


Experience Leonardo da Vinci's Italy, a Renaissance Adventure
"No single person can speak to our collective effort to understand the world and ourselves. But Leonardo had a unique genius for inquiry, aided by his extraordinary skills as an artist and scientist, that helps us better understand the natural world that we are part of and to appreciate more fully what it means to be alive and human.” ~ Ken Burns, Filmmaker
Join New Hampshire PBS and the Currier Museum of Art for an enlightening journey through Italy, exploring the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. Senior Museum Curator Dr. Kurt Sundstrom, along with local guides, will lead this educational tour that traces Leonardo’s legacy across Florence, Milan, and the scenic Italian countryside, revealing his profound impact on art, science, and engineering. You will develop an understanding of Leonardo da Vinci’s insatiable curiosity and his passion for understanding the world. Along the way, uncover the rich connections between Leonardo’s groundbreaking work and the cultural, scientific, and artistic advancements of Renaissance Italy.
Throughout the tour, Dr. Sundstrom will provide expert insights, connecting Leonardo’s insatiable curiosity to the artistic, scientific, and technological advancements of his era. This immersive journey offers a deeper appreciation of Leonardo da Vinci’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and the enduring influence of his work on the world today.

About Dr. Kurt Sundstrom:
Dr. Kurt Sundstrom is the Senior Curator at the Currier Museum of Art and oversees museum collection development with special attention to acquisitions and exhibitions of historic European art. He has organized numerous exhibitions, including the recent exhibition and publication Dan Dailey: Impressions of the Human Spirit (2024–2025) and Myth and Faith in Renaissance Florence: The sculpture of Giovan Angelo Montorsoli and his circle (2018–2019). Sundstrom spent two college semesters in Florence and is a frequent visitor to Italy. Sundstrom graduated from Beloit College (B.A.), University of Illinois (M.A.), and Florida State University (Ph.D.).
Table of Contents
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 | Thursday, October 23
New Hampshire PBS and Currier Museum of Art Tour of Leonardo da Vinci's Italy starts with an overnight flight from Boston to Florence, Italy. Buon Viaggio!
Refer to your American Expeditions tour handbook for tips on making the journey smooth and comfortable.
DAY 2 | Friday, October 24
Benvenuto in Italia! Your American Expeditions tour manager will be waiting to greet you in the arrivals area. Together, enjoy first impressions of Florence. Florence is a treasure chest of art and architecture where masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Dante have left a lasting imprint.
After dropping our luggage off at the hotel, we'll begin our visit with a city tour of Florence with a local guide through the city's historic center. See the majesty of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) and the Ponte Vecchio bridge, the much-photographed medieval stone bridge crossing the Arno River, and other highlights with your local guide as they introduce you to the city.
After your tour, check in to your hotel with time to refresh before dinner.
This evening, celebrate the New Hampshire PBS and Currier Museum of Art Tour of Leonardo da Vinci's Italy with a welcome dinner of Italian fare at a local restaurant. Get to know your host, Dr. Kurt Sundstrom and your new travel companions.
Later, settle in for a good night’s rest at the hotel.
DAY 3 | Saturday, October 25
Following breakfast at the hotel, an optional lecture* may be organized with your host Dr. Kurt Sundstrom, to set the stage for what you will learn about da Vinci.
After, join Dr. Sundstrom and your local guide as you follow in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci. While heading to the Opera del Duomo Museum, discuss Leonardo's artistic training, influences, and early commissions. Sites like Santa Maria Novella and the Florence Cathedral highlight his fascination with geometry, optics, and architecture, inspired by the city’s Renaissance marvels. Walking through Florence’s historic heart, we uncover how its vibrant environment fueled Leonardo’s genius in art, science, and engineering.
Arrive at the Opera del Duomo Museum, where you will learn about Leonardo's early experiences in Florence that exposed him to the engineering challenges of the Florence Cathedral’s dome and the artistic innovations that defined the Renaissance. The Opera del Duomo's projects helped shape Leonardo's understanding of architecture, mechanics, and artistic technique. His fascination with engineering and his studies of domes, mechanical lifts, and construction methods echo the groundbreaking work of Brunelleschi and the innovations that made Florence’s cathedral one of the greatest architectural achievements of the Renaissance.
This afternoon and evening are free to explore on your own or enjoy a leisurely lunch at a cafe. Perhaps visit the Uffizi Gallery, where you can admire the greatest collection of Renaissance art in the world. Explore early works by da Vinci, including the Annunciation and Adoration of the Magi, develop an understanding of his approach to combining science and art.
DAY 4 | Sunday, October 26
Begin your day with a scenic excursion to Vinci, Leonardo's birthplace, set amid the rolling hills of Tuscany. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of this charming town, visiting sites linked to Leonardo’s early life, including his childhood home. Stroll through the cobbled streets and enjoy sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside that sparked Leonardo’s early fascination with nature.
Next, visit the Museo Leonardiano di Vinci to delve into Leonardo’s inventive mind. The museum houses a fascinating collection of models and reconstructions of Leonardo’s inventions, from mechanical devices to engineering projects, offering a hands-on look at his genius in science and art.
After the museum, relax as you taste local wines from the region such as Chianti, alongside a traditional Tuscan lunch. Discussing the flavors and techniques that have been perfected here over centuries, this wine-tasting experience connects you with the cultural heritage of the land that influenced Leonardo.
DAY 5 | Monday, October 27
This morning enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing on an exciting excursion to Pisa.
