Welcome to Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
Hub of the Renaissance and now the cosmopolitan heart of modern Florence, the enchanting maze of narrow streets between the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria packs one almighty historic and cultural punch. A neighbourhood harking back to Dante, the Romans and beyond, this is where the city’s blockbuster sights – and most tourists – can be found. Cafe life is naturally vibrant in this chic neck of the woods, as is shopping, which climaxes with the designer strip, uber-fashionist Via de' Tornabuoni.
Top experiences in Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
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Duomo & Piazza della Signoria activities
Tuscany 1-Day Sightseeing Tour with Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productPass By: Stazione di Firenze Santa Maria Novella, Florence, TuscanyYour guide will be holding a sign at the taxi stand right outside Santa Maria Novella train stationStop At: Piazza del Campo, Siena, TuscanyThe site of the 600 year old Palio horseraceDuration: 15 minutesStop At: Duomo di Siena, Siena, TuscanyA treasure chest of artworks. Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Fattoria Poggio Alloro, San Gimignano, TuscanyAn organic family-run wine estate – the highlight of the day! Visit the farm, enjoy an informal wine tasting lesson and a traditional Tuscan lunch with plenty of wine, in the most gorgeous location overlooking stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Take the opportunity to meet fellow travelers while feasting on fresh organic farm food of homemade pasta, cured meats (homemade prosciutto and salami), local cheeses, a real garden salad, and Tuscan biscotti.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Historic Centre of San Gimignano, San Gimignano, TuscanyRoam the picturesque streets and squares, browse the local shops, try an award-winning gelato and walk among the town’s famous medieval towers.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Province of Pisa, TuscanyTake a close inspection of the iconic Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery. Duration: 1 hour
Florence to Cinque Terre Hiking Day Trip with Boat Ride
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Cinque Terre Trails, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaThese ancient trails are rough but manageable. Be prepared for the hiking – although the path is open to everyone, remember that the ground can be slippery, uneven, and in places steep and narrow. The charm of the area is that it is natural and unspoiled, do not expect hand rails or safety rails when steps are steep or when the path is close to the cliff edge. Because of the nature of the hike, we are unable to accept small children or anyone with walking difficulties.Duration: 8 hoursStop At: Borgo Storico di Riomaggiore, Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaAt Riomaggiore, centuries ago, the distinctive tall, colourful houses known as Genovese tower houses arranged in rows connected by alleys, arches and steps provided a defense against pirates. House colours are regulated by the comune. You can't just paint them any colour you like!Houses have two entrances, one at the front and one at the rear on the higher road, so that when they were attacked by pirates, the people could escape.At the end of the eighteen hundreds the railway came along the coast and Riomaggiore, along with the other towns of the cinque terrre came out of their historic isolation, even though a road wouldn't reach them until the 1970's.Language, lingua ligure, the villages were so cut off even from each other that they spoke different dialects of the same language.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Borgo Storico di Manarola, Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaBuilt in the valley of the torrente Groppo, until 1950 the stream which runs through the town was completely uncovered and 11 stone bridges allowed the people to cross from one side to the other. Over the next thirty years the stream was gradually covered over.The ancient village was destroyed by Saracen pirates (in 849) and the surviving people fled in land to live. When the seas were made safe again in the 11th century, people came back to settle here under the protection of the Republic of Genova.By the 1200's cultivation of vines was not only established but the wine they produced was sought after. The church of San Lorenzo was begun in 1338. The patron saint is celebrated on the 10th of August with a procession through the streets carrying a statue of him.The castle which protected the town from pirates is now a private home, you can see the garden from the panoramic walk, it is on the rock immediately above the port.Manarola is now famous for its Christmas nativity scene which is the biggest in the world. Figures outlined in thousands of lights cover the hillside. Also an Easter scene is made.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Borgo Storico di Corniglia, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaThe middle town of the five, Corniglia is the smallest town and sits at 90 metres above sea level.The name derives from the huge spur of rock on which the village sits. Population of about only 200.San Pietro church from the fourteenth century on the site of an eleventh century chapel. San Pietro's day is 29th June and as part of the celebrations, there is a procession through the streets. A special savoury tart is prepared with rice, eggs and cheese and is shared among the people who take part in the procession.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Vernazza, Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaVernazza is unique in the Cinque Terre because of the small port that was built allowing ships to land in the protected bay. It was already a fortified village and efficient maritime base in the earliest records available from the eleventh century. Today there are traces of the military defences built by the Genovese in the thirteenth century such as traces of the old walls, ramparts and the look out tower.Duration: 1 hour
Tuscany Cooking Class, Market Tour, and Lunch from Florence
Meet your guide in central Florence and take a short walk to Mercato Centrale, a historical food market in the San Lorenzo area, to see where the locals shop. En route, stop by a local bakery for some tastings and to buy fresh bread. Then follow your friendly guide around the market stalls, and meet butchers and farmers selling vegetables from their fields in Tuscany. The market teems with fresh fruit and quality local produce including cheese, cured meat, balsamic vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and many other Italian specialties. Select some of the finest ingredients to use later in your cooking class, and enjoy samples of some of the food and wine. Hop aboard your minibus and travel to a farmhouse, tucked away in the Tuscan hills, where your cooking class takes place. Don your apron, which you can keep as a souvenir, and help your chef prepare a full Tuscan meal, starting with a selection of appetizers. Learn how to make proper Italian pasta using freshly laid eggs, and discover the secrets behind traditional meat sauces, using ingredients from right outside the door!A pasta dish, pizza and classic bruschetta are all on the menu, so help your chef prepare them with fresh bread, tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil — each produced on site. When the dishes are ready, take a break to eat and enjoy your creations with a glass of the region’s full-bodied Chianti wine. Then, head back to the kitchen to prepare traditional Tuscan arista (succulent roast pork) with roast potatoes, seasoned with fresh herbs from the farm. As the pork cooks, prepare a classic tiramisu, layering delicately flavored mascarpone with liquor- and coffee-soaked sponge biscuits, and learn about strong and rich Italian coffee.The highlight of your tour comes next: sitting down to eat your 4-course meal! Savor your main course and desserts along with a carefully selected Tuscan wine while chatting to your chef and fellow lovers about your day of food.Then, return to your minibus and relax on the journey to the start point in Florence where your tour finishes.
