What to see in Florence

Florence allows the visitor to step back in time. Offering a world-class Duomo, Michelangelo's Statue of David, and many other notable delights, the birthplace of the Renaissance has a wealth of substance. Our ‘Florence in a Day’ itinerary pulls together some of the city’s highlights, allowing for a peek into this artisanal Italian center. In the company of a local expert, we'll start in the Uffizi Gallery before moving to discuss the many layers of history in the main historic center of the city. We will stop for lunch and continue our tour in the Accademia in the afternoon. This tour is a wonderful introduction for travelers with (maybe) just a day and a desire to soak up this spectacular Italian city. Florence in a Day For the art and art history lover inspired by the Renaissance Includes an introduction to the city, visits sites such as the Duomo (exterior), Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio (exterior), the Accademia (Michelangelo's David), and the Uffizi Gallery. Local lunch (at own expense). Discovering the Uffizi Gallery Our walk begins at the Uffizi Gallery, which is arguably the greatest collection of Renaissance and Mannerist works of art in the world. We will begin with a short introduction in the Piazza, before entering the museum and spending around 2 hours inside. We’ll be introduced to some of the museum’s grandest pieces, as well as its lesser-known gems. We may view Renaissance works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Giotto, and Da Vinci. We might then discuss some of the best examples from the Mannerist period, such as Parmigianino and Bronzino. As a group, we will spend some time contextualizing these works, both in respect to local history and their place in the canon of art. We may also look at the wider associations of these masterpieces in the political and social developments in their eras as our time together comes to a final flourish. Florence City Walking Tour We’ll leave the collection behind as we move to have an introductory city walking tour. We’ll view sites such as the “Arcone”, a triumphal arch erected in 1895, the Ponte Vecchio and the exterior of Palazzo Vecchio. We’ll continue our stroll through the city as the sight of Brunelleschi’s Duomo comes into view. We’ll spend some time discussing this intricate structure from the outside and the significance of the cathedral and nearby Baptistery in Florentine art and civic life. Our expert’s route may continue deeper into the historical, political, and emotional heart of Florence: the L-shaped square, Piazza della Signoria. We will make a quick stop for lunch at a local restaurant or cafe and use this time to continue our discussion on any of the morning’s topics or general questions we might have on Florence. Accademia and Michelangelo After lunch, we will continue our tour to the day’s finale: the Accademia. Here, our expert guide will divulge more about the life of Michelangelo and how his techniques permanently altered the way that artists, particularly sculptors, would approach their craft. We’ll talk about his career and patronage under the powerful Medici family. Of course, we’ll spend some time admiring the Statue of David, Michelangelo's masterpiece and the showpiece of the Renaissance in Florence. Takeaways We’ll conclude our ‘Florence in a Day’ with a deeper appreciation of what Florence has to offer. From outdoor architectural splendor to Renaissance triumphs, we’ll have strolled through the city to sites relevant to Florentine (and European) history. Hopefully, our ‘Florence in a Day, with Context’ tour will set us up for the remainder of our travel in Italy and beyond.

This 3.5 hour Florence city tour includes Michelangelo's Statue of David and the Accademia Florence. Led by a local historian, the walk gives a general overview of Florence and its history combined with a special focus on the Accademia. It is ideal for first-time visitors who want a general overview and to see the Statue of David. Florence City Tour Our walk begins in Piazza della Repubblica, the city's commercial and political heart during the Roman Era. While all of the architecture from the era was demolished after the unification of Italy in an effort to modernize the city, there are clues to the past located in the square. For example, we'll admire the the triumphal arch, known as the "Arcone." Erected in 1895 as part of Florence's redevelopment plans, an inscription on the arch alludes to the demolition of the historic buildings: loosely translated, it says 'the old city was put out of its misery and brought back to life'. After a brief stroll through the center of the city, we will arrive at Brunelleschi's later masterpiece, the Duomo. We will generally make a circuit of the exterior and discuss the importance of the cathedral and nearby Baptistery in Florentine art and civic history. From here, we will move deeper into the center, perhaps to Piazza Signoria, the government center of Renaissance Florence. Accademia Florence Equipped with a better understanding of the city we'll now reach for the Accademia, where we'll become acquainted with the life of Michelangelo in Florence and how his techniques changed forever the way that artists, especially sculptors, would approach their craft. We will discuss his early years and career under the patronage of the Medici family and admire the David, the artists's masterpiece and consummate symbol of the Florentine Renaissance.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, Tuscany

A total immersion in the art of Michelangelo to know his most renowned work, the “David”, and other important works of art such as ''I Prigioni'' and ''San Matteo'' and the “Palestrina Pietà”.

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Stop At: Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany

One of the most famous art galleries in the world where you can admire numerous works of art by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue, Masaccio and many others. Among the precious exhibition halls of the Gallery, the most renowned one contains the refined works by Botticelli, amongst which the absolute masterpieces: "Primavera" and "Birth of Venus".

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Borgo Storico di Corniglia, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, Liguria

Soak up scenic views from Corniglia

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Borgo Storico di Manarola, Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, Liguria

Explore Manarola by foot or relax in a cafe or bar. From Manarola enjoy a shared ride along the Cinque Terre

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Vernazza, Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, Liguria

Stop for lunch in beautiful Vernazza at your own expense

Duration: 2 hours

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, Tuscany

On a GT coach you will get to Piazzale Michelangelo, the most breathtaking city view

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: San Domenico Fiesole, Fiesole, Tuscany

A Gt coach ride will take you to Fiesole hill, an ancient village from where it is possible to admire a wonderful view of the city and the countryside around Florence

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, Tuscany

Guided visit inside the Accademia Gallery

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Stop At: Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence, Tuscany

Exterior visit of the famous Medici Churc

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Piazza del Duomo, Florence, Tuscany

Exterior visit of the Duomo Complex: The Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), Giotto Bell Tower and the Baptistery represent the religious Florence Center and three of the most important monuments of the city

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence, Tuscany

Exterior visit of this wonderful Church, just near the Arno river

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Tuscany

Exterior visit of Palazzo Vecchio

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Tuscany

Exterior visit of Piazza della Signoria

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence, Tuscany

Exterior visit of the wonderful open air museum when the Perseo by Bernini is located

