Artviva

Artviva has been running tours in Florence since 1996, which makes it one of the longest-established tour companies in the city. It describes itself as a licensed and insured destination management company, and its guides include art historians, licensed city guides, local authors and artists. The company's best-known product is the Original Florence Walk, a small-group introduction to the historic centre that has been running for many years and is a good way to get your bearings on the first day.

The range covers most of what visitors want to see. The Original Florence Walk takes in the main squares and monuments with stories of the Medici, the Renaissance and daily life in the medieval city, and there is an early-morning version that starts before the crowds build. Museum tours include an early-morning skip-the-line visit to the Uffizi and walking tours that finish at the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David. For a special occasion, Artviva also offers exclusive after-hours visits: a private tour of the Uffizi after closing, an after-hours tour of the David, and a VIP after-hours visit to the Vasari Corridor, the Medici passageway over the Ponte Vecchio.

Group tours are kept small, and private tours can be built around particular interests, with the company matching a specific expert guide to each private experience. That flexibility makes it a good choice for families with children, travellers with limited mobility who need a gentler pace, and art lovers who want more depth than a standard tour provides.

Prices for after-hours and private experiences are naturally much higher than for shared walks, so check the options on the website before booking. Tours are popular in spring and autumn, so book ahead, especially for timed museum entries, which depend on availability. Meeting points vary by tour and are confirmed when you book, so read your confirmation carefully.

Artviva suits first-time visitors who want a reliable, well-informed introduction to the city and repeat visitors looking for something more exclusive. You can contact the company by phone or by email for questions about tours, private guiding and group bookings. Booking directly through the website is the simplest way to see current dates and availability.