If anywhere in the world can claim to have shaped modern Western consciousness, it is Florence’s grand piazzas and palazzos. With 48 hours in Florence, you will spend your time taking in the highlights whilst escaping the crowds for experiences most people do not think possible.
But first, stop for some gelato tasting. With your guide learn how gelato was invented, see how it is made on the premises of a gelato parlour, and naturally, lots of flavours will be tasted and compared. Next, an exclusive visit to a perfume Atelier including a behind-the-scenes tour of some artisanal products. Your visit will end with some fragrance tasting, a sensorial journey into the world of rare essences and perfumes, learning techniques that will refine your olfactory perception and enhance your appreciation for the products of artistic and traditional Florentine perfumery.
The following day, discover the history and artistic heritage of Florence’s Gothic masterpiece on a private tour of Santa Croce Basilica. Wander the cloisters and chapels, admiring original frescoes by Donatello and Giotto, and see the ornate tombs of Italian luminaries like Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. Trace the roots of the famous Florentine leather industry on a tour of the church’s leather workshop, founded in the 13th century by Franciscan friars.