What Our Client Says
Nearly three decades of private tours across Italy — told not by us, but by the travelers who lived them. Real stories, real guides, real Italy.
Francesco was an excellent guide, knowledgeable, friendly and engaging, Our three hour tour of Florence was a great overview and start to our week long stay, Thank you!
★★★★★ by Naomi M.
Excellent! Outstanding! Worth every penny. Our guide maneuvered us expertly through the museum, ensuring that we saw the highlights, as well as explaining the nuances and historical significance of each piece.
★★★★★ by Jennifer K.
My family really appreciated Simone. He was extremely knowledgeable and helped us appreciate what we saw. I noticed he showed us interesting pieces that other tour guides were ignoring. He made our visit very efficient. ArtViva took care of the tickets and we used shorter lines for guided tour operators. Would recommend.
★★★★★ by Josh H.
Our was incredible. great depth of knowledge and passion. super incitedful and adaptable to our wants. no difficulties just back forth delays from time zones and getting all arranged to be the best timing options… I would def recommend again and do again on return
★★★★★ by James M.
We loved our tour in Florence. Our guide was fantastic! Very fun to be with, very personable and funny and incredibly knowledgeable. The tour showed us all of the Uffizi and all of the highlights of Florence. We had a lovely lunch with our guide and a wonderful local restaurant too! Highly recommend! I wish we would have left ourselves a little more time to do some shopping and get a gelato, etc. because we only had one day in Florence before we had to get back to our ship. So if you only have one day in Florence, if you book this tour and you want to do a little souvenir shopping, cut down your time in the Uffizi. I wish we had done that. But Art Viva did a great job setting up this tour!
★★★★★ by Colleen S.
Our driver was great. He was accommodating in every way. We do not drink wine so it was suggested we go to a dairy farm for a cheese-making demonstration/lesson. While it was very interesting and the farmer really knew his trade, we were fed a modest lunch after the lesson and shown some of the farm and that was educational. It felt like the price ended up being pretty steep for the activity, however. At the end, the driver was going to head straight back to Florence until I reminded him that we had specifically told the planner we wanted to see Pienza. At that point he promptly turned around and took us to Pienza. We were grateful for his flexibility and kindness. Also he and my husband had a great conversation during the ride. I would recommend this tour to the Val d’Orcia for those who are wine lovers, but perhaps not so much for those who don’t. It seems to be tailored to that activity since reportedly there is more than one winery visited during the tour.
★★★★☆ by Trudy R.
Rose and her staff at ArtViva worked with our group of six to accommodate our schedule and meeting place for a personalized tour in Florence. They provided excellent information and communication prior to our arrival. When there were unexpected changes, Rose contacted me directly to find a solution. ArtViva is a very professional and personable tour company and I highly recommend them!
★★★★★ by Nancy I.
We booked a couple of these tours for our recent trip to Florence. Was hoping to get some big museums (Uffizi, Academia)done with the help of a guide. Laura, I believe, was our guide for the day, and I can’t even begin to list all the wonderful things about her! I was just amazed at how knowledgeable she was about art and all the nuances she pointed out and explained to us. She paced the day for us. Finished up at the Academia. Would HIGHLY recommend!
★★★★★ by Mary F.
What Our Guests Remember
The places may be the reason you come to Italy. The people, stories, and moments along the way are what stay with you. From private tours in Florence to days in the Tuscan countryside and experiences across Italy, our guests often tell us that what made their journey special was the way it was brought to life — an exceptional guide, a story they had never heard before, a personal connection, or a carefully planned detail that made the day feel effortless.
Thank you for arranging the Best of Tuscany tour for us during our recent visit. Everything was top notch and such a great experience. I loved that you would modify any part of the tour to meet our preferences. We had the best driver and professional guide for the day which made the day exciting, educational, and enjoyable. Special thanks to Lara and others at ArtViva who helped arrange every day of our trip. We would not have changed a thing. From information, to food experiences, and transportation comfort it was simply the best! Highly recommended this tour and working with ArtViva.
★★★★★ by Joan G.
We had the same guide for 2 days in a row in Rome, her name is Raquelle. She was fantastic; very knowledgeable, personable and organized. On our tour of the Vatican and the Colosseum she carried all sorts of illustrations and information on paper and her iPad to reinforce her points. You get so much more out of a site visit when you have an expert guide. On a side note, this was my first time using ArtViva and we used this tour group for both Florence and Rome. I gave the whole office 5 stars from top to bottom for communication with setting up the tours and each guide was knowledgeable and professional. I will definitely be recommending them to my friends.
★★★★★ by Leslie T.
Count Francesco is a fascinating individual. I still cannot believe he lives in a palace that, to someone like me, is a museum. Casually touching 600-year-old frescos and beholding 200-year-old porcelain from China and Japan. Drinking a bottle of wine (or two), followed by dinner and more wine. The count had endless magical stories to tell us about his family, about Venice itself and about the world. I cannot recommend enough spending an afternoon with the Count at his Palace.
