Nowhere else in the world there is a such high concentration of monuments and museums like in Florence. In a limited area, there are world famous museums such as the Uffizi, the Palazzo Pitti, the Bargello, the Medici Chapels, San Marco, the Duomo Musem, next to important monuments such as the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Churches of Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo, just to mention some of them, which are evidence of what a great and fundamental role Florence played in the birth of western civilization. You may risk to feel overwhelmed! Art and culture are everywhere in the city, including in its many workshops, where the tradition of artistic handcraft is still alive. The artisans of Florence are the heirs of past great artists. Florence is the capital of Tuscany, Italy’s richest region of cultural heritage, with enchanting towns such as Siena, Lucca, Pisa, and a countryside like the Chianti or like the areas where some of the Medici Villas are located. The selection of tours we offer is meant to help you to understand and appreciate this city and its region in an enjoyable way with our expert guides.

Newtours Spa, Florence, the official agent for the International Geological Congress, is responsible for sightseeing tours. English speaking professional guides will conduct each cultural tour while museum staff members will conduct the scientific tours. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Early booking is recommended, as on-site availability cannot be guaranteed. Please fill in correctly the "Optional Tours" section of the Registration Form to register. Indicate the code corresponding to the tour, day and number of participants.
Any cancellation must be notified in writing to Newtours. The organizers reserve the right to cancel tours with less than the minimum number of participants, or change the date of a tour for logistical reasons.



WALKING CITY TOUR
Visit to Piazza del Duomo, the 11th century Baptistery and its famous "Doors of Paradise", the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), with its famous dome raised by Filippo Brunelleschi, and Giotto’s 14th century bell-tower (Campanile). Cross the medieval city-center on foot as far as Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio. Continue the walk to Ponte Vecchio and then proceed to Santa Croce church.
Entrance to Santa Croce Church is included in the price.
Fee: Euro 15,00 per participant
Code WCT to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

SANTA MARIA NOVELLA AND ITS PHARMACY
The Dominican friars settled in this area in the 13th century and built here the pure gothic style church of Florence; Giotto, Masaccio, Ghirlandaio, Filippino Lippi and many other artists embellished t and its cloisters with spectacular works of arts. The monks distilled herbs and flowers and made essences which became worldwide famous over the centuries. This tradition is still alive thanks to the owners who, nowadays, keep working in the ancient rooms decorated with paintings, statues, and precious furniture. A special present will be offered by the Pharmacy to all the participants.
Entrances to S. Maria Novella, the Museum, the cloisters and Pharmacia are included.
Fee: Euro 22,00 per participant
Code SMN to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

BARGELLO MUSEUM
This is one of the most important museums in the world for its collections of sculptures and works of art, especially of the Renaissance and of medieval French ivories. The visit to the unique collection of masterpieces by Donatello, Verrocchio, Michelangelo, Giambologna and other masters, will greatly increase your appreciation of the Florentine sculpture school.
Entrance to the National Museum of Bargello is included in the price
Fee: Euro 18,00 per participant
Code BAM to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

FLORENTINE HILLS
Driving up the "Avenue of the Hills" you arrive in Piazzale Michelangelo, which provides an unforgettable view of the city. Visit the San Miniato Church, with its green serpentinite and white marble facade, considered to be one of the most important examples of purely Florentine Romanesque architecture, surrounded by the typical Tuscan countryside. On the hills over-looking Florence to the north, the small historical town of Fiesole, of Etruscan origin, with its famous amphitheater, provides a marvelous and truly exhilarating panorama of Florence, the Arno river valley and the Tuscan hills. Tour will be by bus.
Fee: Euro 30,00 per participant
Code FLH to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

MEDICI
The sites of the Medici family, who ruled over Florence for three centuries - the San Lorenzo monumental complex: the New Sacristy and the Library by Michelangelo, the Medici Chapels, the Church of San Lorenzo (the earliest example of Renaissance religious architecture by Filippo Brunelleschi) and the cloister. The Medici-Riccardi Palace and the 15th century Magi Chapel, frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli.
Entrance to San Lorenzo Church, Medici Chapels and Palazzo Medici Riccardi are included in the price.
Fee: Euro 30,00 per participant
Code MED to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

UFFIZI GALLERY 
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the greatest museums in the world. It was founded in 1581 by Francesco I de’ Medici, who collected numerous art-works in the building designed by Vasari. Today, the Uffizi contains masterpieces by Italian and foreign artists from 13th to 18th century such as Cimabue, Giotto, Masaccio, Beato Angelico, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Piero Della Francesca, Raffaello, Caravaggio, along with Rubens Rembrandt, Durer, Goya and many others.
Entrance to Uffizi Gallery is included in the price
Fee: Euro 24,00 per participant
Code UFG to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

ACADEMY GALLERY 
The visit to the Academy Gallery, which houses Michelangelo’s famous statue of David, his unfinished statues called the “Captives” as well as one of his four Pietas and St. Matthew, is an absolute “must” for all Michelangelo fans.
Entrance to Academy Gallery is included in the price.
Fee: Euro 24,00 per participant
Code ACG to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

PALAZZO PITTI
Palazzo Pitti, once residence of the Medici family, of the Austrian Grand Dukes of Lorraine and of the Kings of Italy, is the archetype of the European royal palaces. Lavishly decorated and fully furnished, it remains one of the most extraordinary residences in the world. The visit includes the Palatine Gallery, with masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Rubens and others, and the Royal Apartments.
Entrance to Palazzo Pitti is included in the price.
Fee: Euro 24,00 per participant
Code PIP to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

