8. Florence: City Tour by Van with Accademia and Duomo
Start your Tour from the very heart of Florence, aboard of a comfortable luxury minivan. Your English-speaking driver will lead you along the romantic Viale dei Colli up to Piazzale Michelangelo to admire the wonderful panorama of the city, one of the most beautiful in the world. This view will leave you breathless and will allow you to embrace the entire city from its most famous hilltop. The tour will proceed through the old city center with the Guided Visit of the renowned Accademia Gallery, with a total immersion in the art of Michelangelo to know his most renowned work, the “David”, and other important masterpieces such as ''I Prigioni'', ''San Matteo'' and the “Palestrina Pietà”.
Then you will proceed with a walking Tour which will include the outdoor guided visit of San Lorenzo Church and the Duomo complex: San Giovanni Baptistery, the Cathedral with the magnificent Cupola del Brunelleschi and Giotto’s bell tower. The walk continues along Via Calzaiuoli in the heart of the city, where you can admire the imposing Orsanmichele Church, a masterpiece of Florentine gothic art. Then you reach the bustling Mercato della Paglia (Straw Market): don’t forget to rub the nose of the famous "porcellino" (pig) and toss a coin into the fountain to bring you good luck! Going on you will find yourself in Piazza Signoria, one of the most beautiful squares in the world and political center of the city. In this “open-air museum”, you will be fascinated by the beautiful Fountain of Neptune with the imposing marble statue of Ammannati and by the sculptural masterpieces of the Loggia dei Lanzi. Dominating the square is the majestic Palazzo Vecchio with Arnolfo's crenellated tower, one of the most famous symbols of Florence. Then, by following from the outside the elevated path of the Vasari Corridor you will arrive at the romantic Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, and you will end this amazing walking tour admiring its renowned jewellery shops.
In the afternoon enjoy the guided visit of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, a treasure chest of inestimable artistic treasures: you will be immediately struck by the elegance of the spaces of the three naves. Lead by your expert Guide you will enjoy the beauty of the splendid marble choir of Bandinelli, the complex of the precious stained-glass windows worked by Donatello, Ghiberti and Andrea del Castagno and the singular and mysterious clock by Paolo Uccello. You will be also surprised to be able to walk on a marvelous carpet of polychrome marbles. Then, looking up, the immense precious interior of the Dome entirely frescoed by Vasari will appear, the biggest fresco in the world. The Brunelleschi's famous Dome is the largest ever built in masonry and the incomparable icon of Renaissance architecture.
Please note that the order of the visits may change