★★★★★ by Archis G.
The Artviva private guided tour of the Duomo, Baptistery, and Opera del Duomo Museum in Florence was outstanding. Our guide provided hassle-free entry into both the Opera del Duomo Museum and the Baptistery, then brought each site to life by explaining the incredible history, symbolism, and artistic details that we never would have appreciated on our own. She made the tour engaging and entertaining for our entire family. I don’t think my grown children would have enjoyed or understood the significance of these remarkable sites nearly as much without her insightful explanations and storytelling. She also knew exactly when to enter the Duomo, timing our visit to avoid the long lines and largest crowds. At the end of the tour, she recommended a wonderful, air-conditioned, non-touristy restaurant just a short walk from the Duomo and shared several other excellent tips for exploring Florence. This was one of the highlights of our time in Florence, and I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants a deeper appreciation of these incredible landmarks.
★★★★★ by David B.
We booked the Uffizi tour for kids, it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip — our 9-year-old son said it was his favorite tour! Daniele did a fantastic job keeping the entire family engaged, explaining the stories behind the artwork in a way that was easy to understand and truly memorable. We all came away learning so much. The pace was perfect, kids were kept engaged, and there were lots of fun facts that made the masterpieces come alive. It’s not always easy to get kids excited about art museums, but this tour really nailed it. Highly recommended for families!
★★★★★ by Julie P.
We had the most wonderful experience in our recent private Vatican & St. Peter’s tour which was led by Rachele! She was very professional, fun and engaging and we could easily understand her English. We had a family group ranging from 17 to 75 and she did an excellent job explaining and showing us what we would be seeing. Everything went perfectly and we really enjoyed the Vatican. In addition, the email communication with the office was excellent! She made sure the guide had our phone number in the event we needed to reach each other. Next time we hope to do some of the Florence tours they offer. We would highly recommend Art Viva Tours.
★★★★★ by Cindy S.
Everything about the Florentine Steak Experience is well worthwhile. I had a great time interacting with the restaurant staff as I was brought behind the scenes to watch the process and select my own steak, which I later enjoyed for dinner. If you’re looking for a unique “hands-on” way to enjoy an evening in Florence, definitely give this experience a try!
★★★★★ by David L.
This whole experience was really special! We had a perfect time, everything was very professionally planned by Lara and ran to plan. We love our photos and we now have some fantastic memories to look back upon! The food & drink and service by Vanni was wonderful. The booking process was also very straightforward and stress-free. Thank you so much for making a very special day for us truly magical!
★★★★★ by Daniel G.
Italy Through Local Eyes
There is more to Italy than its famous landmarks. The best way to experience a destination is often through the eyes of someone who knows it by heart — from the stories behind historic streets to the traditions, places, and details most visitors might miss.
Our local guides bring their knowledge and passion to every experience, helping guests discover Florence, Tuscany, and Italy in a more personal and authentic way. It is this local perspective that turns a day of sightseeing into a deeper connection with Italy.
We love Italian food, love to cook or bake, and have been vegan for many years now, so we were really looking forward to this class on our last morning in Florence. Cinzia, the chef who taught our class, is a wonderful and patient teacher, very passionate about teaching vegan cooking. Her class was really fun and productive. And the lunch we prepared made our short list for the best meal during a two-week holiday. Thank you very much, Cinzia, you’re the best!
★★★★★ by David P.
What a wonderful experience in Cinque Terre, all made possible by our guide, Ella, and driver, Luigi! Ella was masterful – knowledgeable, patient and kind. Perfect balance of all the qualities we were hoping for. We cannot recommend her more highly. And Luigi was an added pleasure and so much more than a driver! Thank you for making this an unforgettable experience, Ella! As for the tour, it was exquisite! Beautiful towns surrounded by a remarkable view of water and mountains. One of the most beautiful areas we’ve seen. Highly recommend this as a private tour, which gives you so much opportunity to move at your own pace. Thanks all!
★★★★★ by Ernest A.
A tour is only as good as the tour guide, and ArtViva’s Alessandro is as good as they get. We did the Uffizi Gallery tour as well as the Florence walking tour (on two consecutive days), and Alessandro was entertaining, thoughtful, and unbelievably knowledgeable. During our tour of the Ulffizi Gallery, we all learned more about art than we’d ever known, and we’re dedicated museum-goers. What Alessandro taught me will inform my appreciation of art for the rest of my life. In general, ArtViva was wonderful to deal with, and their representative, Faezeh, was incredibly helpful in our emails leading up to the tours. Having learned that I’m hearing disabled and use hearing aids, she suggested ideas to cope with the radios and earbuds used prevalent in tours throughout Italy, and they helped, not only with the ArtViva tours we booked, but with the rest of our two week vacation in Italy. Don’t hesitate to go with this company, and definitely ask for Alessandro if he’s available.
★★★★★ by Andrew D.
