The Florentine Touring Collection
The crown jewel of Tuscany is Florence, a quaint city that is a paradigm of timeless beauty and artistic inspiration. Below are some of our favorite Florentine Touring places; read them through and choose which aspects appeal and we will put them together for one or more uniquely customized days.
Florence Overview tour
See the best of Florence: Piazza della Repubblica, heart of the 19th century modernization of Florence, where once the roman forum of the old city was. Piazza del Duomo where we will visit, the Cathedral, with the graceful Gothic bell-tower and talk about the Romanesque baptistery with its beautiful gilded bronze doors. Accademia museum, home of Michelangelo's David. We will book tickets to the museum, so we won't have to wait in line to see one of the most beautiful masterpieces of the Renaissance. Church of Santa Croce, burial ground of Machiavelli, Galileo and Michelangelo. Here we will have the chance to view the spectacular frescoes by Giotto, considered as the artist who introduced prospective into painting. Piazza della Signoria area. We will talk about the Palazzo Vecchio, home of the Republic and later on of the Medicis and check out it’s courtyard with frescoes. The city is so steeped in history, the quality of its artists and craftsmen is so superlative, and there are so many delights to discover, you will be left, wanting always more – all this in one half-day!
Back Streets & Family Chapels Tour
Despite the long lines at the Uffizi, most of the art in Florence is still in its original sites, not in museums. The art of the Renaissance permeates every aspect of this city—you see it on street corners, in shops, and all public places. It is everywhere! Examine medieval architecture and hear about Renaissance lifestyles and pageantry during your easy stroll to all of these wondrous nooks and crooks. Your guide will reconstruct the evolution of the urban space and also point out the latest specialty shops and good eats.
The Big Three Museums Tour
The Uffizi/Pitti Palace/Accademia. Yes, they are filled with pivotal art, and your able guide is well-equipped to navigate you through the crowds to the highlights, but we advise to limit the day to one of these museums, mixing it in with other places on this list so as not to be overwhelmed. Don’t forget about the Bargello, the wonderful sculpture museum!
Artisans And Food Markets Of Florence Tour
Discover the “Florence of the Florentines” and escape the crowded touristy areas. Your guide will take you through some of the oldest neighborhoods to visit master artisans while they work. Traditional woodcarving, furniture restoration, marbleized paper and hard-stone mosaic inlay. Stroll through a food market for insights into Tuscan culinary secrets, and discuss with the local purveyors how they prepare their delicacies.
Michelangelo’s Trail Tour
Michelangelo worked and lived part of his life in Florence and left heroic sculptures and breathtaking architecture for us to ponder. Consider visiting the Casa Buonarroti (the home he built for his descendants), his tomb in Santa Croce, his sculptures in the Bargello, the Accademia (the “David”), and the Medici Chapels (host to the sculptures of “Night” and “Day”).
The “Medici World Of Power” Tour
Great displays of money, intrigue, international diplomacy, and intellectual pursuits play a role in a visit to any place touched by the Medici family. We could see the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, their church of San Lorenzo, the rich monastery of San Marco, Palazzo Vecchio (town hall) or their royal residence, the Pitti Palace with the attached Boboli gardens.
Eat Your Way Through Florence
Spend the day on a great culinary adventure in Florence. Go to the great food market, taste specialties at the best food artisans and have a wonderful wine tasting. You won’t go away hungry!
A Walk In The Hills Tour
After an intense morning in the city, spend the afternoon walking above on country roads with spectacular views of Florence, the countryside and private residences. Visit the Monastery of San Miniato al Monte (maybe stopping to listen to the monks chanting) and then descend gracefully back into the city.
Special Requests
Please ask us about boat rides on the Arno river, cooking classes and private family homes not open to the general public.
Florence Overview tour
See the best of Florence: Piazza della Repubblica, heart of the 19th century modernization of Florence, where once the roman forum of the old city was. Piazza del Duomo where we will visit, the Cathedral, with the graceful Gothic bell-tower and talk about the Romanesque baptistery with its beautiful gilded bronze doors. Accademia museum, home of Michelangelo's David. We will book tickets to the museum, so we won't have to wait in line to see one of the most beautiful masterpieces of the Renaissance. Church of Santa Croce, burial ground of Machiavelli, Galileo and Michelangelo. Here we will have the chance to view the spectacular frescoes by Giotto, considered as the artist who introduced prospective into painting. Piazza della Signoria area. We will talk about the Palazzo Vecchio, home of the Republic and later on of the Medicis and check out it’s courtyard with frescoes. The city is so steeped in history, the quality of its artists and craftsmen is so superlative, and there are so many delights to discover, you will be left, wanting always more – all this in one half-day!
Back Streets & Family Chapels Tour
Despite the long lines at the Uffizi, most of the art in Florence is still in its original sites, not in museums. The art of the Renaissance permeates every aspect of this city—you see it on street corners, in shops, and all public places. It is everywhere! Examine medieval architecture and hear about Renaissance lifestyles and pageantry during your easy stroll to all of these wondrous nooks and crooks. Your guide will reconstruct the evolution of the urban space and also point out the latest specialty shops and good eats.
The Big Three Museums Tour
The Uffizi/Pitti Palace/Accademia. Yes, they are filled with pivotal art, and your able guide is well-equipped to navigate you through the crowds to the highlights, but we advise to limit the day to one of these museums, mixing it in with other places on this list so as not to be overwhelmed. Don’t forget about the Bargello, the wonderful sculpture museum!
Artisans And Food Markets Of Florence Tour
Discover the “Florence of the Florentines” and escape the crowded touristy areas. Your guide will take you through some of the oldest neighborhoods to visit master artisans while they work. Traditional woodcarving, furniture restoration, marbleized paper and hard-stone mosaic inlay. Stroll through a food market for insights into Tuscan culinary secrets, and discuss with the local purveyors how they prepare their delicacies.
Michelangelo’s Trail Tour
Michelangelo worked and lived part of his life in Florence and left heroic sculptures and breathtaking architecture for us to ponder. Consider visiting the Casa Buonarroti (the home he built for his descendants), his tomb in Santa Croce, his sculptures in the Bargello, the Accademia (the “David”), and the Medici Chapels (host to the sculptures of “Night” and “Day”).
The “Medici World Of Power” Tour
Great displays of money, intrigue, international diplomacy, and intellectual pursuits play a role in a visit to any place touched by the Medici family. We could see the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, their church of San Lorenzo, the rich monastery of San Marco, Palazzo Vecchio (town hall) or their royal residence, the Pitti Palace with the attached Boboli gardens.
Eat Your Way Through Florence
Spend the day on a great culinary adventure in Florence. Go to the great food market, taste specialties at the best food artisans and have a wonderful wine tasting. You won’t go away hungry!
A Walk In The Hills Tour
After an intense morning in the city, spend the afternoon walking above on country roads with spectacular views of Florence, the countryside and private residences. Visit the Monastery of San Miniato al Monte (maybe stopping to listen to the monks chanting) and then descend gracefully back into the city.
Special Requests
Please ask us about boat rides on the Arno river, cooking classes and private family homes not open to the general public.