Florence at Twilight Tour: Secrets of the Renaissance

The history of Florence is inextricably bound up with the flowering of the Renaissance, a golden age of art, learning, and culture that sowed the seeds of our modern world. On our tour, we’ll be embarking on a captivating journey through the historic streets of Florence as we unravel the extraordinary tale of how this beautiful city became the cradle of the Renaissance and one of Europe’s most powerful states. Our expert-guided tour takes you back in time to the glory days of the 15th and 16th centuries as we explore the historic events, visionary minds, and cultural innovations that gave birth to an era of unparalleled artistic and intellectual brilliance.

On this walking tour of Florence, you’ll be immersed in the stories of renowned figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Brunelleschi, men whose towering genius left an indelible mark on Florence’s landscape. Learn how powerful princes and eye-wateringly wealthy merchants ponied up the cash to make their magnificent artworks and architectural wonders possible, and witness first-hand how Florence’s innovative creative spirit ignited a cultural revolution whose reverberations are still being felt today.

Our itinerary will see us chart a course through the most beautiful part of Florence’s historic centre. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Florence’s history, art, and culture,  discovering iconic landmarks along the way. Gaze up in awe at the jaw-dropping Duomo, capped by Brunelleschi’s extraordinary dome, and get a peek at the cathedral’s iconic bell tower and baptistery in the gentle evening light.

No tour of Florence would be complete without a stop at historic Piazza della Signoria, dominated by imposing Palazzo Vecchio, the original site of Michelangelo’s David sculpture, and the centre of power in the city for centuries. The Loggia dei Lanzi, meanwhile, is the world’s greatest open-air sculpture gallery, offering a dazzling insight into the artistic splendours of the Renaissance.

Equally unmissable is the iconic Ponte Vecchio, perhaps the world’s most photographed bridge. A bridge has forded the Arno River here since the 10th century, and the ramshackle medieval construction we see today was built in 1345.  For hundreds of years, fish-sellers, butchers, and leather artisans plied their trade along its length, making the Ponte one of the more rough and ready corners of the city. Until, that is, one 16th-century Medici noble, upset by the smell and noise created by these plebeian trades, had them replaced by the more dignified goldsmith shops and jewellers that still occupy the bridge today. In Florence, fascinating historical anecdotes are concealed in every brick and stone.

Florence has changed remarkably little since the Middle Ages and Renaissance – the same streets and alleys zigzag and curve their way across town, the same palaces and churches soar majestically into the Tuscan sky as when giants of art and culture like Dante and Michelangelo stalked these streets.

As we make our way along the city’s atmospheric streets, we’ll learn all about the fascinating lives of Florence’s greatest sons and daughters. We’ll explore the neighbourhood where Dante lived, and pass by the massive Gothic church of Santa Maria Novella, where contemporary paintings dramatically visualised the elemental world of heaven and hell dreamed up by the great poet.

Our introduction to Florence tour will do more than give you the lowdown on the architectural treasures and historical fascinations of Florence. The pleasures of the palate are also a fundamental aspect of the tapestry of life in the city: from the meaty bistecca Fiorentina to vegetarian classics like ribollita and pappa al pomodoro, Tuscan gastronomy is famous for its delectable specialties. And for lovers of the grape, let’s not forget that the region is one of the world’s most renowned wine-growing regions – think Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino!