Private tour of Florence and Fiesole

The perfect  tour  of Florence and Fiesole

Immerge into ancient art, history and nature at the discovery of Florence and Fiesole, enjoy the most beautiful panoramic views! Meet your professional English-speaking driver directly at your accommodation and start falling in love with Florence and Fiesole.

Reach Piazzale Michelangelo

Relax and enjoy Viale dei Colli, a tree-lined street considered one of the most beautiful in the world. This avenue winds up and down the hill from east to west on the Southern side of the Arno river, reaching its peak at Piazzale Michelangelo before winding back down to Porta Romana.

Get your camera ready because this panoramic square is home to a bronze copy of Michelangelo’s David and has one of the best panoramic views over Florence and its surroundings!

Admire San Miniato and Forte Belvedere

Close by Piazzale Michelangelo atop a hill, admire the church of San Miniato al Monte, a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture. Leaving San Miniato, the road continues downhill toward Forte Belvedere. This fortress high above the city was built around 1590 by the Grand Duke Ferdinand de’ Medici to protect the Medici villas.

Down to the Roman Gate and Pitti Palace

After Forte Belvedere, pass through one of the old gates to the city, once also part of the ring of walls – the Roman Gate. Following Via Romana, reach the imposing Pitti Palace, a Medici Villa then the King’s up until the 1920s.

Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens

Today, this palace encloses many of the city’s important museums such as the Gallery of Modern Art, the Costume Gallery and the Palatine Gallery, the Royal Apartments, the Carriage Museum, the Silver Museum, the Porcelain Museum. Visit the world-famous Boboli Gardens behind the palace, with its beautiful fountain and impressive views over Florence.

Stare at the magnificence of the Duomo

Stop your ride by car in Piazza della Repubblica. Have a short walk down Via de’ Calzaioli to Piazza del Duomo. Stop and stare at this imposing Cathedral.

Facing the holy doors of the cathedral, admire the Baptistery, a Byzantine building built on the site of an early Christian church. The exquisite Ghiberti’s ‘Doors of Paradise’ (copy) graces the side facing the cathedral.

Loggia dei Lanzi terrace museum

Go to Piazza della Signoria to admire one of Florence’s earliest seats of government, today’s town hall. Here visit ‘Loggia dei Lanzi’, an open-air terrace-museum protecting important Roman copies of Greek sculptures as well as the original ‘Rape of the Sabine Women’ by Giambologna and the ‘Perseus’ by Bernini.

Nearby, the world-famous Uffizi Gallery built to house the Medici’s incredibly vast and precious art collection.

Piazza Santa Croce

Your driver takes you to the Piazza Santa Croce to visit the church where many famous people were buried – Michelangelo and Galileo to name just two. After your visit here, have a break! This is an excellent area for all kinds of eateries. There are some good trattorias but also pizzeria and sandwich shops nearby.

Florentine leather shops and artwork

Have a peek at the leather shops and the artwork being painted in the square by local artists. Santa Croce is one of the neighborhoods famous for its local craftsman.

In many of the narrow side streets watch them at work – with leather, iron, wood, paints – most of them using their designs in a trade passed on from father to son. This is the area where leather goods are traditionally made and the many stores here can testify to this.

Luxury shopping

For high fashion and high-quality clothing, the most important shopping district is the area in and around Via de’ Tornabuoni. Here, the world’s most famous designers have their shops – Gucci, Armani, Ferragamo, Versace, Cavalli, Coveri, just to name a few. But if it’s local crafts you are seeking you will enjoy Santa Croce and Santo Spirito areas.

San Lorenzo outdoor market

Visit the large outdoor market of San Lorenzo and its numerous stalls selling souvenirs, leather goods, clothing and costume jewelry should be one of your destinations in Florence.

Meet the original David

When lunch and shopping are finished you might want to visit the Academia Museum to see the original David by Michelangelo. Please be aware that you will need reservations for the museum, just ask us! This perfect statue comes to this museum from Piazza della Signoria where a copy stands now.

Wonder in charming Fiesole

Atop a hill over Florence a short car ride leads you to the ancient Etruscan town of Fiesole. Visit the Roman amphitheater and archaeology museum. Enjoy the most magnificent view over Florence from the San Francesco convent up the very steep hill.

At the end of your perfect day in Florence and Fiesole, enjoy a relaxing drive back to your accommodation in Florence.