Florence Private Walking Tour with Local Guide - Custom Route

4.38

(8 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed stepping out that morning was the smell of fresh bread drifting from the bakery downstairs—Via dei Neri always seems to wake up before the rest of Florence. Our guide, Martina, met us right at our apartment door, waving with a big grin and a folded city map poking out of her tote bag. She asked what we were hoping to see (I mentioned I wanted to find the best gelato in town), then we set off at an easy pace, dodging locals on bikes and the odd delivery van squeezing through narrow lanes.

We skipped the usual tourist shuffle around the Duomo and instead ducked into a tiny alley where Martina pointed out a faded fresco above an old doorway—she said most people miss it unless you know to look up. At Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, she introduced us to Signora Lucia, who’s been selling pecorino cheese there for decades. The market buzzed with chatter and clinking glasses; I tried a slice of cheese so sharp it made my mouth water. Along the way, Martina shared shortcuts for getting around (apparently tram line T2 is a lifesaver during rush hour) and showed us where locals actually go for aperitivo—hint: it’s not on Piazza della Signoria.