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Florence With Locals Group Tours & Tickets

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Florence With Locals Group Tours & Tickets

Florence With Locals Group Tours & Tickets Experience authentic Florence with our small group and private tours led by knowledgeable locals. Experience Florence like a local with "Florence with Locals.

Welcome to Florence with Locals, your go-to travel agency for small personalized group tours and customized private tours of Florence. Our tours are led by knowledgeable locals passionate about their city and art history. Florence is a city full of natural beauty, rich history, and amazing art, and our tours are designed to showcase the best of it all. We offer a unique opportunity to experience t

he city through the eyes of its locals, who will share their insights and knowledge with you along the way. Whether you're interested in exploring the iconic landmarks or discovering the city's hidden gems, we've got you covered. Our tours are customized to your interests and needs, and we'll ensure you have a truly unforgettable experience. Our guides are not just experts in their field but also friendly and approachable, making your tour a truly human and enjoyable experience. We take pride in our personalized approach, ensuring that each tour is tailored to meet the needs of our clients. Book a tour with us, and let us take you on a journey through the streets of Florence. Discover the beauty of the city, its stunning architecture, and world-renowned art.

11/02/2025

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Florence ❤️❤️❤️

11/02/2025

Michelangelo’s David, the kind of art that stops you in your tracks, making you wonder how … just how….!!!

10/02/2025

The official records say "father: Cosimo I, mother: unknown."

They called her Bia de' Medici. First child of Cosimo I, born before he became Grand Duke, before anyone knew he'd rule Florence. No birth records. No mother's name. Just a girl who appeared in the Medici court like a ghost made flesh.

Here's what doesn't make sense: why paint an illegitimate child in lapis lazuli – a pigment so precious it was reserved for the Virgin Mary's robes?

Why place her portrait in the Tribuna degli Uffizi, among Florence's most treasured masterpieces?

Cosimo never went anywhere without her. Strange behavior for a ruler with legitimate heirs. What power did this mysterious child hold over the most powerful man in Tuscany?

The court watched her move through the palace under her grandmother's protection, treated like a princess, while nobles whispered behind their hands: Who was her mother? Why did Cosimo favor her above all others? What secrets lived behind that enigmatic smile?

In 1542, Cosimo took her to Arezzo. She never came back. They say it was fever, but this was an age of poisons and politics. Five years old, and already too many questions swirled around her existence.

10/02/2025

Allegorical Portrait of a Woman, Sandro Botticelli

10/02/2025

Botticelli painted her face in every masterpiece. She was Venus rising from the waves, Spring bringing flowers, Madonna holding the child.

She appears everywhere, staring back at us through time, the same serene gaze multiplied across museum walls worldwide.

Death didn't end her beauty—it made her infinite.

10/02/2025

They said Isabella de' Medici died washing her hair. They lied.

The official letters speak of a sudden illness at Villa Cerreto Guidi. A princess, just 33, gone in her prime. But ambassadors whispered a different tale: of a silk cord, a Knight of Malta from the Massimo family, and a husband who watched his wife's last breath.

Isabella wasn't the only one who died that July.

Her cousin Leonora? Murdered in another Medici villa, days apart. Her lover Troilo Orsini? Fled to Paris, where a hired blade would find him months later - for exactly 300 scudi.

Isabella, daughter of Cosimo I, played with fire. While her husband Paolo Orsini traveled, she ruled Florence's social scene. Her guardian? Troilo Orsini, her husband's own cousin. Their "affectionate" letters still exist - proof that paper outlives discretion.

But something changed when Cosimo I died. The father who protected her was gone. Her brother Francesco I - busy with his own scandal, loving the infamous Bianca Cappello - turned a blind eye. Or did he?

Some say he gave Paolo permission for the murder. Some say Isabella knew too much, had wrong friends, played dangerous political games. They even whispered about in**st - the ultimate weapon against a woman with too much power.

Paolo Orsini wrote that she "had time to ask forgiveness for her sins."
He didn't mention who really needed forgiveness.