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany

Guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Historic Centre of San Gimignano, San Gimignano, Tuscany

Chianti Hill Top medieval Village, famous also for its towers

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Piazza del Campo, Siena, Tuscany

Guided tour of the historic center, starting from its most beautiful square, Piazza del Campo, of which the Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall) is the focal point and a pleasant walk through the narrow medieval streets of the city, flanked by splendid palaces and historic shops

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Palio di Siena, Siena, Tuscany

The “Contrade” (districts into which the city is divided) are the real core of local social life, where inhabitants of each district compete with each other, as they devote themselves to the preparation of the famous Palio horse-race. The Museum of a ”Contrada”, as well as its Oratory, is therefore the heart of the district. It is an intimate and secret place containing historical documents and wonderful relics of the famous Palio, as well as magnificent works of art, which are normally not disclosed to the public

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Duomo di Siena, Siena, Tuscany

The spectacular Cathedral of the 12th century, of which we can admire the magnificent architecture and the splendor of the polychrome marbles. Interior visit depending on the selected option.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Monteriggioni, Monteriggioni, Tuscany

The charming historical hamlet of Monteriggioni, an amazing small medieval village enclosed by its famous walls, which remained standing to this day

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Chianti Road, Tuscany

Then crossing the gently Chianti rolling hills, we will arrive to a cozy Winery, where taste four fantastic wines and sampling balsamic vinegar and “zero food miles” products , to end this memorable experience in the heart of Tuscany with delicious Tuscan flavors

Duration: 1 hour

Start your day with a pickup from your central Rome hotel, or alternatively, hop aboard your coach in the center of town, near Rome Termini Station. Leave Rome and travel north to the picture-perfect region of Tuscany, passing through the green valley surrounding Tevere River and hills blanketed with olive groves and vineyards. Your destination of the day is beautiful Florence – the region’s equally charming capital.
First stop in the city is the world-famous Accademia Gallery (Gallerie dell'Accademia ), home to Michelangelo’s original David sculpture, which, of course, you will see on your tour! Head inside to see the Accademia’s highlights with your expert guide, learning about Michelangelo’s unfinished Quattro Prigioni – a sculpture of prisoners trying to free themselves from the marble in which they are carved – and see Botticelli’s Madonna and Child among other noteworthy works.
Leave the museum and set off on your walking tour to see top city attractions like Florence Duomo (Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore). Admire the cathedral’s distinctive orange dome, designed by Renaissance supremo Fillipo Brunelleschi, and then admire Giotto’s Bell Tower – another Renaissance masterpiece.
Stop near Piazza della Signoria to enjoy lunch in a typical Florentine restaurant, and then continue your walking tour to the Basilica of Santa Croce to see where Michelangelo is buried. Finally, visit one of Florence’s famous leather-making schools, where you’ll also learn about other ancient Tuscan crafts such as gold metal work and mosaic making.
Return to your coach with your guide and return to Rome, finishing your tour back at your hotel. Alternatively, you can finish your tour with a drop off at Via Veneto, Piazza Barberini, Piazza Venezia or Piazza della Repubblica; simply let your guide know on the day.
Click on the 'View Additional Info' button below to see the tour's meeting point, near Termini Station.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

meeting point

Pass By: FlorenceTown, Florence, Tuscany

visit of the central market with our Chef for shopping and picking up ingredients for the meal, and learning how to distinguish highest quality products

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Underground parking San Lorenzo / Central Market

cooking class with local products and wine tastings, and hand in lesson guided by professional chefs

Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

Location: Food & Wine Academy Srl

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Follow a wonderful hilly route in your bus along the "Via Chiantigiana." you will reach a family-run winery where you'll visit the cellars and the barrique room and taste four excellent limited-production Chianti wines, as well as local products. 

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Chianti Road, Tuscany

Visit the medieval village of Greve, where to admire the famous main square flanked by arcades where you can stroll by the shops selling articles and typical products of Chianti area.

Duration: 40 minutes

Location: Chianti Road, Tuscany

Reach a family-run winery and visit the cellars and the barrique room where you can taste four excellent limited-production Chianti wines.

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Rocca di Castellina, Castellina In Chianti, Tuscany

Continue on to Castellina in Chianti, an ancient hamlet set high on a hillside between rolling vineyards and olive groves. Take in beautiful views out over the rolling vineyards below and enjoy free time to wander at your leisure.

Duration: 40 minutes

Location: Rocca di Castellina, Castellina In Chianti, Tuscany

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Cinque Terre Trails, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, Liguria

These ancient trails are rough but manageable. Be prepared for the hiking – although the path is open to everyone, remember that the ground can be slippery, uneven, and in places steep and narrow. The charm of the area is that it is natural and unspoiled, do not expect hand rails or safety rails when steps are steep or when the path is close to the cliff edge. Because of the nature of the hike, we are unable to accept small children or anyone with walking difficulties.

Duration: 8 hours

Stop At: Borgo Storico di Riomaggiore, Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, Liguria

At Riomaggiore, centuries ago, the distinctive tall, colourful houses known as Genovese tower houses arranged in rows connected by alleys, arches and steps provided a defense against pirates.
House colours are regulated by the comune. You can't just paint them any colour you like!
Houses have two entrances, one at the front and one at the rear on the higher road, so that when they were attacked by pirates, the people could escape.
At the end of the eighteen hundreds the railway came along the coast and Riomaggiore, along with the other towns of the cinque terrre came out of their historic isolation, even though a road wouldn't reach them until the 1970's.
Language, lingua ligure, the villages were so cut off even from each other that they spoke different dialects of the same language.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Borgo Storico di Manarola, Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, Liguria

