Florence through the Backdoor

Florence is an open-air living museum. Still today a city of workshops, markets, little alleyways that lead to architectural and cultural marvels. In this amazing town, extraordinary personalities have crossed paths. We find here an intricate play of wealth and power, genius, and invention.

From the 13th century, the city was run by an oligarchy of wealthy merchants and bankers who through political and artistic patronage, finance the Renaissance. The Medici, emerging as the most powerful of these families, will control the city from behind-the-scenes throughout the 15th century. From the 1500s-1700s, they will be rulers of Florence and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The family will die off in the mid-1700s leaving an immense legacy of art & science, knowledge & philosophy, land, palaces and villas to the City of Florence and humanity.  

On this walk, we will explore the city and allow it to unveil its complex layers as we observe peculiar aspects of medieval Florence, admire the restrained grandeur of Renaissance palaces and the art commissioned by the Medici and their associates, or their rivals.

Duration: 3 hrs
Sites visited: Duomo, Baptistry & Bell Tower (from the outside), Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Vasari Corridor, Orsanmichele, Medieval and Renaissance palaces and other smaller churches*
Price for 1-8pax: €270
Additional forfeit price for headsets for 5-8 pax: €30.

* Since there is no priority entry to the Duomo, we do not enter the cathedral on this tour unless we see that lines are short. We may, however, visit minor churches that require a dress code. Please dress appropriately with covered shoulders and knees.

The Musts

Duomo

This is a tour designed for those who may have very limited time and would like to see as many of the highlights in one day.

We will walk to the main sights of the historical centre, discuss the development of the city, discover interesting and unique aspects of art and architecture, church and government, daily life in Florence’s glorious past.

We will visit the Uffizi Gallery where we will view some of the masterpieces housed in this extraordinary museum. We will observe innovative works of the great artists of the 14-15th century: Giotto, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli. Finally, the tour culminates in the 16th century with the mastery of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

We will visit the Accademia Gallery, discuss Michelangelo’s intriguing and unfinished Slaves, and marvel at his monumental David.

Duration: 6 hrs
Sites visited: Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Duomo & Baptistry (from the outside), and some smaller churches, Uffizi  & Accademia Galleries*
Price for 1-8pax: €540
Additional forfeit price for headsets for 4-8pax: €50
*
Entry & reservation fees: not included

*Please do not bring large bags or backpack, long umbrellas nor use selfie-sticks on the tour.

Florence & David

David in Florence

As we walk the streets of Florence, we bear witness to the resilience of man and structure through time. From the Romans to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance to the contemporary, the past is just as present today as it was then.

We will explore the city, discovering the most important sites, from its religious monuments represented by the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistry, to its political center, Piazza Della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio. We will go on the Ponte Vecchio, the River Arno’s most famous bridge.

A visit to the Accademia Gallery to see the original David is a must! The David is a beautiful example of engineering, anatomy, and the vision of Michelangelo in transforming an imperfect marble into an exquisite illusion of perfection.

On this tour, we will discuss the unique circumstances that allowed this monumental sculpture to be created and its political and cultural significance for the City of Florence and its people.

Duration: 3.5 hrs
Sites visited: Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry and Palazzo Vecchio (from the outside), Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria & the Accademia Gallery*
Price for 1-8pax: €315
Additional forfeit price for headsets for 4-8pax: €30
*Entry & reservation fees: not included *Churches require a dress code. Please dress appropriately with covered shoulders and knees.