Accademia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, Florence Duomo Walking Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, TuscanyStart the day with skip-the-line access to the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David. Nothing prepares you for the scale of this sculptural masterpiece. Your guide will help you appreciate the artistry from every angle, including the techniques Michelangelo used to make marble look smooth as butter.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Duomo - Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, TuscanyThe highlight of the city walking tour is the Florence Cathedral, whose incredible red dome is the city’s crown jewel. The dome was not without challenges for architect Filippo Brunelleschi, as your guide will explain as you view the masterpiece from outside. Entrance to the Duomo is always free, so you can come back at any time to explore the cathedral in more depth, equipped with an abundance of knowledge shared by your expert, local guide.Duration: 30 minutesPass By: Piazza della Signoria, Florence, TuscanyYour tour continues through the historic center of Florence, taking in the Ponte Vecchio bridge and the Piazza Signoria, where David once stood.Pass By: Ponte Vecchio, Florence, TuscanyYour tour continues through the historic center of Florence, taking in the Ponte Vecchio bridge and the Piazza Signoria, where David once stood.Stop At: Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence, TuscanyAfter a break for lunch (be sure to ask your guide for recommendations), you’ll skip the line once more at the Uffizi Gallery. Your guide will lead you on a carefully planned route through this immense gallery, wasting no time in showcasing works by Da Vinci, Botticelli, and Titian. Don’t forget to rub the nose of Il Porcellino, Pietro Tacca’s Baroque bronze boar sculpture, to bring the rest of your vacation good luck.Whether you’re only in Florence for a day or settling in for a longer stay, this is the perfect introduction to a city where beauty awaits around every corner.Duration: 1 hour
Tuscany Cheese and Wine-Tasting Tour with Lunch from Florence
Leave central Florence, and travel out of the city by air-conditioned 4x4 bus. Soon, the views of Florence’s travertine buildings and bustling roads are replaced with the lush green hills of Chianti, the famous wine region nestled in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Your first stop of the day is at a beautiful winery belonging to one of the most prestigious Italian aristocratic families. Here you taste three wines paired with cheese and two olive oils, but first there’s a fascinating guided tour of the historic wine cellars and to the olive mill through underground tunnels that pass under the villa, and to the enchanting garden of the villa. Hop back inside your 4x4 minibus and buckle up for an off-road experience, through stretches of Tuscany’s ancient woodland and rolling hills, to your next stop: a traditional Tuscan restaurant. Take a seat and treat your taste buds to some of the finest food that Tuscany has to offer; your lunch is sure to be a highlight of the tour! See the Sample Menu below for examples of the dishes. Feeling refreshed, continue with a visit to Greve-in-Chianti, a quintessential Tuscan town with pretty streets and quaint shops. Make the most of some free time to explore, enjoy a coffee (own expense) or simply soak up the unique Italian culture that abounds. Here you will also buy a selection of typical Salumi (cured meats) from one of Italy’s most famous butchers which you will enjoy later at the second winery. The rest of your afternoon is spent deep in the Chianti hills at a vineyard that produces Chianti Classico wine. In contrast to the well-established winery visited in the morning, this second winery is smaller and less-known, but it has produced two award-winning varietals. Sample these varietals, and learn how innovation and ancient traditions have combined to make them. Finish with a sweet treat, and then relax on the journey back to Florence where your tour ends.
Florence and Tuscan Hills Vespa Tour with Italian Cuisine Meal
It’s not just a cliché; Vespas – the famed Italian scooter romanticized for decades through countless movies, ads and postcards – are truly everywhere in Florence. The city’s narrow streets hum with these shiny scooters, confirming that the best way to navigate them is on two wheels! Follow the lead of knowing locals by hopping on one yourself for a small-group tour. Meet your guide in the center of town, collect your helmet and get acquainted with your mode of transport -- an original Vintage PK Vespa (this classic model is no longer in production). After a safety briefing and a few practice sessions to get used to the scooter, you’ll be on your way. Following your attentive guide, take a leisurely drive through Florence’s backstreets before reaching the sweeping boulevards on the outskirts of town. Stop at the Church of San Miniato al Monte for breathtaking views over Florence and a quick look around inside with your guide. One of the city’s true gems, this beautiful Romanesque church contains a fascinating mish-mash of architecture and art from different eras. Your tour continues into the vineyard-studded hills of Tuscany, meandering through leafy villages and poppy-filled fields. If you’ve chosen to share your scooter with your traveling companion, there’ll be plenty of breaks to stop and switch drivers, or to simply stretch your legs while admiring the views. On your way back to town, stop at Piazzale Michelangelo, a popular vantage point for gazing over Florence.The one thing left to do is eat! Before returning your Vespa, sit down with your guide for a relaxing meal on a private terrace. Dishes vary, but will always be typically Tuscan. Expect artistically arranged antipasti like bruschetta with ripe tomatoes, creamy burrata cheese, panzanella salad and cold cuts of meat with fennel. It’s the perfect ending to a perfect day in Tuscany!