Your LivTours Florence Full Day Tour starts by meeting your guide in the Piazza della Signoria, the very heart of the city. This square is surrounded by some of the most important buildings of Florence and you will have a chance to admire the centuries of architecture as your expert local guide shares with you the history behind the facades. This small square is home to the Palazzo Vecchio, Town Hall, the Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Uguccioni, hosting a facade designed by the great Raphael.
Your first stop is the Uffizi Gallery with its world-renown Renaissance art collection. Once a private art collection with masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci, decorated the walls of the Medici Family corridors. Opening to the public in 1765, it was officially turned into a museum in 1865 allowing visitors to enjoy one of the most world-renowned art collections.
Admire the masterpieces such as The Birth of Venus, one of the iconic depictions of the mythological goddess as she emerges from the sea on a shell and the only painting of Michelangelo’s in Florence, Doni Tondo. The result of a commission from a prominent Tuscan family, it is a portrait of the Holy Family with the Virgin Mary in the forefront. Though you could spend hours, if not days, in the Uffizi, your LivTours guide will show you the most important masterpieces from this impressive collection giving you a great overview of Renaissance art.
A STOP FOR LUNCH
After leaving the Gallery your LivTours guide will give you suggestions for local restaurants where you can enjoy some Tuscan classics. In Tuscany, dishes are usually made of regional products making each culinary experience fresh, local and unique. Your LivTours guide is happy to make recommendations of local dishes that you might want to try. Lunch is not included in this tour.
After refueling, it is time to continue your LivTours Private Day Tour of Florence, as your expert guide regales you the stories of Florence as you admire the melting pot of architecture from Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance. Take time to admire the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, the oldest bridge in Florence, now filled with jewelry shops and a secret centuries-old corridor which you will surely learn about. Continuing your walk, you will come face to face with the largest Italian Cathedral, the Duomo with its unique facade and a dome designed by Brunelleschi. Hear the anecdotes behind its construction and marvel at the dome that makes the perfect backdrop to Florence. Admire the famous Baptistery bronze doors and hear about the history and legends they have left behind.
The last visit on your private tour is the Galleria dell’Accademia which houses the magnificent 17-foot marble sculpture of David by Michelangelo. One of the world’s most recognized and admired pieces of art made from one piece of leftover marble.
UPGRADE YOUR TOUR & ADD THE DUOMO OR BELL TOWER CLIMB
Add the possibility of climbing the Duomo of Florence 30 minutes after the tour is over. By adding the optional add-on, we will provide you with skip-the-line timed tickets to climb the Duomo after the tour is over. In case the Duomo is sold out, you will be able to climb the magnificent bell tower of the Church. In addition, the tickets also include access to the Museo del Duomo. Please bear in mind that these are subject to availability and that we will need the full name and dates of birth of all participants in order to secure your climbs.
ADD ON HIGH-SPEED ROME TRAIN TRANSFER | FIRST CLASS
You have the option to ADD ON a high-speed train transfer to and from Rome. Enjoy the luxury of Italo Railway First Class where you will be met with spacious, cushioned seats in a section designed to offer the maximum amount of privacy and comfort.
First Class guests on Italo Railway are also given the option of changing their train ticket time, so if you would like to leave a bit later (or even earlier), you can take advantage of this flexibility to best optimize your tour day. Please be aware that you will have to change your ticket at the Italo desk at the train station before your original departure time, and change is dependent on the availability of seats. We strongly advise you to request your change as early in the day as possible.
Guests who choose this ADD ON will be sent their instructions and train tickets via email to print out. All you need to do is enjoy your ride in First Class. On your return, your guide will accompany you to the train station and you can enjoy a stress-free return journey.