Chiara Florence Tours

FAQ

1) What is a “private tour”?

Private tours are walking tours, personalized with one of our guides to your party alone. They are programmed according to your needs at a flat rate. What is a “shared tour for small groups”? The tour is shared with other travelers and the price is per person. The group ranges from 2 to 8/10 people maximum.

 

2) Can I easily walk to the different meeting points of the city?

The best way to visit Florence walk. The old town is flat, although the streets are paved with stones of various sizes. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes to walk more smoothly and also explore the small alleys and small squares of the city. The points of interest (museums, churches, palaces) are all within walking distance of each other. If you need to cross the city quickly, you can find taxis parked in the main squares and streets of the center.

 

3) Where can I park my car if I come from out of town?

The nearest car park to the Old Town is below the main train station Santa Maria Novella. Rates per hour are about 3.00 euros; for the day are about 18.00 euros. From the car park you can walk to the Cathedral in 15 minutes. Otherwise, near the area of Santa Croce, there is the parking lot of St. Amborogio; 10-minute walk to the Basilica and St. Cross Square. Hourly cost about 2.00 euro.

 

4) Where can I store my luggage?

In the main train station, Santa Maria Novella, there is a very convenient storage office. It is open daily from 6a.00 to 22.00 and the rates are quite reasonable. The office is located along track 16, just in front of the pharmacy. In the city there are other luggage depots scattered throughout the old town.

 

5) When do restaurants open?

Restaurants will be open for lunch from 12pm/12.30pm to 2pm/2.30pm. Dinner is between 7pm and 10pm. Most restaurants have a day off (usually Sunday or Monday). Reservations are recommended in advance. I can point to some typical Florentine and Tuscan restaurants where you will get a discount by buying a tour.

 

6) When should the tip should be left?

Tips are not mandatory, but it is nevertheless a sign of appreciation for good service received. I recommend 8-10% of the bill; directly in the hands of the operator.

 

7) Where can I do my shopping?

Florence is renowned for its elegant boutiques and artisan shops. The trendy shops are mostly concentrated in Via Tornabuoni, Via della Vigna Nuova and Via Strozzi. The artisan shops are located in the District Of San Frediano: Borgo San Frediano, Santo Spirito, Borgo San Iacopo. Santa Croce neighborhood offers you the widest selection of leather goods: jackets, bags, gloves, bags. In the district of Sant'Ambrogio there is the local market: open Monday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

8) Where can I go for a day trip from Florence?

You can easily get to Rome by high-speed Eurostar train: it only takes 1.5 hours! I also suggest Pisa, Lucca, Siena and San Gimignano.

 

9) Can I combine multiple tours together?

Of course, it's possible! Remember, however, that it requires you to be busy for the whole day and you will walk for about 4 hours. I suggest combining the walk with a museum, or two museums. For example: Academy Gallery (David of Michelangelo) with Uffizi or Palazzo Pitti (painted museums), or Bargello (sculpture museum). Uffizi and Academy Tours are in high demand; check it out among the “Unmissable” tours!

 

10) Do I need to book museums?

Reservations for the different museums can be made by you but they will be paid by you directly to the museum when you purchase the ticket. Payment can be made in cash or credit card.

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