Thu, May 22, 2025 Rick Steves Day 4: Renaissance Florence

PROPOSED PLAN:

This morning, we’ll drive to Florence, park our bus, and hop on a convenient tram into the city center. We’ll meet our local guide and take a Renaissance walking tour of the city’s historic center — learning how Brunelleschi’s cathedral dome and Ghiberti’s Baptistery doors helped define this world-changing era. Next we’ll tour the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and more. Then we’ll set you free to enjoy lunch and explore more of Florence. You might try climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome (reserve in advance) or visiting the Accademia Gallery (reserve in advance), home to Michelangelo’s rough-hewn Prisoners and his greatest sculpture, David. Later this afternoon, we’ll return to our countryside hotel, with time to relax and freshen up before dinner together.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Bus: 2 hours. Sleep near Florence.

ACTUAL EVENTS:

It was an early start, the bus took us to the train station then we rode the train downtown. We arrived at the Piazza del’ Unita. We met up with our local guides and split into two groups. Our guide was Francesco. He took us on a walking tour pointing out wine doors (real and fake), duomos, and other historic buildings. Each stop came with an entertaining story. He also took us Ponte Vecchio, where all the tempting jewelry stores are located (Nick dodged another bullet and I came home empty handed). He then escorted off to the Uffizi Gallery. He gave us a good overview of one of the most important museums. We saw works by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Botticelli and others.