Welcome to Santa Croce
Despite being only a hop, skip and jump from the city’s major museums, most of this ancient part of Florence is far removed from the tourist maelstrom. The streets behind main sight Basilica di Santa Croce are home to plenty of locals, all of whom seem to be taking their neighbourhood’s reinvention as hipster central – epicentre of the city’s bar and club scene – with remarkable aplomb.
Top experiences in Santa Croce
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Santa Croce activities
Florence, Tuscan Farm and Wine Bar E-Bike Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: San Domenico Fiesole, Fiesole, TuscanyA short ride takes us to Fiesole hill, along ancient and peaceful hill roads to arrive at a delightful farm on the outskirts of the city that produces organic products. Here you can stop to visit the farm and admire the harmonious rural landscape and the splendid Renaissance cloister and, if you like, enjoy a snack (not included) in the characteristic shop selling local productsDuration: 1 hourStop At: Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, TuscanyThen we will proceed along the route that leads to the famous terrace of Piazzale Michelangelo, where you can stop to enjoy the unforgettable panorama that encompasses the entire city. Climbing once again, you can admire the magnificent Romanesque basilica of San Miniato al Monte.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Ponte Vecchio, Florence, TuscanyA stop at one of the most famous Bridges in the worldDuration: 10 minutesStop At: Piazza della Signoria, Florence, TuscanyThe amazing Square, heart of Florence, where Florence Town Hall is located. It is an open air Museum!Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Duomo - Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, TuscanyThen we’ll proceed to the historic centre, passing through characteristic streets and splendid piazzas, where all the emblematic monuments of the city will pass before you, like in a film, with plenty of opportunity to immortalise them during our photo-taking stops: the Cathedral with the Brunelleschi Dome, Giotto’s Campanile, the Baptistery with the Porta del Paradiso, the Basilica di Santa Croce and much more.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Venice Private Gondola Ride Including the Grand Canal
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Canal Grande, Veneto1 hour gondola ride through the Grand Canal and the smaller canalsDuration: 1 hour
Private A day in Venice: the most romantic art city in the world
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: St. Mark's Square, VenetoBe part of the waterways dream that reflect elegant palaces with Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance façades, small and delicate bridges, magnificent portals of the patrician dwellings, bulb-shaped domes and golden mosaics.Enter the "calli”, discover small and green gardens behind ancient grates, and be enwrapped by the magic of lightness and colors of blown glass created by master glassmakers. Discover a unique city in the world, built between the coast and open sea on an archipelago of 120 islands linked by 350 bridges. Discover the millenary history in which east and west interweave giving life to a refined and charming culture. It is a city of invaluable artistic patrimony, declared "heritage of humanity" by UNESCO. Venice is all this and much more and is waiting to offer you an unforgettable experience, beginning with meeting up with a local Guide who will reveal its treasures to you. Meet your private driver at your hotel and, upon your arrival in Venice, your private guide is pleased to lead you on an unforgettable walking tour! Through the characteristic "calli", you will enter the ancient districts "sestieri" in Santa Croce and San Polo where the salt flats of the ancient and powerful Republic of Venice are located. You will then proceed to the Rialto area, the first settlement of the village, with its characteristic fish and vegetable market, the Church of San Giacomo, the oldest of Venice, the famous Rialto bridge, the oldest of the four bridges crossing the spectacular Grand Canal. Crossing this wonderful bridge you r private guide will be glad to escort you to the district of San Marco that is the centre of trade and culture of the city. The heart of this district is the splendid and magnificent Piazza San Marco, the "most elegant lounge in Europe", overlooking the most famous monuments of Venice: the splendid Byzantine Basilica with four portals and wonderful golden mosaics, to be viewed inside, the Renaissance Clock Tower and the masterpiece of the Gothic Palazzo Ducale. Behind the Palazzo Ducale, from the Ponte di Paglia you can admire the famous Bridge of Sighs that used to be crossed by the condemned people before entering prison, hence the name. After the end of the private guided tour, you can find dozens of typical or elegant restaurants in the area around the square where you can taste the excellent Venetian cuisine.In the afternoon, you will have free time to enjoy a romantic tour in one of the famous "gondolas", get to know the city better or dedicate some time to shopping and discovering the valuable crafts of the lagoon islands: the Murano blown glass and the Burano lace.Before leaving, you can stop at one of the famous historical cafés of Piazza San Marco and enjoy an authentic Venetian style pleasure.Duration: 5 hours
Livorno to Chianti, Tuscan Hills Private Wine Shore Excursion
While you’re in port in Livorno, spend your time in one of Italy’s most sought-after destinations – Tuscany! Your shore excursion starts as you’re picked up at the Livorno cruise port and whisked away to the beautiful Tuscan countryside. You will follow the Wine Road between vineyards and olive trees until you reach Greve in Chianti, the small village named after the nearby river, which expanded considerably during the 14th and 15th centuries. You can see Piazza Matteotti, the Santa Croce church, the San Francesco convent and many typical Italian shops and wine cellars. After Greve, you will visit one of the most famous wineries in the area and take a guided tour of its wine cellars. Then, you will enjoy a guided tasting of classic wines and extra virgin olive oil. After the tasting, you will have the chance to stop for a lunch of local specialties in a typical Tuscan restaurant (additional cost). In the afternoon, relax as you drive back to Livorno through the small villages that dot the Tuscan countryside.This in-depth private tour hosted by a professional English speaking driver.Worry-free Shore Excursion:We will ensure your timely return to the Livorno port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Best of Florence Tour by Night