Built in the valley of the torrente Groppo, until 1950 the stream which runs through the town was completely uncovered and 11 stone bridges allowed the people to cross from one side to the other. Over the next thirty years the stream was gradually covered over.
The ancient village was destroyed by Saracen pirates (in 849) and the surviving people fled in land to live. When the seas were made safe again in the 11th century, people came back to settle here under the protection of the Republic of Genova.
By the 1200's cultivation of vines was not only established but the wine they produced was sought after. The church of San Lorenzo was begun in 1338. The patron saint is celebrated on the 10th of August with a procession through the streets carrying a statue of him.
The castle which protected the town from pirates is now a private home, you can see the garden from the panoramic walk, it is on the rock immediately above the port.
Manarola is now famous for its Christmas nativity scene which is the biggest in the world. Figures outlined in thousands of lights cover the hillside. Also an Easter scene is made.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Borgo Storico di Corniglia, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, Liguria

The middle town of the five, Corniglia is the smallest town and sits at 90 metres above sea level.
The name derives from the huge spur of rock on which the village sits. Population of about only 200.
San Pietro church from the fourteenth century on the site of an eleventh century chapel. San Pietro's day is 29th June and as part of the celebrations, there is a procession through the streets. A special savoury tart is prepared with rice, eggs and cheese and is shared among the people who take part in the procession.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Vernazza, Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, Liguria

Vernazza is unique in the Cinque Terre because of the small port that was built allowing ships to land in the protected bay. It was already a fortified village and efficient maritime base in the earliest records available from the eleventh century. Today there are traces of the military defences built by the Genovese in the thirteenth century such as traces of the old walls, ramparts and the look out tower.

Duration: 1 hour

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Tuscany

The famous square in Pisa which takes its name from the monuments located there, called in the past “Miracles” because of their incredible beauty and uniqueness.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Duomo di Pisa, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Tuscany

The famous Cathedral, model of the distinctive Pisan Romanesque architecture, located in the Miracoli square

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Tuscany

One of the wonders of the world, because of the leaning structure which stirs the imagination of all visitors.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Battistero, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Tuscany

The round- shaped Baptistery, surrounded by its suggestive columned arcades

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Chiesa di San Sisto, Piacenza, Province of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna

One of the oldest churches in Pisa

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Knights’ Square, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Tuscany

The political centre in the Middle Ages and where the Scuola Normale is located, one of the most famous universities in the world.

Duration: 5 minutes

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Follow a wonderful hilly route in your bus along the "Via Chiantigiana." you will reach a family-run winery where you'll visit the cellars and the barrique room and taste four excellent limited-production Chianti wines, as well as local products. 

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Chianti Road, Tuscany

Visit the medieval village of Greve, where to admire the famous main square flanked by arcades where you can stroll by the shops selling articles and typical products of Chianti area.

Duration: 40 minutes

Location: Chianti Road, Tuscany

Reach a family-run winery and visit the cellars and the barrique room where you can taste four excellent limited-production Chianti wines.

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Rocca di Castellina, Castellina In Chianti, Tuscany

Continue on to Castellina in Chianti, an ancient hamlet set high on a hillside between rolling vineyards and olive groves. Take in beautiful views out over the rolling vineyards below and enjoy free time to wander at your leisure.

Duration: 40 minutes

Location: Rocca di Castellina, Castellina In Chianti, Tuscany

Travel on to San Donato in Poggio — an ancient village nestled in the rolling Tuscan hills — and sit down to your evening meal in a Local Tavern. Enjoy regional specialities perfectly complemented by excellent Chianti Wine, and experience first-hand a traditional dining experience for which the Italians are famous. You can choose also to upgrade your dinner experience with a delicious bistecca alla Fiorentina — a rich, flavorsome Florentine T-bone steak simply dressed with olive oil, rosemary and salt, and widely considered to be the most famous Tuscan meat dish of all!

Duration: 2 hours

Location: San Donato In Poggio, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Tuscany

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany

It is famous worldwide for its outstanding collections of ancient sculptures and paintings (from the Middle Ages to the Modern period). The collections of paintings from the 14th-century and Renaissance period include some absolute masterpieces: Giotto, Simone Martini, Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Mantegna, Correggio, Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo and Caravaggio, in addition to many precious works by European painters (mainly German, Dutch and Flemish). Moreover, the Gallery boasts an invaluable collection of ancient statues and busts from the Medici family, which adorns the corridors and consists of ancient Roman copies of lost Greek sculptures.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Tuscany

The bridge spans the Arno at its narrowest point where it is believed that a bridge was first built in Roman times, when the via Cassia crossed the river at this point. The Roman piers were of stone, the superstructure of wood. The bridge first appears in a document of 996. After being destroyed by a flood in 1117 it was reconstructed in stone but swept away again in 1333 save two of its central piers, as noted by Giovanni Villani in his Nuova Cronica. It was rebuilt in 1345.Giorgio Vasari recorded the traditional view of his day that attributed its design to Taddeo Gaddi — besides Giotto one of the few artistic names of the trecento still recalled two hundred years later. Modern historians present Neri di Fioravanti as a possible candidate. Sheltered in a little loggia at the central opening of the bridge is a weathered dedication stone, which once read Nel trentatrè dopo il mille-trecento, il ponte cadde, per diluvio dell' acque: poi dieci anni, come al Comun piacque, rifatto fu con questo adornamento. The Torre dei Mannelli was built at the southeast corner of the bridge to defend it.
The bridge consists of three segmental arches: the main arch has a span of 30 meters (98 feet) the two side arches each span 27 meters (89 feet). The rise of the arches is between 3.5 and 4.4 meters (11½ to 14½ feet), and the span-to-rise ratio 5:1.
It has always hosted shops and merchants who displayed their goods on tables before their premises, after authorization of the Bargello (a sort of a lord mayor, a magistrate and a police authority). The back shops (retrobotteghe) that may be seen from upriver, were added in the seventeenth century.
During World War II, the Ponte Vecchio was not destroyed by Germans during their retreat on the advance of the liberating British 8th Army on 4 August 1944, unlike all other bridges in Florence. This was allegedly, according to many locals and tour guides, because of an express order by Hitler. Access to Ponte Vecchio was, however, obstructed by the destruction of the buildings at both ends, which have since been rebuilt using a combination of original and modern design.


Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence, Tuscany

The Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) is the principal Franciscan church in Florence, Italy, and a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. It is situated on the Piazza di Santa Croce, about 800 meters south-east of the Duomo. The site, when first chosen, was in marshland outside the city walls. It is the burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, the poet Foscolo, the philosopher Gentile and the composer Rossini, thus it is known also as the Temple of the Italian Glories

Stop At: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Tuscany

The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre pendente di Pisa) is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, known worldwide for its unintended tilt. The tower is situated behind the Pisa Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in the city's Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo), after the cathedral and the Pisa Baptistry.
The tower's tilt began during construction in the 12th century, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure's weight. The tilt increased in the decades before the structure was completed in the 14th century. It gradually increased until the structure was stabilized (and the tilt partially corrected) by efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The height of the tower is 55.86 metres (183.27 feet) from the ground on the low side and 56.67 metres (185.93 feet) on the high side. The width of the walls at the base is 2.44 m (8 ft 0.06 in). Its weight is estimated at 14,500 tons. The tower has 296 or 294 steps; the seventh floor has two fewer steps on the north-facing staircase. In 1990 the tower leaned at an angle of 5.5 degrees, but following remedial work between 1993 and 2001 this was reduced to 3.97 degrees, reducing the overhang by 45 cm. It lost a further 4 cm of tilt in the two decades to 2018.


Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, Tuscany

The Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, or "Gallery of the Academy of Florence", is an art museum in Florence, Italy. It is best known as the home of Michelangelo's sculpture David. It also has other sculptures by Michelangelo and a large collection of paintings by Florentine artists, mostly from the period 1300–1600, the Trecento to the Late Renaissance. It is smaller and more specialized than the Uffizi, the main art museum in Florence. It adjoins the Accademia di Belle Arti or academy of fine arts of Florence, but despite the name has no other connection with it.

Duration: 45 minutes

Pass By: Duomo - Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Tuscany

Florence Cathedral, formally the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore; in English "Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower"), is the cathedral of Florence, Italy (Italian: Duomo di Firenze). It was begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to a design of Arnolfo di Cambio and was structurally completed by 1436, with the dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.[1] The exterior of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink, bordered by white, and has an elaborate 19th-century Gothic Revival façade by Emilio De Fabris.
The cathedral complex, in Piazza del Duomo, includes the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile. These three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the historic centre of Florence and are a major tourist attraction of Tuscany. The basilica is one of Italy's largest churches, and until the development of new structural materials in the modern era, the dome was the largest in the world. It remains the largest brick dome ever constructed.


Stop At: Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, Tuscany

This Florentine piazza was designed by architect Giuseppe Poggi and built in 1869 on a hill just south of the historic center, during the redevelopment of Oltrarno, the left (South) bank of the Arno river. In 1869, Florence was the capital of Italy and the whole city was involved in an urban renewal, the so-called "Risanamento" or the "Renovation" of the city's neighborhoods. Lungarni (riverside walkways; "lungarno", singular) were built on the riversides. On the right bank, the fourteenth-century city walls were removed and turned into the Viali di Circonvallazione, mimicking the French "boulevard" design, six lanes wide and lined with trees. On the left bank winding up the hill of San Miniato the Viale dei Colli was built, a tree-lined street over 8 kilometers long ending at the Piazzale Michelangelo which was built as a terrace with a panoramic view of the city.
Bronze cast of David facing Florence from the center of the square
The square, dedicated to the Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo, has bronze copies of some of his marble works found elsewhere in Florence: the David and the four allegories of the Medici Chapel of San Lorenzo. The monument was brought up by nine pairs of oxen on 25 June 1873. Poggi designed the loggia in the neoclassical-style that dominates the whole terrace, which today houses a restaurant. Originally it was intended to house a museum of works by Michelangelo, never realized. In the wall of the balcony, under the loggia, there is an epigraph in capital letters referring to his work: Poggi turned this into his monument in 1911.
The view captures the heart of Florence from Forte Belvedere to Santa Croce, across the lungarni and the bridges crossing the Arno, including the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Bargello and the octagonal bell tower of the Badia Fiorentina. Beyond the city are the hills of Settignano and Fiesole.
The Piazzale Michelangelo can be accessed by car along the tree-lined Viale Michelangelo, constructed at the same time, or by walking the stairs or going up the ramps from the Piazza Giuseppe Poggi, also known as the "Poggi Ramps" in the district of San Niccolò.

Duration: 20 minutes

Pass By: Campanile di Giotto, Florence, Tuscany

Giotto's Campanile is a free-standing campanile that is part of the complex of buildings that make up Florence Cathedral on the Piazza del Duomo in Florence, Italy.
Standing adjacent to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistry of St. John, the tower is one of the showpieces of Florentine Gothic architecture with its design by Giotto, its rich sculptural decorations and its polychrome marble encrustations.
The slender structure is square in plan with 14.45 metre (47.41 ft) sides. It is 84.7 metres (277.9 ft) tall and has polygonal buttresses at each corner. The tower is divided into five stages.


Pass By: Duomo di Pisa, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Tuscany

The square of the Duomo of Pisa - dominated by the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Bell Tower and Graveyard (the Campo Santo) - represents an architectural whole characterized by a really surprising stylistic accordance, to the point of having been compared by Le Corbousier to the acropolis of Athens. The choice of materials, with an almost absolute supermacy of the white marble, and the constant presence of blind arches at the base and practicable small loggias in the upper orders lead to the thought of single project, almost the expression of the group of artists that works well together in the same building site in a relatively short lapse of time. Still, this is the result of long process that saw various architects, sculptors and painters taking turns, in the space of more than three centuries, and amongthem some leading personalities who have marked their epoch.
Each visitor entering this space is rapt in the sudden vision of the four monuments, a vision that looks 'miraculous', quoting the fortunate definition coined by D'Annunzio. The buildings seem to spring up from a wide regular lawn, which however dates back to the XIX century, when th square was redesigned in neo-medieval slant, clearing it from many more or less poor buildings and from the vegetable gardens that were still tended there. Also because of these uses, the one of Pisa has no comparison with other medieval squares of the cathedral that, from Parma to Modena, from Siena to Perugia, see the structure of the city radiating from them. Nevertheless, this unusual decentred area has been the spiritual, and not only, heart of the city of Pisa.


