Italian job: Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour continues with trip to Florence

Although the pair are friends and share a taste for the finer things in life, as anyone who saw last week’s opener will tell you, they do have different approaches to their adventure. Rob already has a passion for opera and poetry, while it’s newer territory for Rylan.

But, using the letters and poems of Lord Byron as well as the diaries of other original Grand Tourists as their guide, they are both ready to embrace the experience.

Rob says: “Italy is so rich in art and culture and I can’t wait to get stuck in, seeing some of the finest things the country has to offer. The Grand Tour is iconic, especially as we’ll be following in the footsteps of some of history’s biggest cultural contributors. While Rylan and I almost certainly have different intentions for our trip, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather do this journey with.”

Rylan adds: “When I found out that Rob and I actually get to go travelling around Italy for the Grand Tour, I couldn’t have packed my suitcase quicker. We’re not going to be your typical Brits abroad though as we properly immerse ourselves in all of Italy’s cultural offerings.

“Rob will be teaching me all about Italian history and art as we follow in the footsteps of the cultural greats, while I show Rob how to dance on bars.”

The second leg of their journey takes them to Florence, where they start by climbing up the spectacular dome of the city’s cathedral, the Duomo di Firenze, which is a moving experience for architecture fan Rylan. Will he be as enthusiastic when Rob presents him with a typical dish that the original Grand Tourists might have enjoyed after a morning’s sightseeing – tripe?

Then it’s time for Rylan to continue his education in art by examining two statues of David, one by Michaelangelo, the other by Donatello. Then, Rob confronts some of his own prejudices around masculinity and violence when they attend what has been described as ‘the most brutal ancient football match on earth’ – a showdown between teams of local young men, known as the Calcio Storico.

However, the Renaissance wasn’t just about men. The pair also learn more about the female artist Artemisia Gentileschi, whose self-portrait was altered to cover up her naked body. Now though, this addition has been removed and Rob and Rylan will be there to see the ‘unveiling’ of the restored version.

They finish off with a visit to Uffizi, arguably the most important art gallery in the world, where Rylan views Botticelli’s iconic Birth of Venus, as Rob check out the Venus de Milo.