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Piazza della Repubblica, Florence, TuscanyWalk around the core of Florence, going by the square of the Duomo with its Bell tower and the Baptistery, we'll make a beeline for Piazza della Repubblica, the most seasoned piece of the city at that point changed in an exquisite square, and after that to Ponte Vecchio to see its prestigious gem specialists' shops. Continue to Piazza della Signoria that holds an outdoors exhibition of Renaissance statues and piazza Santa Croce to respect the Franciscan church of Santa Croce where numerous well known Italians are covered. You will be part of a small group. The maximum amount of people on the tour is 15 people so no earphone is needed and you can have a close interaction with the guide. This tour is a perfect option for your holiday evenings in Florence to explore more of the city and meet new friends.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Ponte Vecchio, Florence, TuscanyWalk around the core of Florence, going by the square of the Duomo with its Bell tower and the Baptistery, we'll make a beeline for Piazza della Repubblica, the most seasoned piece of the city at that point changed in an exquisite square, and after that to Ponte Vecchio to see its prestigious gem specialists' shops. Continue to Piazza della Signoria that holds an outdoors exhibition of Renaissance statues and piazza Santa Croce to respect the Franciscan church of Santa Croce where numerous well known Italians are covered. You will be part of a small group. The maximum amount of people on the tour is 15 people so no earphone is needed and you can have a close interaction with the guide. This tour is a perfect option for your holiday evenings in Florence to explore more of the city and meet new friends.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, TuscanyWalk around the core of Florence, going by the square of the Duomo with its Bell tower and the Baptistery, we'll make a beeline for Piazza della Repubblica, the most seasoned piece of the city at that point changed in an exquisite square, and after that to Ponte Vecchio to see its prestigious gem specialists' shops. Continue to Piazza della Signoria that holds an outdoors exhibition of Renaissance statues and piazza Santa Croce to respect the Franciscan church of Santa Croce where numerous well known Italians are covered. You will be part of a small group. The maximum amount of people on the tour is 15 people so no earphone is needed and you can have a close interaction with the guide. This tour is a perfect option for your holiday evenings in Florence to explore more of the city and meet new friends.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence, TuscanyWalk around the core of Florence, going by the square of the Duomo with its Bell tower and the Baptistery, we'll make a beeline for Piazza della Repubblica, the most seasoned piece of the city at that point changed in an exquisite square, and after that to Ponte Vecchio to see its prestigious gem specialists' shops. Continue to Piazza della Signoria that holds an outdoors exhibition of Renaissance statues and piazza Santa Croce to respect the Franciscan church of Santa Croce where numerous well known Italians are covered. You will be part of a small group. The maximum amount of people on the tour is 15 people so no earphone is needed and you can have a close interaction with the guide. This tour is a perfect option for your holiday evenings in Florence to explore more of the city and meet new friends.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Piazza della Signoria, Florence, TuscanyWalk around the core of Florence, going by the square of the Duomo with its Bell tower and the Baptistery, we'll make a beeline for Piazza della Repubblica, the most seasoned piece of the city at that point changed in an exquisite square, and after that to Ponte Vecchio to see its prestigious gem specialists' shops. Continue to Piazza della Signoria that holds an outdoors exhibition of Renaissance statues and piazza Santa Croce to respect the Franciscan church of Santa Croce where numerous well known Italians are covered. You will be part of a small group. The maximum amount of people on the tour is 15 people so no earphone is needed and you can have a close interaction with the guide. This tour is a perfect option for your holiday evenings in Florence to explore more of the city and meet new friends.Duration: 1 hour
Florence: Santa Croce Basilica and Leather School Private Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence, TuscanySanta Croce Basilica is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with a façade clad in polychrome marble. This is the ancient church in which the Franciscan friars chose to set up and begin treating pelts and leather and meditate in peace in a place that was, at that time, located outside the city walls. We will admire, from close up, the beautiful frescoes by Giotto and Agnolo Gaddi, the “Crucifix” and “Annunciation” by Donatello and the world-famous funerary monuments and tombs of illustrious figures from the past such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. Next, we will enter the elegant “Brunelleschi Cloister” bordered by columns carved from pure stone, and then pass into the fourteenth-century “Ancient Cloister” at the end of which lies the beautiful “Pazzi Chapel”, a sublime example of Renaissance harmony, also the work of Brunelleschi.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Scuola del Cuoio, Florence, TuscanyAfter visiting the Basilica and cloisters, there will be a chance to visit a workshop that goes back to the 13th century, when the Franciscan monks first settled in this area on the banks of the river Arno. The earliest hide and leather working activity was established here, where the large quantities of water required for leather processing are freely available. The Franciscan monks of the Santa Croce monastery dedicated their efforts to this activity, and their leather-working techniques have been preserved over the centuries by the master craftsmen who still work in the delightful old workshops at the School of Leather (except on Saturday and Sunday), which you will be visiting; an extraordinary Renaissance workshop adjacent to the Basilica, where history, tradition and exceptional quality are combined to produce authentic Florentine craftwork. A real "top must see” amazing place.Duration: 30 minutes