The Medici family obtained their indescribable wealth and political power through their cunning attitude to commerce and banking. As you learn how the Medici became the one of the richest families in Europe, you will also understand how Florence, the city, made its mark on the globe. We will visit many of the sites that teach us about the most important members of the Medici family and the fascinating story of their great influence on politics and culture, such as the Medici Palace. Since the first half of the fifteenth century, the palace has been the true symbol of the Medici family. From the courtyard to the chapel, every aspect speaks of the political abilities and cultural aspirations of the head of the family, Cosimo The Elder. For a fuller itinerary, you can choose to include the Museum of St Mark’s. Commissioned by Cosimo The Elder, the convent of St Mark is a trove of frescos by Fra Angelico, who was not only a painter but also a Dominican monk. The story of the Dominican Order at St Mark’s will be told as we explore the monks’ cells, the splendid Library and the monastery’s Chapter Room. Entering St Mark’s means immersing ourselves into a place where time seems to have stopped since the Renaissance, and the visitor will find peace and tranquility as soon as we cross the threshold of this magical site.

The Pitti Palace tells the story of four different families. In the fifteenth century, the Pitti family bought a site south of the River Arno where they built their family palace. The Medici family became the owners in the second half of the sixteenth century, transforming it into a grand display of their art collection. The Lorena family took over from the Medici in the eighteenth century, applifying the impressive art collection still further. Finally the Savoia family, who lived there during the years of Lorence being the capital of the United Kindom of Italy. We will visit many rooms in the palace, the picture gallery that displays paintings by Raphael, Titian, Rubens and some of the most important fresco cycles of the Baroque period. The tour can end in the beautiful Boboli Gardens, a magnificent example of the Italian garden, and a place from where you can enjoy a number of beautiful vistas of the city.

“Oltrarno” or “Diladdarno” is how Florentines have named the city quarter located on the south bank of the River Arno. Here you will find the artisanal workshops and the quarter of the Santo Spirito (the Holy Spirit), including the eponymous church, where young Michelangelo made his first studies of anatomy and dissections. You will find myriad family-owned restaurants where you can eat traditional Florentine food and you will meet an old farmer who for decades, every morning opens her market to sell the finest fruits of her orchard. For those who enjoy a window into the colorful, real life of Florence - the road less travelled by tourists - this is the tour for you. If you are tempted, we can end our time together with an authentic Tuscan “aperitivo” - a glass of wine and delicious ham & cheese board -  in the lively Piazza Santo Spirito.