Florence
Indulge your senses in the timeless beauty of Florence, a city that seamlessly merges the past and present, offering an unparalleled journey through art, history, and elegance. Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, captivates visitors with its iconic landmarks such as the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci.
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The culinary scene is equally fascinating, with Tuscan flavors and aromas enticing you at every trattoria and gelateria. Florence is not just a destination; it's a living canvas, an open-air museum that invites you to explore its cultural richness and savor its unique flavors. Come to Florence, where every step is a journey through time, and every moment is a celebration of beauty.
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We have designed four different kinds of activities which we can customize to your liking:
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Market to Table Cooking Class with Gilda
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A 3 to 4 hour hands-on cooking class starting out at the bustling Sant'Ambrogio Market where we'll be picking our seasonal ingredients brought to town by the farmers themselves. Then, back to the kitchen to prepare a 3-course meal.
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Walking and Tasting Tour
Imagine yourself strolling through the vibrant streets of Florence, the aroma of fresh focaccia and espresso wafting through the air. You're not just sightseeing, you're on a delicious adventure – a tasting tour that will tantalize your taste buds and immerse you in the rich culinary heritage of Tuscany.
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Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through charming backstreets and lively markets, revealing the secrets of local specialties. You will sample melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto, creamy gelato, and flaky pastries, each bite bursting with flavor. Learn how olive oil is pressed, cheese is aged, and pasta is handmade, appreciating the generations of tradition behind each dish.
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Basic Historical Walking Tour
As a first introduction to Florence we recommend a three hour walking tour:
Begin at the majestic Duomo, marveling at Brunelleschi's revolutionary dome, then step back in time at the ancient Baptistery with its "Gates of Paradise." Stroll through bustling Piazza della Signoria, past Palazzo Vecchio's Medici might, and marvel at masterpieces in the open-air Loggia dei Lanzi. Cross the iconic Ponte Vecchio, picturing medieval merchants, and reach the imposing Pitti Palace, once a Medici residence. Conclude under Michelangelo's breathtaking panorama, soaking up the city's rich history with every step.
Advanced Historical Walking Tour
If you have been to Florence already, we recommend a more in-deapth set of activities. Take your pick:
A day with the de’ Medici: their palaces, their places of worship, and their final resting place
from Cosimo the Elder to the Grand Duke Giangastone de’ Medici. The transformation from their humble origins to bankers, to popes, to marriage to noble families, to grand dukes You’ll visit the Medici Riccardi Palace, the de’ Medici Chapels San Lorenzo Church, Pitti Palace, the Palazzo Vecchio with lunch at midday. (3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with lunch in between)
Noble Families, their palaces and churches: Santa Croce, (the Bardi, Peruzzi), Alberti and Peruzzi Palaces, Santa Trinita (Salimbeni, Strozzi)
The families that built the fabulous palaces that still stand in Florence are part of the untold story of wealth, rivalry, and intrigue. (3.5 hours)
Gothic Churches such as Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, Ognissanti: the medieval Mendicant orders such as the Dominicans, the Franciscans, the Umiliati, and their rivalry, as well as the tombs of historic figures within these churches such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Macchiavelli, Ghiberti, Giotto. (3.5 hours)