This tour allows visits to a suite of off-the-beaten-path locations in Palazzo Vecchio Museum. Among them is the mysterious stairway built in the thick walls by the will of Gualtieri di Brienee. Skip the line and head off on a one hour and 45-minute guided tour. Discover the small study of Francesco I de’ Medici, a very elegant treasure "of rare and precious things," and the desk of his father Cosimo I, more widely known as Tesoretto. To round off the experience, hear about the huge trussed structure built by the great architect Giorgio Vasari, which supports the paneled ceiling of the Salone del Cinquecento, the main room of the palace.

Palazzo Vecchio was the home of Medici family, and an important site of the Renaissance. Renowned as the main symbol of civil power of Florence, learn more about the vast history of the palace with a 90-minute guided tour.  See the "Salone dei Cinquecento”, the Hall which is the largest and most important room in terms of artistic and historical value inside the palace. Marvel at paneled ceilings, large wall frescoes, golden decorations, and imposing sculptures. Explore the second floor of the palace, featuring the elegant Apartments of the Elements, the Apartments of Eleonora of Toledo, and the original Hall of Priors, along with many small chambers and a chapel frescoed by Bronzino.

Palazzo Vecchio is the heart of Florence. Built in 1299 to house the leaders of the medieval city it is the symbol of the city’s history. The golden age of Palazzo Vecchio began when the Medici family decided to turn it into a real palace, making it the family residence. During your visit, you’ll be able to admire the architecture of the palazzo, and its sculptures and paintings, and learn about its rich and complex history over the centuries. Your visit to the Palazzo Vecchio will be enhanced with a multimedia guide in the form of a 7-inch tablet that provides fascinating audio-video narration with images in high definition and spectacular 3D re-creations. Upgrade your experience to include Arnolfo's Tower, and enjoy the fantastic views from the tower's summit. Visit the tower first, then head to the museum 1 hour later.

Explore the historic center of Florence by electric golf cart and leave your conscience clean as you cover more sights than possible on a walking tour. Climb aboard the eco-friendly cart in Piazza San Firenze and drive through the streets of the Renaissance city, passing Piazza Signoria and the Porcellino Market. Continue to the Duomo and marble façade of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Journey along the banks of the River Arno to Piazza Ognissanti. An MP3 player will be provided with commentary about the history of the city and its sites so that you can sit back and relax as your escort drives you across the Santa Trinita Bridge. Marvel at the Pitti Palace and Ponte Vecchio. Continue to the Ponte alle Grazie, rebuilt after it was destroyed in World War II. Go to the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale (National Central Library) on Piazza Santa Croce to see the largest library in Italy.

Experience Palazzo Vecchio, the hearth of Florence and a symbol of the city’s history, with an experienced guide. Florence’s town hall building dates back to 1299 when it was built to host the government leaders of medieval Florence. You’ll come to understand how its architecture, art, sculptures, and paintings contribute to create a rich and complex representation of the city.   Admire masterpieces by celebrated artists of the Renaissance scattered throughout the Palazzo’s many halls, chambers, and courtyards. The highlight of the experience will be the stunning Salone dei Cinquecento (“Hall of the Five Hundred”), the most imposing chamber in the building, its ceilings rising to 75 feet. Here, you can admire the frescoes and paintings of Giorgio Vasari, who took over the decoration of the room from Michelangelo.   For a truly engaging immersion into the history of Florence, come explore this unique building that has transformed and renewed itself throughout the centuries.

Enjoy your day in Florence discovering the Accademia Gallery and the Duomo, and choose to climb Brunelleschi's dome. Join a group tour or select the private tour option to tailor the tour to your needs. Take advantage of the Brunelleschi Pass, valid for 72 hours, and visit the Museum and the baptistery of the Duomo after your tour has ended. Enjoy speedy entry to the Accademia Gallery with pre-reserved tickets. Hear the story of Michaelangelo's David and its creator. Learn about the legacy of the ruling Medici family and how this collection was gifted to the people of Florence. Next, head to the famous Duomo. Discover priceless works of Gothic and Renaissance art and admire the building for its size and intricate marble decorations. See the Baptistry, famous for its Gates of Paradise. Enjoy pre-reserved and exclusive entry to Brunelleschi's Dome at the end of the tour (if that option is chosen). Climb the dome or Giotto's Tower on your own time and admire scenic views of Florence and surrounding Tuscany.