I had a really lovely solo class with Joy, and I love the ring I made. I had previous experience with jewelry making but still learned some new things. This would also be a great class for complete beginners as well. It’s so fun to have a hand crafted souvenir of my trip to Florence. I highly recommend it!
★★★★★ by Marissa S.
My young son and I had a wonderful tour of the Pitti Palace led by Laura today. Laura’s knowledge of history is amazing and she also shared many interesting tidbits and anecdotes, which kept my young son (and myself!) very engaged. The Pitti Palace is beautiful in itself and full of wonderful paintings and other treasures that are well worth seeing. That said, I’ve found that given the amount of art in many places such as this, guided tours are the best way to see everything and learn the background too. Thank you to Laura for a lovely tour!
★★★★★ by Joanne S.
Our guide is a several-generation Florentine who could give us perspective all the way to her grandmother’s day, with amazing English skills, and was also a history major, which was the icing on the cake. With our family of 4, having the private tour was immensely worth every penny, and she came to our residence so we didn’t have to find her! I would take this tour again in a heartbeat!
★★★★★ by Susy J.
My husband and I loved our private tour of the original David at the Accademia! We liked the feeling of just hanging out with a very knowledgeable friend. Our guide was kind, understanding and helpful! Although we didn’t know much about art, our guide explained things in such a way that we were able to capture the meaning and power of the artwork we were seeing. Things started to click more and more as the guide explained backstories and the history of specific pieces as well as how they all connected and why it mattered. I recommend a private tour with Artviva to anyone and everyone!
★★★★★ by Iliana R.
Marissa walked us through central Florence and gently read for us the hidden signs of history. She has the capacity to bring the past of the city alive with stories and noticings. Her breadth of knowledge as an artist and art conservationist enriches the smallest of details. The tour finished with a breathtaking view of Florence from a rooftop bar which left us inspired.
★★★★★ by Mafalda C.
The Details That Matter
A great Italy travel experience is often found in details. From a private tour in Florence to a day exploring the Tuscan countryside, thoughtful planning can make all the difference.
Our guests appreciate the little things that make their experience feel effortless — from carefully chosen places to visit to personalized touches along the way. Because discovering Italy should feel as special as the journey itself.
My experience with ArtViva has been wonderful and our tour of the Vatican supports this. We went in the beginning of March, (not the high season, but still plenty busy). Our guide’s name was Raquelle, (she also guided us at the Colosseum). She was fantastic at efficiently helping us negotiate the crowds and expertly providing us with the history and highlights of the Vatican museum. You will have a much better experience going on this tour than self guiding. I give a big shout out to ArtViva for their programs. We used them throughout our Italian vacation and found every guide to be well organized and professional.
★★★★★ by Leslie T.
We had a great experience with Alessandro, he was a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and fun guide. Our overall experience with ArtViva was amazing, great communication and support in making plans and throughout our travels. I would definitely recommend both ArtViva and Alessandro for your visit to Venice!
★★★★★ by Lechimee C.
We had a great time with Gustavo yesterday, he kept the pace quick but fun for our 7-year-old daughter and ourselves, learning the art of making sorbet and gelato. Of course we enjoyed tasting the fruits of our labors! We would definitely do another class at the cooking school, in the future. Thank you! Grazie, Vincenzo!
★★★★★ by Marias B.
We loved our day trip to Pienza. We learned a great deal about the Tuscany region from our guide Marissa as we drove to Pienza. We enjoyed walking around the small hilltop town with incredible views. We will remember our cheese tour and patio lunch. The owner proudly showed us his farm and the food was spectacular. Then off we went to a private tour and wine tasting. This was an intimate detailed tour of their wine making process and elegant tasting at the end. We felt pampered and engaged the whole day. Bravo Marissa and team.
★★★★★ by Brooke L.
Laura, our personal guide, was professional, intelligent, and extremely knowledgeable about the Renaissance period, art history, and the political and historical influences of the times. She gave wonderful insight into the art, the masters, and the transition of art in history. She was able to showcase the important aspects of the art and provided a very emotional and moving experience. I would highly recommend this tour as well as the Masterpiece of the Uffizi. My family was lucky enough to have her for both tours. She even suggested a well hidden and delicious lunch spot for our interim period. Her love and passion for art was evident and she really provided us a meaningful and reflective experience in the galleries!
★★★★★ by Cheryl T.
To celebrate my wife Jessica’s 30th birthday, I surprised her with a personal vegan cooking class with chef Danilo. While a vegan class was not yet a specific offering, Artviva went the extra mile to accommodate us. We received a private transport with the chef as we were whisked away to a private villa. When we arrived, we were given a glass of wine and a run down of what food we would prepare for the evening. Under Chef Danilo’s tutelage, we made a fresh regional salad, ravioli, a vegan version of a regional seafood dish, and a mouth watering cheesecake. Once we finished preparing the dishes, Chef Danilo took over and gave us a bottle of Prosecco to enjoy as we walked through their private garden where they grow some of the ingredients that we worked with. Once ready, we were seated and served each dish. The food was unbelievably good and a highlight of our trip. If you are looking to plan an unforgettable night for you and your loved one, this is a MUST! We had an incredible time learning to cook unique Italian dishes and could not recommend this experience enough. We are so thankful to Artviva and Chef Danilo for an evening we will never forget.
