Salone dei Cinquecento

Churches & Cathedrals

Trace the fascinating history of the Medici dynasty on a 2-hour walking tour of Florence and learn how they used their wealth and power to patronize the arts and lay the foundations of the Italian Renaissance. Hear anecdotes about their intrigue, power struggles, betrayals and incredible foresight. Admire their former palaces and visit streets and squares where members of the family lived. Walk the same narrow streets they used to walk along to landmark monuments such as the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in the San Lorenzo district. Take a look at the church where they worshipped and built their mausoleum at the Medici Chapels in the Basilica di San Lorenzo. Marvel at Brunelleschi’s stunning dome. Continue to the Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Signoria, where Cosimo I de' Medici moved his official seat in May 1540, signaling the security of Medici power. Follow the route of the Vasari Corridor from the outside and learn more about the elevated passageway that allowed the Grand Dukes to move between the Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti without being seen by the citizens. Arrive at the Palazzo Pitti and its magnificent Boboli Gardens for a look at the last residence of the Medici family at the end of your tour.

Florence is the birthplace of the Great Poet DANTE, a city that  is full of mysteries and secrets and you will discover it in so unusual way. We will follow the clues of the main character of the book, Robert Langdon, deeper and deeper in the Hell... One symbol after another, one place after another until the discovery of the last secret. You'll move among old palaces, squares, buildings, galleries and works already known worlwide, such as in open-air museum. Exploring this mysterious past will help you understand what is hidden behind "Inferno", the world-famous book by American writer Dan Brown. You will visit the inside of the Palazzo della Signoria, the Baptistry and Cathedral of Florence  Science, literature and art are here mixed together. You will see a unique Florence and learn a completely new Dante as you immerse yourself in the Florence of the Middle Ages. Search and find the truth!

On this private 3-hour tour you will explore the highlights of Florence before entering the Uffizi Gallery with your pre-booked fast-track ticket. To start off the tour you can admire the marvelous Duomo complex with monuments completely covered in polychrome marbles. Explore the Baptistery, Giotto’s Campanile, and Florence Cathedral with the great dome by Brunelleschi. You will proceed on to the imposing and singular stone building of the Church of Orsanmichele in which the wonderful tabernacle of Orcagna, a masterpiece of the Florentine Gothic Art, is located. Then you will reach the lively Mercato della Paglia with the famous "piglet", and discover the spectacular beauty of Piazza della Signoria with the sculptural masterpieces of Loggia dei Lanzi and the imposing Palazzo Vecchio with the crenellated tower of Arnolfo, one of the most famous symbols of the city. The wonderful prospective of the open gallery of Palazzo degli Uffizi opens onto the square, and in this famous museum you can admire countless works of art among which the most loved painting in the world: the beautiful “Birth of Venus” by Botticelli. At the end of the guided tour you can remain in the museum to explore further at your leisure.

Join the group at the Accademia gates to start your tour. There will be a maximum of 12 people so it is always an intimate experience. Learn the story of David and its creator Michelangelo.  Hear about the purpose of the museum which now houses one of the greatest art collections in the world. Understand the influence and legacy of the ruling Medici family, and learn how this collection was bequeathed to the people of Florence by Anna Maria Lodovica, the last of the Medici. Challenge your guide about the 16th-century art school in this Academy of Fine Arts. Enjoy the Accademia Galleries and head to the famous Cathedral of Florence. Walk through the beauty of priceless treasures of Gothic and Renaissance art as you see the imposing Duomo dominating the skyline. Savor the artistic wonder for its size and for its amazing marble decorations.  See the Baptistry famous with its doors right in front of the cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore. These are the Gates of Paradise but what you’ll see here are only the copies ( originals are in the Museum). Include a pre-reserved visit to the Dome at the end of the tour and climb the dome at your own leisure to admire scenic views of Florence and surrounding Tuscany. End the tour at one of these Squares so you can ask your guide for options of the best places to eat or drink an aperitivo. This tour is a great investment to save your time and to appreciate the potentially overwhelming series of artworks with a scholarly local guide who manages to be fun at the same time. Learn from your guide how you can use the Brunelleschi Pass which is valid for 72 hours to see the Museum and the Baptistery of the Cathedral.

