How to Take a Walking Tour of Florence

Florence is one of the most picturesque cities in Italy. Nestled in the Tuscan hills along the banks of the Arno River, Firenza is the capital and cultural center of Tuscany. Home to such iconic works of art as Michaelangelo's David and Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Florence is definitely a mecca for art lovers. And since Florence was built before cars, the narrow streets and alleyways are best explored on foot. There's no better way to see Florence than by walking tour.

Things You'll Need

• Guide Book
• City Map
• Camera
• Good Walking Shoes
• Travel Journal

Instructions

Self-Guided Walking Tour

1. Buy a good comprehensive travel guide of Florence. A good guide will have detailed maps of the city and maps of public transportation, which in Florence is limited to buses. It should also have a bit of history about each landmark as well as descriptions of Florence's culture and people.

2. Peruse the guide looking for points of interest that appeal most to you.

3. Make a list of the places you would like to see then find them on the map.

4. Decide how much time you have to spend and plan accordingly. Most walking tours, even when you're setting your own pace, will take at least 2-3 hours so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

5. Highlight each point on your map and plan out the best route to get from A to B to C and so on. Then, find a suitable place to begin your tour. Remember you're on foot so plan tours of sights that are reasonably close together. In Florence many sights are within walking distance of the Duomo, the city's premier cathedral.

6. Read about each location's history in your guide as you walk from point to point.

7. Take pictures of each landmark. Try taking pictures of things from unusual angles and distances to add interest to the photos.

8. Keep a journal of your tour, making notes about each place. Write down your first impressions, what feelings a particular place evoked or what you liked most about something as a way to remember the experience.

9. Repeat the process as many times as you'd like, changing the route and destinations each time.

Professional Guided Tour

1. Research Florence before you go so you know what parts of the city you most want to visit.

2. Find a tour agency that provides walking tours. This is easily done by searching the Web for walking tours. Most agencies offer various tours that cover different parts of the city. Some of the tours have themes as well.

3. Book the tour of your choice. Generally these tours can be booked online, in advance or you can often meet at the starting point and pay on the spot. Most tours are reasonably priced and offer discounts for students and children.

4. Get directions to the starting point of the walking tour and be sure to arrive on time so you don't miss the guide.

5. Take your camera and your travel journal to record your walking tour experience.

Tips & Warnings

• The advantage of a self-guided walking tour is that you get to set the pace and choose the specific destinations. You don't have to wait for a group so if you find a particular location interesting you can spend as much time as you'd like and can move on quickly from the spots that are less appealing to you. If you like exploring on your own, a self-guided tour is the best choice.

• The advantage of a professionally guided walking tour is the expertise of the guide. Not only does the guide know the city well, so you won't get lost, they also know the history. If you're a history buff and love listening to stories from by gone eras, a professionally guided tour is the best choice.

• Some travel guides are available online and provide suggestions for walking tours that are already mapped out for you. They also give background information on each landmark you visit. This is a good way to do your own walking tour without the cost of hiring a tour guide but with the same expertise.

• Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Be sure to see the work of many of the most famous painters and sculptors of the day.

• Florentine architecture is another benchmark of the Italian Renaissance, so be sure to include as much of it as you can in your walking tour.