Florence in a day

Posted by MC (Tucson) on 02/19/09 08:58 AM

My husband and I are going to Italy in May with our three daughters (8, 10, 12). We're squeezing in one night/one day in Florence. We arrive at 7:30 Tuesday night and leave at 5:15 Wednesday for Lake Como. My husband wants to see the David and to climb the Duomo - other than that we're open to suggestions on how to fill our day. I've read all the books and know all the choices, but I'd appreciate guidance from those of you on this board that love Florence. I have come to respect you opinions and advice over the past few months!

Thank you! Merritt

Posted by Frank

Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

02/19/09 09:13 AM

23626 posts

Given your time limits you have it pretty well covered. You need a reservation for David either directly or through you hotel. There could be line for the Duomo. After the Duomo and David, you will not have a lot of time left. You might try for an early PM walking tour. We used Walking Tours of Florence. With three kids it is always hard to get an earlier start. I would check out the luggage storage on arrival at the train station, scout the departure, check my luggage in the morning so I don't have to return to the hotel. It is all very close together.

Posted by Larry

Elk Grove, CA, USA

02/19/09 09:55 PM

6898 posts

There is a door down the left side of il Duomo where you line up to go up to the top. I can't remember the time that it opens but it opens earlier than the times for the Duomo itself. I'm thinking 8:00am or 8:30am. Note that the line for going inside il Duomo can and might queue down to the side door so make sure that you are in the line to go to the top.

As a side note, check out the family fares on www.trentialia.com. Or, CLICK HERE and notice the family fares link in the right column.

Posted by Ash

Tulsa, Oklahoma, US

02/20/09 06:19 AM

290 posts

Merritt

Florence in one day with kids is really pushing it, but, by all means see the Accademia (David), stroll around the town (Florence is very compact), see the Duomo and the Baptistry, stroll the Piazza della Signoria, walk across the Ponte Vecchio. I can't imagine visiting the birthplace of the Renaissance without touring the Uffizi, but considering your short stay and with young children you will have to give it a miss. Do spend a couple of hours at the Bargello and, if you can, the Museo 'dell Opera del Duomo, a small and much overlooked museum around behind the Duomo. Have a gelato while sitting on the piazza admiring Brunelleschi's dome. Start planning what you will see on your next trip to Florence.

Posted by Steven

Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada

02/20/09 09:15 AM

521 posts

If you are limited for time, I cannot stress enough the value of booking a time to see David at the Galeria Accademia in advance! There is a surcharge of four euros per ticket to book online, but if you are limited on time it could save you two hours waiting in line to get in. I booked this past summer and I was admitted within fifteen minutes of the reservation time, and managed to bypass a huge lineup.

Make sure you reserve well in advance as this books up quickly. Just click here, click on the British flag at the top-right to get English, click on the Accademia Gallery, and then click the "Buy" link at the top.