, Velázquez's Rokeby Venus, Turner's Fighting Temeraire and Van Gogh's Sunflowers. All major traditions of Western European painting are represented from the artists of late medieval and Renaissance Italy to the French Impressionists.

With a commitment to free admission, a central and accessible site, and extended opening hours the Gallery ensures its collection can be enjoyed by the widest public possible.

About the National Gallery Company

The National Gallery Company Limited is owned by the National Gallery Trust; the primary purpose of the Company is to generate income for the Trust and the National Gallery, through a number of commercial operations. The main business is to run the Gallery Shops in store and online at www.nationalgallery.co.uk, produce a range of commercial publications, products and services including licensing images, to both enhance the experience of visitors to the Gallery and effectively reach markets beyond the Gallery.

Every purchase from the shops and restaurants generates valuable revenue for the Gallery to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the paintings as we do today.