In Florence's archives, a Ferrarese ambassador's letter tells the real story. A silk cord. A Knight of Malta. A husband's revenge.

They tried to hide three deaths under three different stories.
They failed.

Some say it was about honor.
Some say it was about power.
Some say it was about silencing those who knew too much.

09/02/2025

The woman who held his heart now holds his painted head

In 1612 in Florence, a painter turned his heartbreak into a masterpiece. Cristofano Allori didn't just paint Judith with the Head of Holofernes. He painted his own ex*****on.

That severed head she holds so triumphantly? Look closer. Those are Allori's own features, painted with unflinching precision. A self-portrait of the artist, transformed into the slain Assyrian general.

And Judith? Her face belongs to the woman who metaphorically beheaded him: his former lover, Mazzafirra. The woman who held his heart now holds his painted head, adorned in Florence's finest silks, a testament to both the city's wealth and his own extravagant love.

The biblical story tells of a heroic widow who saves her city by seducing and beheading an enemy general. But Allori's version tells a different tale: of love's power to undo us, of beauty's ability to destroy, of art's capacity to transform personal anguish into eternal beauty.

Look at how he painted her. Those luxurious fabrics, rendered with obsessive detail, each fold and shimmer a tribute to Florence's textile artistry. But they're also a reminder of the wealth he lavished on Mazzafirra, the woman who would become his Judith.

The painting became an instant sensation. Perhaps Florence recognized itself in this drama – a city that turned passion into art, pain into beauty, and personal stories into universal myths.

When Allori died in 1621, the painting entered the Medici collections. They thought they were preserving a masterpiece. They were actually preserving a man's heart, broken and beautiful, suspended forever at that moment between love and death.

Today, in Palazzo Pitti, tourists pass by, admiring the technical brilliance, the dramatic composition, the rich colors. But few realize they're looking at something far more intimate: an artist's confession, a lover's lament, a man's beautiful surrender to the woman who conquered him.

In most paintings, we look at the art.
In this one, the art looks back at us.

09/02/2025

𝐈𝐧 𝟏𝟒𝟕𝟔, 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐈𝐧 𝟏𝟒𝟖𝟔, 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝.

In 1476, tuberculosis took a young woman who had become the face of beauty in Florence— She was 22, radiant, and gone too soon. But Sandro Botticelli refused to let her rest in peace.

He barely knew her in life, yet her memory haunted him. For years, he chased her likeness across his canvases, recreating her features from fragments of recollection and longing.
And then, in 1486, he painted The Birth of Venus —and in doing so, he gave her back to the world.

The artist who barely knew her in life spent decades chasing her ghost across his canvases. In "The Birth of Venus," he finally caught it.

She never stood on that shell. She never posed with her hair wrapping around her like sea foam. She was 22, beautiful, and then she was gone.

But Botticelli wouldn't let her stay gone.
This isn't just a painting of Venus. It's a resurrection.

08/02/2025

The Loggia dei Lanzi, originally called the Loggia della Signoria, was built between 1376 and 1382 as an open-air hall for public ceremonies and gatherings during the Republic of Florence.

Designed by Benci di Cione and Simone Talenti , the loggia features three wide arches supported by elegant Corinthian columns, creating a sense of grandeur while maintaining openness to the surrounding Piazza della Signoria.

Its design reflects the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture, showcasing early elements of classical proportion and symmetry.

Today, the Loggia dei Lanzi functions as an outdoor sculpture gallery, housing some of the most celebrated works of art from different periods:

Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini (1545–1554): A masterpiece of Mannerist bronze sculpture depicting the mythological hero Perseus holding Medusa's severed head.

R**e of the Sabine Women by Giambologna (1583): A stunning example of Baroque dynamism, capturing movement and tension in marble.

Hercules and Nessus by Giambologna (1599): Another powerful representation of strength and conflict.

These sculptures were placed here in the late 16th century under the patronage of the Medici family, who sought to display their wealth and artistic taste.

