Florence - 3 nights? Too much?

I think it's about right, but it would help to know what other things you're planning to do. Many people would be happy spending the full 2 weeks in Florence, and taking day-trips to see more of Tuscany. Others would try to cover more territory in their 2 weeks and giving 3 nights to Florence might make them rush a little too much elsewhere.

We spent three nights in Florence and it was perfect!

First evening was spent wandering. Check out the Michelangelo Piazza at sunset for a great view of Florence. Bring a bottle of wine to enjoy on the steps :)

Second day was spent at the Uffizi Gallery/more wandering/enjoying an amazing traditional Florentine dinner.

Third day was spent on a bike tour of a winery & the Tuscan countryside.

Just returned from a 17 day trip to Italy and spent 5 nights in Florence--had a very nice apartment near the Ponte Vecchio. We did daytrips from Florence that worked out well. Had been in Venice for 6 nights prior to Florence and from Florence we headed to Vernazza in the Cinque Terre for 4 nights and then onto Milan. Are you also going to Rome? If you are going to Rome then I think 3 nights in Florence is enough as they are both hot, loud cities. We had been to Rome before so skipped it and went to the C.T. for relaxation. It also depends on how much you like to move around. I find it much more relaxing to not be moving around so much.

We spent 4 nights in Florence and it seemed good. We took a full day tour - the Best of Tuscany Tour which went to Siena, a winery, San Gimignano and Pisa - that was fun, but you didn't get much time in any one place. We saw the Accademia and Uffuzi one day and did lots of shopping, eating and wine drinking.

Depends, Bob, to me, on the nature of this Italian excursion. Is it a first trip, sort of like a survey-introductory trip for you? Or is it your intention to return? As a first trip, if you plan to see Rome and Florence and Venice, I'd say two or three nights is perfect, especially if you have much travel planned and many stops. However, if you're focusing on just a few places without much ground travel through the country, I'd stay a few more nights, and use Florence as a base from which to explore Siena and maybe some Tuscan hill towns via car rental or bus. Our first trip to Italy was just a week, and we did 2 nights in Venice, 2 in Florence, 1 in Siena, and 3 in Rome...and when we went back, we skipped Rome and spent more time in Florence and Venice. With two weeks, I'd fly into Naples and do 3 nights down in Sorrento (Amalfi Coast, Capri), 3 nights in Rome, 2 nights in Siena, 3 nights in Florence, and 3 in Venice (or if I could stretch it to 16 nights, toss in Cinque Terre for 2). TMI, I know, but that's why I say, "it depends." I've got itineraries and details under old posts on my travel blog at http://www.moltogentileitalia.blogspot.com. Good luck!

Bob, if you really like the art of the Italian renaissance and the museums, it's about right. If you don't, 3 nights is still not too much if you consider that it is very popular to make day trips to either Pisa, Siena or both from Florence.