Private walking tour of Florence plus Michelangelo's David: skip-the-line

Meet your guide at Piazza Santa Croce, in front of the statue of Dante Alighieri. Learn about the history of the Basilica di Santa Croce: the church, built in 1294, hosts the tombs of important persons like Michelangelo and Galileo Galilei. Take a look at the square in front of you, and be fascinated by the rectangular shape: the square was used since the Middle Ages (and even now) for historical football matches.

Start walking through Borgo de' Greci, called after the Greek merchants that once lived in the area, and see the buildings with an oval shape, built on the foundations of the Ancient Roman amphitheater. Get to Piazza San Firenze, where you will see Medieval Abbey built in the 10th century, and a Renaissance Palace where Leonardo Da Vinci painted the famous Monna Lisa.

Next is Piazza della Signoria, the centre of the political life of Renaissance Florence. The towering Palazzo Vecchio, built in 1299, has been the house of Cosimo de' Medici. The square is an open air museum of sculpture: here you will see the magnificent statues of Perseus by Cellini, the Rape of the Sabine Woman by Giambologna, the Neptune Fountain and many more amazing works, including the copy of Michelangelo's David, in the location where the statue was originally placed.

Walk through the Uffizi square, to see the former offices now turned into the most important museum in Florence, and get to the right bank of the river Arno. Here, you will see the Vasari Corridor, the private passageway reserved to the Medici family that connected Palazzo Vecchio with the Pitti Palace. Explore the iconic Ponte Vecchio and its jewelries, before heading to the Loggia del Porcellino where you can toss a coin inside the mouth of the wild boar statue!

See the church of Orsnmichele and the statue of St George by Donatello, considered as the first application of linear perspective in sculpture. Continue with Piazza della Repubblica, symbol of the Italian reunification when, for a short period, Florence became the capital city.

After a few steps, you will be amazed at the majesty of the most important monument of Florence: the Duomo, with his shiny marble inlay, surmounted by the huge Brunelleschi's Dome and accompanied by Giotto's Bell Tower. Take a short tour in front of the facade, and turn your head to see the Gates of Paradise, the famous bronze doors of the Baptistery.

The final stage of the tour brings you to the Accademia Gallery. Here, with your skip-the-line tickets, you will access the museum to see the magnificent Michelangelo's David, surrounded by more works by Michelangelo, like the unfinished Prisoners.

After the seeing the statues by Michelangelo, you will say good-bye to your guide and will have more time (if you want) to explore the museum on your own.