ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1148

port of Livorno, and more—see their website for details (ask about Rick Steves discount
for any tour, Paola's mobile [phone], www.walksinsideflorence.com ,
[e-mail] ).

Florentia
Top-notch private walking tours—geared for thoughtful, well-heeled travelers with longer-
than-average attention spans—are led by Florentine scholars. The tours range from intro-
ductory city walks and museum visits to in-depth thematic walks, such as the Oltrarno
neighborhood, Jewish Florence, and family-oriented tours (tours start at €250, includes per-
sonal assistance by email as you plan your trip, reserve in advance, www.florentia.org ,
[e-mail] ).

Context Florence
Thisscholarlygroupofgraduatestudentsandprofessorsleads“walkingseminars,”suchasa
3.5-hour study of Michelangelo's work and influence (€75/person, plus museum admission)
and a two-hour evening orientation stroll (€40/person). I enjoyed the fascinating three-hour
frescoworkshop(€75/personplusmaterials,youtakehomeafrescoyoumakeyourself).See
their website for other innovative offerings: Medici walk, lecture series, food walks, kids'
tours, andprograms inVenice, Rome, Naples, London,andParis (tel. [phone],UStel.
215/609-4888 or 800-691-6036, www.contexttravel.com , [e-mail] ) .

Florence at a Glance

▲▲▲ ▲▲▲ Accademia Michelangelo's David and powerful (unfinished) Prisoners .

Reserve ahead or get a Firenze Card. Hours: Tue-Sun 8:15-18:50, closed Mon. See
here .

▲▲▲ ▲▲▲ Duomo Museum Underrated cathedral museum with sculptures. Hours:

Mon-Sat 9:00-19:30, Sun 9:00-13:40. See here .

▲▲▲ ▲▲▲ Bargello Underappreciated sculpture museum (Michelangelo, Donatello,

Medici treasures). Hours: Tue-Sat 8:15-13:50, until 16:50 during special exhibits
(typically April-Oct); also open first, third, and fifth Mon and second and fourth Sun
of each month. See here .

▲▲▲ ▲▲▲ Uffizi Gallery Greatest collection of Italian paintings anywhere. Reserve well

in advance or get a Firenze Card. Hours: Tue-Sun 8:15-18:35, closed Mon. See here .