Leonardo da Vinci 500 Year Tribute Tour

Milan is a city of fashion and influence, rich in cultural heritage and prestige as reflected in the artistic majesty of the Duomo, the alluring sounds of the famous composer Verdi, and the captivating works of Leonardo da Vinci. Your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival at Malpensa International Airport and escort you to your luxurious hotel located in the heart of Milan. The streets bustle with activity and are beautiful with the elegant architecture set on foundations that were laid by Romans and later decorated with art deco and rationalist 20th-century architecture set beneath the futuristic skyline.

After you have a chance to settle into the comforts of your accommodation, your guide will greet you in the hotel lobby eager to introduce you to the marvels of Milan. You will begin with Castello Sforzesco, the former home of the Sforza family and originally a Visconti fortress. The iconic red brick will shine in the sunlight and reflects the affluence of the Renaissance rulers of Milan with the thick, dramatic walls designed by Leonardo da Vinci with a moat and draw bridges removed during the reign of Napoleon. The specialized museum galleries host works by Michelangelo and Mantegna, and you will enter the room of wooden panels known as the Sala delle Asse, where da Vinci painted the frescoes on the ceiling in the late 15th century with intertwining trees, fruits, and a natural landscape. The exhibit re-opens on May 16th after a long period of restoration, and there is much anticipation building for this long-awaited opening.

You will continue to the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia, and you can enter “Leonardo’s Corridor.” The long passage allows you to examine the fascinating scale models of the famous inventor’s creations. The displays range from concepts of a machine gun to a hang glider to the aerial screw, the latter of which acted as the predecessor to the helicopter, while the greater exhibit immerses you in the war studies and anatomy sketches. Upon reaching San Sepolcro Crypt, you will have a unique experience in one of Milan’s most fascinating and yet hidden highlights as you venture deep into the underground chamber that once inspired da Vinci. Your guide will lead you across the stone floor and around the faded Biblical frescoes with monuments that date back to the 11th century and truly capture the heart of da Vinci.