Orientation Tour of Florence with Uffizi Gallery | Private

Florence is so famous it hardly needs an introduction. As the city of the rich and powerful Medici, it produced many of history’s greatest artists who fuelled the Renaissance – Michelangelo, Leonardo Da’ Vinci, and Raphael. Have you always dreamed about exploring its winding cobbled streets and beholding its legacy for yourself? With our private Orientation Tour of Florence, you can do just this.

Florence is a surprisingly small city, and our day trip will take you through all of its highlights. Throughout the tour, our passionate, professional guide, who speaks your language fluently, will enliven your visit with stories and accounts about the city’s past. Giving you in-depth, engaging information that will bring the medieval city to life.

We start at Florence’s centerpiece – the Duomo.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (better known as the “Duomo“) has baffled architects for centuries. Began in the 13th century, its majestic cupola (dome) was conceived by Brunelleschi. Stylistically it marked the passage from Gothic to Renaissance architecture which spread from Florence to the rest of Europe. Just across from the Duomo stands the Baptistery. Recently reopened to the public, its beautiful bronze doors feature Old Testament scenes that were marveled at by contemporaries for their beauty and skillful execution.

From the Duomo it’s a short walk to the Ponte Vecchio.

Walking south from the Duomo takes you past other prominent sites such as Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio. This was the historic heartland of the Florentine Republic. The towering Palazzo Vecchio, which overshadows the Piazza della Signoria, was the seat of government. Its fortress-like design speaks of the violence of the times. Leading from the Palazzo Vecchio along the Ponte Vecchio and across the River Arno is the Vasari Corridor, the Medici’s secret passageway. To get to Florence’s historical bridge, however, we must pass by the most famous offices (or “uffizi”) in the world – the Uffizi Gallery.

After exploring Florence’s center, we enter the Uffizi Gallery.

No tour to Florence would be complete without a visit to the Uffizi Gallery. Here you will get to see masterpieces of the Renaissance, and learn about the lives and styles of the artists who painted them. Marvel at the elegant linear figures of Botticelli in his famous Birth of Venus and “Primavera“. Bask in appreciation at the powerful bodies of Michelangelo and the pioneering genius of Leonardo Da Vinci. And take time to soak in Caravaggio and his masterful use of chiaroscuro (light and dark).

The Uffizi also houses stunning artworks from other periods. As well as ancient statues and medieval panels decorated with precious materials and lifting the viewer towards transcendent visions of the Virgin Mary with the infant Child Jesus, the Uffizi also houses collections of Mannerist artists, including Sebastiano del Piombo, Rosso Fiorentino, and Pontormo.

Finish by dining on the best food in Florence or visiting a landscaped garden.

The tour lasts 4 hours, but it can be customized to suit your needs. Want to enjoy some pappardelle (fresh pasta) with meat sauce or the famous crostini (Italian bruschetta topped with a delicious variety of sauces)?  Florence is famous for its excellent restaurants, and we know just the best place to go according to your budget. If you have more time, we can arrange a tour of the parks and gardens of Florence, or of some of its lesser-known attractions.

With over 20 years of experience organizing tours, we know exactly how to craft a tour that perfectly meets all your needs. Feel free to get in touch with one of our team if you have any particular requirements.