The name "Loggia dei Lanzi" came later, referring to the Lancieri , or Swiss and German mercenary soldiers hired by Cosimo I de' Medici to guard the nearby Palazzo Vecchio. They often rested in the loggia when not on duty.

Over the centuries, the Loggia has been a silent witness to significant historical events, including political upheavals, public ex*****ons, and celebrations marking victories in war.

For instance, it was near this spot that Girolamo Savonarola, the fiery Dominican friar, was executed in 1498 after being convicted of heresy.

08/02/2025

"Why the Florentine Steak Is World-Famous: The King of Meats, the Pride of Tuscany"

Imagine sinking your teeth into a thick, perfectly grilled steak that’s tender on the inside, charred and flavorful on the outside. Now imagine it’s not just any steak—it’s Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the crown jewel of Tuscan cuisine.

But what makes this Florentine classic so iconic? Let’s carve into the story behind its fame.

The Bistecca alla Fiorentina isn’t your average cut of meat. It’s a T-bone or porterhouse steak from the revered Chianina cattle, one of the oldest and most prized breeds in Italy. These cows are raised in the rolling hills of Tuscany, where they graze freely on natural pastures, giving their meat a rich, buttery flavor unmatched by anything else.

Size Matters: A true Fiorentina is massive, often weighing over 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs).

Cooked to Perfection: Grilled over fiery wood or charcoal, seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and olive oil, the steak is seared on the outside and left gloriously rare on the inside—a hallmark of Tuscan simplicity.

Legend has it that the Florentine steak traces its roots back to the Medici family, who ruled Florence during the Renaissance. During festivals and celebrations, they would roast large cuts of meat over open fires, serving them to crowds as a symbol of abundance and generosity.

By the 19th century, the dish became a staple at local festivals like the Festa di San Lorenzo , where steaks were grilled under the stars in Florence’s Piazza Santissima Annunziata. This tradition helped cement the Fiorentina as a cultural icon.

And here’s the kicker: you can’t fake authenticity. To truly call it a Fiorentina, the steak must meet strict criteria—from the breed of cattle to the way it’s cooked. That’s why chefs around the world strive to replicate it, but rarely succeed.

If you ever find yourself in Florence, here’s how to enjoy a Fiorentina like a true Tuscan:

Don’t ask for it well-done—locals will cringe. Rare is the only way to go.
Pair it with a glass of bold Chianti Classico wine.

08/02/2025

"‘And Yet It Moves’: The Defiant Whisper of Galileo Galilei

In the early 1600s, when the Church declared the Earth immovable and central to all creation, Galileo turned his telescope skyward—and saw something extraordinary:

Jupiter had moons: Proof that not everything orbited the Earth.
Venus had phases: Evidence supporting Copernicus’s heliocentric theory.
The Moon wasn’t perfect: Its craters shattered the illusion of celestial perfection.

These findings contradicted centuries of Church doctrine. To say the Earth moved around the Sun? Heresy.

In 1633, Galileo was dragged before the Roman Inquisition, accused of teaching heliocentrism.
The Sentence: Forced to recant publicly, Galileo spent the rest of his life under house arrest.

As he rose from his knees, legend has it, he whispered, “And Yet it Moves"

After his death in 1642, Galileo’s body was placed in a modest grave beneath the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence

It wasn’t until 1737 —nearly a century later—that Galileo finally received the monumental tomb he deserved. Adorned with statues of Astronomy gazing at the stars and Geometry mourning his loss, it stood as a solemn reminder of both his genius and the injustice he endured.

The Church Finally Admits Its Mistake… Sort Of

Fast-forward to 1992 : After nearly 400 years, the Vatican formally acknowledged its error in condemning Galileo. Pope John Paul II admitted that the scientist had been right—but framed the apology as an act of historical context rather than outright accountability.

But no amount of revisionism can erase the truth: Galileo was right, and the Earth moves.

08/02/2025

Maria de’ Medici: The Forgotten Princess of Florence

She was born to power, betrothed to a duke, and immortalized in a stunning portrait by Bronzino—yet Maria de’ Medici’s story ended far too soon.

