Uffizi Galery & Palazzo Vecchio

Even hard-core art lovers are overwhelmed by the wealth of masterpieces inside Florence's Uffizi. If you are dying to take a look inside but aren't quite sure where to start, our Uffizi tour is perfect for you. One of our experts, English-speaking guides will lead you on an epic journey through this collection that will double as a master class in art appreciation. Along the way you'll stop off at works from all the masters you've heard of (Raphael, DaVinci, Botticelli, Titian, Caravaggio) and also meet a few that aren't as famous (Cimabue, Duccio, Giotto). Learn about the history of Palazzo Vecchio, once the heart of art and government in Florence. Art is intimidating, and few art museums are more impressive than Italy's greatest vault of masterpieces: Florence's Uffizi. But it doesn't have to be this way, our Uffizi tour is tailor-made to allow you to explore and discover the jaw-dropping, history-changing world of Renaissance art: Whether you are a seasoned art-lover or a rank amateur. The tour, like the museum, is chronological, so after skipping the (always long) entrance lines your expert, English-speaking guide will introduce you to early Renaissance masterworks from Cimabue, Duccio, and Giotto. Through their paintings, you'll learn to distinguish the styles and techniques that created a revolution in the visual arts. Next it's on to classics of the High Renaissance, like Botticelli's 'Primavera' and 'Birth of Venus'. You'll see the progression of artistic techniques and revel in the explosion of color and perspective. But it's not all art theory; you'll learn about the incredible personalities and bitter rivalries of some of the biggest stars of the day like Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. Finally, see the artistic legacy of the Renaissance in works from later masters like Titian and Caravaggio. When you have seen what comes before you'll be able to view their paintings in an entirely new light! Your next stop is Palazzo Vechio. For centuries this was the heart of art and government in Florence; so important that both Michelangelo and DaVinci were hired to paint murals on its walls. Your tour includes the incredibly impressive Council of 500 and an intro to the tumultuous history of Florence. You'll hear how and why the Medici family abandoned this majestic fortress, building the Vasari Corridor all the way through the Uffizi Gallery to their new home at Palazzo Pitti. This is more than just a tour, it's a voyage through time that will make you appreciate all that it took to bring the visual arts out of the dark ages and into the modern world. In an intimate group of 15 people or fewer you will have unparalleled access to your expert, English-speaking, guide. With plenty of time to ask all those questions that you can't find in books. This is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of art history.