David is a marble statue by Michelangelo at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy

Italian Renaissance Tour: In the Footsteps of Michelangelo & Da Vinci

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Italy, Vatican City

Places Visited

Rome, Florence, Milan

Suggested Duration

8 Days

The majesty of the Renaissance is at your fingertips, draped across the ceilings of elegant villas in Rome and crowning the skyline of Florence, along with hiding inside unassuming churches and ancient Abbeys in Milan. Your custom tailored tour of Italy will encompass the evolution of Italy’s Renaissance, from its noted beginnings inside of a Paduan chapel to the jewels of the period that decorate the museum galleries. Wander through frankincense and polished marble halls and then take a lasting...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Bask in the grandeur of Michelangelo’s renowned artwork including the Sistine Chapel
  • Witness the stunning representation of Renaissance masters in Raphael’s School of Athens
  • Wander through the inspiration of Renaissance artists and philosophers during a private tour of Ancient Rome
  • Linger in the marvelous depiction of classic gods and parables on a walking tour connecting the Trevi Fountain to Piazza Navona
  • Enjoy the stunning frescoes and lavish embellishments of Renaissance villas around Rome, including Palazzo Farnese and the Borghese
  • See the beauty of a church designed by Michelangelo inside what was once an ancient Roman bathhouse in Rome
  • Discover what artists had declared the beginning of the Renaissance at the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, which Giotto decorated
  • Marvel at the famous works of Leonardo da Vinci, none more notable than the Last Supper inside the Santa Maria delle Grazie
  • Traverse the city of Florence on a guided walking tour to discover the Renaissance sculptures and architecture displayed in the open-air
  • Roam through the halls and galleries of the Uffizi for a look at the largest collection of Italian Renaissance works in the world

Detailed Description

The ancient world inspired the Renaissance with parables of deities and attention to the beauty of the human figure. Science, philosophy, and architecture informed the artwork of the Renaissance, causing a rebirth of delicate features and human touches in works that stretched from Rome to Milan. Your 8-day art adventure follows the Renaissance around central and northern Italy, taking you to Rome, Florence, Ferrara, Padua, and Milan. Whether an art lover or amateur painter, artistic novice or simply an Italian enthusiast, your exploration of one of Italy’s most famous historical periods will have you cherishing your time spent among radiant paintings and opulent palaces.

Your tour will begin upon your arrival at Fiumicino Airport in Rome. Meet your private transfer at baggage claim before you venture into the historical city center of Rome. Your introductory tour will lead you to the ancient Diocletian baths near Piazza della Repubblica, home to a stunning church designed by Michelangelo. The tour continues along the Baroque palaces and streets of which the Renaissance inspired. The next day, you will enjoy an immersive tour of the Renaissance works housed in the Vatican Museums and Vatican City, whether inside St. Peter’s Square or frescoes painted by Raphael. In the afternoon, you will stroll through the halls of the Palazzo Farnese to view the lavish décor and stunning paintings embellishing the interior, including a stunning fresco decorating the ceiling in the main gallery.

The next day, your private guide will take you back in time to Ancient Rome, highlighting how the images and myths of the past helped usher in the enlightened age of the Renaissance. In the afternoon, you will connect ancient life to the captivating artwork of the Renaissance by visiting Villa Borghese. You will then leave the Eternal City of Rome behind the following day and make your way to Florence, the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Your first tour of the city will lead you along the cobbled streets that crisscross the elegant palaces, beautiful churches, and incredible artwork set in the open-air for passersby to view. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to wander the heart of the Tuscan city.

Witness the absorbing majesty of the world’s largest collection of Renaissance artwork the next morning when touring the Uffizi Gallery. Follow the secret passage of the Vasari Corridor across the Arno River and enjoy a view of the city from atop the dome of the Cathedral. Continue as you head towards Milan, stopping en route in the Renaissance city of Ferrara, a town that once rivaled Florence in prestige, power, and beauty. Explore the architecture and artwork, along with the stunning Este Castle before continuing to Padua.

The streets and piazzas of Padua emanate Renaissance design, but the true treasure of the city is the Scrovegni Chapel, which Giotto decorated. You will arrive in Milan in the evening and relax with a dinner along the Naviglio Canal. The next morning, you will visit the remarkable Renaissance collection at the Pinacoteca di Brera Museum before entering the breathtaking gallery housing da Vinci’s Last Supper inside the church of Santa Maria della Grazie. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the beauty and contemporary culture of Milan. Your private transfer will meet you at your hotel the last day and escort you to Milan’s Malpensa Airport for your flight home. 

Starting Price

$2,859 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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