Daughter of Cosimo I de’ Medici and Eleonora di Toledo, Maria was raised as a true princess, educated in multiple languages and surrounded by the finest tutors of the Florentine court. Destined to marry Alfonso II d’Este, fate had other plans. In 1557, at just 17 years old, she died in Livorno, likely from malaria, before she could ever reach the throne.

Her portrait, painted when she was around seven or eight years old, remains one of Bronzino’s most solemn and elegant works. Dressed in black velvet embroidered with gold, adorned with pearls, she stares out with a gaze both intense and melancholic—almost as if she knew her time would be brief.

Her remains rest in Livorno’s Fortezza Vecchia, but her image lives on, a reminder of the glory and tragedy of the Medici dynasty.

08/02/2025

—Botticelli was an expert in jewelry design. He knew exactly what he was doing.

At first glance, it’s just a piece of jewelry. But this isn’t any ordinary necklace. Renaissance Florence was obsessed with ancient Rome, and cameos of emperors and gods were worn by the most powerful families—
especially the Medici.

Lorenzo de’ Medici collected them like trophies, and his brother Giuliano de’ Medici was known to wear one of Alexander the Great.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Many believe this portrait represents Simonetta Vespucci, Florence’s celebrated beauty and the woman Giuliano openly adored.

If that’s true, why is she wearing a Medici-style cameo? Was Botticelli signaling a deeper connection between Simonetta and the Medici?

Was this portrait commissioned to immortalize a love story—or was it a posthumous tribute, turning her into a goddess of Florence, forever linked to Medici power?

So, is this just a Renaissance fashion statement, or is Botticelli leaving us a silent confession in gold and stone?

06/02/2025

It all started with a fly that wouldn't move

A master returns to his studio. Something catches his eye on his latest masterpiece - a fly.

Annoyed, he swats at it.

The fly doesn't move.

He swats again.

Still there.

What Cimabue didn't know: while he was gone, his teenage apprentice Giotto had painted that fly.

So perfectly real, it fooled the greatest artist of 13th century Italy.

That teenager would grow up to revolutionize Western art, breaking from flat medieval painting to create the depth and realism we know today.

06/02/2025

This is the story of “Acqua della Regina”, The legendary scent created for Catherine by the friars of Santa Maria Novella in Florence.

And this is also the story of how it disappeared forever…

Close your eyes and imagine the year 1533. A young Catherine de’ Medici steps off her gilded carriage in France, ready to marry King Henry II.

But she doesn’t arrive empty-handed. Hidden among her treasures is a secret weapon—a fragrance so intoxicating, so divine, that it would soon captivate an entire kingdom

Catherine de’ Medici didn’t just bring political influence to France—she brought style, sophistication, and scent.

Her personal fragrance, “Acqua della Regina” (Queen’s Water), became her signature. A blend of citrus, florals, and rare spices, it was as bold and unforgettable as the woman who wore it.

Catherine used “Acqua della Regina” to charm allies, intimidate rivals, and leave a lasting impression wherever she went.

It became so popular that French aristocrats began commissioning their own versions, sparking a perfume craze across Europe.

And then… it vanished.

No one knows exactly what happened to the recipe for “Acqua della Regina.” Some say it was lost during the chaos of war or the fall of monarchies.

Others believe it was deliberately hidden by the friars of Santa Maria Novella to protect their sacred craft.

Could the formula still exist, buried in the archives of Florence’s ancient libraries?

Or is it locked away in some forgotten manuscript, waiting to be rediscovered?

One thing is certain: the exact scent of “Acqua della Regina” remains shrouded in mystery.

“Acqua della Regina” isn’t the only fragrance lost to history. Many recipes from Acqua di Santa Maria Novella—and other historic perfumeries—are gone forever.

Ingredients like ambergris, musk, and now-extinct flowers make replication nearly impossible.

But not all hope is lost! Fragrances like Melograno (Pomegranate) have survived intact since the Renaissance, proving that some scents truly are eternal.

Would You Wear a 500-Year-Old Perfume?