★★★★★ by Matthew H.
Our guide Laura has an academic background in Alchemy and that added a lot of context to our tour of the Bobili gardens. She also took us to a perfumery shop and we were able to pick out a custom scent. The tour ended with a stop at a quiet rooftop bar for a nightcap. It was an excellent tour, and I highly recommend both the tour and the guide.
★★★★★ by Jeffrey H.
Art Viva is a wonderful company. They took care of everything. We journeyed from Rome to Capri for the day and it went very smoothly. No problems whatsoever. We experienced the Blue Grotto, the Gondola, an hour boat tour around the island, both cities and a fabulous lunch. I highly recommend Art Viva and our tour guide “V”.
★★★★★ by Roberta J.
More than a tour
Across our guests’ reviews, one thing comes up again; a great experience is about more than simple seeing the sights. It is about feeling welcomed, discovering something unexpected and experiencing Italy in a way that feels personal.
From private tours in Florence to experiences throughout Tuscany and Italy, our guests remind us that it is often the personal touches that make a tour truly memorable.
Irene was a great guide. She had so much knowledge of art and history and conveyed it to us well. We felt her excitement and love of the works. I am so glad we chose this company and well worth the price. We will always remember it.
★★★★★ by Lisa D.
We knew a bit about Florence and a smaller bit about the art, but we enjoyed the tour and learned so much. Our tour guide, Caterina, was a local with a passion for both.Knowing we had this tour booked let us relax and not take on all the planning involved in seeing the most popular attractions. Later we were able to get a table at one of her recommended restaurants which topped off a great day.
★★★★★ by Cindy G.
Oh, what fun! We cooked in an actual kitchen with an actual (hilarious and talented) chef! We made an app, entree and dessert. There were only 7 people in the class and the chef rotated us to where we had a hand in every dish…and it was authentic to Florence food! Afterward, he sent the food down in a dumb waiter and sent us downstairs to a lovely set table with wine and we all sat and enjoyed our hard work. It was truly one of the best experiences we had in Italy!
★★★★★ by Jill D.
So very pleased we booked this private tour of the Accademia in Florence. Our tour guide, Guido, was on time, pleasant, and very well educated of the Accademia itself, and of course, respectful of all the incredible art and sculptures within it. Although “David” is the obvious highlight of the tour, Guido ensured we didn’t overlook the musical instrument wing of the museum, while learning the importance of the Medici family’s influence over this important period in World and Italy’s history. We would highly recommend this very personalized and educational tour.
★★★★★ by Daniel L.
Martina is a fantastic guide. We thoroughly valued her knowledge and passion for Tuscany. She has travelled widely and hence able to moderate her style and energy to match us throughout the day.. We had a wonderful day! Pisa was rather “touristy” and I would recommend travellers to take the obligatory pics then head off to Lucca asap as there is much to see in Lucca.
★★★★★ by Kwaisim L.
We had Alessandro as our guide. I have to say at first I was skeptical because it was a group of 6 and I thought to myself, how am I going to hear anything? When we arrived at the square Alessandro had a sheet of paper with our names on it! Once, he started to talk about the architecture and history of Florence, I was captivated! He is so engaging and very intelligent. I could go on and on about how well and impressed I was. I am not a history buff but he definitely made it engaging!! I would recommend him to all of my friends!!
★★★★★ by Robert H.
My friend and I enjoyed our meal and talking with the couple who shared it with us. We watched two cooks in their small kitchen preparing our steaks and accompaniments and giving us advice on how to cook them. There was really very little hands-on experience.
★★★★★ by Barbara L.
I simply cannot say enough good things about our tour and Alessandro, our guide. He engaged my students and was very knowledgeable. My students loved the tour as well. This is my third time using Artviva for both student and personal tours and whole-heartedly would recommend Artviva to anyone traveling to Florence!
★★★★★ by Louis W.
The Italy You Don’t Find in a Guidebook
Some of the most memorable moments in Italy happen away from the main attractions. A family-run restaurant, a quiet piazza, a local tradition, or a story passed down through generations can reveal a completely different side of the country.
Our private tours in Florence, Tuscany, and across Italy are created to bring guests closer to these authentic experiences — discovering the places, people, and traditions that make Italy truly special.
Our guide, Lara, was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. We received a personal history lesson on renaissance art, architecture and the political setting at the time, particularly the influence of the Medici family. We received priority admission to the Uffizi and Academia with no waiting or line ups. With Lara’s knowledge, we were able to view the more significant works of art at the Uffizi so as to spend unnecessary time wondering where to find certain works. Her insights and explanations of the art gave us an appreciation that we may not otherwise have realized. The same goes for the Academia and sculptures by Michelangelo. The 4+ hours went by quickly and we went away with a much greater appreciation of renaissance art and culture than we would ever have achieved by spending 3 times as long on our own. We would highly recommend this personal tour.
