For an Italian experience that is filled with breathtaking art, architecture and history, visit Florence. The beating heart of Tuscany feels like a city set in time, centuries ago! Florence, known as Firenze in Italian, was the birthplace of the Renaissance. Today, the city is filled with 16th and 17th-century architecture, iconic landmarks such as the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio and world-famous art galleries.
Simply put, Florence is an incredible city to explore! Our local guide in Florence, Tiziana Bacchioni, is the perfect person to help you discover the Tuscan capital. 
Following two years of travel restrictions due to Covid-19, we are finally able to bring international travellers back to Italy, and Florence is one of Expat Explore’s most exciting Italian stops! Tiziana has been working with Expat Explore since 2009 and fully captures the spirit of Florence! Ahead of the first Expat Explore tours visiting Florence this month, Tiziana sat down to answer a few questions. She gives us a preview of what to expect on her tours and insight into what makes Florence so captivating!
Q&A: Looking forward to exploring Florence again
Q: How does it feel to be guiding tour groups from around the world after nearly two years of Covid-19 restrictions?
A: The sharing of different cultures is probably the thing that has been missing the most in this long period, at least for me. Our tourism, when it resumed, was mostly individual or with small family groups, mainly Italians and Europeans from neighbouring countries. All very pleasant. However, being able to meet again, with groups like Expat Explore that are filled with people from around the world, will be very exciting and even more enriching!
We used to consider the world easily reachable and then this world suddenly shrunk. It is important and, I hope, useful for all of us to re-evaluate the places where we were born and raised, and which we often underestimate! I hope this will make us start looking at the world and the different countries we visit, with new eyes. I trust we’ll have even more things to share with each other now!
Q: What was your experience of life in lockdown like?
To be honest, living near Florence and, therefore, so close to the countryside was a real gift for me. I finally had the opportunity to take a course for environmental guides (hiking guides) and to discover our region at its best. I enjoyed taking long walks in different areas; from the sea to the mountains. Tuscany is truly a beautiful region and very rich in different landscapes and environments.
We have been missing work for many months. Since last June tourism has started again in Florence, especially with Italian and French visitors. So my overall experience was less heavy than for many other people in a different condition or context. However, I always try to get something positive, even from a negative situation, and I am pretty sure that many people tried to do the same this time.
Q: Why are you passionate about guiding tour groups around Florence?
A: Personally, I love history very much because thanks to it we can better understand our present. Our life is based on what happened before us and it is a privilege to be aware of the reasons why we are what we are. I am very curious and I like to share what I know and discover, as I keep finding something new even about things I think I know very well. It’s great to see that this interest and enthusiasm is well received by visitors or that it can “ignite” their own curiosity.
I love art as a human expression and Florence is so rich in works of art, great artists and spectacular views. Simply walking through it is an unforgettable experience, especially for photography enthusiasts!
Moreover – next to art and history, but perhaps also thanks to them – Florence (and Tuscany) is known worldwide for its cuisine, wines, olive oil and, last but not least, its products of craftsmanship.
There are so many topics in Florence that it would be really difficult not to get passionate!
Q: Can you provide a brief overview of what our travellers can expect from your tour of Florence in 2022?
A: I will try to condense in a few words a path that spans many centuries… Normally, the presentation of the most important places in our city takes place in about an hour and a half. This gives visitors some free time to enjoy the city centre on their own.
We will talk about the ancient Romans and the time in which Florence was founded. The most important themes will concern the Middle Ages – when Florence became one of the most important and crowded ‘metropolises’ in the world – and the time of the ‘Renaissance’ which – with the great Florentine geniuses of the time, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello and many others – marks an important development of our culture.
We will certainly talk about the Medici family; the dominant dynasty in Florence for many centuries, with its disputes, ambitions, crimes and loves.
Starting from the northern part of the city centre we will cross the monumental religious centre of Florence with the Cathedral Church. Next up, we will arrive near the banks of the Arno River. Here, the political heart of the city is still located on the scenic and absolutely unforgettable mediaeval Piazza della Signoria.
Then… Did you know that in Florence we had lions? You will find out once you get there!
Q: What are a few highlights of Florence that travellers must see?
A: The must-see things in the city are certainly the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Florence Cathedral) with its imposing marble and majestic Renaissance Dome; the narrow alleys of the mediaeval quarter between the religious and the political areas; the spectacular Piazza della Signoria with its imposing Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) and the view of the Ponte Vecchio, the mediaeval ‘Old Bridge’ connecting the two banks of our river.
If you have some time left, why not visit one of our markets of leather products and souvenirs?
Related: Take a look at our guide to the top things to do in Florence.
Q: Can you share a few “off-the-beaten-track” destinations or experiences for travellers to visit in Florence?
A: Off the beaten track in Florence means almost anything that is a little off the main central streets. There are some ‘jewels’ in the city centre such as ancient streets with mediaeval tower houses, churches, palaces or simple glimpses of the city streets or surrounding landscapes. Discover these by wandering along the side alleys.
If you want to know more, do the same on the southern bank of the river. Cross the Ponte Vecchio and wander around the area between Palazzo Pitti (the last residence of the Medici family) and Piazza Santo Spirito. This is a more ‘popular’ neighbourhood, more relaxing, full of restaurants and bars.
If you have more time, don’t forget the surrounding countryside which is actually at the gates of the city! Enjoy it from the banks of the river, thanks to the hills that literally “crown” Florence in almost all directions. A short walk to the nearest hills or to the panoramic terrace of the Piazzale Michelangelo will explain better than any word why Florence is known and loved all over the world.
Q: Finally, why do you believe people should travel to Europe in 2022?
A: I really think people should travel all over the world. For sure our dear “Old Europe” is one of the “musts” for this discovery and knowledge. I don’t want to give any preference to one territory over another, but sooner or later Europe should be visited! Visit for all the reasons I mentioned above, especially for those coming from completely different countries.
I will do the same in the opposite direction as soon as I can because we need to get to know each other better. And travelling is a gift for our soul and our mind!
The fact may be that many European countries appear to be quite safe and well organised now, even in regards to the recent pandemic. So why not ..?! 🙂
Related: Get to know more about Tiziana and her experience guiding Expat Explore tour groups in Florence.
Are you ready to experience la dolce vita in Florence with Tiziana? Visit this beautiful city on one of Expat Explore’s exciting Italy tours or multi-country Europe tours. We are thrilled to be getting back on the road to make travel possible once again!