04/02/2025

Strolling through the charming streets of Florence, with the magnificent Brunelleschi’s Dome in sight! The Duomo always finds a way to surprise you with its beauty, even from afar. Florence’s magic is in every corner, every alley, and every view.

What’s your favorite perspective of the Duomo?

04/02/2025

How Did Brunelleschi Build the Impossible?

It’s the early 1400s, and Florence has a BIG problem. They’ve started building their grand cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, but no one knows how to complete its massive dome. The challenge?

It’s larger than any dome ever built—143 feet wide and 375 feet high —and they don’t have modern cranes, scaffolding, or even concrete. So, what do they do?

Enter Filippo Brunelleschi, a fiery-tempered genius who changed architecture forever.

How Did He Do It?

1️⃣ No Centering (Wooden Supports):
Most domes of the time required wooden supports to hold them up while being built. But Brunelleschi said, “No way!” Instead, he designed a self-supporting structure using herringbone brick patterns and interlocking stones. This meant the dome could stand on its own as it was built—no scaffolding needed.

2️⃣ Double Shell Design:
To reduce weight and add strength, Brunelleschi created a double-layered dome : an inner shell for structural support and an outer shell for aesthetics. This ingenious design made the dome lighter yet incredibly durable.

3️⃣ Secret Techniques:
Brunelleschi was so protective of his methods that he kept many details secret—even from his workers! For example:

He used ox-powered hoists to lift heavy materials but refused to explain how they worked.
He introduced a unique spiral staircase inside the dome walls for access, which remains a marvel of engineering today.

Fun Facts About the Dome:

It Took 16 Years to Build: From 1420 to 1436, Brunelleschi oversaw every detail of the project.

The Lantern on Top Was His Final Touch: Brunelleschi died before the lantern was completed, but his plans were followed exactly.

You Can Still Climb It Today: Visitors can climb 463 steps through narrow passageways to reach the top for breathtaking views of Florence!

Why Is It Still a Mystery?

Despite centuries of study, some aspects of Brunelleschi’s techniques remain unclear. How did he calculate stress points? Why did he choose certain proportions? Even today, engineers marvel at his ability to solve problems without computers or advanced math.

04/02/2025

Why Botticelli Burned His Own Paintings 🔥

Imagine this: One of the greatest artists in history, Sandro Botticelli , standing before a roaring fire… holding some of his own masterpieces. And then, he throws them into the flames.

This isn’t fiction—it’s one of the most shocking moments in art history.

What Happened?

In the late 1490s, Florence was gripped by religious fervor led by a fiery preacher named Girolamo Savonarola. He condemned worldly pleasures—luxury, wealth, and yes, even art —as sinful distractions from God. In 1497, he organized the infamous Bonfire of the Vanities, where people were encouraged to burn objects deemed immoral or vain. Books, jewelry, cosmetics, and even priceless works of art went up in smoke.

Botticelli, deeply moved by Savonarola’s sermons, reportedly destroyed several of his own paintings. These weren’t just any works—they were likely some of his earlier mythological masterpieces, filled with sensuous figures and pagan themes that clashed with Savonarola’s strict teachings.

We’ll never know exactly which paintings Botticelli burned, but art historians believe they may have included pieces similar to his famous works like Primavera or The Birth of Venus.

Can you imagine? Some of the most iconic images in art history could have been lost forever—all because Botticelli believed he needed to purge himself of “worldly sins.”

Here’s where it gets complicated. After Savonarola’s fall from power (and eventual ex*****on for heresy), Botticelli’s style shifted dramatically.
Gone were the lush, vibrant colors of his early works; instead, his later paintings became darker, more somber, and overtly religious. Was this a sign of regret? Or had he truly transformed?

Indirizzo

Florence
50200

Orario di apertura

Martedì	09:00 - 17:00
Mercoledì	09:00 - 17:00
Giovedì	09:00 - 17:00
Venerdì	09:00 - 17:00
Sabato	09:00 - 17:00
Domenica	09:00 - 17:00

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