Viator question.

Want to know about Viator, or the company that actually runs the tour? Viator just being a broker of third party tours.

Somebody here posted recently that Viator does name who actually does a tour, but you have to dig into the fine print. Viator doesn't do tours, they resell.

Think of them as the 'Airbnb of tours". I've used them multiple times, they are good for research and checking reviews.

I've used Viator several times over the years and have had good experiences each time, they seem to use tours groups that are established and reputable.

Ok. I see. So basically a Travelocity to speak. Donald, that’s good to know!

Lulu, no interest in the video guide that the palazzo itself offers?

https://museicivicifiorentini.comune.fi.it/en/palazzovecchio/evento47.htm
https://musefirenze.it/en/guida-multimediale/

As others have said, Viator is a reseller of tours offered by other companies. Somewhere in the details, you can find the name of the company actually offering the tour. Usually, I go to that company's page to book the tour, although, in one instance, I did book through Viator because the price was better.

Kathy, yes I am interested in that! I didn’t realize they have a headset to use. Thanks!

I'll just add that Viator is owned by Trip Advisor. Some people seem to have good luck booking thru them but to me it's better to ferret out who the provider is, as mentioned upthread. As I understand it, they charge 20-25% to the provider for being listed. Sometimes that results in a higher charge booking thru them, sometimes the profit for the provider is cut to the bone.

I hope you find what you need!

It was sort of buried, Lulu. On this page, click "opening hours and tickets", then "Multimedia Guide" under "Facilities" on the right side of the page. Ta-da; there it is!

https://musefirenze.it/en/musei/museo-di-palazzo-vecchio/

Hope it works for you! :O)

We have booked tours through Viator many times and are so pleased every time. We have done food tours, boat rides, walks etc all over Europe. Every single time, they are on time, know we are coming and make it a really enjoyable event. They have created some of our best memories. During the last two years, as we booked and cancelled trips, they stayed on top of the changing situation and were great about refunds. I think renting scooters for just the two of us (plus a guide) to drive through Paris is our top memory though a food tour in Paris was also incredible. Though we have four tours booked for Rome in May! The groups are usually small including a dinner cruise on the Seine where we met travelers from all over the world. One older vet from Australia did remind the guide he could be speaking German if it weren't for Australia when the guide made a snide comment but that added to the experience! I highly recommend Viator.

@a221x....BUT the tours you took were not run by Viator. They are a consolidator and do not run tours themselves. Each tour was probably run by a different company. If you look up your tours you have booked you will see which companies are actually running your specific tour.

Viator is like Doordash, they come between you and the actual service provider. Sometimes that is helpful, sometimes not. Based on posts I've seen, many service providers grit their teeth and end up using them because they have to, but they hate paying the commission and would much rather deal with you directly. That used to be tough, but nowadays with the intergoogles, not so hard.