Immerse yourself in the life and times of the world’s most famous artist, Michelangelo Buonarroti, on this week-long Specialty tour. Trace the artist’s breathtaking work in Florence, where he lived for much of his life, and in Rome where he worked under the patronage of the Papacy. Enjoy special exclusive access to sites and people, providing in-depth insight into Michelangelo as a Renaissance master of sculpture, painting, and architecture.

Michelangelo's <i>David</i> in the Accademia in Florence

Michelangelo’s early <i>Pieta</i> in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican

Cathedral Santa Maria del Fior, Duomo, in Florence, Italy

Loggia dei Lanzi with the Medici lion and Palazzo Vecchio

A few of the many art treasures within the Uffizi Gallery. Credit: Art Kowalsky/Alamy

One of the tombs by Michelangelo at the Medici Chapel

Michelangelo's stairway at the Laurentian Library

The Palazzo Davanzati, which reflects the decor of a Renaissance home. Credit: Hemis/Alamy

View of Rome from St. Peter’s Basilica, with Bernini’s colonnade

The vast interior of St. Peter’s Basilica

Michelangelo's iconic Sistine Chapel ceiling

Moses by Michelangelo at church of San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome

The Genius of Michelangelo

Artist, Architect, and Renaissance Master

9 days from $5,995

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Overview

Immerse yourself in the life and times of one of the world’s most famous artists—Michelangelo Buonarroti. Trace his work in Florence and Rome and consider his masterpieces in their social, political, and religious contexts under the patronage of Lorenzo the Magnificent and various popes. Deepen your understanding of the artworks themselves and in comparison to his competitors as you view his major works, often through behind-the-scenes special access.

Highlights Include

Florence: Trace Michelangelo’s footsteps as you view important early works, such as the David at the Accademia and Bacchus at the Bargello, and important later works, such as the Medici Tombs at the Church of San Lorenzo and Pietà at the new Duomo Museum. Through special access, meet the director of the Casa Michelangelo and view his early sketches, and visit the Laurentian Library, a masterpiece of his later Mannerist style. Other highlights include a tour of the Uffizi Gallery and an excursion to Carrara, where you’ll stand in the marble quarries and learn the techniques used by Michelangelo in selecting his marble.
Rome: Follow Michelangelo the architect, from his work at the Farnese Palace and the magnificent Piazza del Campidoglio to the spectacular dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. View works by the sculptor, including his early, breathtaking Pietà and later, impressive Moses. Plus, stand in awe at his masterpiece as a painter when you view the spectacular frescoed Sistine Chapel ceiling during an exclusive private entrance.

To see itinerary, please click on an option below.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart the U.S for Florence

Depart the US on individual flights for Florence.

Day 2 – Florence

Arrive in Florence and transfer to the Hotel Brunelleschi, located in the heart of Florence. Enjoy a walking tour of the center of Florence including the Palazzo Medici where Michelangelo lived during the golden age of Florence under Lorenzo il Magnifico. Gather for a welcome reception followed by dinner at the hotel. (R, D)

Hotel Brunelleschi

Day 3 – Florence

Gather this morning for an illustrated lecture, outlining the life and times of Michelangelo. Visit the Casa Buonarroti and view Michelangelo’s earliest works. Next explore the Bargello (the National Sculpture Museum of Florence) to discover works by Michelangelo and his contemporaries including Verrocchio, Giambologna, and Cellini. Enjoy a lunch of Florentine specialties at a local osteria, before heading to the Accademia Galleries. Marvel at Michelangelo’s greatest sculpture, David, and also see The Prisoners, created for the Tomb of Pope Julius II. Tonight is at leisure. (B,L)

Hotel Brunelleschi

Day 4 – Carrara and Pietrasanta

Depart for an unforgettable excursion up the Tuscan Coast to explore the marble quarries of Carrara. Travel by special mountain jeeps up stark white paths into the quarries where Michelangelo chose his favorite blocks of marble, where he often labored for months over the perfect block for his next project. See how the marble is cut, polished, and finished. Participate in a marble carving demonstration by a master stone carver still using the same 16th-century techniques as Michelangelo. Head to nearby Pietrasanta, a fashionable seaside village filled with art galleries. Enjoy lunch of local specialties and some free time to explore before returning to Florence. (B, L)

Hotel Brunelleschi

Day 5 – Michelangelo and the Medici

This morning learn about Michelangelo’s passion-filled relationships with the Medici. By special arrangement, visit the Laurentian Library at San Lorenzo, designed by Michelangelo, and see the Medici Tombs, with the famed Dawn and Dusk and Night and Day sculptures. After an independent lunch, spend the afternoon at the Uffizi Galleries and learn about Michelangelo’s art in relation to his contemporaries Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. (B)

Hotel Brunelleschi

Day 6 – Late Michelangelo and Rome

Visit the newly refurbished Museum of the Cathedral which houses some fine Renaissance sculpture including Michelangelo’s poignant Pietà, completed when the artist was in his 80s. This afternoon journey south through the beautiful Italian countryside via fast train to Rome. After checking into the Hotel Ponte Sisto, located next to the lively Campo dei Fiori, enjoy an early evening walking tour. Explore the neighborhood, view the classical façade of Palazzo Farnese, designed by Michelangelo, and understand Michelangelo’s genius in his use of the controposto of the Risen Christ statue at Santa Maria sopra Minerva church. Enjoy a traditional Roman dinner featuring bucatini all’ amatriciana at the iconic Osteria Costanza (where Julius Caesar was assassinated). (B, D)

Hotel Ponte Sisto

Day 7 – The Sistine Chapel

Today, visit the world’s smallest city-state, the Vatican. By special arrangement, visit one of the oldest and largest private palaces in Rome, Palazzo Colonna. Poet Vittoria Colonna, an intimate friend and muse of Michelangelo, lived here; she is featured in Michelangelo’s Universal Judgement in the Sistine Chapel. Later this afternoon, transfer to the Vatican Museums and enjoy an exclusive private entrance to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Enjoy a private guided tour through Raphael’s splendidly decorated papal apartments, and of course, the Sistine Chapel with its frescoed ceiling by Michelangelo. Enjoy time to admire the intricate details and vibrant colors of this artistic masterpiece during our private visit. (B)

Hotel Ponte Sisto

Day 8 – Michelangelo in Rome

Today climb the steps to Michelangelo’s magnificent Piazza del Campidoglio. Admire the perspective and balance of the piazza with its geometric paving and the buildings that surround the square (built between 1538-64). From here on Capitoline Hill, citadel of Ancient Rome and home to modern Rome’s City Hall, enjoy a magnificent panoramic view over the Roman Forum. Head up Esquiline Hill to visit the church of San Pietro in Vincoli with Julius II’s tomb and Michelangelo’s colossal sculpture Moses. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the Eternal City on your own before gathering for a festive farewell dinner tonight. (B, D)

Hotel Ponte Sisto

Day 9 – Depart Rome for Home

Transfer to Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport for individual flights home. (B)

Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)