Welcome to Florence: Orientation Tour, City Stroll & Gelato

This is the ultimate introduction to one of Italy’s most vibrant cities. Explore the streets of Florence with a local expert guide who will show you the biggest attractions like the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio, as well as hidden gems, good restaurants, and the best neighborhoods to get lost in later in your visit. Florence is one of Italy’s most accessible cities but it’s also full of hidden gems and unexpected neighborhoods that are hard to discover without a little local guidance. This tour is all about helping you get your bearings in the city and taking you beyond the normal tourist route where you’ll be introduced to the authentic Florence that you are going to fall in love with. You’ll meet your local guide and an intimate group of 15 people to start your tour at 5 PM in central Florence. From there you’ll explore Dante’s old neighborhood, gape at the massive dome of the Florence Duomo, and pause at Michelangelo’s house and the lovely Santa Croce church. You’ll also pass the world-famous Sant’Ambrogio market - a spot that all serious foodies return for lunch at least once during their stay. Next, you’ll stop in the Piazza della Signoria to marvel at the many statues that decorate it, including the famous replica of Michelangelo’s David. Dwarfing them all is the Palazzo Vecchio, the home of Florence’s government during the Renaissance and still one of the city’s most impressive buildings. From there you’ll head across the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge and into our favorite neighborhood, the Oltrarno, to see where the locals eat and hang out. You’ll also be introduced to lesser-visited gems like the Palazzo Pitti and Piazza Santo Spirito, along with the birthplace and portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the woman who modeled for da Vinci’s iconic ‘Mona Lisa’. After 2.5 hours, and a delicious scoop of Florentine gelato on us, you’ll know your way around the city, and have a mental map of the spots you want to come back and visit when you have more time. Your guide will also offer plenty of advice and restaurant recommendations to help you plan for the coming days.