Florence itinerary

There is soooo much to see in Florence. Please get a guidebook or search online. In the city: the duomo and baptistery, the Campanille, Pitti Palace, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, Brancacci chapel, Piazzale Michelangelo, Mercado Centrale to name a few. Your time there is short and you'll get a taste of this center of art. I would not take any of your time to go outside the city. Save the day trips for your next visit to Florence!

We were there last month and did the Nude and Food tour. Loved it! We aren't huge museum people, but we like to get some history and art appreciation into our agendas. You will love it. We were also there three nights and I have to be honest, just getting over the jet lag was our priority because it was the beginning of the trip. We did, however go to Fiesole one day because it was a holiday and everything was closed and crazy with tourists. We liked Fiesole and had lunch there, but what I really wanted to do was a day with tours by Roberto. We just couldn't fathom a day in the van with wine and food just after we arrived. I would recommend that if you want something outside of Florence.

I think there is plenty to do if you are only going to be there for three days. I was there for seven days, which was too long in my opinion. Just to give you an idea, I used Viator.com to book a cooking class in Florence and to visit a winery in the countryside (they take you via coach bus). I also took a local train and visited Lucca for the day.

In 2009, we took the (now defunct) RS Best of Florence tour, which was 7 days. We went to Florence 2 days early, and stayed on an extra week. We didn't see everything we wanted to see in that time. Florence in 2 days/3 nights? Get the RS guidebook, read it carefully ahead of time, and start making a list. I can't imagine doing the Ufficzi, Accademia, and Bargello all in one day.

Your local public library should have guidebooks, should you not want to buy one.

Enjoy the rooftop bar for a glass of wine at Hotel Croce di Malta
Hike to Piazzale Michelangelo for the glorious sunsets over the Arno
Eat cannolinni at Mama Gina's on Borgo Jacopo

Florence is incredibly dense with artistic heritage. In addition to the Uffizi and Academia don't miss the Musee San Marco and the Brancacci Chapel. I would also never try 3 museums in one day and I love museums. That is really punishing. Do Uffizi and Academia and then do some other things that day e.g. Piazzale Michelangelo and San MIniato for example. Do the Bargello another day. You won't have time with only two full days for a side trip.

I'm also planning our trip to Italy for later this year. I noticed you mentioned Monday - per Rick Steves' guidebook and also other comments I've read here, I believe the Academia and Uffizi galleries are closed on Mondays, and some other places are closed on different Mondays of the month so check those as well for planning purposes.

What is the best way to see the Uffizi? RS walking tour in 48min and I have seen tours that take 2 hours.