Upon arrival in Pisa, board a tourist train from the bus parking to Miracles Square from where you will embark on a guided tour that includes entrance to the Cathedral and iconic Baptistery. The Baptistery is famous for its acoustics. The combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles here also offers insights into the construction methods Leonardo often observed and sketched. See the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa whose unintended tilt is a striking example of structural engineering principles, an area with which Leonardo was fascinated.
After the tour, you'll have free time to explore Pisa, with time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and browse nearby shops or ascend the Leaning Tower's 294 steps for a beautiful view over Tuscany.
In the early afternoon, return to Florence where you will have time to spend at your leisure. Perhaps walk to Piazzale Michelangelo, an overlook offering panoramic views of the Florence skyline. Take a leisurely stroll in the Boboli Gardens, the expansive Renaissance gardens behind the Pitti Palace. Or Climb the Duomo or Giotto’s Bell Tower for spectacular views above the city.
DAY 6 | Tuesday, October 28
Following breakfast, check out of your hotel and board your private motorcoach to Milan, the vibrant city that Leonardo da Vinci called home for nearly two decades. A stop will be made en route for lunch.
Upon arrival in Milan, embark on a guided walking tour through Milan’s historic center, where Renaissance art, architecture, and Leonardo’s legacy intertwine. Discover landmarks like the grand Piazza del Duomo and the impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the 19th-century shopping arcade, inspired by Renaissance ideals of perspective and symmetry. Learn about Milan’s role as a center of commerce and culture during the Renaissance, when wealthy patrons funded artistic and architectural advancements.
Following the tour, check in to your hotel with time to refresh before joining your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 7 | Wednesday, October 29
After breakfast at the hotel, head to the Sforza Castle. Here, you’ll explore the castle’s vast art collections, including the Michelangelo and Leonardo rooms, while learning about the impactful period Leonardo spent here under the patronage of Duke Ludovico Sforza. Your local guide will offer expert commentary on Leonardo’s frescoes, his contributions as an engineer, and the broader impact of his work at the Milanese court. This visit will deepen your understanding of Leonardo’s multifaceted genius, revealing his role not just as a painter, but as a visionary thinker and problem solver.
The rest of the day is free to explore Milan independently. Perhaps stroll down to the Navigli district, where Leonardo himself designed canal systems to support Milan’s transport and irrigation. This area is now a lively spot with cafés, art galleries, and boutiques. If you’re interested in Milanese fashion, head to the famous “Fashion Quadrilateral.” Even a casual window-shopping walk through Via Montenapoleone and its surrounding streets will give you a sense of Milan’s legacy as a fashion capital.
Optionally, visit the interior of the Duomo, a Gothic masterpiece that evolved alongside Renaissance ideals. Learn how figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Donato Bramante influenced aspects of its design.
DAY 8 | Thursday, October 30
Begin your final full day with breakfast at the hotel while engaging in a lively discussion about the Renaissance period, led by Dr. Sundstrom. Then, depart on a guided visit to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, one of Milan’s most prestigious art collections, is a must-visit for those exploring Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy and the Renaissance’s impact on Milan. Founded in 1618 by Cardinal Federico Borromeo, the museum houses an extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts, including Leonardo’s famous Codex Atlanticus.
Later this morning, visit Santa Maria delle Grazie (pending availability), home to one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most renowned masterpieces, The Last Supper. Step into the historic refectory and marvel at the mural, absorbing its revolutionary composition, techniques, and symbolism, all of which reflect Leonardo’s groundbreaking approach to art. Your guide will provide insight into the artistic and historical significance of the work, as well as Leonardo’s innovative but challenging fresco techniques.
The afternoon is yours to explore Milan at your own pace. You might choose to visit the chic boutiques in the Fashion District or wander through the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology, a fitting tribute to Leonardo’s insatiable curiosity and contributions to engineering and science. Alternatively, stroll through Parco Sempione for a relaxing break amid nature.
In the evening, reconvene with the group for a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant, where you’ll enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and reflect on this past week's discoveries.
DAY 9 | Friday, October 31
Check out of your hotel this morning and depart for the airport.
The New Hampshire PBS and Currier Museum of Art Tour of Leonardo da Vinci's Italy ends with a flight from Milan to Boston. Heartfelt goodbyes are exchanged at the airport, and your group is sent off with a fond, "Thank you for connecting our world through your music. Until we meet again!

Your Tour INCLUDES:
FLIGHTS
ACCOMMODATIONS
MEALS - varied, flavorful, and highlighting local cuisine
ACTIVITIES + TOURS + ENTRANCES
TOUR MANAGER to handle on-the-road logistics
TRANSPORTATION in a private, modern, climate-controlled motor coach with a professional driver
TOUR ENHANCEMENT MATERIALS to help plan and prepare for your tour
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONS SERVICE goes beyond logistics
CONVENIENT ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM

TOUR PACKAGE PRICES you can rely on
Your Tour includes everything above. Here’s what’s not included:
TRAVEL INSURANCE is recommended!
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Once confirmed, your group’s current flight details will be listed in your itinerary above.
Custom flights are defined here as any flight arrangements differing from the group (this includes one-way travel, upgrades, different dates, or different cities). If you plan to book flights yourself, or if you plan to book flights yourself using miles, please do so independently.
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