Discover the highlights of Florence and follow an expert and entertaining tour guide to the most significant places through the historical centre and learn about the amazing history of the city from the time it was the capital of the Renaissance to the time it became the capital of early unified Italy.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
- Begin your tour at Galleria dell'Accademia (Accademia Gallery), the home to the largest collection of Michelangelo's sculptures;
- Admire "The David" and marvel at the elegance and details of this 5.17-metre (17 ft 0 in) marble sculpture;
- Learn why Michelangelo is considered a genius and see traces of his sculptural technique in the chisel marks of the unfinished sculptures of the "Slaves";
- Enjoy a walking tour of Florence's highlights, including the magnificent Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) and the famed baptistry with its gilded 'Gates of Paradise' doors;
- Learn about Italian leatherwork, and discover the best places to shop in the city;
- Explore the historical political heart of Florence with the medieval castle-like Palazzo Vecchio and the elegant Renaissance Uffizi Gallery buildings;
- Admire the beautiful sculptures in the Loggia dei Lanzi outdoor Sculpture gallery, including Cennini's Perseus holding the head of Medusa;
- End your tour on the Ponte Vecchio, Florence's most famous and ancient bridge over the Arno River.
Your tour begins in the prestigious Accademia Gallery, where you will enjoy timed entrance tickets to the museum, and explore stunning artwork, including Michelangelo's David.
Then see the religious centre of the city: admire the Duomo, whose impressive Dome was designed by Brunelleschi, and the Baptistery of Saint John, one of the oldest buildings in Florence. From the religious centre, you will walk to the political centre, and enjoy a pleasant stroll through Piazza Della Signoria, surrounded by its ancient buildings and the Loggia Dei Lanzi.
In this open-air museum, we will see original masterpieces by Giambologna and Cellini. From there, you'll cross the famous Ponte Vecchio, the medieval bridge on the Arno River.
This half-day tour of Florence's Renaissance artwork and architecture is a must for all visitors.
Please note: that there is often a long line to enter into the Duomo of Florence. If the line is too long you will not visit the interior of the Cathedral on tour, and your guide will give you tips on the best time to return to avoid standing in line.