The Italian Renaissance Study Tour from Milan – 13 Days

Day 1: MILAN ARRIVAL

Arrival at Malpensa airport. Start of the” Italian Renaissance Study Tour ” and transfer to the hotel nearby Milan. Dinner and overnight

Day 2: MILAN

After breakfast, guided city tour of Milan, home of an incredible patrimony of art and culture which includes one of Leonardo Da Vinci’s greatest masterpieces: the Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper is housed is inside the Refectory at the Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan and has earned a spot in the UNESCO World Heritage List. After the visit, walking tour of Milan that includes a stop at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping gallery, a visit at the medieval Sforza Castle and a tour the splendid Duomo, one of the world’s largest, most striking Gothic cathedrals and finally the famous Opera House, the fabulous La Scala theatre. Lunch at restaurant.

In the afternoon transfer to San Siro Stadium, to visit the usually inaccessible places such as the changing rooms, the mixed zone, the stands and walking through the tunnel of Champions to get into the legendary pitch of “La Scala del Calcio”. Dinner at restaurant, Overnight at hotel.

DAY 3: MILAN – LAKE MAGGIORE – COMO LAKE – TIRANO

After breakfast departure to Lake Maggiore to discover the beautiful Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori. Meet you guide in Stresa and departure by boat to the 3 islands that take their name from the aristocratic Borromean family, who took ownership of the land in the 16th and 17th centuries. Only the best architects and gardeners were called on by the famous members of the family, to breathe life into their ambitious projects.

The islands of Bella and Madre were transformed into grand, luxurious residences, while the third island, named “dei Pescatori” after its age-old fishing community, was left to continue its traditional way of life. Lunch at restaurant during the excursion. In the afternoon departure to Como Lake to visit the beautifu Villa Carlotta in Bellaggio with its magnificent botanic garden and art masterpieces in over 70.000 square metres of gardens and museum. At the and of the visit transfer to Tirano, dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: THE BERNINA EXPRESS RAILWAY ROUTE

After breakfast, transfer to Tirano railstation and take a ride on the Bernina Express along one of the world’s most spectacular railway routes, a UNESCO world heritage site. Travel across the Swiss Alps along the Bernina Pass to the exclusive resort of St. Moritz considered the ‘Top of the World’.

Along the way you’ll pass wild gorges and icy glaciers, cross soaring bridges and shoot through loop tunnels. Free time in St. Moritz for lunch and visit. Return to hotel by bus, dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: TIRANO – VERONA – PADOVA

After breakfast, transfer to Verona and guided tour of one of the most beautiful Italian city, Unesco World Heritage. Guided walking through the centre admiring the famous Arena, Giulietta balcony, the Arche Scaligere, Piazza Dante, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Brà. Lunch at restaurant.

Departure to Padova to visit the city and the famous St Antony Basilica and the magnificent Cappella degli Scrovegni, that contains Frescoes of New Testament scenes by Giotto. Accommodation at hotel, dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: PADOVA – VENICE After breakfast, departure to Venice coach station by coach and transfer by boat the city centre. Guided walking tour of this unique city: St. Mark’s square, the Basilica of St. Mark, the Doge’s Palace, the bridge of sighs and the prisons. Lunch at restaurant. In the afternoon excursion to the island of Murano where you can assist to a demonstration of glass blowing. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight

DAY 6: PADOVA – VENICE After breakfast, departure to Venice coach station by coach and transfer by boat the city centre. Guided walking tour of this unique city: St. Mark’s square, the Basilica of St. Mark, the Doge’s Palace, the bridge of sighs and the prisons. Lunch at restaurant. In the afternoon excursion to the island of Murano where you can assist to a demonstration of glass blowing. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight

DAY 7: PADOVA – MARANELLO – FLORENCE

After breakfast, departure to Florence. On the way stop to Maranello at the Ferrari Museum, to visit the most famous and successful Formula 1 cars, Sport Protype and Grand Turismo category models and the most important road models. After the visit departure to visit a real Traditional Balsamic Vinegar producer with final tasting of typical products. Departure to Florence, accommodation at hotel dinner and overnight.

DAY 8: FLORENCE After breakfast departure to discover the “Cradle of the Renaissance”. Guided walking tour of the city centre including the beautiful Cathedral Square, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John and Santa Croce, The 13th century Franciscan Church with cimabue’s famous crucifix. Lunch in restaurant.

Afternoon dedicated to the visit of the Uffizi Gallery to admire magnificent paintings of Leonardo, Giotto, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raffaello. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 9: FLORENCE – PISA – LUCCA – FLORENCE

Breakfast at hotel and departure to Pisa. Guided visit of the historical center of the city, an ancient Maritime Republic, with the famous “Campo dei Miracoli” which includes the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Monumental Cemetery and the famous Tower. Lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon transfer to Lucca and guided tour of the historical center of the city with Piazza S. Michele in Foro with the Romanesque church, St. Martin Cathedral, the medieval streets and the Piazza Anfiteatro. Then city tour by bike inside the walls of Lucca. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 10: FLORENCE – SIENA – ROME

After breakfast departure to Siena. Guided walking tour to the historical city centre, admiring the major tourist attractions like Piazza del Campo, the true heart of the town, the “Palazzo Comunale”(Town Hall), the Cathedral and the majestic Basilica of San Domenico. At the end of the visit transfer to Montalcino to visit an important wine cellar with light lunch tasting typical product. Departure to Rome, accommodation at hotel, dinner and overnight.

DAY 11: ROME: ANCIENT AND BAROQUE

After breakfast departure to discover the Ancient Rome: The Capitol Hill, which was the political and religious centre of Empire, The Roman Forum, the Arch of Costantine and finally the Colosseum. Lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon the guided tour proceeds to the Baroque Rome, to admire the famous squares, the baroque building and the magnificent fountains: Navona Square, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and the Pantheon. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

DAY 12: ROME AND THE VATICAN CITY After breakfast, departure to the Vatican City. Guided visit of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter Basilica. The tour starts from the Vatican Museum: we’ll enter to the Pinecone Courtyard, we’ll cross the collection of Greek and Roman sculpture, the Galleries of Tapestries and Italy Maps to reach the Raphael Rooms and the amazing Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.

Afterward the tour will lead you inside the highest temple of Christendom: St. Peter’s Basilica. Here we can admire the Pietà by Michelangelo, the Jubilee Gate, Bernini’s main altar, Saint Peter tomb, the tombs of the Popes, Michelangelo’s amazing dome and more other masterpieces. Lunch at restaurant. In the afternoon time at leisure. Dinner in a typical restaurant in Trastevere. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 13: ROME AND DEPARTURE

After breakfast, transfer to Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport and come back at your destination. End of the ” Italian Renaissance Study Tour “.