There are so many masterpieces to discover in Florence but two attractions stand head and shoulders above the rest: the Duomo Complex with Brunelleschi’s famous Dome and the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s original David. With so much demand these sites can be overcrowded, especially during the summer months, but you’ll have the best possible experience on this exclusive Florence tour: Combining careful timing and skip-the-line entries you’ll be set apart from the crowds. We start visiting the ACCADEMIA GALLERY which houses the world’s most famous sculpture: Michelangelo’s David and other precious works like the statue of St. Matthew, made for the Cathedral of Florence, and the “Prisoners​/​slaves”, a marble group planned for the tomb of Pope Julius II in Rome. These are some of the finest examples of Michelangelo’s habitual working practice, referred to as “non-finito” or “incomplete”, and emblematic of the struggle of man to free the spirit from matter. We enter the museum with a skip-the-line ticket, so we can lose ourselves in Michelangelo’s genial art and discover his tormented soul. The tour continues to the Religious Centre where you can admire “Piazza del Duomo” and the Duomo complex. The breathtaking CATHEDRAL named Santa Maria del Fiore is the 4th biggest church in the world. It’s a masterpiece of gothic architecture with white, green and pink marble decorations; Also discover the lavish sculptural decoration of Giotto’s BELLTOWER; The BAPTISTERY is the oldest buiding in the city and the place where several well known Florentines and Tuscans have been baptized throughout history (Dante Alighieri, Niccolò Macchiavelli, Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici….). It’s also famous for its beautiful golden bronze doors (including the well known “Gate of Paradise”); The climb up to the top of the DOME is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Florence. The Duomo dome climb with a skip-the-line ticket gives you a “behind the scenes” view of the revolutionary construction and engineering projected in the 1400’s by Filippo Brunelleschi, the genius behind the cupola. Hear the fascinating history behind the dome in the Cathedral museum, where you will find the original wooden model created by Brunelleschi. The tour guide will end the tour at the Dome entrance, where you will start the climb of its 463 steps (sorry, no elevator!). During the ascent admire the largest Christian frescoes in the world made by Renaissance artists like Vasari and Zuccari on the two shells of the dome. Go up onto the 32 meter (104 ft) high terraces hanging below the 116 meter (380 ft) high dome and enjoy a 360 degrees view of Florence and the Tuscan hills stretched out below.

Highlights

Accademia Gallery (visit with skip-the-line ticket) Dome climb with skip-the-line ticket Piazza del Duomo (with the possibility to visit the Cathedral museum included in the Dome ticket) Piazza della Signoria

Duration

4 hours

Languages Spoken

English, Spanish, Italian

Meeting Point

Florence SMN central train station: in front of the pharmacy at the North exit

Rates Include

Licensed tour Guide Private walking tour Skip-the-line ticket for Accademia and Dome climb Headsets (if there are more than 4 people in the party)

Important Information

Once you confirm your booking, we immediately purchase the skip-the-line tickets for the museum. For this reason, the tour is non-refundable. We share this in the spirit of full transparency, so you are aware before completing your reservation. This is a PRIVATE WALKING TOUR for party from 1 to 8 people. RATES DO NOT INCLUDE: - Food & Beverage - Gratuities *DRESS CODE IN CHURCHES: IF YOU WANT TO VISIT CHURCHES, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR SHOULDERS AND KNEES COVERED. THERE’S NO PARTICULAR DRESS CODE IN LOCAL MUSEUMS. ** THE CLIMB IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM HEART PROBLEMS, VERTIGO OR CLAUSTROPHOBIA