Welcome to Florence: Evening city stroll and Gelato

Your tour starts at an easy-to-find spot: Piazza del Duomo, the Square of the Dome. Your guide will give you a brief introduction before leading you into the quieter streets of the Santa Croce neighborhood. This is where Dante used to hang out and where Michelangelo both lived and was buried. Few visitors venture into this part of town but, as you’ll see, that’s their loss.

Along the way, your guide will point out Sant’Ambrogio Market which will be a definite must-visit for foodies but is also a good focal point for authentic and reasonably-priced restaurants on this side of the river.

Together you’ll see Piazza della Signoria, Florence’s most impressive outdoor sculpture gallery and the old home of Michelangelo’s David – eventually, he proved too beautiful to sit outside but you’ll see a replica in its original position in front of Palazzo Vecchio.

Make your way towards the river and across the famed Ponte Vecchio bridge to the quiet neighborhood of Oltrarno. Again, few visitors ever see this part of the city and again, they’re really missing out. You’ll see the foreboding Pitti Palace and get recommendations for some of the most authentic restaurants and bars in the city (with the most affordable prices).

Piazza Santo Spirito is a great area for eating, so this is where your guide will leave you at around 7.30PM. That’s dinner time in Florence, so what better time to test out their recommendations?

During your ramblings you’ll enjoy a gelato break to sample the city’s famous dessert and get some tips on how to tell a good gelateria from a bad one (hint, it’s all about the pistachios). In just two and a half hours you’ll get to know Florence through a local’s eyes, guaranteeing a better vacation all around.