Florence Private Tour Guide

My name is Violetta Buti and I’m a native of Florence, Italy. I have been working as a private independent guide in Florence and Tuscany for eighteen years and hold a license granted by the city authorities to practise this profession.
I also customize tours depending on the clients’ requests.
I speak English, German, French, Spanish and Italian and I’m licensed to guide in each one of these languages.

Our City- Florence (Firenze in Italian) is in the heart of Italy in the beautiful Region of Tuscany. The area features countless attractions: artistic works beyond compare, a natural landscape among the most appealing in the world, a population still devoted to its land and to a glorious past.
60-70 % of all the art works in the world are to be found in Italy and many of them are in Florence. In fact it feels like being  in an open-air art museum. This city was extremely important and wealthy from the 12th to the 16th century – you will feel brought back to that time as you walk along tiny medieval streets surrounded by old churches, mansions, open squares, statues.

About Me- I have spent years learning languages and I have lived in Germany, Belgium, France, USA where I was a foreign exchange student with AFS in 1974-75. In each one of these countries I attended internationally recognized language schools and passed the examinations. I  still like travelling and learning but have less time nowadays – my clients help me to travel with my mind!
Sport activities I enjoy are running, fitness training, hiking.
Interests: cinema, theatre, opera, art exhibits.
Communication, psychology, curiosity about what is new and different are important to me.

Special Interest Tours 
 
CLASSIC FLORENCE: See the most famous sites that Florence has to offer including the Cathedral, Baptistery, Bell Tower, and the picturesque shop-lined bridge of the Ponte Vecchio. Marvel at the beautiful architecture surrounding Piazza della Signoria .

HILLS AND PANORAMAS:  View from Michelangelo Square, church San Miniato, neighbourhood San Niccolò.

WINE TOUR: ½ day tour, wine tasting and visit of old medieval castle near Florence

OLTRARNO: Narrow streets, church Santo Spirito, artisans’ workshops

FLORENTINE TOMBS: In the Holy Cross church are the final resting places of world famous individuals including Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini.

FLORENTINE PALACES: See the fabulous residences of Florence’s bankers, traders, and wealthy citizens including Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Palazzo Strozzi, Palazzo Gondi, and Palazzo Pitti.

THE LEGACY OF THE MEDICI: Florence’s wealthy Renaissance family, the Medici, left us countless monuments well worth visiting not only for their history but also for their beauty. See the Medici-Riccardi Palace, San Lorenzo Church,  the Medici Chapels, the Library designed by Michelangelo.
 
BICYCLE TOUR: The centre of the city is flat and riding a bike can be fun and quicker to reach different sites of interest. Trails along the Arno river very close to the city centre. Beautiful panoramas – energizing for children and those who would like a break from all the culture.

MUSEUMS:

ACADEMY (Accademia):David and the Slaves by Michelangelo, the Rape of the Sabine Women.

UFFIZI: An amazing array of paintings from the 13th to the 17th century: Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian.

VASARI CORRIDOR: The 1-km long private walkway used by the Medici family that connects Palazzo Della Signoria with Palazzo Pitti and runs over the bridge Ponte Vecchio and through the Uffizi. Visit of the famous paintings gallery inside and the largest self-portraits collection in the world.

PALATINE GALLERY AND ROYAL APARTMENTS: Very famous paintings and furniture from the Pitti Palace and the apartments where the king of Italy once lived.

CATHEDRAL MUSEUM: See the original “Gates of Paradise” by Ghiberti and one of Michelangelo’s “Pietà”.

BARGELLO MUSEUM: Works by  Michelangelo, Donatello,  Andrea del Verrocchio, Benvenuto Cellini.

BOBOLI GARDENS AND BARDINI GARDENS: You will walk through superb gardens, see Roman statues, Renaissance fountains. From the top of the hills breathtaking views of the city.

PALAZZO VECCHIO/PALAZZO DELLA SIGNORA : Present City Hall and former residence of the Medici family which houses beautiful decorations, paintings, and sculptures.

My Prices

Walking Tours 
Costs depends on length of tour and number of
participants and runs from 140 euro

Driving tours
City centre and surrounding areas from 90 euro
Out-of-town excursions (8 hours) from 280 euro

How to Contact Me

Click to Email Violetta: info@beautyinitaly.com
My telephone and fax: +39 055 2477432
My cellular phone: +39 335 6280524
Violetta's Web Site: www.beautyinitaly.com

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My Past Guest's Comments

"I just want to tell you again how very much Emily and I enjoyed having you as our guide in Florence.  Your knowledge of that marvelous town and your obvious love for it helped us both to appreciate more fully this great city.  We especially appreciated your help in getting us into the museum when our reservations went astray--we were both most impressed with your expertise.  Incidentally, my concern about our being able to fully understand you quickly disappeared when we met.  Your command of English is excellent.  Friends of ours will be visiting Florence next year and I will not hesitate to recommend you as their guide."  Emily and Sam T, October 2005, Knoxville, Tennessee

"What a wonderful day we spent with Violetta!  Violetta took my family of 6 on a walking tour of Florence that included stops at the Academia to see David and the highlights of the Uffizi Museum.  She whisked us through lines, arranged for our reservations and gave us insight into the life, art & architecture of Florence.  She kept our adults, teenagers & children engaged, interested and informed, knowing just the right time and spot to stop for gelato on a hot summer day.  Do yourself a favor and let Violetta guide you through the beautiful city of Florence."  Carol R., July 2005, Manhattan Beach, CA

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