FANTASTIC FLORENCE TOURS – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
I thought about creating this section because I’ve noticed that there are some recurring questions in e-mails from my clients. I hope it can be of some use to you!
1. Why should I take get a local tourist guide and what does it mean? A tourist guide is a true profession in Italy. You need certification, which means passing a hard exam in history, art, touristic legislation and foreign languages. To be a licensed tour guide you need to show your linguistic skills in at list one foreign language, in addition to your native language of course (I’m licensed tour guide in Italian, English, Spanish, and German). Certification is issued by the Italian government. Choosing a local tour guide is synonymous with high quality education and professional skills. Look for the official tour guide badge, we always show it while we’re at work!
2. Why should I take a private tour of Florence? With a private tour of Florence you are investing your money and time in the best way. In 3 hours (or 6-7, depending on the length of the tour you decide to do) you will get to know Florence and its vary aspects, from ancient history to present day, from art to gourmet, in one word the city’s real character. All this thanks to a tour by a local guide of Florence. Don’t be just a number in a big group tour, but be a traveller that wants a special and personal experience in Florence!
3. Can you give tours only in Florence? Me and my collaborators are expert tour guide of Florence and its surroundings. To maintain top-quality I prefer to give tours only in my city, where I was born and raised. I know Florence like the back of my hand, but I can’t say the same for the rest of Italy’s or Tuscany’s cities. Since my aim is to guarantee the best quality, I have decided to focus and specialize on Florence and its artistic heritage. By the way, it’s really immense and maybe one lifetime is not even enough to study everything! I have created a network of official tour guides of Tuscany and Italy with professionals just like me who share the same mindset, so if you look for a guide somewhere else, ask me to help you!
4. We want to tour Tuscany, can you help us? Can you give us some tips on planning our trip? Sure, I can. Let me just remind you that Fantastic Florence is not a tour operator and I don’t have any license to sell more than my guiding services. Anyhow, I am in contact with many excellent guides in Tuscany and Italy, as well as in other European countries. I can book the tickets for the museums for you, give you suggestions for the best restaurants or gelaterias, connect you with rental car agencies, but I cannot make hotel reservations for example. It matters a lot to me to say that whatever advice I may give you about a restaurant, a guide in another city, a private driver or a store has been “tested” by me.
5. Are your tours private or can we join one of your groups? I’m an independent private guide of Florence and not a tour operator, so I’m not able to ‘create’ groups. When you book a tour with Fantastic Florence it’s just for you, personal, custom-made and completely organized for and around you.
6. What is the best time to visit Florence? In reality, there isn’t a single best time, as it depends a lot on the season and your availability. Certainly, between March and October Florence is crowded, which is known as the “tourist season”. Between November and February instead Florence is much quieter. So it’s likely you won’t find lines at the museums, some hotels may offer discounted rates, but it’s also possible that some restaurants or ice cream shops may be closed. However, I recommend visiting Florence in the “low season” during winter because it’s very hot in the summer, and spring brings a lot of people.
7. Are you the guide for all the tours? I am the founder and owner of Fantastic Florence. However, I don’t lead all the tours myself. I’m very busy giving tours, as I’ve been a guide for about 20 years. Over the years, I’ve developed collaborations with many colleagues, all of whom are excellent. They are all my friends, with professional training at the highest academic and university level. They all speak more than one language and are absolutely trustworthy, so you can’t go wrong if you book a tour with Fantastic Florence. You will always have the best guides!
8. How cold does it get in Florence during the wintertime? In winter, Florence can get quite chilly, but it’s usually not extreme. Temperatures typically range between 2°C (around 35°F) at night to 10°C (around 50°F) during the day. January is often the coldest month. It rarely snows, but the humidity can make it feel colder.
9. What can we do in Florence in the summer when it’s very hot? I definitely recommend visiting the indoor museums with air conditioning. I strongly advise against doing a city tour during the hottest hours of the day. It might be a good idea to do an early morning tour in Florence, or visit the museums in the evening during special openings.
10. Would you recommend coming to Florence in the summer with small children? Summer in Florence can be extremely hot and humid. There are periods of heatwaves, and I do not recommend visiting Florence with small children because it won’t be enjoyable for either you or them. It’s better to stay at a villa with a pool in Tuscany.
