A Passionate and Exceptional Guide Simonida made our visit to Florence truly unforgettable. Her knowledge of the city’s history, Renaissance art, architecture, and world-famous masterpieces is extraordinary, but what sets her apart is the passion with which she shares it. As she spoke about Florence’s great artists and their works, you could see how deeply she loves this remarkable city. She brought every painting, sculpture, and monument to life with fascinating stories and insights, and our family walked away having learned countless fun, interesting, and memorable facts. She also has a wonderful personality—warm, engaging, patient, and incredibly generous. One of the sweetest surprises was when she treated us to gelato from her favorite local shop, a thoughtful gesture that made us feel more like friends than tourists. If you’re looking for a guide who will make Florence’s history, art, and culture come alive, Simonida is simply outstanding. We give her our highest recommendation and would gladly tour with her again.
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Private tour in Florence Simonida M
Academy tour and and places of the Medici
5.0
(4) reviews
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2 hours
30 minutes
1
Tour date
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2 hours
30 minutes
1
Simonida M.
4.9
Guide rating
96
Reviews
Tours delivered
5 hrs
Avg. response time
Hello everyone and thank you for visiting my profile on ToursbyLocals! My name is Simonida. I'm living in Florence for 20 years. I have degrees at the Conservatory of music and Art history. I'm a professional opera singer, teacher of music and became a fully licensed tourist guide 7 years ago. I want to share with people the beauty of Tuscany and Florence. Florence is rich with culture events like famous festival Maggio musicale fiorentino, Florentine summer festival, concerts in the city museums and other events. Tuscany is the birth land of Giacomo Puccini. In his beloved small village "Torre del Lago" each summer is Puccini's opera festival where you can enjoy the most famous titles of his operas. I would like to show you this music life of Florence and Tuscany together with beautiful museums of Academia and Uffizi gallery. If you would like to admire Florence from on high, I would be glad to show you the most interesting and beautiful city's hotel rooftop terraces. After visiting museums and historical centre, we can cool down in the light summer wind and sip a cocktail over aperitivo, or just relax in front of some of the best panoramic views over the town. I propose myself to organize the private short excursions in Chianti with vine tasting and let you discover the most breathtaking Tuscany landscape. Welcome in Tuscany, the land of Art and Wine and in one of the most romantic city of the world, Florence Master in Conservatory of music in Florence: opera singing,chamber music; degree in art history Florence University. Master in italian language, Bologna - University. I don't have my own van,must rent it for the group of more then three persons.. I have my vehicle which is comfortable for two - three persons.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Simonida M.
Museum of Academy, David, and Medici's palace - Walking Tour
Overview of your Florence tour
Itinerary starts close to Santa Maria train station, in the square in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, on the side of the L.B. Alberti façade. From here, the Medici neighborhood is not far and just 800m from here there are: Duomo, Baptistery, Bell Tower . The tour will be centered in the Medici district: Medici Chapels , Basilica San Lorenzo and Palazzo Medici (external). They bear witness to the history of the family that ruled Florence for 300 years. In the museum of Accademia you will see the fascinating masterpieces of the renaissance art including : Masaccio, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio. The absolute masterpiece David of Michelangelo, as the most striking artwork. After the Accademia Museum, we'll take a light stroll towards the Ponte Vecchio, seeing the Piazza Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Museum from the outside, and finally the Ponte Vecchio.
Recent Reviews
We did a tour of the Brancacci Chapel and Santa Maria Novella with Simonida. Simonida was an excellent tour guide - very knowledgeable, friendly and spoke excellent English. I would highly recommend Simonida to anyone wanting a tour guide in Florence. Many thanks Simonida!
Simonida was excellent. She was very knowledgeable, spoke perfect English and she made our tour very enjoyable. I would highly recommend her !!
Simonida was a perfect tour guide: very knowledgeable and accommodating. I'd recommend any of her tours to anyone!
Your Florence tour itinerary
Place 1 - meeting either at your hotel if nearby Place 2 - San Lorenzo church, Medici's Palace and Chappell - only exteriors Place 3 - Accademia Gallery. It has several departments. We will see three. - The tour includes the introductuion of the figurative art ( paintings) of the 15th ct - The Michelangelo section. The absolute masterpiece David of Michelangelo, as the most striking artwork will be the final revelation. The Prisoners and the Pietà Barberini. - The department of music instruments of the Academy contains portraits and stories of the musicians like: Jacopo Peri, Ottavio Rinuccini, Vicenzo Galilei, Giulio Caccini. Among the musical instruments we'll admire original Stradivari's violin and viola and the first piano made by Bartolomeo Cristofori. - Piazza Duomo with its beautiful Cathedral, Baptistery and Giotto's Bell Tower - Piazza della Signoria - Museum Uffizi - Ponte Vecchio
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Transport details
Type: Walking
This is a walking tour
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What's not included
Meeting location
Firenze, Toscana, Italy
In front of the church Santa Maria Novella Central Station Your hotel
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
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Italian
EnglishActivity level
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2 hours
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2 hours
30 minutes
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