★★★★★ by Martin P.
My family really appreciated Simone. He was extremely knowledgeable and helped us appreciate what we saw. I noticed he showed us interesting pieces that other tour guides were ignoring. He made our visit very efficient. ArtViva took care of the tickets and we used shorter lines for guided tour operators. I would recommend it.
★★★★★ by Josh H.
This was one of the best days of our trip. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and quickly adapted to what our group was interested in. Both our guide and our driver were fabulous. My husband and I took my mom, his mom and his stepmom on a Europe trip and this tour in Tuscany rates at the top of all the things we did. The winery was fantastic. I would absolutely recommend this tour for anyone interested in Tuscany.
★★★★★ by Amanda K.
We were 3 adults and 2 kids, aged 7 (boy) and 12. My 12 year old girl loved this tour with Alex and so did all the adults! My son was a bit of a lost cause (no fault of Alex who was very engaging) but he made it through. We learned a lot!
★★★★★ by Sandra Z.
I highly recommend this cooking, eating and drinking experience. It could not have been better – exceptional food and wine. Lots of learning while being entertained. Simply perfect and worth every euro.
★★★★★ by Michael F.
My husband and I have taken numerous city walk tours; this was the best! Our guide Caterina was so knowledgeable and expert in bringing to life the history and people and motivations that made Florence what it is. Caterina is as skilled a guide as any we have ever had. What a delight to take this tour on our first day in Florence, to set the stage for the remainder of our stay!
★★★★★ by Sharon C.
This was an amazing experience! The service was impeccable and the location I proposed was so picturesque. And the moment was perfect. We have some amazing pictures. I would recommend this service to anyone. Will remember this forever as it is now part of our story.
★★★★★ by Carl A.
Barbara was so knowledgeable and friendly. She had the answer to every question and gave us amazing insight into what we saw in Accademia! We would recommend her to everyone – you won’t be disappointed! ArtViva was very organized and clear on the where and when. Overall a terrific experience!
★★★★★ by Michael C.
Travel Your Way
The best days in Italy are not always the ones with the busiest itinerary. Sometimes, it is having the freedom to linger a little longer, follow your curiosity, or change the plan along the way.
With private tours in Florence, Tuscany, and across Italy, every experience can be shaped around your interests, your pace, and the way you want to discover Italy.
Three people in our group had a wonderful time with Joy, who led the class. She led by example and let us do as much work as we were comfortable with. Her studio was well kept and fit all of us in it. We had options with how to design the jewelry so it was personalized. We all made rings and were able to work at a good pace and took the whole 3 hours. 10/10 beginner friendly recommendations!!
★★★★★ by Chris R.
My family (2 adults and 2 teens) took a great walking tour hosted by Martina. She started by asking if we had any special interests and then tailored the tour around our conversation. She had both a breadth and depth of knowledge about the sights and history of Florence and covered arts, music, commerce, religion and political history during our tour. In addition she offered personal insights about dining and places to shop that enhanced our visit. We had a great time and can’t recommend her and the tour enough. We’d be happy to do it again if we return to Florence!
★★★★★ by Arden S.
Celia was an awesome guide! We learned a lot and were able to envision Pompeii as it was the day before that fateful day in October. Our visit would not have been the same without her!
★★★★★ by Lechimee C.
Our tour guide, Alessandro, was incredibly knowledgeable and such a joy to be with for the day. I loved everything about this tour! The staff at Artviva were very responsive and really easy to work with to book this tour. I highly recommend this tour!
★★★★★ by Kathleen K.
Laura was AMAZING. I learned so much from her. She kept everyone in our party of nine (ages 6 to 79) engaged and entertained. If I ever get back to Florence, I will book a tour with her again. Answered every question and then some. Cannot recommend her highly enough. GREAT value. And ArtViva was SO accommodating and quick to respond to all questions. Great experience.
★★★★★ by Angelo H.
I loved everything about his experience. Our agent planned an unique activity and every single second was fun, informative, and very organized with room for spontaneity too. Our foraging guide is so knowledgeable of the plant world and shared his knowledge through story, folklore, science and years of experience. The setting in the countryside was breathtaking and our wonderful chef prepared delectable delights with every course. Thank you, this was the highlight of my trip as it was off the beaten bath and a nice break from the usual bustle.
★★★★★ by Kathleen G.
Laura was AMAZING. I learned so much from her. She kept everyone in our party of nine (ages 6 to 79) engaged and entertained. If I ever get back to Florence, I will book a tour with her again. Answered every question and then some. Cannot recommend her highly enough. GREAT value. And ArtViva was SO accommodating and quick to respond to all questions. Great experience.
★★★★★ by Ionna A.
Our tour guide was the same one who also provided us with the David tour. She was absolutely wonderful, knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic (a PhD in Art History). Could not have asked for a better experience! We learned so much and had a great experience!
★★★★★ by Antonio D.
