About this experience
I invite you to get acquainted with Florence - a mysterious and mystically beautiful place. You will experience a real cultural shock, encountering a huge concentration of stunning architecture: palaces, cathedrals, bridges, sculptures, and monuments. I will help you not to 'lose your head' and show you all the most interesting things: you will see both iconic landmarks and non-touristy Florence. You will walk through narrow streets, cozy parks, and blooming gardens, climb to an observation deck and be impressed by the fairytale panorama of the city!
What to expect
'Must-see' attractions and valuable recommendations
In the first part of the tour, you will see the main treasures and sights of the city: Santa Maria Novella Square and the church of the same name, the Cathedral, the Medici Palace - Palazzo Vecchio, the Republic and Signoria squares. I will tell you what the 'Vasari Corridor' is and lead you to the Florentine Pantheon - the Basilica of Santa Croce, famous for Giotto's frescoes and the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Dante, and Machiavelli. Besides interesting historical facts and legends, I will share practical recommendations and suggest the best inexpensive local restaurants with home-made Tuscan cuisine, bakeries, gelaterias, and wineries. You will learn where and how to buy clothes, accessories, delicacies, and souvenirs profitably and which venues of modern art to visit.
Oltrarno - 'another' Florence
In the second part of the tour, we will walk in the less touristy Oltrarno area, which translates as 'Beyond the Arno'. This is a historical district of Florence located on the left bank of the Arno River. I will tell you why it was here, during the Medici era, that palaces were built, competing with each other in beauty and uniqueness, and gardens with grottoes, fountains, numerous alleys, and statues were laid out. You will climb a hill and from a panoramic English-style platform, you will see all of Florence at a glance. I will share the history of the 13th-century city walls and show you the ancient San Miniato church.
The Renaissance charm in ancient alleyways
Descending from the hill by stairs, you will immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of narrow alleys lined with numerous artisan workshops, jewelry stores, antique galleries, and restaurants. I will show you the best local wine shops, cheese shops, confectioneries, truffles, and homemade pesto. You will then stroll through the quiet San Niccolò neighborhood and see the church and square of the same name. I will show you the houses where Tchaikovsky, Dostoevsky, and Tarkovsky lived. And you will definitely visit the Rose Garden, where you will relax in the shade of trees, and walk along the Arno River embankment. The tour will end at one of the city's symbols - the legendary Ponte Vecchio bridge.
