Why is this the tour for me?
If this is your first time in Florence and you would like to learn about its art and culture but also understand more about Italian food culture, this is the tour for you.
Where will we go?
We will start our tour on Piazza Massimo d’Azeglio, home to the father of Italian cuisine, Pellegrino Artusi. Here, you will be able to explore the beautiful architecture of this delightful square with its eclectic buildings and beautiful square garden dating back to the end of the 19th century. We will talk about Artusi’s influential cookbook, Science in the Kitchen, published in 1891 and still considered a must-read in the history of Italian cuisine.
We will then go visit the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, the most authentic market in central Florence. You will learn the history of the markets in city of Florence and savor the flavor of Tuscan food, such as pecorino cheese, olive oil and schiacciata (tastings not included).
The atmosphere inside is alive and colorful and is a real enjoyment for your senses: the unrivaled smell of freshly cut “prosciutto” or flavored pecorino cheese will guide you through the wide variety of stalls. Here you realize why good food is such an important part of our culture. We will also check out all the seasonal vegetables, from tomatoes to porcini mushrooms, to truffles and peppers.
Our guide will also take you through the Santa Croce neighborhood, with its magnificent church dating back to 1284. Here you will admire the magnificent square and earn about the famous wine windows (and maybe even try one!).
This is my first time in Florence. Will I see all the main attractions?
The tour covers all the main highlights in town, such as Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of Florence government for over 700 years. Here you will not just learn about the history of the Republic of Florence and the powerful Medici Family, but also some juicy anecdotes about Michelangelo and other artists! We will then walk to the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in town, and the Porcellino Market. The iconic wild boar statue will fit perfectly in our food itinerary!
Our cathedral, the Duomo, the building that has come to represent Florence itself, is just a few minutes away. The third-largest church in the world, it is impressively decorated with polychrome marbles, but the main focus of our visit will be the most important architectural element of the cathedral, the dome designed by Brunelleschi. Your guided tour will then continue with the Baptistery, one of the most ancient religious buildings in the city: the beauty of the Baptistery’s gilded doors made Michelangelo call them “the Gates of Paradise”.
We will end the tour at the Accademia with the magnificent David and Michelangelo’s unfinished Prisoners. After the tour, you will be free to explore the San Lorenzo market area, with its vibrant street vendors and the largest food hall in central Italy!
