FLORENCE TOUR INFORMATION - for Indivdual Travellers join the "best group tours with a plus" in Florence are in conjunction with Mercurio Tours - Qualified guides with many years of experience, passion for art and culture and excellent command of the language.

Most of them are native or have been living in Florence or Tuscany for many years and have a teachers' background so that they combine their skills of both teachers and guides to make the tours very enjoyable and educational.

We have museum reservations to avoid long waiting times and the smallest groups up to just 20 people per guide, head sets for listening comfort when more than 12 participants.

A less invasive type of tourism, with slowly paced tours, less crowded places - off the beaten path - whenever possible and special stops, such as at the Uffizi Cafeteria for a drink. Our tours include what's world famous but also what's less known

Crystal Tours Unlimited has selected this group for city tours in Florence because they consistently perform to the highest level of professionalism

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PITTI PALACE AND OLTRANO - Florence was founded in 1st Century b.c. on the northern bank of the Arno and its central square corresponded to today's Piazza della Repubblica and the area to the north of the Arno river grew over the centuries until it became known as l' Altrano "beyond" the Arno or Oltrano.

Departure- a 2 hour tour on Tuesday and Thursdays only at 400 PM, under the three arches in the middle of Ponte Vecchio near the fountain.

The Medici's decided to build a new palace in Via Larga (today's Via Cavour) and they discarded the location and Brunelleschi's impressive design; it was accepted instead by the banker Luca Pitti, who wanted to show the city and the Medici the power of his family by building a bigger palace. Work started in 1458 and stopped 8 years later (too expensive, even for the Pitti's) and 80 years later the Medici's completed the site in 1580 with additional buildings continuing for years and the area, Oltrano, was the place for the weathy to build palaces and residences.

Discover the church where a unique private passageway, the Vasari Corridor, runs across its façade. See the creative activity of great Florentine artisans in side alleys as well as main streets. Admire imposing palazzi of this less known but more authentic part of Florence: the Oltrarno.

Visit the Palatine Gallery and the Royal Apartments in the Pitti Palace at the best time of the day, when they are less crowded. Enjoy the masterpieces by Raphael, Titian and Rubens and other great painters in the magnificent rooms of this royal residence.

Cost $62.50 per person, children 6 and under FREE, 7-12 w/adults $32.50 each