STARRING DAVID

See the very best of Florence on this private walking tour. Your guide will lead you on a memorable trail through the streets of the historic centre while illustrating the most significant events in the biography of the city. From its early days as an ancient Roman military settlement, through its rise in the Renaissance as a prosperous trading centre and thriving artistic hub, to today’s prestigious role as one of Italy’s major tourist destinations… you’ll have 2,000 years to cover.

Your journey back down the centuries begins in Piazza del Duomo, the city’s religious heart, graced by three striking monuments: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s most famous landmark and an astonishing feat of engineering; Giotto’s Bell Tower, a fine example of Gothic architecture; the Baptistery, the city’s oldest religious site where poet Dante Alighieri himself was baptized. As you lap up views of the square, you will discover how architect Filippo Brunelleschi, back in the 15th century, built the largest masonry dome still in existence and hear about the competition for the creation of a bronze door that, according to tradition, marked the beginning of the Renaissance era in 1401.

You will then reach Piazza della Signoria dominated by the towering Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of political power and intrigue for over seven hundred years. Here, in the out-door sculpture gallery of the Loggia dei Lanzi, you will come face to face with Greek heroes Hercules and Perseus, brought vividly to life on the cusp of their triumphs by Giambologna and Benvenuto Cellini.

Your quest for Florentine attractions will also include the superbly decorated exterior of the Church of Orsanmichele; the 14th century Ponte Vecchio, world-known for its goldsmiths and jewellery shops; the market of San Lorenzo, astir with stalls selling leather goods and clothing… And don’t forget to rub the boar’s snout in the Porcellino market for good luck as well as to ensure your return trip to Florence!

Many of the city’s fascinating secrets will be unveiled and its hidden wonders revealed along the way. Your guide will share a wealth of stories and anecdotes about Florentine celebrities. Power-mad lords, headstrong artists and a host of other compelling characters will make their appearance in the colourful canvas that unfolds before your eyes. Among these a place of honour is reserved for Michelangelo. Learn more about his exceptional life, extraordinary career and priceless artistic legacy on a visit to one of Florence’s most remarkable collections.

Founded in 1784 by the enlightened Grand Duke of Tuscany Pietro Leopoldo, the Accademia has been home to the statue of David since 1873. Michelangelo was only 26 years old when he carved this exquisite work of craftsmanship out of a massive block of marble. The sculpture was originally intended to adorn the buttresses of the cathedral but when David was unveiled in 1504, it became clear that the grandeur and intensity of the masterpiece demanded the more prestigious setting of Piazza della Signoria where a copy stands today. Your guide will throw light on the history behind this colossal 5.17 metre marble statue and explain how David embodies Renaissance criteria of perfection and was immediately reputed by the artist’s contemporaries to be a symbol of strength and heroism – an emblem of the city of Florence itself.

The Accademia also preserves Michelangelo’s unfinished Prisoners and the statue of Saint Matthew along with a fabulous collection of paintings from the 13th through to the 16th centuries. Wandering through this haven of artistic glories is a truly mesmerising experience.