Florence Itinerary

Jeremy, My husband and I went to Florence for the first time in April/May 2012. We bought the Firenze Card, and I too was worried about what I heard about lines to get the card itself. From what I read, it depends on where you pick it up. We stopped at the travel office right across from the train station to see if there was much of a line there since we read that was the "worst" place to pick up the pass. We only waited about 5 minutes...not bad. We did buy it online before we got there, so I don't know if that made things speedier or not, since I have nothing to compare it to. To get into the Accademia, we waited again 5 min...maybe 10 to go in. People in the "regular" line were there for 2 hours or more. At the Uffizi we walked right in. All of the other places we went, we just walked in. We did get our moneys worth from just the Uffizi and Accademia, but considering we had only 2 days (actually less, because we were staying elsewhere and had to catch trains in and out), not waiting in line was totally worth it! Also, we spent most of another day in Siena....loved it! Go to the Tuscan Wine school that is there - great time!
Lisa

Thanks Lisa! So it sounds like the Firenze card allows you to bypass at least the ticket buying lines? Is there a specific line for Firenze card holders at all? Or do you just walk straight up to the museum entrances, show them your card, and get right in? I'm probably going to buy the card online - I didn't realize you have to pick it up when you're there. What other locations can you pick the card up at anyway? Thanks!
Jeremy

How much does it cost to book tickets for the Uffizi and Accademia while in Florence anyway? I noticed the online booking fees for both galleries and for two people is already 103 euro! That seems really expensive. I found a site where the author recommended not doing the Firenze card if you're only wanting to visit the Accademia and Uffizi. But if both of those already cost 103 euro for two people, and the Firenze card costs 50 euro per person, it seems like the Firenze card would make sense even if you're only going to visit both those museums (unless it's substantially cheaper to buy the tickets when you're there...?) Unless I'm looking at the wrong site or something. I was originally looking at http://www.uffizi.com/accademia-gallery-florence.asp and http://www.uffizi.com/online-ticket-booking-uffizi-gallery.asp Agh, I just realized that the price was that much due to the addition of the audioguides. After removing those (since we would just use the Rick Steves audio tour guides on our own devices) the price went down to 73 euro for both. That makes much more sense now. I'm just wondering if there are other sites we'll want to visit that the Firenze Card would make sense for... I'm considering just following Rick's Florence itinerary link (http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/florence3.htm)

Some of my favorites in Florence - Bargello Museum - sculpture. I've been 3 times, never a line to buy tickets. Medici chapels - including a whole room by Michelangelo
Duomo Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo) Since you've already been to the Academia and the Uffizi, why not try these instead. Less money, lots of wonderful things to see. And the Baptistry too!

Thanks Chani! I think we still want to re-visit Accademia and Uffizi since it was such a long time ago. Our first full day in Florence will be on a Monday, so I'm thinking we will visit the museums you suggested (Duomo, Bargello, Medici Chapels, and Baptistry) either on Monday or Wednesday, and Siena on whichever other day. I really want to go to Siena but am not sure if it's better to go on Monday vs Wednesday. Tuesday will be reserved for the Accademia/Uffizi.

Many places closed on Mondays. Be sure and check before you get your entire day planned.

I second the duomo mueseum

Thanks again all! As far as Uffizi and Accademia, I'm going to make reservations via the hotel we're staying at. However, I'm trying to figure out what time of day I should do either one. I heard it's good to get Accademia out of the way in the morning since you won't find yourself spending too much time there. But I've also heard it's good to go at 5pm, as the crowds will have died down. Not sure about the Uffizi. We will be arriving probably on a late Sunday afternoon and will have at least 2 full days from there on (actually, the 3rd full day from what I mention in my original post will be dedicated to Siena)

Anyone know what methods of payment are accepted when purchasing the Firenze Card at a pickup location? I'm wondering if I should buy online and pickup there or just buy it when we're there. Any pointers?