Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio is the heart of Florence. Built in 1299 to house the leaders of the medieval city it is the symbol of the city’s history. The golden age of Palazzo Vecchio began when the Medici family decided to turn it into a real palace, making it the family residence. During your visit, you’ll be able to admire the architecture of the palazzo, and its sculptures and paintings, and learn about its rich and complex history over the centuries. Your visit to the Palazzo Vecchio will be enhanced with a multimedia guide in the form of a 7-inch tablet that provides fascinating audio-video narration with images in high definition and spectacular 3D re-creations. Upgrade your experience to include Arnolfo's Tower, and enjoy the fantastic views from the tower's summit. Visit the tower first, then head to the museum 1 hour later.

Explore the secret passages of the Palazzo Vecchio. Experience the exciting discovery of the places and paths of Palazzo Vecchio that are not accessible to the general public and that have only recently been made available for very small groups of people. You will ascend the narrow passages of the Duke Gualtieri and you will discover an unexpected path beyond a door hidden by a painting. You will also admire the imposing coffered ceiling of the Salone del Cinquecento. Complete your tour of the Palazzo Vecchio with a typical Tuscan lunch in a historic restaurant or a gelato tasting in one of the most famous ice cream shops of Florence.

Experience the history of Florence through learning about the contributions of the infamous Medici family while seeing their influence on the city first-hand. Visit the Medici Chapel and see the gorgeous mosaic work. Listen as your expert guide takes you on a tour of the past, and hear how money and power drove an intense rivalry between the Strozzi, Pazzi, and Medici families. Discover the the secrets and mysteries of the Medici family as your English-speaking guide takes your through a the old streets and squares. Stroll through the traces left by the most extraordinary members of the Medici dynasty. Enter the Medici Chapel where most of the remaining remnants of the family found their last shelter. See the sparkling semi-precious stones in the Florentine mosaic Commesso Fiorentino.

Standing majestically over the Florence skyline, the Palazzo Vecchio is one of the most recognized symbols of the city. Built during the Middle Ages, it still preserves the austere architecture of the 14th century, and provides the highest viewpoint in the city from Brunelleschi’s Dome. Enter the elegant courtyard by Michelozzo, and admire the beautiful “Hall of the 500.” See an intimate study of Francesco I de’ Medici, as well as the private apartments of Eleonora of Toledo and Cosimo I de’ Medici. Explore the extravagant boardrooms with their stunning frescoes, paintings, and statues of the greatest Renaissance artists, such as Michelangelo, Donatello, Verrocchio, Vasari, Ghirlandaio, and Bronzino.

Explore the town hall of Florence on a 2-hour tour of the Palazzo Vecchio Museum. Visit the private apartments of the Medici family and enjoy the atmosphere.  Admire the impressive murals that decorate the walls of the Salone dei Cinquecento — the Hall of the Five Hundred — and discover classic art from medieval masters to those of the Renaissance.

You are invited to discover the captive souls, the spirits and the mysterious skeletons of Florence with an interactive city exploration game. You will be guided step-by-step to the cursed buildings where they carry out their eternal punishments while you learn all of their stories. Brace yourself and come explore Haunted Florence, all with the help of your smartphone. Each clue will lead you from one place to another, giving you exact directions, so you won’t need a map, a GPS or a guide. When you solve it and guess the answer, the secret story of that place is unlocked. Along the way, you’ll find stories of people sentenced to death who returned to haunt their executioner, discover the open hole that leads to Hell, see the building of trapped souls, and find out many other stories of the people who lived and died in those places. For larger groups, one person can purchase access for the entire group by selecting the number of people in the group. All group members will be able to play the city game on their smartphone. Alternatively, each person can purchase their own ticket. You can play as a group and solve the clues together as you walk, or you can split into smaller groups/teams and compete against the others. Each person can also play on their own, separate from the group, and meet the group at the end.

