VIP Florence Day Trip by Fast Train
Pick-up, Transportation by Train, Skip-the-line included
Transportation by fast train
Pick up at your hotel
Skip-the-line tickets
Professional Guides
Duration
about 12 hours
Activity level
moderate
Sights Included
– Michelangelo’s Pietà di Palestrina
– Many Renaissance Masterpieces
– Duomo & Baptistery (from outside)
– Picturesque alleys in the historic center
– Unforgettable views of the Arno river
– Free time for shopping and lunch
Tour Description
Rome and Florence are two pages of the same book, two chapters of the same story, which is the story of Italy.
Florence: the Cradle of the Renaissance
One word connects those two cities: Renaissance. A word that means rebirth of ancient Greek and Roman art, which was brought back to life and re-interpreted by the great masters of the 15th and 16th centuries: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello.
In Rome, you have some of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance: the Sistine Chapel frescoes and paintings and the Pietà by Michelangelo, the Rooms of Raphael in Vatican City, and many others; but it’s in Florence that the Renaissance was born.
We designed this Florence Day Trip so that you can take a day off from the Eternal City and go see the cradle of the Renaissance, then go back to Rome on the same day.
Why go by fast train?
Florence is not very close to Rome, that’s why we believe that the best way of reaching it is by using the comfortable fast trains, which will allow you to get to Florence in only an hour and a half (a car ride would last at least 3 hours).
In this way, you can spend more time exploring the city, and have more time for sightseeing, eating, shopping, or tasting wine.
A tour assistant will pick you up at the hotel; then, you’ll take a cab to the train station and you’ll go to Florence together by fast train.
Your tour assistant will be with you for the whole day: he will provide information about the beautiful landscapes you’ll see on your way to Florence, and talk about Italian culture, food, and wine.
He’ll be there the whole time to help you and make sure you are enjoying every moment of your tour.
An expert local guide will wait for you at the Florence train station, where you’ll start your tour of the city center: you’ll visit Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo, and the Battistero (from outside), Ponte Vecchio, and many other famous sights.
1. Piazza Duomo*
The Duomo is the most important church in Florence.
It is an imposing gothic cathedral enriched by one of the greatest masterpieces of architecture: the dome by Brunelleschi.
Brunelleschi is one of the most important architects in history. His studies about perspective and his love for classical art are among the basis of the Renaissance language. He was a brilliant artist, and the dome was his greatest accomplishment.
Your guide will reveal its secrets, and tell you the story of its construction.
In Piazza Duomo, you will see many other remarkable sights, such as the Baptistery and the Bell Tower by Giotto.
Then, your Florence Day Trip Tour will continue towards Piazza della Signoria.
2. Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square) was the political center of Florence.
It is also an open-air museum, surrounded by massive buildings and statues.
It is the best place to learn about the history of Florence, and about its intricate politic. Your guide will tell you the story of the Medici, the most influential family in Florence, and about their contribution to creating the city’s identity.
In the Renaissance, art was an expression of power.
In Florence, it was mostly the expression of the power of the Medici, who sponsored some of the most famous artworks in the city.
You will admire the impressive facade of Palazzo della Signoria, whose entrance is decorated by a replica of Michelangelo’s David and by the Hercules and Cacus by Baccio Bandinelli.
Next to the square, you will see the Loggia dei Lanzi, a portico decorated with many important sculptures.
Among them, you will also see the impressive Perseus in bronze by Benvenuti Cellini.
3. Ponte Vecchio
After Piazza della Signoria, your Florence Day Trip Tour will continue towards Ponte Vecchio, oldest bridge on the Arno river, which dates back to the Roman Age.
Aside from being a walkway across the river, it also hosts traditional jewelry stores and goldsmiths.
Above the stores, you can still see a corridor that connected the two main residences of Florence rulers (Palazzo della Signoria and Palazzo Pitti) so that they could go from one palace to another without walking among the crowds.
It is one of the most important parts of Florence’s landscapes and history, a must-see sight.
4. Michelangelo’s David and the Accademia
After admiring the romantic Arno River, you will head towards the most famous museum in town: the Accademia, where Michelangelo’s David is kept.
Don’t worry about the lines: we will have skip-the-line tickets!
Why is David such an important statue? Your guide will provide a full explanation of this incredible masterpiece, connecting it to the history of Florence and the life of its author. Who was Michelangelo, and why is he renowned as one of the greatest artists of all time? You will learn about his life, about his difficult temper, and – of course – about his art.
The Accademia doesn’t only host David, but also other masterpieces by Michelangelo such as the Prisoners and the Pietà di Palestrina. It’s one of the best places to get in touch with Michelangelo’s art and have a broad idea of his revolutionary work.
Free time for lunch and exploring
After the city walk, you’ll have some free time (about 3 hours) that you can use to relax at a local restaurant, try some of the most famous Tuscan dishes, do some shopping in the city center or continue the exploration of Florence with your tour assistant.
Then, you will go back to the train station, and you’ll take the fast train back to Rome together with your tour assistant.
Your tour will end at Termini train station, where your tour assistant will help you get a taxi to reach your hotel, or recommend a restaurant for dinner in case you’re still hungry.
Even if you have not planned to visit Florence, don’t miss the chance to discover this wonderful city with our Florence day trip from Rome.
In only one day you will enrich your vacation with an unforgettable experience, see some of the most beautiful artworks and landscapes in the world, and try some of the best dishes and wines.
Book our Florence Day Trip Tour and explore the wonders of the Renaissance capital with a professional, private guide.
Let us help you build some great memories from Italy.
The order of the sights might vary due to logistic reasons.
You MUST bring an ID, a passport or a driver’s license to enter the sights.
This is the price for groups from one to six people. If you have more people in your group, please let us know and we’ll create a customized price.
1199 € for 2 persons
1249 € for 3 persons
1399 € for 4 persons
1549 € for 5 persons
1699 € for 6 persons
If in Rome city center
Tour Itinerary
Italian ArtVentures' Feedbacks
Your guides are so friendly and knowledgeable. They made the history accessible and enriching.
You covered every detail, down to lunch reservations, business class train tickets and wonderful air-conditioned transportation with friendly drivers!
Thank you again for all the e-mails to develop a personalized itinerary for a special trip! We give you 5 1/2 stars on a 5 star scale!