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Thanks to the guided tours with me you will be able to enjoy the masterpieces that Florence offers, art paradise and cradle of the Renaissance. In these 10 tours we will understand what Florentine vibe means and we will discover the soul of such an old and full of history city.
We will get to know an alternative and unusual side of Florence, we will walk through its little narrow streets, we will take guided tours in the palaces where Medici family lived and worked and in the most important religious places of Florence. We will find out who Michelangelo Buonarroti was, genius of the Renaissance, and see his incredible art works.
We will discover the fashionable Florence visiting the most exclusive and luxurious shops, we will learn about Tuscan craftsmanship attending artisan workshops and we will live unique shopping experiences into the world of artisan perfumes or handcrafted jewelry.
Florence itineraries are suitable for families with children, small groups and couples and can be totally customized according to your interests.
Visiting Florence with a tour guide means living unforgettable experiences and fully getting in touch with the city. I have selected for you the best exclusive experiences to do with your partner or with your family as a hot air balloon ride in Tuscany or a cooking lesson in a Renaissance villa in Florence. If you are looking for alternative experiences to do in Tuscany, you can book a carriage ride or come with me to discover the unusual Florence.
You will enjoy exclusive wine tastings in the Chianti area, discover what it means to go truffle hunting in San Miniato and you will be able to taste artisanal gelato that you have made with your children. Without forgetting that there are many other artistic and cultural experiences that the city offers to its visitors: you can choose between guided tours to Florence museums, to the famous gardens and to the most important basilicas and churches, such as the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
I am Martina Guadagno, official tour guide of Florence in Italian, English and Chinese languages and graduated in International Relations and Asian Studies.
Why choose to visit Florence with a local tour guide like me?
Thanks to my many travels and experiences abroad, I have developed a strong empathy towards others and a great ability to relate to foreign cultures. I have always loved to surround myself with people and share stories and ideas and these are some of the reasons why I have decided to become a tour guide.
Furthermore, being accompanied by a local guide is a way to establish a more authentic contact with the city and see it through the eyes of those who live there and know it thoroughly.
For your trip to Florence, I have personally created tours and experiences that are perfect for families with children, but also suitable for couples and small groups, considering both the most common and particular requests of the visitors. Many exclusive itineraries and full of history, art and tradition experiences to discover together the beauties and secrets of Florence and make you live an unforgettable trip.
Besides being a tour guide in Florence, I also work as a Personal Shopper. As an image consultant I have created exclusive shopping experiences in Florence dedicated to those who want to refine or change their look.
I will accompany you to the most beautiful luxury shops in Florence, in search of unique items and made in Italy products.
Together we will visit interesting fashion museums and discover small artisan shops that still preserve the authentic tradition of Florence craftsmanship.
In Florence What Else Shop you will find the best typical products of Tuscan craftsmanship and Florentine gastronomy, carefully selected by me and shipped to you directly by the craftsman producer. You will be able to buy Florentine leather goods, artisanal jewelry, bookbinding items, handmade ceramics and crystals and tasty food products to bring the traditions and flavors of Tuscany to every part of the world.
In this short travel guide I have tried to include everything you need to know to get a first introduction on Florence, its unmissable stops and also some “hidden” and less touristy locations, as well as all the useful information to organize your travel and my travel guide tips.
Before organizing your trip to Florence, discover here the curiosities of such a full of history and charm city, cradle of the Renaissance and home of good food.
On this blog you will find many tips I have collected over many years as a Florence tourist guide; articles that will make you discover Florence hidden gems and make your mouth water even before visiting my beautiful city!
Easter is approaching and in this article you will find interesting ideas and tips on how to organize your Easter holidays in Florence. Guided artistic tours, food and wine tours, naturalistic itineraries but also exhibitions and typical Florentine customs.
Let's discover together a historic Florentine artisan shop specialized in bookbinding and handmade paper decoration and let’s visit their laboratory in the heart of Florence. A Florence artisans tour, known all over the world for their unique and high quality products. Florence artisans tour, known all over the world for their unique and high quality products.
Let's discover together the magical world of Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy, the oldest pharmacy in Europe. Perfumes, creams, oils, liqueurs and many other products still made following the ancient techniques of the Dominican friars in a unique and suggestive location.
