Italy for Art Lovers

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Rome, Florence & Assisi, Bologna & Ravenna, Venice & Padua, Milan

This ultimate private art tour of Italy features the best of Italy’s impossibly rich trove of art and architectural masterpieces. During in-depth touring with expert private guides, experience ancient sites, medieval villages, magnificent churches, outstanding frescoes and mosaics, renowned museums, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the best contemporary art and architecture in Italy. This tour can be fully customized to suit your interests, including private appointments at museums, gardens and private art collections.

Begin in Rome. Enjoy comprehensive private touring and experience the best of Roman culture, history and lifestyle. Discover ancient pagan and Christian monuments, the splendors of Baroque and Renaissance palaces and churches, and the surprising urban additions of the modern city. Highlights include the Roman and Imperial Forums, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, Saint Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, Via Veneto, the morning fruit and flower market of Campo dei Fiori, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese, the Jewish Quarter, the ruins along the Appian Way, beautiful Aventine Hill, and the catacombs and "Underground Rome." Artisans of Leisure can also arrange special activities such as visits to other ruins and museums according to your interests, a private cooking class, tickets to evening cultural performances, tours of important churches, garden tours, wine tasting and more. During free time in Rome, enjoy la dolce vita and the city's excellent restaurants and boutiques. Also see compelling contemporary highlights such as MAXXI, designed by Zaha Hadid, the Parco della Musica by Renzo Piano, and Jubilee Church by Richard Meier, or visit local markets and design shops.

Next, transfer to Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. En route, stop in Assisi to tour the Basilica di San Francesco and see its extraordinary frescoes. During private touring in Florence, enjoy skip-the-line access at world-renowned museums such as the Uffizi and Accademia, see renowned sites such as the Duomo and Basilica of Santa Croce, browse antiques and artisan workshops of the Oltrarno district, visit a Dominican monastery where monk cells are decorated with frescoes by early Renaissance master Fra Angelico, and tour less-frequented but fascinating museums such as the Museo del Bargello, a prison in the 13th century and now home to sculpture by Michelangelo and Donatello. Perhaps also learn about Tuscan cuisine at specialty food shops and the Mercato Centrale or stroll through the beautiful Boboli Gardens. During free time, enjoy leisurely meals, walks along the Arno River and shopping for Florentine gold jewelry, handmade paper, leather goods, antiques and housewares.

Continue to Bologna, one of Italy’s great gastronomic centers. Tour the city’s cultural and culinary highlights, such as grand churches, interesting museums, frescoed porticoes, outdoor markets and specialty food shops. One day, enjoy a private excursion to nearby Ravenna to see dazzling Byzantine-era mosaics.

Next, transfer to Venice. En route, stop in Padua to see the magnificent mosaics in the Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel. During flexible private touring in spectacular Venice, see highlights such as the Accademia Gallery, art-filled churches, noble palaces gracing the Grand Canal, Palladian architecture, and modern and contemporary highlights such as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Palazzo Grassi, the Punta della Dogana and the Giardini, one of the main venues for the Venice Biennale. Also visit favorite local neighborhoods, architectural landmarks, outdoor markets and specialty shops as desired. During leisure time, you might like to indulge in eclectic Venetian cuisine, discover hidden neighborhoods, shop for high-quality local glass and sample local culinary treats at Venetian bacari (wine bars).

End your tour in Milan, a city of fashion, finance and great cultural treasures. During private city touring, see the beautiful Duomo, an impressive Gothic cathedral and city landmark. Browse upscale boutiques under the glass ceilings of the historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. Peruse Italian art masterpieces in the Pinacoteca di Brera museum and see exhibitions of contemporary art at the Fondazione Prada. Perhaps have a meal at one of the many restaurants in the charming Navigli canal district. Artisans of Leisure will arrange tickets to see Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. 

This tour can be extended to include more of Italy’s premier art and architecture destinations.