Day Trip from Rome to Florence by Fast Train

Your Florence day tour begins with skip-the-lines to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the greatest collections of art in the world. Florence was at the heart of the artistic revolution during the Renaissance, and a visit to the Uffizi is the perfect introduction to the city. Originally built as a complex of offices for Florentine magistrates in the 16th century, the Uffizi was later used to store the art collection of the Medici family. These vast galleries are now open to the public, and contain masterpieces such as the Birth of Venus by Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation. Botticelli’s paintings contain rich symbolism, and with your guide you’ll uncover the secret meaning of these mysterious masterpieces.

During your private tour of the Uffizi Gallery your personal guide will take you on a journey through the history of art, showing you the famous highlights of the gallery, including works by Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio, as well as some hidden gems. Come face to face with Raphael’s self-portrait and Caravaggio’s disturbing Medusa, while learning about the turbulent lives and times of the artists, and discovering what inspired them. You’ll gain a new perspective on the geniuses of the Renaissance, and a much deeper understanding of Renaissance culture and society.

After lunch your artistic journey continues at the Accademia, where you’ll come face to face with the most famous statue in the world – Michelangelo’s David. On your visit to the Accademia your experience will be further enriched by the explanations of your private guide, as you discover the fascinating story behind David’s creation, and learn about the remarkable life and career of the artist. You’ll also have the opportunity to see some other masterpieces by Michelangelo, which are overlooked by the majority of visitors. Michelangelo’s Slaves are some of the most moving examples of Renaissance sculpture, depicting larger-than-life men struggling to free themselves from their marble prisons.

The most iconic building in Florence is undoubtedly the Duomo, dominating the city’s skyline. On your tour you’ll admire the magnificent of Florence, richly decorated facade of the cathedral and hear the incredible story of the dome’s construction. The architect of the dome, Brunelleschi, took 16 years to achieve this feat of engineering, silencing the sceptics who thought he would never be able to do it.

The interior of the Duomo is no less impressive, as you’ll discover when you gaze up at the enormous frescoes covering the interior of the dome. Your guide will also show you the famous Gates of Paradise at the nearby octagonal Baptistery. These extraordinary doors were designed by the precociously talented Lorenzo Ghiberti, and their ornate beauty never fails to impress.

The beautiful Piazza della Signoria resembles an open-air art gallery, filled with Renaissance sculptures and the impressive Fountain of Neptune. As you explore the square, your guide will show you another side of the piazza, telling you the story of the extremist preacher Savonarola as you stand at the spot where he was burned to death. You’ll also visit the 14th century Palazzo Vecchio, the centre of Florentine power, and learn how the Medici dynasty came to control the city. A visit to Piazza della Signoria will enrich your understanding of how art, religion and politics were all interconnected in Renaissance Florence.