Florence Itinerary - MAJOR input needed!

As a time saver, I paid our hotel to do our laundry. I would rather spend my limited time seeing Florence than doing laundry. Yes it was a lot of money to have them do laundry, but it was definitely worth it. Our hotel charged by weight so if you can do without having your jeans done, you will save some money.

I am not the sort of traveler who likes to plan out my days so carefully. I tend to be more spontaneous. The exceptions in Florence would be for Uffizi and Accademia, since you'll want advance reservations for those.

That said, it seems to me you aren't allowing much time to get from one place to another. It's likely to be very hot in July, and walking from place to place will take its toll. You'll need some rest time. When I was in Florence a few years ago, I took a break in my air conditioned B&B room each afternoon; you aren't allowing for anything of that sort at all on day 1, and you might regret it.

In addition, eating dinner at 5 or even at 6:30 is very early for Florence. Restaurants will likely be empty or filled with American tourists. (In fact, I don't know if restaurants are even open for dinner at 5pm.) The best time to eat dinner in Italy is 9pm, or at least after 8, if you really want to enjoy the experience of dining among locals. On Day 3, I'd plan on using the afternoon for siesta and laundry, and then have a later supper.

When I was in Florence, I got in line for the Duomo climb early, was like the 3rd person in line, and had no problem. That was a few years ago, though, so possibly now reservations are required. I don't know the answer to that, but a good guidebook should tell you where reservations are required.

Being a very big planner for my travels, I think you are wise to try to nail down a daily itinerary since you have so little time in Florence. But I suggest you look closer at a Florence map. Some of the distances between activities will require riding a Vespa at top speed to make your next sight on time. Since you have Rick's guidebook, I would look more closely at his recommendations on how much time it will take you to visit each sight. For example, on Day 1 you allotted 90 minutes to see Duomo Museum and hike to the Mercato, and 90 minutes at Uffizi. I recall Rick says 2 hours but my most recent visit to both of these took over 3 hours and I had visited both before. On Day 3 you allow an hour for seeing Santa Croce plus getting to P. Michelangelo which is a long, uphill hike. Santa Croce needs 90 minutes minimum, for me it's a 2- hour visit. I think you have rightly scheduled some of Florence's greatest attractions, but you need at least 5 days to really see them, unless you are just whizzing through on roller skates and barely seeing anything you pass. Is it possible to stay longer, or if not, pare down the list so that Florence is not just hit and run?

I do not think you are planning enough time at any of the sites, never mind the time to get to each one, especially in July. I am not sure if the Firenze pass gets you into any of the sites without waiting in some kind of line, but for almost all the sites you list, I expect there will be a line even for Firenze pass holders. I would venture to guess that you can't even begin to see the Duomo and the dome in one hour except to stand outside and "see" them.
Not sure why you are allocating more time to Piazza Michelangelo than to the Duomo or other sites. Yes, it is a great view but that is it. A view.

Both Giotto's Campanile and the dome climb at the Duomo are line-dependent for how quickly you can move through these locations. My daughter and I did them back to back (Campanile then dome) and it seems from the time we descended the campanile to the time we got through the line for the dome climb and actually did the climb, it was maybe 90 minutes. That was in March 2015, so crowds were likely smaller than you will see in July. The lines didn't look like much to me, but they took longer to negotiate than I anticipated. There might even be capacity control for number of people climbing the dome at any one time.
Plus, you don't just climb to get to the top and turn around and get back to terra firma. You need to allow yourself time to look around while at the top of these features.
That said, beginning your itinerary at 1 might not put you on the Renaissance Walk right at 3pm.

On Day 3, I would rearrange the agenda to put myself at Piazzale Michelangelo later in the afternoon, particularly if the sky looks promising for a pretty sunset. This is one of the premier overlooks in Florence and even the dull sunset I saw from there heightened the experience above and beyond the daylight view I saw an hour earlier. And if you are there late in the afternoon, you can go a little farther up the hill to San Miniato Church, an 11th Century church, at which there is a daily prayer service at 6:30pm featuring Gregorian chant. If you're looking for something you don't experience everyday, this might fit the bill. I have not been to San Miniato church but I plan to go on my next trip in September. Even without the prayer service, I think the church is worth a visit.

Piazzale Michelangelo is great for views and an overpriced drink, but the bus or hike to get to/from it will take about 30 minutes each way.

All of your time periods, except for Piazzale Michelangelo, are too short, and walking distances must be accounted for.

You should reverse supper and hotel laundry (laundry at 5, supper at 7:30).

