jpie

Friends are going to Florence in mid-July. Has anyone used a private guide that they love there?

I did find a site that looks interesting maybe for finding guides called Our Explorer:
http://www.ourexplorer.com

Has anyone happened to have run across this as a resource for hiring private guides in Europe?

Thanks in advance!

Jean

If your friends are staying at a hotel in Florence, I would ask there for recommendations of private guides. It would be helpful if your friends could identify what they'd like to focus on in a tour so that the hotel can make the right suggestions. Are your friends interested in a general overview? Architecture? Art and the Renaissance? Particular artists? Local crafts and shopping?

jpie

Hi Jean-thanks, I will suggest that. They are 2 friends traveling together, both experienced older travelers-very young at heart. Both are artistic-one is an architect, and the other a retired graphic designer art director. And both are foodies-although only 1 drinks, so not sure how interested in wine tours for example. I am guessing probably mostly they are interested in a guide for architecture and art related. I will ask and refine my post

jpie

So I talked with my friend today and he said they are looking for a private guide that can actually drive them around Florence to show them the architectural sites and acquaint them with the city when they first arrive. He also mentioned that he had heard that sometimes the guides can help them get into museums with passes to enable them to skip lines etc. Has anyone had any experience with a guide like this in Florence and anyone they might recommend? I have found some guides listed on tripadvisor but thought I would check in again here.

kfusto

There are many threads on this subject - use the Search feature and you will get many suggestions.

As for a guide to "actually drive them around Florence to show them the architectural sites and acquaint them with the city when they first arrive" - well, Florence is compact and very walkable and best discovered on foot. IMO a car would be a hindrance and a driver very much overkill. A good walking tour if they prefer a guide would be preferable for the historic center.

jpie

Thanks kfusto. After doing a search here-these are seem to be the top choices. I am putting them here so it might be useful to others looking for them all in one place If there are more that other folks want to add, feel free....

Tourist Board in Florence
This is from the tourist board in Florence about guides

http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/info...and-tours.html

Bellavitaitalia

This leisurely half-day walking tour of Florence will provide you with interesting facts and stories as well as help you get your bearings of one of the world’s most famous and visited cities. The tour includes the obvious stops (Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signora, San Lorenzo Flea Market, Santa Croce and Ponte Vecchio) along with some surprises, “treats” and fun along the way. Approximately 4-5 hours.

Megan McCaffrey [[email protected]]

http://bellavitaitalia.com/trip.html

Context Tours

This looks interesting-more in-depth art and history kind of tour
http://www.contexttravel.com/

Comment from Fodors: ” I would second Context Travel in Rome. I took one of their ancient Rome tours a couple years back, and loved it!”

“I too cast a vote for Context-we used them for 4 tours in Rome(that includes Pompeii) & 2 in Florence. The level of education, experience & expertise of the docents was excellent(sorry for the alliteration) & they will try to speak to your level of interest.”

Luca at Hills & Roads
This guy does a private car tour
http://www.hillsandroads.com/

Walks Inside Florence

http://www.walksinsideflorence.it/
recommended by Rick Steves

kfusto

"Luca at Hills & Roads
This guy does a private car tour"

Luca is excellent! We have hired him on at least 5 occasions for day trips to the wineries in the countryside.

Flame123

Another resounding vote for Luca!!

kybourbon

I plan to do the Graffiti of Florence tour on my next visit to Florence(artistic graffiti from the 1400's and later).
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/in-f...-graffita.html

Other tours they may like are the Craftsman of the Oltarno.
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/in-f...doltrarno.html

And the Florence Upsidedown tour.
UP routes are designed to find out more about Italy’s great renaissance architects.
DOWN routes take place mainly under today’s road level and explore Florence in Roman and medieval times with a series of archaeological sites under Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria.
The tours end at the Caffetteria delle Oblate, with a cocktail, a series of lectures on architecture held by lecturers and experts from Florence University’s architecture department and dinner.

http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/in-f...psidedown.html

Florence historical center is very compact and is easy to do your own walking tour.

jpie

Thanks ky-I will pass those along