Enjoy a full day guided walking tour around the highlights of Florence including the incredible Uffizi and Accademia Galleries. After meeting you at your hotel your guide will start the tour around the historic central area of the city. During the tour you'll be able to visit the stunning exterior of the Santa Croce Basilica (Church of the Holy Cross). This massive 14th-century basilica is the largest Franciscan church in the world. The large Piazza Santa Croce to the front of the church was initially cleared to make space for worshippers when the church was full, but was also used throughout the Middle Ages for joust and festivals.
At the Accademia Gallery, you'll visit Michelangelo’s David along with his four unfinished Prigioni (prisoners/slaves) that were initially intended for the tomb of Pope Julius II. There are also a number of other treasures on display, including some excellent paintings by Botticelli.
Before visiting the Uffizi, your guide will take you to see the Piazza della Signoria, home of the fortress-like Palazzo Vecchio and where, until 1873, Michelangelo’s David stood (a replica now stands in its place). Within the square, you’ll also find the Loggia dei Lanzi, an outdoor sculpture gallery containing many original Roman statues collected by the ruling Medici family, as well as Giambologna’s The Rape of the Sabine Women and Cellini’s Perseus.
No visit to Florence would be complete without a visit to the incredible Uffizi Gallery and its unparalleled collection of Renaissance artwork. The majority of the collection was accumulated by the ruling Medici family and donated to the people of Florence by their descendant, Anna Maria Lodovica, on the condition that it did not leave the city. The gallery contains many works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli (his Primavera and Birth of Venus can be found here), Michelangelo, Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese and Raphael. Your guide will take you through all the highlights of the museum and explain the history and significance of the various different works of art.
This full day tour includes pre-booked entrance tickets to both the Accademia and Uffizi Galleries that will allow you to bypass the line with your guide. Free time of around half an hour is provided for a light lunch during the tour.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Tuscany specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Siena and San Gimignano tour with Tuscan farmhouse lunch
Visit the beautiful medieval city of Siena before stopping in the countryside for a traditional Tuscan farmhouse lunch, followed by a visit to the hilltop town of San Gimignano.
Truffle hunting and tasting lunch
A wonderful opportunity to visit a family truffle business, learn about the production process, go on a truffle hunt and enjoy a tasting lunch.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