Join the group at the Basilica Di San Lorenzo and meet your informative and friendly local guide who will take you on a journey of discovery that few tourists ever get to experience. Start with the the Piazza della Signoria near the impressive Palazzo Vecchio where you will learn how the square got its name. A short stroll away you’ll find yourself among the pint-sized jewelry shops as you cross the River Arno via the Ponte Vecchio. Learn how the medieval bridge was intended to be an important city defense. Enjoy the fascinating tale about the bridge’s hidden passageway that was built for the wealthy Cosimo I de Medici. See the inscription by Dante marking the site of the Amidel murder and absorb 2,000 years of history as you visit the Roman Forum, now the Piazza della Repubblica. Learn about the Renaissance awakening of artistic and cultural appreciation in Florence during the 15th century and hear about residents such as Machiavelli, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Donatello and Petrarch and the mark they left through their literary and artistic talents. Discover lesser-known spots such as the artisan Oltrarno Quarter where you will spot some wonderful backstreet cafes and delis to return to later. Dive down narrow passageways to emerge in quiet quarters of the city where everyday life rumbles on at an unhurried pace. Join the hustle and bustle in the Mercato Centrale where fresh produce, cheese, meat and fish provide a wonderful aroma such as only Italian foods can generate! Smell the leather as you walk through the Mercato Nuovo and learn the stories of tanners and leather smiths who relied on the river for their livelihoods. Take time to look up at the awe-inspiring sculptures under the Loggia dei Lanzi and admire the surrounding architecture in the Piazza della Signoria. Familiarize yourself with the artistic and architectural achievements of the Florentines in the Renaissance, and stroll by the Orsanmichele church as you explore how medieval crafts turned into Renaissance artistic leadership.

Discover Florence’s historic center on a walking tour including the imposing Duomo, elegant Uffizi Square, the renowned leather market, and the Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo’s David. Stroll along the streets lined with the architecture of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, admire the city in its continued glory, and discover its hidden gems. Begin with a walking tour and learn about the fascinating history of Florence as you visit the heart of the Renaissance Civic and Political Center, famous for its ancient statues and glorious fountains. With your guide leading the way, visit all of Florence's top sights, including the iconic sculptures at Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi Courtyard. Walk towards the astounding Florence Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, from where Brunelleschi’s dome dominates the skyline of Florence and never ceases to impress. Gaze at the Baptistry Doors by Ghiberti, coined the “Gates of Paradise” by Michelangelo, and get an up-close view of the Duomo, where your guide will tell you interesting facts about the building. Benefit from skip-the-line access to the Accademia Gallery where you will have the unique opportunity to see Michelangelo’s statue of the Slaves and his magnificent 17-foot marble masterpiece, the David.

Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the Tuscan capital with a local guide. Explore the neighborhood of San Lorenzo, where you can admire the Basilica of S. Lorenzo, the church of the Medici family, and the Medici Chapels. Begin with a visit to the elegant cloister, a green oasis of peace in the heart of the Medici district. Then, take in the beauty of the Palazzo Medici Riccardi and reach Piazza del Duomo.  Marvel at the striking cathedral with Brunelleschi's dome and Giotto's bell tower. See the Baptistery of Saint John with the Gates of Paradise. Next, stroll along the Arno River to reach the Ponte Vecchio, the famous "Jewelry Bridge". Continue to the picturesque Mercato della Paglia and the Fontana del Porcellino. Finally, go to Piazza Della Signoria, a marvelous outdoor sculpture museum, dominated by the imposing Palazzo Vecchio.

Check out some of the most iconic sights in Florence on a guided walking tour that explores the heart of the city and visits many of its top attractions. Learn all about the history of Florence as you see the most famous artwork and architecture it has to offer. Begin in the ancient Medici Family District. Admire the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the family's first residence in the San Lorenzo District, where you can also find their church and mausoleum chapels. A few steps away are some of Florence's most famous monuments: the cathedral with its incredible dome by Brunelleschi, the Baptistery of San Giovanni with the Gates of Paradise, and the Giotto bell tower, the loveliest in all of Italy. The walk continues along lively Via Calzaioli. See the imposing Orsanmichele Church, a masterpiece of Florentine gothic art before reaching the bustling Mercato della Paglia (straw market). Don’t forget to rub the nose of the famous pig and toss a coin into the fountain to bring you good luck. Continuing on, admire the picturesque Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence. Finally, arrive at the Piazza Signoria, the political center of the city. In this true 'outdoor museum', see the beautiful Fountain of Neptune with the marvelous marble statue by Ammannati. There are also the sculptural masterpieces of the Loggia dei Lanzi, including Cellini’s Perseus and Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabines. Dominating all of this is the majestic Palazzo Vecchio and the Arnolfo Tower, one of the most emblematic symbols of Florence.