FLORENCE WALKING TOURS

1.     Introduction to Florence – Florence for First-time Visitors

Especially designed for those who experience the city for the first time, this itinerary consists of a general introduction to the art and history of the Florence through some of its most famous monumental highlights, such as:

• Duomo (also known as Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore): the center of religious power in Florence and, at one point, the largest church in the world.

• Palazzo della Signoria – A fortress-in-the-city, this was the center of political power in Florence and is still today’s City Hall.

• Ponte Vecchio, the oldest and most curious of the Florentine bridges, it offers some of the best stories and anecdotes in the city.

2.     The Golden Age of Florence – From Arnolfo to Michelangelo

This itinerary focuses on the people and places of the time when Florence reached the peak of its wealth and power: the late Middle Ages and the early Renaissance. In the earlier phase, Florence was a financial powerhouse rivaled only by Venice and Paris in terms of material wealth and cultural influence. This was also a time of extensive urban renewal and ambitious, and sometimes incredible, construction projects.

Initially, despite its wealth, society was divided into factions that fought ferociously for power within the city. When the wealthy merchant class became the most influential force in the city, a long period of peace and prosperity ensued. Spurred by the private patronage of the powerful merchant and banking families, the arts flourished and the city blossomed. Florence became an admired urban model and a cultural center whose influence over the rest of Italy and Europe would be felt for centuries.

Among the highlights that may be included in ‘The Golden Age of Florence’ are:

• Santa Maria Novella & Santa Croce, Medieval masterpieces of Gothic
• The Pazzi Chapel & the Innocenti Hospital, the Renaissance in architecture
• The Baptistery’s ‘Gates of Paradise’, the Renaissance in sculpture
• The Brancacci & the Magi Chapels, the Renaissance in painting
• Florentine palazzos, such as Palazzo Davanzati, Palazzo Strozzi & Palazzo Rucellai

3.     The Medici Dynasty – Art & Intrigue in the Renaissance

This itinerary illuminates the influence, patronage and ultimate decline of the Medici.  The Medici family were successful bankers who turned into powerful politicians, as well as enthusiastic patrons of the arts and sciences. They shaped the history, culture and the appearance of the city of Florence for three hundred years. Under their patronage, figures such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Cellini and Giambologna produced some of their finest works of art.

From the rise to power with Cosimo the Elder and Lorenzo the Magnificent, to the formal transformation into a hereditary monarchy with Cosimo I, and the final, steady decline which led to the extinction of the family in 1737, we cover the peoples and places, the facts and anecdotes that revolved around this powerful, intriguing family. 
The monuments included in this itinerary are:

• San Lorenzo, symbol of the Medici ‘Renaissance’ and Brunelleschi’s architectural jewel.
• Medici Sacristies & Chapels, the sumptuous tombs of the family, beautifully showing the path from Early Renaissance, to Late Renaissance, to the Florentine Baroque.
• The Laurentian Library, founded by Lorenzo the Magnificent to house thousands of precious manuscripts and perpetrate culture.
• Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, first residence of the Medicis, with the famous Chapel of the Magi
• Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti, later Medici residences, connected by the beautiful Vasari Corridor

4.     Life in a Florentine Quarter – Daily Life in the Art Capital of the World

In this itinerary, we explore a typical Florentine neighborhood (quartiere) focusing on several aspects of its life and history. We study the ‘piazza’ as the neighborhood’s social and geographical heart; the varied architecture (towers and palazzos, courtyards and loggias, churches and chapels). For visitors who wish to experience local life both past and present by exploring everything within a real Florentine neighborhood, from the monuments to the shops where locals buy their food, to the artisan shops where ancient trades are still practiced today.
  
This itinerary is ideal for visitors who wish to experience local life, both past and present, by exploring everything within a section of the “real” Florence, from the great monuments to where locals buy their food and wine.

5.     Hills of Florence – A Walk with a View

Florence is blessed with a natural landscape of exquisite beauty. The city is surrounded by a backdrop of lush hills. The hills have been populated for centuries, but development on the hills has occurred quite differently from the rest of the city down in the valley. The estates of prominent Florentines have occupied what were once forested hills, and the area has slowly been transformed into a semi-rural environment – a uniquely elegant “urban countryside.”

Our itinerary begins in the hills that are closest to the city, and ends in the heart of the city itself, near the Arno river. Among the places visited are:

• Fortress of Belvedere. Towering over the city, yet so close that one feels as if looking out from a balcony, this majestic fortress has the most beautiful view over the city.

• San Miniato al Monte.  On another hill, but still very close to the city, is the millenary church of San Miniato. In this ancient Benedectine abbey, the unique elegance of the Florentine Romanesque style manifests itself in the green and white marble geometric ornamentation and the majestic gold mosaic of the apse. This is one of Florence’s oldest and most astonishing monuments.

• Arcetri. Slightly farther from the city, this is where Galileo was confined to house arrests by the Inquisition. Here, the landscape is already rural: the views extend into the hills of Chianti, where one can catch a glimpse of the much-celebrated landscape typical of the Tuscan region: olive and cypress trees, villas and castles.

6.     Unusual Florence – Hidden Treasures for Seasoned Travelers

This tour is especially designed for those visitors who may have been to Florence several times and feel that they have already seen the main monuments of the city, and are still looking for some new thrills. Our itinerary focuses on monuments and museums that are usually by-passed by most tourists, either because they don’t have time to fit them into their schedule, or because they do not know of the beauty and importance of these locations.

Among the highlights of this itinerary there may be:

• Casa Buonarroti
• Convent of San Marco
• Cloisters of Santa Maria Novella
• Church of Santissima Annunziata

7.     Florence for Children – & Teenagers Too!

As a general rule, all of our previous tours can be made very “child-friendly” because we always adapt our language and content to our audience. After all, 50% of our clients are families. However, this tour that is especially designed with children and teenagers in mind. With lots of “hands-on” experiences and fun-filled anecdotes, this tour will stand out in your child(ren)’s imagination for years to come.

Among the “activities” in this tour there may be (depending on time of day and day of the week):

• Climbing the “Duomo”, i.e. the dome of the Cathedral
• Visiting a Medieval castle or Renaissance fortress (with ramparts, secret passages, etc.)
• Understanding how tall towers, huge cathedrals, bronze sculptures or fresco paintings were actually made
• Seeing the houses of ancient families and learning how children lived, learned and played!
• Trying on period clothing and learning ancient manners and habits
• Seeing today’s artists at work

OUR PHILOSOPHY  |  ABOUT US  |  OUR ITINERARIES  |  OUR DESTINATIONS

CONTACT US BY EMAIL