Florence Duomo Complex Small Group Tour

This turned out to be a private tour. I was supposed to tour the Duomo to the top but that didn't work out because of timing issues and because I had taken a tumble the previous day. The guide was simply incredible. We walked around the Baptistry and the church where she pointed out the salent features. Then we toured the Duomo Museum which is simply incredible. All three sets of the original doors are there although I only saw two. The third set is under going restoration. But one of the most compelling works of Donatello is in this museum and I recommend it. It is a formerly gilt wooden statue of Mary Magdalene called "Grieving Mary". It was severely damaged in the 1965 flood when the Arno surged its banks and did so much damage to the treasures of Florence. The guide was so good at her job, I walked away w/ such a better understanding of what I had seen.

Chiara our guide was very knowledgeable. We first toured the baptistery, then viewed the exterior of the Duomo, and also visited the Duomo museum with Chiara. She then put us in line (time specific) to climb the dome. I thought it was a bit confusing that there is no skip the line entrance to the Duomo itself. We would have planned a time to see the cathedral on our trip had we not know it was not included.

Our guide was knowledgeable and personable however the booking through Viator was a scam. They advertise that you’ll skip the line when in fact no one gets to skip the line of the Duomo. We paid a lot of money for nothing.

The website says "skip the line duomo." It is true that they have a reserved ticket to climb up the dome of the duomo (a good experience), but that activity doesn't allow you to enter the main part of the church. If you want to enter the duomo sanctuary, you have to join the line and wait. We and another couple in the tour agreed that the description is misleading.