Moments Worth Sharing
Some of the best parts of traveling are the moments you experience together. A beautiful view, a shared meal, a surprising discovery, or simply getting lost in the charm of an Italian city can become a memory you talk about for years.
Whether discovering Florentine specialties, tasting Tuscan wines, or enjoying a meal with locals, these simple moments often become some of the most enjoyable parts of a journey.
Our Florentine Steak cooking class was very memorable and so glad we booked it. The owners were extremely kind and made sure to make us feel special. We loved going into the kitchen and learning how they cook the different types of steaks they make. I highly recommend it!
★★★★★ by Charles T.
Dr. Irene was an unbelievable guide. She gave us so much background on the history, the artists, and the paintings. It was a great experience and we all learned so much. We would definitely recommend it to our friends. We were pleased how she engaged our teenagers to help them appreciate the history with humor. She was great at answering questions. She was flexible with the time and what we wanted to see. As an art teacher myself I learned a lot and appreciated her great wealth of knowledge.
★★★★★ by Dale G.
We had a lovely guide, Lara. She was full of energy and very positive in her approach. And her preparation was immaculate. This is a delightful, crowd-free way to discover Venice
★★★★★ by Kwaisim L.
My husband and I took the Original Florence walking tour with Martina and it was excellent. Martina guided us through the history and art of Florence, telling us interesting stories along the way! She was well informed and very enthusiastic! I would highly recommend taking this tour as an introduction to Florence. Booking was easy, the meeting was smooth and Martina was delightful!
★★★★★ by Mary L.
It was my birthday and my husband good-naturedly indulged me in both a sculpture class and an oil painting class. This is how we met Frank and Laura, owners, resident artists and instructors at The Florence Studio. Laura is a gifted world renowned oil painting artist. She is also a gifted teacher. Her three hour workshop will wet your appetite to pursue oil painting. The classroom explanation on mixing colors before we stepped in front of the easels was not dry or tedious (we did have some champagne too!) but well presented and hands on. Neither of us had ever used oils and have limited art experience, especially my husband and we loved it. From there we painted our copies of the Girl with a Pearl Earring. Laura answered our questions and was very encouraging. In this light-filled, beautiful studio, I found myself wishing I could stay much, much longer under her tutelage. I would highly recommend Laura’s class and if you were ever in Florence for an extended stay, to take many classes from her. She is an amazing teacher as well as a very gracious and lovely person.
★★★★★ by Donna M.
I would highly recommend Alessandro and this tour to any friends and family. We had my 78 year old father as well as my teen boys and art history husband. Our needs could not be any more different. Alessandro kept the boys interested and his art history knowledge was superb. He also made sure my father was able to rest as needed. This was totally worth the splurge, as everyone was happy (which for teens is huge!) and satisfied upon his departure. Many thanks.
★★★★★ by Elizabeth A.
We highly recommend this day tour! Our guide, Francesca, was amazing!! He shared the history of the city and we walked to several key areas as we learned how they all tied together. The time flew by and we were sad when it was over. His knowledge of Florence’s history and his ease of guiding us made this tour so worthwhile. There are little nuggets of history all around the city that you would never know about without this tour. It was so fun noticing them as we walked around when the tour was over. If you like history, don’t miss out! It’s well worth the time.
★★★★★ by Rhonda B.
This was the number one thing our family was looking forward to in Italy and it did not disappoint! The food was delicious, and we were confident that we could recreate it back home. We’re a family of three and our 12 year old enjoyed this as well! Cinzia was patient and gave us lots of tips.
★★★★★ by Renate L.
A City Full of Stories
Every street in Florence has a story to tell. Centuries of art, ambition, family rivalries, and cultural change have shaped the city into the place visitors experience today.
From Renaissance masterpieces to hidden details in historic streets, Florence offers something new around every corner — making it a destination that rewards those who take the time to look a little closer.
Venice is defined by one word: Gondola! What’s better than just riding in one? Learning to row it. I had the best 2 hours in the canals and the lagoon rowing my own gondola. It is a relaxing and comforting experience to be so connected to the sea.
★★★★★ by Archis G.
Our small group of five absolutely loved our private tour of the Bargello museum and Uffizi Gallery. We learnt and saw so much in such a small amount of time. Artviva organized the highest quality guide and choice of tour.
★★★★★ by Alison S.
Our experience with Art Viva was excellent! Booking was easy. Communication was clear and accurate. We did the early morning walking tour that finished with the Accademia gallery to see the statue of David. Our guide, Martine, treated us to a delightful, interesting, information packed walking tour. She was charming, knowledgeable, fun, spoke perfect English, and is a native of Florence! The walking tour of Florence was a highlight of our stay in Florence. I highly recommend it!
★★★★★ by Trasie S.
Our tour was amazing. Our guide was so knowledgeable and engaging. I learned so much and would not have enjoyed it as much without her. We did a few surrounding areas and learned about the history,etc. We loved it all!
★★★★★ by Margaret S.
