Florence and Tuscany

Cradle of the Renaissance

Florence was once a bustling city of artists and patrons cultivating arts, architecture, philosophy, and sciences which changed the world and gave birth to a whole new era called the Renaissance.

Florence unabashedly beautiful

Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

Florence’s historic centre is so compact, you can walk around everywhere, but to actually see and visit all its treasures can take you a lifetime. If you have limited time, our excellent tour guides will give you a glimpse of its glorious past, to get a better understanding of how the Renaissance came to be, and why and how these artists thrived during this period.

So as you stand in awe at the grandeur of the Cathedral, at the perfection of Michelangelo’s David, at the masterpieces in the Uffizi, you see them with more light in your eyes. Admire the haunting sculptures of twisted or dismembered figures in the Loggia dei Lanzi. Chance upon huge arched doors, or intricately crafted iron or wooden gates, of a palace and take a peek to discover a hidden world of lush green gardens behind.

Masters of Art and Architecture

Michelangelo's Dawn and Dusk, New Sacristy
Michelangelo's Dawn and Dusk, New Sacristy

The city is replete with beautiful churches and museums. Palazzo Pitti was the opulent and refined residence of the Medici family, now it flaunts an impressive collection of masterpieces by Raphael, Titian and Tintoretto.

The Medici Chapels and its New Sacristy, designed and decorated for the Medici by Michelangelo, is definitely worth a visit. Palazzo Medici Riccardi boasts exquisite frescoes.

The Bargello has an impressive collection of sculptures including works by the masters Michelangelo, Donatello and Verrocchio. And the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo houses the original Baptistry doors and other master works by Luca della Robbia, Michelangelo and Donatello.

Markets and Artisans

Italy fruit stall
Artisan perfumes

If the work of skilled artisans is of interest to you, we can bring you to their workshops where we can discuss their trade. If you would like to learn more about Italian food culture, you may choose to do a food tour where we will visit the local market and discover some of the delicacies of Florentine cuisine, taste Tuscan wines and enjoy specialties such as truffle, prosciutto (dry-cured ham), pecorino (ewe’s milk cheese) and gelato (ice cream), just to name a few.

Tuscany, where dreams are made of

Tuscan landscape

Tuscany, offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and gastronomic delights. This land of vineyards and olive groves on undulating hills is a region associated with high-quality wine from the production areas of Chianti, Bolgheri, Montalcino and Montepulciano. The wine estates of some of the most important families in the industry are sprawled around the picture-perfect countryside.

Quiant villages and olive groves

Country Road Francigena
small church in Tuscany

Day Trips

Siena
Siena

A daytrip to iconic farms and historic villas, castles and hamlets, and the medieval hilltop towns of Siena, San Gimignano or Pienza will certainly prove to be unforgettable experiences. Or spend the day in Pisa and Lucca, or the Cinque Terre exploring the quaint fishing villages by the coast.