Pass By: Museo di Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Tuscany

The Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) is the town hall of Florence, Italy. It overlooks the Piazza della Signoria with its copy of Michelangelo's David statue as well as the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi.
Originally called the Palazzo della Signoria, after the Signoria of Florence, the ruling body of the Republic of Florence, it was also given several other names: Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori, and Palazzo Ducale, in accordance with the varying use of the palace during its long history. The building acquired its current name when the Medici duke's residence was moved across the Arno to the Palazzo Pitti.


Pass By: Cupola del Brunelleschi, Florence, Tuscany

Consisting of two interconnected ogival shells, the cathedral's octagonal dome was erected between 1418 and 1434 to a design which Filippo Brunelleschi entered in a competition in 1418 but which was only accepted, after much controversy, in 1420.
A masterpiece capable of withstanding lightning, earthquakes and the passage of time, it continues to enchant all those who observe it from afar. The dome has a diameter of 45.5 metres.
The competition that the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore ran in 1418 was won by Brunelleschi, but work did not get under way until two years later and was not completed until 1434.
The cathedral of Florence was consecrated by Pope Eugene IV on 25 March 1436.
Brunelleschi's astonishingly innovative approach involved vaulting the dome space without any scaffolding by using a double shell with a space in between. The inner shell (with a thickness of more than two metres) is made of light bricks set in a herringbone pattern and is the self-supporting structural element while the outer dome simply serves as a heavier, wind-resistant covering. The dome is crowned by a lantern with a conical roof, designed by Brunelleschi but only built after his death in 1446, while the gilt copper sphere and cross on top of the lantern, containing holy relics, was designed by Andrea del Verrocchio and installed in 1466.
The inner shell of the dome was frescoed by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari from 1572 to 1579, the subject matter chosen, namely the Last Judgement, reflecting the iconography adopted in the baptistry. The frescoes on the inner shell of the dome were the object of a thorough restoration between 1978 and 1994.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, Tuscany

Enjoy a comprehensive Guided Tour of the renowned Accademia Gallery.

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Visit: Opera at St. Mark's Anglican Church, Florence, Tuscany

After a delicious dinner in the ancient and fascinating neighborhood "Oltrarno", in the old city center you will enjoy a very special and unforgettable evening: in an intimate and old setting (the Anglican church), you will be amazed by the most beautiful arias from the operas of Puccini, Verdi, Rossini and other renowned Italian composers, in addition to world famous Neapolitan songs (if concert option selected) or by one of the most beautiful Opera (La Bohème - La Traviata - Carmen - Marriage of Figaro - Madama Butterfly) (if Opera option selected).

Duration: 3 hours

The Tuscany Wine and Olive Oil Trail was born to give travelers the opportunity to enjoy the greater Wine area of Tuscany called “Chianti” and in particular the “Chianti Classico” one, with a selection of special wineries and the knowledge of a sommelier on board that will lead the way in the world of Chianti Wines and Olive Oil.
Chianti Classico is one of the most known wines of the world with its unmistakable logo of the Black Rooster who guarantees the authentic taste of Tuscan wine; enjoy our small-group wine tour travelling in peace with our professional English speaking driver and comfortable Minivan car.
The area explored is outstanding; with its olive groves, cypresses and vineyards that produce some of the best wines in the world with a blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and different varieties of red grapes blended differentely by the producers.
During the day you will learn the different characteristics of wine, you will get to know how distinguish the acidity, the taste, and flavor pairing with food.
This glorious trail will give you the chance to get acquainted with the history of wine and the secret of how to keep long lasting traditions alive.
This experience includes the visit of an olive oil mill in an ancient noble estate, where you will enjoy a guided tour of their spaces in a unique mix of ancient and modern setting, learning about the processes involved in producing olive oil. A taste of their gourmet olive oil will reveal all the incredible flavors that their passion and work generate.
After the olive oil experience you will discover two wineries and their cellars: a famous and glorious winery, with a spectacular cellar, and a fascinating small boutique winery. Both wineries boast international wine awards.
The tour also includes the wine tastings at the wineries you will visit, a typical Tuscan meal (lunch or dinner depending if you choose the am or pm departure), many photo opportunities and the friendly feeling of a small and intimate group of wine lovers.
Get to know the area of the great wines, get to know Tuscany, join the perfect experience for wine lovers.. the “Tuscany Wine and Olive Oil Trail”!
The tour is very enjoyable for everyone, any age, but please note that Italy's law doesn't permit selling alcoholic beverage to teens under 18 y.o. so children under this age will be served non-alcoholic beverages.

Make your own way to the venue for your small-group experience: a traditional enoteca in Florence’s historical San Lorenzo quarter.
Head inside and meet the friendly and knowledgeable owner-come-sommelier, Livio. A winner of the prestigious ‘Best Sommelier Fisar Italia’ award, Livio will guide your tastings and introduce you to the world of Tuscan wine and cuisine so you can get the best from the experience.
Take a seat and learn how the bar opened in 1895, first as a delicatessen and then a fish shop, and has stayed in the hands of the same family since. See the beautiful marble basins, complete with sculpted marble spouts, that were once used to wash the fish sold here.
Then, set about sampling the wines and snacks prepared for your tasting: a selection of three classic Tuscan wines and a luscious spread of locally sourced produce.
Although the wines and foods may vary, you can typically expect to sample wines such as a Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG red and Super Tuscan Noir red accompanied by local cheeses, fresh fruit, cold cuts and some of the region’s finest olive oils (See the Itinerary for a sample menu).
As you sip and nibble, swap notes with your fellow tasters and get the benefit of Livio’s exhaustive knowledge of Tuscan wine. Discover how the wines are made, the vineyards they hail from, and hear about the culinary delicacies on offer and how they complement each wine.
After around an hour of enjoying the tastings and convivial atmosphere, your wine and cheese sampling session then comes to an end.

