Florence isn’t just one of the prettiest, most charming cities in Italy. Historically, it’s also been one of the most important places in all of the western world. So wrapping your mind around the city can take a lot of reading… or this one tour. In 3.5 hours, your expert guide will take you through the very best the city has to offer—and share with you exactly why it’s so special.

Take the  Brunelleschi’s Dome, that shining example of what the Renaissance’s best minds could accomplish. The full story behind this masterpiece is fascinating, learn how Brunelleschi had to rediscover knowledge lost for more than a millennium to build it! We’ll also take a look at the magnificent sculptures by Donatello and Verocchio at the Church of Orsanmichele and discover the Baptistery's “Gates of Paradise”, see the doors that took 21-year-old Ghiberti a lifetime to complete.

If the Duomo symbolizes Florence’s claim as the birthplace of Renaissance architecture, the Piazza della Signoria represents the city’s political dominance from the 14th to the 16th century. The Florentine government ruled here from Palazzo Vecchio…and here is where the famed Medicis ruled Florence! Your guide will regale you with tales of Florence’s power—and the Medici family’s intrigue and treachery. And, because your group size is a maximum of 12, you can get all of your questions answered. We want to make sure that you come away from this tour truly understanding what made Florence so great.

But you won’t just see the major highlights on your tour. Because this is the complete and elite package, you’ll get to take the perfect picture at famous Ponte Vecchio and learn the legend of Il Porcellino. Not to mention that you’ll get to visit both Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring David in the Accademia and admire the open-air sculpture gallery the Loggia dei Lanzi. (Oh, and we’ve arranged all of the reservations and tickets for you—so not only do you not have to worry about a thing, but you get privilege entrance to the famed Accademia Museum!). 

The best off-the-beaten-path gem, though, is one that only Walks of Italy goes to. The Palazzo Davanzati is a medieval palace—and family home—that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Every detail of how a family would have lived in the 16th century is laid out for you… even the toilets! Better yet, the top floors of this palace are often closed to the public, but they’ll unlock them just for us!