OPERA DEL DUOMO
Contains fine Florentine sculptures of the 14th and 15th century, including many originals from the Baptistery, the Duomo and Giotto’s Campanile. Not to be missed are Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietà and the chancels by Donatello and Luca della Robbia. Special opening of the workshop where we will have the chance to see a master stone-cutter at work.
Fee: Euro 25,00 per participant
Code OPD to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

PALAZZO VECCHIO
One of the most magnificent medieval palaces in Italy. Residence of the Medici from 1540 to 1565 it is now the city hall of Florence. Inside we find the great Hall of “Cinquecento” by Antonio da Sangallo with his magnificent marble statues.
Visit to “Percorsi Segreti” (places within the Palazzo Vecchio Museum that until today were inaccessible), and the Studiolo of Francesco I de’ Medici.
Fee: Euro 28,00 per participant
Code PVE to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

    

THE MEDICI VILLAS
Visit to the garden and the interior of Villa Petraia, which was the King’s residence last century. Continue to Villa la Ferdinanda, also known as the Villa of the hundred chimneys. In the afternoon, visit to Villa di Poggio a Caiano which was built for Lorenzo il Magnifico and where many important episodes of the Medici Family have taken place. Lunch in a typical restaurant.
Entrances to the Villas and lunch are included in the price.
Fee: Euro 70,00 per participant
Code MEV to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

SIENA AND SAN GIMIGNANO
Siena is a medieval town, situated on the hillside between the Arbia and Elsa rivers, birthplace of St. Catherine and many famous artists. Visit to the Cathedral, the Town Hall, with the masterpieces of Italian painting and sculpture, the Church of San Domenico and walk through the town where other fine specimens of medieval architecture can be observed. On the way back visit to San Gimignano, a charming little town perched on a hilltop and preserved almost intact since the Middle Ages, with its famous towers, precious frescoes and other art treasures. Lunch in a typical restaurant in Siena.
Entrance to the Cathedral is included in the price.
Fee: Euro 75,00 per participant
Code SSG to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

PISA AND LUCCA
Pisa, located on the Arno river, a few kilometers inland, is famous for its “Piazza dei Miracoli”, with the Cathedral, the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Camposanto; a monumental complex and one of the greatest examples of Romanesque architecture and sculpture. It is one of the most beautiful places in Italy: its splendid buildings with their rational and spacious layout rise proudly from the grass lawn. The tour continues to Lucca. This suggestive city is admirable not only for its architectural masterpieces – such as the Cathedral, the Church of San Frediano – but also for its city walls, roads, buildings and squares such as “Piazza del Mercato”, which has kept the original oval shape of the ancient Roman amphitheater. Lunch in a typical restaurant.
Entrances to the Baptistery of Pisa, the Camposanto and the Cathedral in Pisa and to Ilaria del Carretto Tomb in Lucca are included.
Fee: Euro 80,00 per participant
Code PLU to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

CHIANTI AREA
Drive through the Chianti wine area amidst lovely, ever changing scenery of wineyard and oliveyard hills, you can see one of the most suggestive areas of Tuscany, known all over the world, where Romanesque churches, farmhouses, villas and castles of rare beauty can be found. Visit to Certosa del Galluzzo and Basilica of Impruneta.
Fee: Euro 65,00 per participant
Code CHA to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

CARRARA QUARRIES AND VERSILIA
In the Apuan Alps, the spectacular marble quarries offer an evocative sight. Here, this precious white stone has been excavated since Roman times. Visits will include both the “open” and “inside the mountain” quarries including those used by Michelangelo during the 16th century. After the quarries, you will visit some of the artisans in Versilia.
Fee: Euro 70,00 per participant
Code CQV to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

    

SECTION OF MINERALOGY AND LITHOLOGY of the MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF FLORENCE
Tracing their roots back to the times of the Medici family, the rich mineralogical collections of this section form the pride of the Museum of Natural Hitory of Florence. Among the 45,000 items housed in this section, worth of mention are great amethist geods, a 151kg topaz crystal (the second among the heaviest in the world), an aquamarine crystal almost 100kg in weight, quartzes, silicified woods, tormalines, gold nuggets, as well as a full variety of precious stones and meteorites
Free entrance
Code MIL to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

ZOOLOGICAL SECTION "LA SPECOLA" of the MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF FLORENCE
The Specola Museum, founded by the Grand Duke Peter Leopold of Lorraine, is the oldest scientific museum in Europe. It was opened to the public in 1775, and maintains the largest collection of anatomical waxworks in the world, manufactured between 1770 and 1850, as well as over 3,500,000 specimens of animals, only 5,000 of which are accessible to the public.
Fee: Euro 14,00 per participant
Code SPE to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE HISTORY
In 1927, the University of Florence promoted the foundation of the Museum. It is housed in Palazzo Castellani, in the historical center of Florence. The institute endorses important research programs and has a rich library. The Museum is the repository of around 5,000 original items of two fundamental categories: the Medici family apparati and scientific instruments, and the Lorraine collection of instruments.
Fee: Euro 16,00 per participant
Code HIS to be indicated in the reservation form at the section “Social Program”