If you’re interested in the culture of Florence and the beauty of its architecture, join this 2-hour guided walking tour that takes in the most important monuments of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walking tour begins at the Piazza San Firenze; home of the Bargello and the Tribunale Fiorentino. Walk first to the Church of Santa Croce, home to many well-known masterpieces and burial place of some of Italy's most important personages. Next come to Piazza Signoria known for Neptune's Fountain, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the lovely Piazzale degli Uffizi. Cross the Ponte Vecchio; the medieval stone bridge famous for its gold jewelry shops, and arrive at the spectacular Pitti palace; former residence of the Medici family. Head back toward the Arno and the historic center along Via Maggio and Ponta Santa Trinita, passing along Via Tornabuoni where you will see some of Florence's top fashion boutiques. Stop at the Strozzi Palace; prototype of Renaissance architecture and then finish with the impressive Piazza Republica and the magnificent Florence Cathedral.

Depart Rome and drive through the Italian countryside towards the rolling hills of Tuscany. Upon arrival in Florence, journey through the "Cradle of the Renaissance" starting at Piazzale Michelangelo, where you can take in an amazing panorama of the entire city. Then, go to the covered Ponte Vecchio across the River Arno to see the city from a different perspective. Stroll the enchanting streets to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and look at its stunning dome by Brunelleschi. Admire the marble monuments of the Baptistery and Giotto's Bell Tower. Next, enter Piazza della Signoria to get a well-rounded view of the political and artistic heritage of the city. The L-shaped square is home to the fortress-like Palazzo Vecchio and a copy of Michelangelo's David along with the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi. After lunch (not included), take a walk through the outdoor market of San Lorenzo and find high quality leather jackets and other clothes at affordable prices. Depart Florence at around 2:30 PM and head to Pisa for a guided tour of the spectacular Piazza dei Miracoli. See the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa and the marble façades of the Baptistery and Duomo. Leave Pisa at approximately 5:00 PM for the journey back to Rome.

Relive the story of the family that managed to become the symbol of a city, facing countless obstacles, betrayals and victories. Explore the most symbolic places of the Medici family in Florence, the most famous city of the Renaissance period. See where many of the scenes from the tv series “The Medici” took place, and uncover the true essence of the main characters of the Medici Family, Lorenzo the Magnificent, Cosimo the Elder or Piero the Unfortunate. You can also explore the amazing palaces of enemy families like the Strozzi, Albizi, and Pazzi. Together, you will visit the Palazzo Medici, a famous architectural work of the fifteenth century and the beautiful Chapel of the Magi, which was painted by Benozzo Gozzoli. You will also visit a secret place where the genius Michelangelo learned to sculpt, under the shadow of one of Donatello’s pupils, the Bertoldo.

This Best of Florence Tour offers visitors the opportunity to see the city’s top sights in just a few hours. Your guided tour begins with a visit to see Michelangelo's David – the most popular man in Florence. Enjoy skip-the-line entrance and avoid the long queues. Once inside the Galleria your guide will lead you by the Slaves, lining the corridor leading to David. Hear the story behind this iconic work of art and spot the details that make David one of the world's most captivating sculptures. With an expert art historian on hand and with a maximum of 10 people in your group you'll be able to have all your questions answered. Next you’ll feast your eyes on one of the city's architectural gems, Florence Cathedral. As you admire its dome from the outside, you’ll hear the story of how its architect Brunelleschi recovered lost knowledge and expanded the realm of what was deemed humanly possible all in his pursuit of building it. The beauty of Florence isn't confined to its galleries and churches, as you’ll see in the streets and piazzas of the Renaissance city. Enjoy a guided walk to see the best of the rest for a fuller understanding of the history and culture of Florence. At Piazza della Signoria, you’ll admire magnificent sculptures in the open air. Hear about the notorious and influential Medici family at Palazzo Vecchio. Visit the Ponte Vecchio and enjoy the quirky architecture of the bridge. Before the end of your visit be sure to rub the nose of Il Porcellino to guarantee your safe return to Florence.