Hilaria was an amazing guide. Full of class and knowledge. She is a proud local which was apparent (& valued) with her deep knowledge & restaurant recommendations.
★★★★★ by Lee K.
I would highly recommend Alessandro and this tour to any friends and family. We had my 78 year old father as well as my teen boys and art history husband. Our needs could not be any more different. Alessandro kept the boys interested and his art history knowledge was superb. He also made sure my father was able to rest as needed. This was totally worth the splurge, as everyone was happy (which for teens is huge!) and satisfied upon his departure. Many thanks.
★★★★★ by Elizabeth A.
The food and wine tour was led by Alexander, a delightful, knowledgeable and flexible tour guide. Our group loved the educational experience , learning about olive oil, balsamic vinegars, pistachio cream etc. The tour finishes with a delicious three course lunch. We loved spending the morning with Alexander!
★★★★★ by Irene S.
My family attended a Uffizi tour with Martina and were blown away by her storytelling and historical expertise. She made the experience very personalized and we learned more than we could have hoped for.
★★★★★ by Stephanie Q.
Italy, Beyond the Postcard
Italy is a country of contrasts — from lively cities and historic towns to peaceful coastlines and rolling countryside. Every region has its own character, traditions, and stories waiting to be discovered.
Whether traveling north or south, there is always another side of Italy to experience, one that goes beyond the places you may have seen in a guidebook.
Martina was fantastic. Great knowledge, fun personality, just a great day. Went to all the local sites where she described the history & current usages. I would highly recommend her for others as this was our first trip to Florence & she also helped with local restaurants & museums.
★★★★★ by Greg K.
My husband and I had a wonderful tour of the Uffizi with Francesco. Although it was very crowded with large tour groups, he was very skilled in knowing just where to stand for a good view, and maneuvering around the other patrons. His knowledge of the art and artists was so helpful, really opened our eyes to specific details and the history of the style and method. It was a thorough tour, with helpful information , we would recommend booking another tour when we return.
★★★★★ by Susan H.
We absolutely loved this tour. Marissa was an incredible guide! She provided us with so much valuable information about each town plus helpful hints along the way. The trip was very personable and she adapted to our own personal interests. We loved visiting Siena, Monteroggioni, and San Gimignano. The lunch and wine tasting was incredible. The drive along the roads through Tuscany was breathtaking. I would recommend this tour to everyone interested in visiting these Tuscan towns!
★★★★★ by Bryan Q.
The photographer (and everyone else) did such an amazing job. We couldn’t be happier with the quality of the photos we received and the whole experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone proposing with Artviva!
★★★★★ by Derrick S.
We had the lovely and vivacious Martina as our guide. She knew the history, culture and city so well, she could hardly contain her enthusiasm. We really enjoyed her tour, and also her recommendations of other places to see that the average visitor may not make time for after seeing the big sites. Be sure to ask her how you can tell the difference between gelato and fake gelato (merely ice cream). It was fun to spot the real thing in all the gelato shops we passed. Thank you, Artviva, for assigning Martina to us!
★★★★★ by Trudy R.
My husband and I booked this tour for us and our two children (8&10). This was a great way to see David and tour the Accademia. Our guide was very friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable! He focused on being inclusive with our children which was much appreciated! The tour was the appropriate length of time and then of course we were able to spend as much time as we wanted to on our own after. I would recommend this tour! We were able to skip the line which was also a big perk!
★★★★★ by Olivia R.
Barbara was exceptionally knowledgeable and so much fun! The three hour tour went by quickly. She asked our preferences about what we wanted to see, quizzed us on what we were learning and made the experience better than our expectations. If we come back to Florence we would want her as our guide again. She made the experience 5 stars! The museum is spectacular too! Well worth the price of a tour.
★★★★★ by Kim S.
Great tour of all the sights of Florence. We were able to see everything we wanted to and then some. Our guide was very knowledgeable and also gave great recommendations on lunch and other sites to see as well. I would recommend this group and guide for anyone coming to Florence.
★★★★★ by Andrew H.
The Moments You Didn’t Plan
Not every memorable moment can be found on an itinerary. Sometimes it is a beautiful view from the road, a conversation with a local, or a place you discover simply by taking a different turn.
These unexpected moments are part of what makes travelling through Italy so rewarding — leaving room for curiosity, spontaneity, and the stories that unfold along the way.
We booked this for our first morning in Florence to get a broad sense of the city and its history. Martina, our guide, has a natural passion for Florence and its history, and her storytelling really helped its past come to life as we walked to interesting sites we surely would have overlooked on our own. We did four private ArtViva tours or classes during our stay in Florence and we loved each one.
★★★★★ by David P.
Irene’s tour was probably the best tour I have experienced in Italy so far. She is not only very knowledgeable (multiple degrees), but she’s full of great backstories filled with ancient anecdotes, folktales, and humour. She also gave us tons of excellent recommendations for Florentine specialty sandwich and cannoli shops. I highly recommend it!!
★★★★★ by Graziella S.
