Florence may be Italy’s sun-dappled Cradle of the Renaissance, but there’s more to the city than ancient architecture and renowned museums. Your local host will lead you off the tourist trail to visit secret spots your guidebook doesn’t even know about. Michelangelo’s David may be a must-see, but did you think to explore the impressive Laurentian Library, his least-visited architectural work? Ask your host for recommendations at a cozy wine bar, then hear local legends of wine turning into blood at Cosimo Rosselli Chapel of the Sacrament. Peek behind the curtain into modern Florentine life at antique markets, and when your feet need a rest, head to charming hidden haunt Caffé Verrone – a cafe on a terrace that was once used to hang laundry.

Central Florence’s historic cobbled streets might be a hive of activity, but taking a road (or two) less traveled creates an entirely new perspective on the city. With your local host to lead you, you’ll explore Florence’s most historically significant central districts north of the Arno River. These districts, surrounding the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, form the heart of the historical city center with one of the highest concentrations of art per square foot on the whole planet. But with a local insider sharing Florence’s best-kept secrets, you’ll explore this district’s quieter streets, free from foot traffic – like Via Taddea, a residential street that leads to the birthplace of Carlo Lorenzini, the author of Pinocchio!