Florence’s Uffizi Gallery is one of those rare places that lives up to the hype. And, while its epic queues put some visitors off, it’s not a worry for you with your skip-the-line entrance. Your expert guide will thoughtfully steer your group through the collection during a private tour. Valentina, a local art historian and guide, says, “it’s impossible to stop and appreciate all 2,200 pieces, but I love to show off a few of my favourites, alongside some more unusual pieces, like Bandinelli’s 2,000-year-old statue.”

The Uffizi is home to the world’s largest collection of Renaissance paintings, but it was first commissioned as a place of business in 1560 by a member of the influential Medici dynasty. Valentina adds, “as you wander its 96 opulent rooms, you’ll hear stories and secrets about the mighty Medici family that you won’t find in the guidebooks.”

It’s a feast for the eyes, as you take in all the must-see masterpieces, from Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, to Da Vinci’s Annunciation and the Giotto room, displaying the Uffizi’s oldest paintings. Scatterings of Michelangelo, Caravaggio and Raphael across the gallery will fight for your attention, while your guide keeps order and helps you absorb the context, symbolism and quality of each piece.

The tour ends with a well-deserved break at the terrace café. But, if you’re still keen to explore more, or just have to revisit a favourite, you can wander to your heart’s content, as your ticket is valid until closing time.