Let's discover the Val d’Orcia: a guided tour in Tuscany dedicated to breathtaking landscapes, delicious food and wines and enchanting small town. Among the the many places you can visit in this region you cannot miss a day trip to Pienza, famous for being considered the perfect city of the Renaissance but also, and not least, for its delicious pecorino.
Did you know that Halloween was first born in Europe and then exported to the United States? That the custom of carving pumpkins actually has Florentine origins? And that Florence is still haunted by ghosts? Discover here curious anecdotes and scary Florentine legends related to Halloween in Florence or participate in a fun guided tour of unusual Florence.
When it comes to Italy and especially Tuscany, you immediately think about a delicious charcuterie with prosciutto, salami and delicious cheeses accompanied by honey and mustards and a glass of local wine. Among the most popular Italian cheeses there is certainly Tuscan Pecorino, a delicious sheep's cheese that can be enjoyed fresh or aged. Find out in this article all the secrets on how Pecorino cheese is born and made.
Among Tuscany craft traditions there is certainly the art of creating and decorating ceramics. Discover with me the story of an important Tuscan family specialized in this ancient craft and admire their entirely hand-decorated porcelain with original motifs but at the same time linked to the territory and local tradition.
There are so many things to do in Tuscany and among all you can’t miss a visit to the medieval town of Anghiari. It was the scene of an important battle between Florence and Milan, also represented in a fresco by Leonardo da Vinci, and today it shows itself as a precious medieval jewel, perfect for a day trip from Florence and for those looking for Tuscany off the beaten paths.
If you want to spend your holidays in Tuscany or if you are looking for a day trip from Florence in the name of nature and good food, I will take you with me to visit a splendid organic farm in Chianti. You can participate in a guided tour of the farm, discover the techniques of Chianti wine production, taste typical local products and / or enjoy a few days of relaxation in a comfortable apartment surrounded by the green Tuscan hills and with a panoramic swimming pool.
Did you know that in Tuscany there is a small medieval town famous for crystal production? Come and visit with me local craftsmen workshops and discover the ancient techniques of crystal engraving and decoration.
On this day trip close to Florence, we will discover together one of Tuscany hidden gems: Colle Val d’Elsa. It is considered one of the best medieval towns in Tuscany, famous for its house-towers, medieval atmosphere and crystal-producing craftsmen, who have helped it earn the name of Bohemia of Italy.
A guided tour through the streets of a charming Tuscany medieval town, Certaldo, perfect choice for a day trip close to Florence, where time seems to have stopped to the Middle Ages and where you can breathe a magical and full of tradition atmosphere. Discover with me its history, customs and typical foods, including the famous Certaldo onion gelato!
Did you know that in Florence there are hidden tiny doors that have more than 400 years of history and that some of these have recently been reused to avoid contagion from Covid? They are called Wine Windows, small openings present on many noble palaces, once used for selling wine flasks and today reopened by some business owners. Come and discover them with me!
Hello my dear Explorers, how are you? Today I want to tell you a story but before I have a question to ask. Have you ever cooked or eaten something and then asked yourself where it comes from and why it is typical of your culinary culture? These are questions that I ask myself very […]
An incredible view of Florence from above: come and take a flight in a hot air balloon Hello dear explorers, if you love nature and out of the ordinary experiences, I know exactly what to offer you during your tour in Tuscany: a flight in a hot air balloon. I live in […]
Nature and history coexist in the Tuscan countryside: a peek into the Chianti area, a few kilometers from Florence.
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino is one of the historical customs deeply felt by the citizens On 24 June here in Florence is an important day because it’s Saint Joan the Baptist day, patron saint of our city. Starting from Middle Ages, celebrations were organized in his honor and his image was even engraved on […]
Discovering tradition in Mugello: the virtual tour of Scarperia and the cutler artisans Hello my dear explorers, how are you? Today I am presenting the first chapter of Florence What Else on the Road. Finally after this long quarantine I was able to start exploring Tuscany again and its most hidden places in order […]
The days of quarantine make me have a finger in a pie… literally! Let’s learn how fresh homemade pasta is made Hello Dear Explorers, how are you? The quarantine continues and we must arm ourselves with good will and patience so that time at home passes quickly and pleasantly, as far as possible. What […]
As tasty as it is, did you know that Tuscan bread is without salt? Hello dear explorers, how are you? This quarantine is helping me become a great cook and among the various dishes that I have cooked in the past few weeks weeks, could not miss homemade bread. Such a simple […]
Trekking on the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines and, as a reward, the discovery of typical Tuscan flavors and products Good Morning Dear Explorers, how are you? Today I want to tell you about my week end that was a little different from the usual and full of adventure: an hiking on Tuscan-Romagnol Apennines. Here is a […]
In my column on Tuscan food and wine, today we talk about florentine schiacciata: the recipe and the story of one of my favorite foods.