Over the course of five days, visit the most enchanting locations of Italy, soaking up art, culture, cuisine and the famous Italian romance. Led by a friendly guide, depart from Rome and visit Assisi, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Padova, Venice and Montepulciano. See masterpieces from the likes of Michelangelo, Giotto, and Cimabue. Roam ancient cobbled streets, marvel at magnificent cathedrals, and taste delightful wines. This tour aims to inform and entertain you at the same time. Staying in comfy accommodation and traveling by deluxe bus, touring Italy couldn’t be easier. With 4 meals provided for you, plus an excellent itinerary and knowledgeable guides, sit back, relax and "get Italian". Day 1 Depart from Rome at 7:15 AM heading towards Assisi. Explore this tiny town dating back to the Middle Ages. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis and see works by Giotto and Cimabue. Afterwards drive towards Siena, whose highlight is Piazza del Campo. Continue to Florence where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner (included) and a well-deserved night of rest. Day 2: Florence After breakfast, spend the day exploring Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, the Campanile Tower, Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch (for free) in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. In the afternoon, wander the cobbled streets or take a short, optional trip to Pisa where you could enjoy a tour of the Square of Miracles, the Leaning Tower and the Duomo. Dinner is at your leisure. Back in Florence rest in your hotel and recharge your batteries for the next day. Day 3 Depart for Bologna after breakfast in Florence. Wander through the city’s 38 kilometers' worth of elegant arcades, for which it is famous. From Piazza Malpighi, walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the city. In the afternoon, continue towards Padova, with its original Sant’Antonio Basilica. Later, you will arrive in Venice, famous for its quaint gondola boats and intricate architecture. Check in at your hotel and enjoy your first Venetian dinner (included) and overnight stay. Day 4: Venice Hit the water and board a private waterbus to enjoy a cruise through the canals of Venice. Stop off at Murano to learn about the ancient art of glass blowing. Continue on to St. Mark’s Square for an exterior visit of the splendid cathedral. See the Doge Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel for an overnight stay. Day 5 After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches, castles and its delicious wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Noble” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also hosts an annual jazz and wine festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included! Spend the afternoon discovering Montepulciano at your own pace, enjoying free wine tastings in many wine shops and free time for shopping. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome, where the tour ends.

Explore the most popular attractions in Florence on this guided walking tour. Learn about the rich history and culture behind famous works like the Florence Cathedral and its famous dome and take in the city's charm as you stroll the picturesque streets. Begin at Florence's most notable bridge, Ponte Vecchio. Hear the story behind this ancient bridge from your expert guide and find out why it's truly one-of-a-kind. Discover the architectural details behind Brunelleschi’s Dome of Florence Cathedral, and see for yourself why this original edifice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue on to other key monuments such as the Church of Orsanmichele, Santa Croce, and Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza Della Signoria, as your guide explains to you the history behind each landmark.

Trace the fascinating history of the Medici dynasty on a 2-hour walking tour of Florence and learn how they used their wealth and power to patronize the arts and lay the foundations of the Italian Renaissance. Hear anecdotes about their intrigue, power struggles, betrayals and incredible foresight. Admire their former palaces and visit streets and squares where members of the family lived. Walk the same narrow streets they used to walk along to landmark monuments such as the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in the San Lorenzo district. Take a look at the church where they worshipped and built their mausoleum at the Medici Chapels in the Basilica di San Lorenzo. Marvel at Brunelleschi’s stunning dome. Continue to the Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Signoria, where Cosimo I de' Medici moved his official seat in May 1540, signaling the security of Medici power. Follow the route of the Vasari Corridor from the outside and learn more about the elevated passageway that allowed the Grand Dukes to move between the Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti without being seen by the citizens. Arrive at the Palazzo Pitti and its magnificent Boboli Gardens for a look at the last residence of the Medici family at the end of your tour.

Known for influencing and promoting the arts, the Medici were one of the most powerful families in Florence. On this guided walking tour, you’ll learn about the family’s historical power as you admire the cultural and architectural stamp they left on Florence. Your first stop is the Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Commissioned by Cosimo the Elder in 1444, the impressive building was built to be the familial home. Continue to Basilica di San Lorenzo, the oldest documented religious building in Florence. Your tour continues to other landmarks commissioned or influenced by the Medici family, such as the Cappelle Medicee, Piazza di Madonna Degli Aldobrandini, and Piazza Della Santissima Annunziata. Admire the Piazza della Signoria and learn about the building’s diverse history. Finish your tour at Palazzo Pitti. Purchased in 1550 to be the new Grand Ducal residence, the building symbolizes the Medici’s power over Tuscany.