While you ride your two-wheeled electric Segway, which operates by self-balancing, you'll listen to your live guide via a set of headphones and hear entertaining facts and anecdotes about the history of Florence as you glide. You could almost consider this a private tour, since groups are limited to a minimum of two and a maximum of six, plus tour leader. You'll have fantastic photo opportunities and excellent personal service from your professional guide.
Your tour starts with an orientation session. Once you feel comfortable riding the Segway, your journey begins to the historic center of town. Here you will have the opportunity to visit (exterior only) all the important areas of Florence while listening to your live guide comfortably through your headpiece set.
Tour Highlights include:
Palazzo Strozzi
Orsanmichele Church (external visit)
Basilica of San Lorenzo
Duomo Square
Giotto Tower (external visit)
The Loggia dei Lanzi
The Baptistery (external visit)
The Uffizi (external visit)
Santa Croce Square
New Market Square (Porcellino)
Signoria Square
Repubblica Square

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, Tuscany

Michelangelo’s ‘David’ is a must-see for every visitor to Florence, resulting in lines as mind-blowing as the statue itself. This tour includes Skip-the-Line Access to the Accademia Gallery, so you can appreciate ‘David’ and still have time to see all Florence has to offer. Your expert guide will give you the back on Michelangelo’s sculpture, and explain what sets it apart from thousands of imitators. You’ll also see Michelangelo’s unfinished ‘Slaves’ and learn what this work in progress reveals about the artist’s technique.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Piazza del Duomo, Florence, Tuscany

How do you follow a sight like ‘David’? Towering over Duomo Square, the red dome of Florence Cathedral has become the emblem of the city. Its architect, Filippo Brunelleschi, invented entirely new construction processes to realise his vision, as your guide will explain. You’ll also hear about the cathedral’s interior; it’s open for free to the public, so you can come back any time to appreciate these features in full.
As the tour continues, you’ll see iconic sights like the Ponte Vecchio bridge and discover overlooked delights like the leather market. All the while, your guide will share tales of Florentine industry and artistry through the ages.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Piazza della Repubblica, Florence, Tuscany

Passing by

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Tuscany

Passing by

Duration: 10 minutes

Florence is perfect for biking and this bike tour takes you where the bus tours can’t go, in pedestrian areas and little tiny streets. It will take you less time then any walking tours, showing you roads out of the usual tourist paths, too far to be reached by foot, too tiny for a bus!
In 2 hours and a half you will visit all the major tourist attractions, under the experienced guidance of our entertaining and fun professional history guide.
You will ride through the narrow streets of the main center and the Oltrarno district, reaching the most amazing monuments of Florence and unknown spots from where to admire the city: Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Strozzi, the Duomo, Santa Maria Novella, the artisans district, Palazzo Pitti, Pontevecchio, the Uffizi square, Piazza della Signoria, Santa Croce etc.
Along this pleasant stroll in Florence, you will stop at several locations for history explanations and fun facts about the city, and for photo opportunities.
Relax, enjoy the tour and even taste a wonderful Gelato! (included)
Our licensed guides will help you discover the most of the "cradle of the Renaissance" in less time and in the funniest way.. simply perfect as an introduction as well as for veterans. Either way, we're sure you'll agree that biking is the best way to see the "cradle of the Renaissance".
We have all the options for bikers any age as well as families. For younger kids (0-5 yo) we provide child seats. We can accomodate children 6-8 yo on child seats or bike trailers. We then have other options to accomodate persons any age: tandem bikes (2 seats), for an adult and a second person any age from 9yo and above.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, Tuscany

Start the day with skip-the-line access to the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David. Nothing prepares you for the scale of this sculptural masterpiece. Your guide will help you appreciate the artistry from every angle, including the techniques Michelangelo used to make marble look smooth as butter.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Duomo - Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Tuscany

The highlight of the city walking tour is the Florence Cathedral, whose incredible red dome is the city’s crown jewel. The dome was not without challenges for architect Filippo Brunelleschi, as your guide will explain as you view the masterpiece from outside. Entrance to the Duomo is always free, so you can come back at any time to explore the cathedral in more depth, equipped with an abundance of knowledge shared by your expert, local guide.

Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Tuscany

Your tour continues through the historic center of Florence, taking in the Ponte Vecchio bridge and the Piazza Signoria, where David once stood.

Pass By: Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Tuscany

Your tour continues through the historic center of Florence, taking in the Ponte Vecchio bridge and the Piazza Signoria, where David once stood.

Stop At: Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany

After a break for lunch (be sure to ask your guide for recommendations), you’ll skip the line once more at the Uffizi Gallery. Your guide will lead you on a carefully planned route through this immense gallery, wasting no time in showcasing works by Da Vinci, Botticelli, and Titian. Don’t forget to rub the nose of Il Porcellino, Pietro Tacca’s Baroque bronze boar sculpture, to bring the rest of your vacation good luck.
Whether you’re only in Florence for a day or settling in for a longer stay, this is the perfect introduction to a city where beauty awaits around every corner.


Duration: 1 hour

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Under the expert guidance of a multilingual chef, you will visit the Florence historic market, where you will select the organic ingredients that you will then use to prepare a four-course meal

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Mercato Centrale, Florence, Tuscany

After the visit to the Central Market in Florence where you will select the ingredients you will go to the Cooking Academy to prepare a four-course meal (starter, first course, second course and dessert). The course will be followed by lunch with the dishes you have prepared, accompanied by a good Tuscan wine and a fun and friendly atmosphere.

