Hi. We will be in Florence about 5 days and need some ideas for touring a couple of the main spots (with a great guide and advance tickets) and then ideas on locals who provide one with a unique view of Florence and off the beaten track jewels. Any ideas of the must sees and the names of tour guides / unique tour providers? Thanks.
When is this trip?
Have you looked at the RS Florence Guidebook? Lots of practical intel. Will help with your research.
Should also look at the Lonely Planet guide.
Carol Sisk, curiousappetitetravel.com is spot on for in-the-know Florence, emphasis food. Fellow guide extraordinaire Anna Piperato lives in Siena (her raison d'être, St Catherine) and knows Florence beyond quite well, as Sienese do regarding the Florentines. Both are talented, passionate guides who provide exemplary knowledge and insight to things Tuscan, pre-Tuscan and beyond. Impossible to more highly recommend.
We are in Florence now. Really enjoying it.
1) We walked up to the main attraction ticket booth, and got into David that afternoon, Uffizi next morning. You will have no issue with tickets.
2) We didn't use a guide.
You will have no issue with tickets.
Although that may depend on when this trip will be. I'd definitely pre-book the Uffizi if traveling during the summer.