Hi Dear Explorers, how are you? Today I have great news to tell you. Italy is ready to start again!! Since yesterday people have gone back to work and we now have the opportunity to leave our homes also for personal reasons, without having to be confined in our place of residence and with the […]
I’ll tell you about my weekend of exploration around Tuscany at the Elsa River Park Summer in Florence can be quite difficult to manage due to the high temperatures and the chaos of the historic center but Tuscany Region offers us so many other options that you are spoiled for choice. That’s why […]
Find out what are the various steps to produce a quality and super tasty Tuscan extra virgin olive oil Hello Dear Explorers, It’s already November!! We are in the middle of autumn and this is a special month for me and for all Italian food lovers because it’s the moment in which we dedicate […]
In an oil mill, in the Tuscan hills, to learn the various production processes of quality extra virgin olive oil Hello dear explorers and food lovers, last week I took you on a virtual tour of my friend Duccio and his family’s olive grove and in my last video I showed you how olives […]
An original and off the beaten path itinerary, perfect for nature, history and esoteric symbols lovers. This tour will lead you through a private and exclusive garden in the historic center of Florence belonging to an ancient Tuscan family that still owns it. You will be guided by one of the family members, the Marquis Torrigiani, who will tell you curious and unknown anecdotes about his ancestors and the garden mysteries.
Some suggestions for making truly original and quality Christmas gifts and for leading a little bit of Tuscany to the world Hello Dear Explorers, we are almost there!!! The countdown for Christmas has already begun and now the question is: which presents do we give to our loved ones? In this post I will […]
How do I make an Italian aperitif? Hello dear explorers, how are you? The coronavirus has completely turned our lives upside down and the quarantine here in Italy has been going on for 3 weeks already. Have you ever imagined to live a moment in which everything we have always done naturally would have […]
Hello explorer friends, in this difficult moment for Italy and for the world because of Coronavirus we have been forced to stop and think about our life, our work and future projects that now seem so far and unreachable. I feel a little lost myself every now and then because I know that before I […]
Let’s taste traditional Tuscan biscuits at the Cantuccio Museum Good morning dear explorers, Today I’m going to talk about biscotti and a special place where you can taste them!! Is there anyone who doesn’t like cookies? As you can see I love them! You may already know that traditional Tuscan biscuits are […]
Discovering Florentine craftsmanship in a goldsmith’s shop where you can create a bespoke jewel! Good Morning Explorers, today I want to share my recent discovery with you. It will soon be the birthday of a dear friend of mine and I wanted to give her as a present something unique and super original. We […]
Discovering the village of San Casciano in Val di Pesa Hello dear explorers, The sky is a bit gray, so I have decided to make my look more colorful for my day of exploration with red lipstick and a nice necklace, I start driving my bright red car and leave. Direction: San Casciano in […]
Discovering one of the most famous and particular master perfumers in Florence: Sileno Cheloni Do you ever associate a perfume with a specific moment of your life or with a particular emotion? It happens to me very often and it is a very special feeling that I can hardly explain. There is a very […]
Celebrate love in an original and unique way: by creating a personalized couple perfume in Sileno Cheloni’s workshop in Florence Hello my dear explorer friends, Today my nose smelled something really interesting and I was looking forward to finding some time to tell you about it. Do you remember when I told […]
Discovering Extra Virgo by Alex Postiglione, a super chic lifestyle brand with the use of cannabis and 100% organic olive oil Today I have decided to tell you about a special shop that recently opened in Florence but that offers amazing products that I really want to include in my Shopping Tours. It is […]
You cannot missing a food and wine tour. Come with me to the Castle of Albola! Once you have done the classic tour of Renaissance museums and churches of the historical center, the thing that they surely can’t miss during a trip to Tuscany is a food and wine tour. All the Italians and […]
Discovering Monnaluna, a Florentine brand of high jewelery born from the talent of Giovanna Flavia Bruno Good morning Everyone!! Today I have decided to talk to you about fashion. Yes … sometimes I have to put aside my love for food and dedicate myself to this other passion of mine, which I love almost […]