Duration: 4 hours

Location: Via Cavour Firenze, Florence, Tuscany

Meet your guide in Piazza Strozzi and set off on your small-group walking tour around the streets and piazzas that comprise the city’s historical center. Often called the ‘cradle of the Renaissance,’ the city is home to some of the world’s most important Renaissance art and architecture, and your guide will show off Florence’s finest examples.
While the Ponte Vecchio – Florence’s famous bridge – wasn’t built during the Renaissance era, the Vasari Corridor, which runs inside it, was created in the mid-16th century. Hear how the corridor acted as a secret walkway through the town for the Grand Duke Cosimo I, and of the powerful Medici family who decorated its walls with expensive artwork.
Continue to Piazza della Signoria, the old neighborhood of Dante Alighieri, and admire fine examples of Renaissance architecture and statues like the Statue of Giotto outside the Uffizi Gallery. Walk around the outside of Florence Duomo and gaze at Brunelleschi’s Dome – an icon of the city – as well as landmarks like Giotto’s Bell Tower and Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise at Florence Baptistry.
After exploring Florence’s historical center, visit the Accademia Gallery. Skip past the long wait lines with your fast-track entrance ticket, and step inside to learn about the important pieces of artwork within the gallery’s walls.
Works by the Renaissance artist Michelangelo take center stage at the museum, and so your guide’s commentary focuses on his masterpieces. Pass Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures – San Matteo and Prigioni – and then gasp in wonder at the gallery’s undeniable centerpiece: David. Learn how the larger-than-life-sized sculpture was created using local Carrera marble, and marvel at the attention to detail that Michelangelo put into his creation.
Your tour finishes inside the Accademia Gallery after viewing David, but you can stay inside the museum to explore independently, if you wish. Rooms containing works by other Renaissance artists, like Sandro Botticelli and Andrea Orcagna, are well worth a visit.

Immerse your senses.
Feel the cool breeze on your face. Smell the sweet scents of pure nature through vineyards and olive groves. Relax to the quiet sounds of this ancient land. Taste the exciting flavors of Tuscan wines.
Discover the world of wine, riding a bike through the Tuscan countryside.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience that will let you enjoy a small-group exclusive wine tour in the most nature-oriented way: riding a bike through the gentle hills of Chianti wine region.
This professionally guided wine tour and fully supported bike ride in the Tuscan countryside begins with a comfortable shuttle transportation out of the busy city center. In about 25 minutes you’ll reach the starting point for your bike ride, immersed in the Chianti wine region.
Riding the bicycles, we will lead you along scenic countryroads hemmed in ancient olive groves and vineyards.
Tuscan hilltops and hillside villa estates are all part of the breathtaking panoramic views you will see as you ride your bike through the heart of Tuscany.
Stops for photo opportunities will be made along the way.
Half-way, a break will give you the opportunity to relax and enjoy a delicious picnic surrounded by nature: under the shades of cypresses, olive trees and oaks you will taste croissants and discover the magical flavor of one of Tuscan culinary treasures: bread with salt and extra-virgin olive oil, simplicity turned into a masterpiece for the senses.
You will visit two wineries, completely different in their settings and approach: a famous winery with its spectacular cellar, producing some of the most renowned Chianti wines, and a small fascinating boutique winery.
Learn the techniques of production, ageing, storing and bottling wine and olive oil.
Once back at the ride starting point, you will enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch in a restaurant, immersed in nature, tasting the incredible wines of the wineries you just visited (both wineries boast international recognitions and awards), and learning wine pairing.
The bike itinerary includes flat, downhill and uphill sections, to give you a complete variety of views and biking experiences.
Having a van always following the group, you can decide yourself how you want to approach the biking part of this experience. If you feel fit enough, you can join it as an intermediate level bike ride, with some interesting uphill sections. If you want to join it in a more relaxed mode, you can still enjoy most of the biking itinerary (just the flat and downhill sections), relying on the van assistance for the couple of short uphill parts.
Mileage: 10 miles round-trip (about 15 kms)
Terrain: Mostly paved back roads with little traffic, some white roads
Difficulty: INTERMEDIATE (can be done in EASY MODE, mostly downhill, using the minivan support to help in the few short uphill sections)
The tour is not permitted for children under 14.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Master the authentic method of pasta creation with a rolling pin before trying your hand at the modern technique by machine. Under the expert guidance of your English speaking chef, you'll work with flour, eggs and other ingredients to create three styles of pasta with different sauces as well as a typical Italian dessert.
This easy to follow class is both enjoyable and fun. Ideal for groups or individuals, you're then invited to dine on the dishes you've prepared as you take your seat at the table for lunch. Satisfied by your culinary creations, toast your new found friends with Tuscan wine and dig in for an unforgettable feast. Buon appetito!

Duration: 3 hours

Location: Via Cavour Firenze, Florence, Tuscany

Dante Alighieri was born in Florence in 1265 A.D. He is widely accepted as the first author who wrote in the everyday vernacular that soon evolved into modern Italian, as well as credited with the creation of Italy's most enduring literary work, The Divine Comedy. Comprised of three separate volumes, the poem details a journey in the afterlife through L'inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise), and is as much a historical chronicle as it is a literary achievement. Written entirely after Dante's 1301 exile from the city, The Divine Comedy is a window into nearly every aspect of medieval history, theology, politics, art, and culture; in particular as it relates to Florence. During the course of this three-hour Dante Tour in Florence, led by a scholar of Italian literature, we will follow Dante's path through the city, exploring the places and characters that inspired his masterpiece—and, by extension explore both the life of Dante Alighieri as a historical figure and The Divine Comedy as a work of fiction where Florence as a city plays a central role. Dante Tour Florence We usually begin at the Baptistery, where Dante himself was baptized and where he later took inspiration for writing his L'inferno, drawing from the building's Biblical mosaics depicting the Last Judgment. We will move from here to Dante's neighborhood, deep in the heart of medieval Florence, where we will find Dante's home and his local church. It was here that he first encountered Beatrice, his beloved muse and spiritual guide for whom he wrote The Divine Comedy. Then and Now Along the way, we will see where Dante's enemies lived and explore the innumerable tucked away locations important to Dante's tory: corners, side streets and piazzas where many of his characters came to life. We will also visit Palazzo della Lana, important during Dante's time, as the location of the Wool Guild, but which today serves as The Dante Society meeting place, as well as the Dante Library where scholars from around the world come to continue to study his over 700 year-old poem.

