At the start of your private half-day walking tour of Florence, I can meet you in downtown Florence at the location you prefer, such as your hotel or Ponte Vecchio. Our first stop will be the 14-century Ponte Vecchio, which translates to Old Bridge, lined with tiny jewelry and gold shops since 1593. I will transport you back to Renaissance times with fascinating stories and local knowledge as you walk the very same streets as the famous painters, architects, and inventors of Tuscany. We will walk along the portico-covered passageway outside the immense Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important museums in the world. Upon arriving in Piazza della Signoria, Florence’s main square, you will see the fake David and the buildings of the Florentine city hall and county government offices, as well as Neptune’s Fountain and Loggia dei Lanzi.
It’s hard to imagine the sheer size of the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, also referred to as the Duomo of Florence, until you turn a corner and are overwhelmed by the beauty and height of Brunelleschi’s famous dome, Giotto’s colorful Bell Tower, and the carved bronze Baptistery doors across from the entrance of the main church. Your tour will end with one of the highlights of Florence as you experience a small but very important museum called Galleria dell’Accademia with me. This museum features Michelangelo’s original David and his stunning unfinished sculptures called Slaves or Captives. It is still under debate whether he was unable to complete them or left them intentionally unfinished to symbolize the struggle of humankind to escape material bondage. You can also enjoy a tiny collection of rare musical instruments housed in the museum, some by Antonio Stradivari.