My husband and I expected more about the art and sculptures and the inside of the church itself. It was mostly a little history of the church building and a good part of time on all the tombs and people buried there. While I expected a bit of that, we did not anticipate that being a majority of the hour. We did not learn anything about the meanings of the art or frescoes or other beautiful parts of the church that make it a Catholic Basilica.
Additionally, being a Catholic, I was a bit dismayed that our guy did not know much about the practices or relevance of the Catholic items & traditions in the church.
Olga was a wonderful, kind person.
This tour was just not want we hoped it to be.
事業者からの返答
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review. I’m sorry that the tour did not fully meet your expectations.
I would just like to clarify that the tour follows its description and is designed as a one-hour overview of Santa Croce, focusing on the church’s history, important burials, and its art, including the famous frescoes and fresco-painting techniques.
With only one hour, it is unfortunately not possible to cover every chapel and every burial in detail. A more in-depth tour would require 2–2.5 hours or more. In fact, I once took a one-hour tour devoted entirely to the Bardi Chapel, which shows how much there is to explore in just one chapel.
I’m genuinely sorry that the experience was not what you expected, and I appreciate your feedback.
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P6204WMchrisk
September 3, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A true learning experience about so many great men
I was extremely and pleasantly surprised at how much I learned when I did a tour of Santa Croce. What made the experience so positive was the tour guide, Olga Emchenko. Many of the tours I have taken over the years were sometimes led by less than enthusiastic guides who seemed to be talking from a memorized script. NOT this time! Olga made each stop and part of Santa Croce spark to life, so to speak. I had no idea just how much history and depth of world wide learning came from the people who eternally resting here. Dante, Galileo, Michelangelo, Rossini plus many others and their life stories and role of discovery fill the Basilica. What was essential was how our guide, Olga, explained what each person contributed to our understanding, but then she answered so many questions about each of them.
Great tour and will definitely take a tour with Olga before I leave Florence.
事業者からの返答
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a real pleasure sharing Santa Croce and its incredible stories with you. I’m especially happy that you enjoyed discovering the fascinating lives and contributions of the people who rest there. I truly hope we’ll have a chance to explore more of Florence together before you leave! 🇮🇹❤️
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R6462IRdavidp
August 7, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing tour
Olga was incredible and knowledgeable. She was the Perfect guide and made this visit a life time memory. If you want to make history come alive…. Book this tour with Olga…. We learned so much. Thank you
事業者からの返答
David, thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to show you this beautiful church and to share its fascinating history with you. I’m so happy you enjoyed the tour and that I could help make your visit a memorable one. Thank you for choosing my tour, and I hope to see you in Florence again someday 😊
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David_P
August 7, 2026 · via Viator
Outstanding tour
Olga was absolutely amazing guide. She was so kind and went above and beyond. I would recommend her and this tour to everyone. 5star plus
事業者からの返答
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It truly means the world to me. The greatest reward for me is knowing that my clients enjoyed their experience and appreciated the passion I put into what I do. Thank you again for taking the time to share your kind words — I really appreciate it!
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27dancingintherain
July 28, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A magical afternoon at Santa Croce
After enjoying a wonderful walking tour with Olga, my boyfriend and I decided to book her Santa Croce tour as well—and we are so glad we did!
Although Santa Croce is one of Florence’s most famous landmarks, we quickly realized that we would have missed so much if we had visited on our own. Olga’s knowledge, passion, and storytelling brought the basilica to life, turning what could have been a simple visit into a truly fascinating experience.
She guided us through the church’s remarkable history, explained the significance of its beautiful artwork and chapels, and shared countless interesting stories that made every corner of Santa Croce feel meaningful. We especially appreciated how she connected the history of the basilica to the broader history of Florence, helping us understand the city on a much deeper level.
What makes Olga such a special guide is her ability to make history engaging and accessible. She answered all our questions with enthusiasm and tailored the experience to our interests, making the tour feel personal rather than scripted. It felt like exploring with a friend who genuinely loves Florence and enjoys sharing its treasures with others.
This tour was the perfect complement to our walking tour and one of the highlights of our time in Florence. We highly recommend Olga to anyone who wants to discover the rich history, art, and culture hidden within Santa Croce.
事業者からの返答
Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m so glad you enjoyed our visit to Santa Croce. It’s such a special place, filled with incredible history, art, and stories, and it was a pleasure to share them with you. Thank you for choosing to explore Florence with me. I hope to welcome you back someday for another unforgettable experience!
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Pancake1490
July 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Santa Croce and all her Secrets
Another great experience and learning opportunity in Florence with Olga in Florence. I had taken a previous tour (90 minute walking tour) with Olga and was very impressed with her professionalism, knowledge and ability to communicate with everyone.
This tour of Santa Croce was outstanding, interesting and full of hidden secrets about the history of Florence. Some of the best parts about Santa Croce were the stories behind the stories, the small things that bring out the richness of Florence. The pace of the tour was perfect and at no time was any question unanswered by Olga. She was very inclusive in her presentation and in her responses to questions.
I highly recommend this tour and will again take a tour with Olga of Florence when I return in the future.
事業者からの返答
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was such a pleasure showing you around this amazing place. I’m truly grateful that you took the time to leave a review—it means so much to me and really helps my small business. I hope to see you back in Florence someday!