Context can design a wide variety of personalized and customized tours of Florence, Italy for clients with special interests or who are traveling in large groups. Drawing on our network of docents, our range of other concierge services, and a growing network in Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, Paris, London and New York, the limits of a custom itinerary are circumscribed only by the bounds of our collective imagination. Florence Custom Tour For clients with whom we have not corresponded previously, we ask that you spend some time perusing our lists of private and small-group tours. If you find nothing there to suit your needs, a specialized request for visiting sites that lie outside the touristic norm, or if you would like to enlist the services of a specific docent in our network, then we invite you to use this form to begin your reservation request. Please keep in mind that our private itineraries generally start at 335 Euros for two hours. How to Book When requesting a custom walk, please provide the following details in the Notes section when adding the walk to your shopping cart: How many hours would you like the walk to be? What are your main goals for the walk? Which sites and museums would you like to prioritize? Do you want to just pass by or explore inside as well? Give us one or two words to describe your group. If you've corresponded with someone from our office, it might be a good idea to paste some of that conversation into the "special interests" box provided on the right. Once we receive your custom walk request, we'll review these details and follow up with you by email to refine your itinerary and give you final pricing.If we are designing something very special or complicated or lasting over several days, we will keep you updated on the costs and get your approval before charging anything to your card.

In this introductory, two-hour Florence Night Tour we'll join one of our Florence guides for a walk through the city center, passing the Duomo and other major sites, at twilight. We’ll get to experience the city when the light softens, the buildings take on a magical hue, and locals partake of la passeggiata, an evening stroll. This tour is intended as an orientation walk. We will not go into too much depth on any one topic or structure, especially spaces like the Duomo or Uffizi that are featured in other Context walks. Instead, the purpose of the Florence Night Tour is to give us a sense of the city, and to let us feel its pulse. We’ll likely visit the Piazza SS. Annunziata, an integral public space in the Florence city center, to look at the Ospedale degli Innocenti, a historic building designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. We may also stroll down the shop- and cafe-filled Via dei Servi to check out the exterior of Brunelleschi's later masterpiece, the Duomo, where we’ll learn about the importance of the cathedral and nearby Baptistery in Florentine art and civic history. From here, our course will depend on the interests of the group and the specialty of the guide. We may move deeper into the center, perhaps to Piazza Signoria, the government center of Renaissance Florence, or to Piazza Repubblica, which is filled with fire-breathers, jugglers, and some of the most famous cafes in Florence. Or perhaps we'll take our time, stopping for a glass of wine or gelato and enjoying the atmosphere of the city. We may end up talking about anything from fashion or coffee to the Medicis or Michelangelo, depending on our mood. Either way, we will take our time to develop a thoughtful experience that, hopefully, will help us understand this most fascinating city, and leave us well prepared for future exploration.

Fresco, meaning fresh in Italian, is the revered art of painting on fast-drying damp plaster with water based pigments. During the Renaissance, fresco painting was considered the true test of an artist's skill, since one had to finish before the plaster dried in order to ensure the adhesion of the image to the wall. During this 3-hour hands-on Florence Fresco Workshop, we'll learn basic fresco technique from a local Florentine artist who is a master of fresco painting. Proceeding along the same time-consuming, but deeply rewarding, process that artists like Michelangelo and Rafael used to paint some of the finest masterworks from the era, we'll put our artistic skills to the test, learning just what it takes to create the kind of stunning frescoes one can see throughout Florence. Along the way, we'll gain a deeper, tactile understanding of the development, creation, and legacy of Renaissance art. Florence Fresco Workshop Our session begins with a visit to the studio of our docent, an accomplished fresco artist, and a brief discussion of the history of fresco. What is it? How did it develop over the centuries? Does it really involve eggs? And, why was it considered the most difficult medium for a Renaissance artist? This will provide us with the necessary historical context to both appreciate the task we are about to undergo, and to look at Renaissance frescos in a new light, not merely enjoying them for their aesthetic quality but for the process by which they were actualized. We will also take a look at some of the greatest examples of fresco painting, including masterworks of some of Florence's greatest artists. Hands-on Guidance We will then be taken through the steps of preparing a surface, drawing and transferring a drawing (cartoon), and finally applying the paint. Be warned. It's difficult. It's also, however, a lot of fun. Along the way our docent will give us tips and advice, and continue his discussion about fresco and its place in the pantheon of art. At the end, we'll go home with our own hand-made fresco painting. Seeking some artistic inspiration? Try our Uffizi Tour or our Pitti Palace Tour. Take Aways The primary objective of this workshop is to explore first-hand the art of fresco painting by using the same materials and techniques of the Renaissance masters. Our docent's method of combining art historical knowledge with artistic practice provides for a unique educational and entertaining experience for travelers of all ages.

Food and gastronomy have always played an integral part of Florentine culture and identity. On this 2.5-hour Florence Food Tour we join a local chef or food writer to explore Florence's great contribution to Italian cuisine. Along the way we'll taste a little wine, sample gelato, and sink our teeth into some amazing cheese. Florence Food Tour We will begin our tour in the heart of the historical center, home to many traditional bakeries, shops and cafes. Our docent, an Italian cuisine expert, will lead us to some of their favorite places to sample the city's best snacks and sweets. The group will have the opportunity to sample several specialties including truffle sandwiches, Tuscan salamis, focaccia, coffee, pastries and, if the season is right, gelato. All the while, we will discuss local agricultural products, their background and how they differ from foods in other parts of Italy. We'll also touch on the current restaurant scene in Florence, for those interested in deepening their culinary experience while in town. Tuscan Cuisine Through Time As we wind our way through the markets of this historic city, our docent will craft a tale about this intrinsic role that food has played in the past. The history of Florentines is represented in the foods they consume today. The region of Tuscany is famous for its ample farm lands, which produce much more than the characteristic wines they're known for. Wild truffles grow on the hills and in the forests, while the rich soil produces not only fine grapes, but all manner of produce representative of Florentine cuisine. This rich history produces even richer food, all of which can be found in the markets of Florence. Looking to learn more about Florentine cuisine? Check out our Florence Cooking Class. Those with a sweet tooth should consider our Florence Chocolate Tour. Take Aways Though the focus of this walk is on the food, the group will quickly learn how Florence's gastronomy is intrinsically intertwined with its social and political history. The walk will thus celebrate and delve into multiple facets of Florentine life.