2 days each in Florence and Rome, or 1 + 3?

If you feel that you can't miss the Uffizi and The David (at the Accademia), then you'll have to make do with 2 full days in Rome, which isn't much time for Rome, but....

Hi Tonya - there SO much to do and see in Rome that you can't do it in 2 days, or 3, or a year. So either way you won't see everything you want to/need to see. The Festival of Lights sounds like a wonderful thing and since that doesn't happen all the time, I would suggest you not miss it. Then you can visit the other museums in Florence Tuesday morning. A well thought out plan will let you see SOME of the major sights in Rome is 2 days and that way you can have the best of both cities. That's just my opinion though. I love both places. Buon viaggio!

I love both of these cities [INVALID] I usually spend 2-3nights in Rome and do a few of the essential sites each time [INVALID] then spend a week in Florence, my favorite city! Rome is wonderful, but it can be exhausting. I'd do two and two for your first time - then come back!

Given your description I would stay the extra night in Florence. Monday is most of Europe is a dead day anyway. Hit the highlights of Rome in two days and save the details for the next trip. You should always plan a next time as it will make it easier to pass things up this time.

Thanks for the good advice everyone! We're going to take it easy in Florence (or as much is permitted in this kind of vacation!) for a second day before hitting up Rome in the evening :)