Italy for Art Lovers

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Rome, Assisi, Florence, Bologna, Ravenna, Padua, Venice, 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, one of the world’s great cities. Stay three nights at the stylish Hotel de Russie, which has a superb location and beautiful garden. During flexible private touring, visit the Eternal City’s most enduring cultural sights, such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, Borghese Gallery, Basilica of Saint Peter and the Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel), as well as compelling contemporary additions such as MAXXI, designed by Zaha Hadid, the Parco della Musica by Renzo Piano and Jubilee Church by Richard Meier. Also, opt to visit local markets and design shops. During free time, explore Rome’s excellent restaurants and boutiques.

Next, transfer to Florence, stopping en route in Assisi to tour the Basilica di San Francesco and see its extraordinary frescoes. In Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, stay three nights at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Florence. During flexible private touring, see highlights such as the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery and Basilica of Santa Croce, as well as less-frequented but fascinating museums such as the Bargello Museum, which has important sculpture by Michelangelo and Donatello, and San Marco Museum, a Dominican monastery where monk cells are decorated with frescoes by early Renaissance master Fra Angelico. Also, explore artisan workshops and specialty markets.

Continue to Bologna, one of Italy’s great gastronomic centers, for two nights. 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, stopping in Padua en route to tour the Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel and its revolutionary fresco cycle painted by Giotto. In Venice, a city of unique beauty, stay three nights at the lavish Hotel Cipriani on secluded Giudecca Island. During flexible private touring with your local guide and private water taxi, 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 our favorite neighborhoods, outdoor markets and specialty shops. During free time, shop for high-quality local glass and sample local culinary treats at Venetian bacari (wine bars).

Next, transfer to Milan. During private touring, visit highlights such as the impressive Duomo and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

This tour can be extended to include more of Italy’s premier art and architecture destinations, such as Pompeii, Naples, Siena, Pisa, Turin, Vicenza and Verona.