Art & History

Italy: Exploring Renaissance History Through Art and Culture

This 13-day faculty-led tour is designed for students of art, history, literature, and culture. Traveling from Florence to Milan, the program explores how the Italian Renaissance shaped art, architecture, and ideas across the country.

Through walking tours, museum visits, and cultural site exploration, students will gain a deeper understanding of how Renaissance thought influenced daily life, civic identity, and artistic expression – many of which still define Italy today.

Cultural Experiences

Venetian Artisans

Verona

Food & Culture

Piazza Duomo

Architectural heart of Renaissance Florence

Uffizi Gallery

Explore Renaissance Masterworks

Enjoy Tuscan Agriturismo

Traditional Glass Blowing

Food Heritage

Boat Tour

Day 1 – Arrival in Florence

Arrive at Florence Airport and transfer to city-center accommodations. Settle in and explore the streets surrounding the Duomo before enjoying a welcome aperitivo and dinner.

Day 3 – Uffizi & Renaissance Masterworks

Visit the Uffizi Gallery, home to one of the world’s finest collections of Renaissance painting. Explore works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and others from the Medici collection.

Day 5 – E-Bike Exploration

Cycle the scenic “Eight Castle Route” through Tuscan hills and historic estates. Experience the physical landscape that shaped Tuscany’s culture, economy, and architecture. Light lunch included.

Day 7 – San Gimignano & Vinci

Begin the day in San Gimignano, a UNESCO-listed hill town known for its medieval towers and preserved urban form. In the afternoon, visit Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, and tour the museum and his childhood home.

Day 9 – Venice & Political Power

Guided morning tour of Venice’s historic core, including Saint Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace. Learn about Venice’s republican government and its unique position in Renaissance politics.

DY 11 – Verona & Arrival in Milano

Day 13 – Departure from Milan

Private transfer to Milan International Airport for return flights to the U.S.

Day 2 – Florence & the Medici Legacy

Morning guided walking tour of Florence with a registered guide. Learn how Medici patronage shaped the city’s artistic and political identity during the Renaissance. End the day with rooftop views over the city.

Day 4 – Chianti Region

Travel by private coach to the Chianti countryside. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a Tuscan agriturismo followed by a guided wine tour. Learn about regional identity and agriculture in Renaissance and modern Italy.

Day 6 – Siena & the Palio Tradition

Visit Siena and explore its medieval Contrade districts. Learn about the Palio horse race and how the city’s civic rivalries reflect Renaissance social structures. Tour includes Piazza del Campo and Siena Cathedral.

Day 8 – Mantua & Transfer to Venice

Explore the city of Mantua, transformed by the Gonzaga family into a Renaissance cultural center. Visit Palazzo Ducale before continuing on to your accommodations near Venice.

Day 10 – Murano & Burano

Take a boat tour to the outer islands of the Venetian Lagoon. Visit Murano’s glass-blowing workshops and Burano’s lace-making tradition. Discuss the intersection of art, trade, and daily life in Renaissance Venice.

Day 12 – Milano & Leonardo’s Legacy

Explore Milan with a registered guide, focusing on the Visconti and Sforza families’ role in Renaissance patronage. Tour highlights include the Duomo, Sforza Castle, and (if arranged) The Last Supper.

Travel Information

Below you’ll find key details about the program, including duration, ideal travel times, academic focus areas, and a breakdown of what’s included—and what’s not. This section is designed to help faculty assess whether the program aligns with their course goals, scheduling needs, and institutional requirements.

Recommended Duration

13 days and 12 nights

Best Time to Travel

Year-round

Tour Focus Areas

– Renaissance art, history, and architecture
– Political power and artistic patronage
– Civic identity and urban development
– Leonardo da Vinci and interdisciplinary innovation
– Literature & humanist thought in historical context
– Cultural heritage and preservation in historic cities
– Museum studies and interpretive learning
– Regional identity and the role of place in artistic production

What is Included
  • 12 nights of accommodation in 3-star hotels and/or traditional agriturismos
  • Shared rooms for students; private rooms for faculty (subject to availability)
  • Daily breakfast throughout the tour
  • Select group meals, including wine tasting and high tea experiences
  • English-speaking ITF Tour Leader present throughout the program
  • Private coach transportation for all scheduled group travel and transfers
  • Registered local guides for city tours in Florence, Siena, Mantua, Venice, and Milan
  • Entry and coordination for all scheduled cultural and academic visits, including:
    • Uffizi Gallery
    • Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Vinci
    • Doge’s Palace in Venice
    • Duomo di Milano and Sforza Castle
    • Murano and Burano island tours
    • Romeo & Juliet Museum in Verona
    • Guided e-bike tour in the Chianti region with lunch included
    • Farm visit in the Chianti countryside
  • All entrance fees for scheduled museums and monuments
  • All accommodation taxes and full logistical coordination
What is Not Included
  • International flight
  • All meals & beverages (unless specified in the itinerary)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Activities not listed
  • Tips and gratuities 

Have Questions? Let’s Connect.

Ready to start planning your faculty-led program – or just want to learn more about how it works?

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