Our guide Irina was very knowledgeable and professional, but also very relatable. A fantastic guide for an overall historical sense of the center of Florence. She gave several dining and leisure recommendations as we walked the city that we could experience during our time on our own. Each one was a five star recommendation. I always find a tour like this is a great introduction to a city. We were also lucky enough to have our guide, Irina, for the following day for a private tour of the Uffizi and Academia. It really made both experiences more meaningful to have her sharing her local knowledge. I would highly recommend this company and Irina.
★★★★★ by Irina T.
Our guide Carlotta was fantastic, so informed and friendly – we learned so much in such a short period of time. We saw things we never would have discovered on our own, and were simply amazed by the amazing city of Florence.
★★★★★ by David W.
We had a wonderful tour! Our family of 5, with 3 kids, had a great walking tour. I found the historical information interesting. The kids also found our tour guide very engaging. Part-way through the tour we even did a quick stop at a gelateria to keep the kids happy (unplanned stop, but very good). The highlight was definitely seeing the David statue. My son told me last night that it was the biggest statue he had even seen (must have made an impression talking about art several weeks after our trip). I would definitely book another tour the next time we come to Florence.
★★★★★ by Melody S.
Laura had a wealth of knowledge about the Uffizi and the amazing collection of art it contains. Our group learned a great deal about the collection and her knowledge of the masterpieces deepened our appreciation. I would highly recommend Laura!
★★★★★ by Sally B.
We had a super day with Alexandro; a great story teller who helped us to better understand Tuscany. Our driver, Luigi, was equally wonderful : safe driving and a comedian himself. San G and Sienna are exquisite towns – will definitely return!
★★★★★ by Kwaisim L.
I would highly recommend the tour of Florence’s historical city centre with Irene. She was so knowledgeable, friendly and interesting. She really brought Florence to life and I learned so much about its history, architecture and people.
★★★★★ by Emily C.
One Country, Endless Discoveries
Italy never feels like just one destination. Every region offers something different — from ancient cities and dramatic landscapes to coastal villages, local traditions, and vibrant culture.
That diversity is part of what makes travelling through Italy so rewarding. There is always another place to discover, another story to uncover, and another reason to return.
We really enjoyed the tour with Laura. It felt like we were out for a walk with a friend who knew an incredible amount about the city rather than that we were being “tour guided” from place to place. Her passion was obvious even though she must have seen David thousands of times.
★★★★★ by Ben S.
ArtViva’s “Original Florence Walking Tour” was fascinating and fun! This was our 3rd time in Florence, so we’re not novices, yet our guide, Alessandro, brought the medieval and renaissance times to life, walking us through many familiar and some new (to us) streets and buildings, and pointing out and explaining things we never knew, or hadn’t fully understood. We learned so much, while literally standing in the shadows of history, art and architecture – seeing first hand how people lived, died, ruled and conducted business in historical Florence. Alessandro’s knowledge seemed endless and he was really interesting. The pace was great – time enough to learn and absorb, but he also kept us moving. There were only 4 of us, which made things very personalized. We all appreciated the short bathroom and coffee break mid-walk, which is an example of the sophistication of this Artviva tour. The Original Florence Guided Walking tour with Alessandro was one of the highlights of two weeks in Italy. I highly recommend it!
★★★★★ by Nancy P
This tour and experience was a delight! Very well executed, easy to arrange and plan. Very well guided with excellent information and relaxed time to explore each location. Lunch and tastings at the winery was amazing and our guide was able to provide us with wonderful information on each wine so we could fully experience it.
★★★★★ by Brie H.
Excellent! Our guide Brenda was lovely and extraordinarily knowledgeable. I’ve been looking at Renaissance art forever, on many museum tours, and never fully understood the symbolism until Brenda explained it. I wish I could take her to every museum I visit.
★★★★★ by Steven B.
The tour guide was fabulous! Her knowledge of Florence is so deep, interesting and enabled us to cover all the usual stuff but with extras!
★★★★★ by Michael F.
Laura, our tour guide, gave us a very organized introduction and explanation of the Renaissance through the hand picked paintings at the Uffizi Gallery. Overall, the three hour tour was very dynamic, informative and instructive. Thank you Laura, we enjoyed our time with you!!
★★★★★ by Maria S.
We love all types of art/artists and this tour seemed like it would allow us to learn more about them. It was amazing! Maria personalized our tour to include visits to studios/stores of jewelry making, Florentine paper design, leather, mosaics and added stops along the way (textiles, gold leaf painting, local craft show, local designers) as she got to know us. We truly enjoyed meeting so many artisans and learning about renaissance and contemporary techniques. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. This tour added a wonderful dimension to our trip to Florence!
★★★★★ by Susan C.
Catarina was so informative and captivating as she explained her beloved hometown. One must really pay homage to this city that birthed so much art, philosophy, politics. You can’t truly understand and appreciate it until you get to know the history and Catarina does that. 10 out 10 for such a great guide.
★★★★★ by Kaman S.