Itinerary:
In the morning, make your own way to the meeting point in central Florence. Greet your guide, then hop inside an air-conditioned coach and travel to Piazzale Michelangelo, a gorgeous square that offers magnificent panoramas of the city.
Continue on to Florence Old Town. On arrival, climb out of your coach and stroll to the Accademia Gallery. Head directly inside with your skip-the-line ticket and make a beeline for the gallery’s most famous exhibit: Michelangelo’s David, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture.
After leaving the gallery, follow your guide along the windy pathways, then come to a stop in the marvelous Piazza del Duomo. Be awed as you take in the glory of the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore). Gaze up at the striking cupola. You’ll also see Giotto's bell tower (Campanile di Giotto), and the bronze baptistery doors by Ghiberti.
If you wish, upgrade to include lunch at a local restaurant. See below for a sample menu. In the afternoon, meet your guide in central Florence, then settle into your comfortable seat aboard a coach.
Begin your tour with a panoramic bus ride to the hilltop Etruscan village of Fiesole, to enjoy unparalleled views of Florence and the Arno Valley. Then head into Florence Old Town to see the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce. Pose for photos by its distinctive façade before strolling to Piazza della Signoria.
See the imposing Palazzo Vecchio and admire the replica of Michelangelo’s David. Then, wander through the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculpture gallery.
After, make for the Uffizi Gallery, which is home to more than 1,500 pieces of art including works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Raffaello, Cimabue and Caravaggio. With your skip-the-line ticket, head directly inside for a guided tour of some of the gallery’s most famous pieces.
Your tour then concludes at the gorgeous Uffizi Terrace, where you can enjoy an amazing and exclusive view of the city’s most spectacular monuments. You can remain inside the gallery, free to explore the rest of the exhibits at your own pace, if you wish.
Please note: The Accademia Gallery is closed on Mondays, therefore the tour will visit the San Marco Museum or the Medici Chapels instead.
The Uffizi Gallery is closed on Mondays, therefore the tour will visit the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio instead.
Please note: the order of the visits may change.
Sample Menu:
First course:
• Toasted bread with tomatoMain course (choice of one):
• Macaroni with Bolognese sauce
• Penne with pesto sauce
• Dessert of the day or coffee
Meal served with a glass of wine and water.