ITALY OFF THE BEATEN PATH: FLORENCE, BOLOGNA, RAVENNA, PADUA, VICENZA & VENICE

Florence highlights in a 3 hours private walking tour: explore the capital of Tuscany, cradle of Renaissance art, one of the most important art cities in the world. The tour will end at the Accademia Gallery, famous for its sculptures by the great Renaissance artist, Michelangelo: above all, the magnificent statue of David draws thousands of visitors.
Join a small group tour to visit the Uffizi Gallery, a must-see destination with its large collection of works of art by great Italian artists such as Botticelli, Giotto, Cimabue, Michelangelo, Leonardo.
The building of Uffizi complex was begun by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 for Cosimo I de’ Medici to accommodate the offices of the Florentine magistrates, hence the name uffizi, “offices”. The architect also built the famous Vasari corridor: a secret a passageway that the family Medici use to move freely from the residence (Palazzo Pitti) to the government palace (palazzo della Signoria, other side of the river Arno).
One of the most astounding architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance, the corridor is rarely open to the public: take advantage of this unique opportunity to enjoy some magnificent and little-known views over the city from its windows as to admire one of the greatest collections of portraits and self-portraits in the world, over 1000 paintings, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries by some of the most famous masters of painting.

Walking tour with your private guide in the capital of Emilia Romagna, an important cultural and artistic centre in terms of landmarks, a varied mixture of monuments and architectural examples (medieval towers, antique buildings, churches, the layout of its historical centre) plenty of works of art bearing witness to the cultural importance of the main city of the region over the centuries. You will also discover the reason why Bologna is the homeland of good food: hand-made pasta (tortellini, lasagne, ravioli, tagliatelle) and ragù alla Bolognese.

Visit Ravenna, location of eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a local guide and experience the magical ambience of its Basilicas and Mausoleums. Visit the marvelous and perfectly preserved golden Paleo-Christian Byzantine mosaics and Dante’s Tomb. An imperial Byzantine stronghold in Italy, Ravenna experienced a period of splendor and wealth until the 8th century. A fusion of the artistic influences from the Orient with Christian iconography, with splendid internal gold mosaics. This heritage also represents proof of the relationships and religious and cultural exchanges during an important historical period of European culture.

Discover the picturesque old town of Padua with its medieval squares, churches and architecture with a private local guide. You will visit the Anatomical theatre, the first permanent structure of this type in Europe; and the Scrovegni Chapel, a masterpiece in the history of painting in Italy and Europe in the 14th century, considered the most complete series of frescoes executed by Giotto in his mature age (1303-1305).
Private guided tour of Vicenza, a thriving and cosmopolitan city with many museums, art galleries, piazzas, villas, churches and elegant Renaissance palaces. You will visit the beautiful 16th century villas, designed by Andrea Palladio. One of the best examples of human inventiveness: a prestigious sign of the munificence of a few great families matched with the technical skills of artisans whose work, together with the genius of the great architect.
With the Palladian Villas of the Veneto in the surrounding area, and his renowned Teatro Olimpico (Olympic Theatre), the “city of Palladio” has been enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.