There are some bars, restaurants and tavole caldi that offer continuous service, if you have to eat early.

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions. Reflecting on this, I should definitely incorporate walking times into my schedule as well as short rests. I may even move one of the sites to Day 3 instead of Day 1. Laundry is offered at the hotel, so I will probably end up paying the extra dough to enjoy some extra time sightseeing in Florence. Thanks again for the suggestions! Looking forward to having an excellent experience in this wonderful city.

I would drop a few things and loosen things up to allow for spontaneity. July is VERY HOT in Florence - mid 30s Celsius when I climbed the bell tower at 10am in July 2012. You will need lots of breaks.

I have a few suggestions.

1. Store your bags at the station on arrival at Florence SMN, then head straight on to PIsa. Come back to Florence after lunch to check into your hotel at visit the Uffizi.

2. Be content with a day at your own pace visiting just Siena - take the bus/train from Florence.

3. Choose either the dome or the bell tower to climb. Remember that you get a great view of the Duomo itself from the bell tower. Either way, do it first thing before it heats up, and note the dome climb can be a little claustrophobic.

4. Even if you are not a museum person, still allow 1 hour minimum at the Accademia, and 2 hours at the Uffizi. Book ahead for both.

5. Piazzale Michelangelo is best (and famed) at sunset. It would be too hot at lunchtime in July.

Day 1
9:30am: Arrive in Florence and store luggage
10:28am: Train to Pisa
11:30am: Visit Piazza dei Miracoli (Leaning Tower)
1pm: Lunch
2pm: Return train to Florence
3pm: Check in to hotel
4pm: Uffizi Gallery

Day 2
Day to Siena by public bus or train

Day 3
9am: Climb the bell tower or dome
10am: Duomo & Baptistry
12pm: Mercato Centrale - lunch
2pm: Accademia (David)
4pm: Medici Chapels
5pm: Piazza della Signoria
6pm: Ponte Vecchio
7pm: Piazzale Michelangelo

The Medici Chapels are small; people are admitted more or less at the rate others leave, so there's a good chance of lines. Check on a map, but it seems to me that the Medici Chapels are near the Accademia and SMN Church is farther away. 4 sights in 4 hours is very optimistic.

Sunset in Florence in July is between 8.30 and 9.00 p.m.

I suspect that you aren't going to have time to see and do everything on your list. Prioritize and try to organize so that the places you most want to visit are the earlier ones on each day.

As the others have said, you'd probably find yourself racing from one thing to the next to try and get this all in.

I'd go along with choosing either cupola or bell tower at the Duomo; you don't need both. We chose to do Piazza Michelangelo over either for our "view" location because of San Miniato (yes, definitely do that one). We both found in the interior of the Duomo to be a little underwhelming and the exterior to be much more impressive, especially when lit up at night. The Baptistry is a must, though.

We were also underwhelmed with the Medici Chapels; I'd put that one on the skip list if pressed for time.

Dinner: we're also early diners (we load up at breakfast and don't eat lunch) and haven't found that to be a problem. Not everything will be open at the 5:00 hour but you won't have any trouble finding places to eat between 5:00 - 7:00.

I realize I am in the minority on this site with this opinion, but I'd drop a day trip to Siena or anywhere else...in fact I have, twice. Have your list of must sees, but don't run from one to the other. Florence is a great city for just roaming and stumbling into hidden plazas, alleys, churches. Was it Room with a View, in which Eleanor Lavish said something to the affect of having everyone take a test before entering Florence (and burning all their Baedekers?)...I think I need to watch that movie again. I'm not much into going somewhere for a view to sit for days; i.e., Sorrento, Amalfi, CT, etc., but watching the sunset while on the Piazzo Michelangelo like all history before me is well worth the neat walk to get there. Museums in summer in Florence...not for this art history person, pick your poison and limit your museums as you are not there long enough and what can you see with the summer crowds in the museums anyway? Unless you just want to say you've been there vs seeing it, which is fine, but just so you know why you want to see it. However, that's just my style in Florence so definitely figure out your own style or be willing to chuck your agenda when you arrive. Florence is one of my favorite cities. Look with your own eyes, not Rick's...as I have to question his art history taste anyway. Have fun, Wray

Your plan reminds me of the old joke regarding what to take ( take only half of what you currently have packed ).You have a 6 day trip here IMO- could you stretch out your vacation & take a few more days?

You underestimate the strenuous nature of climbing the Duomo! I had a hard time with it (though it was well worth it!) I highly doubt that you will want to do that plus the myriad of other things you have planned on Day One.

Florence is in my opinion one of the most beautiful and magical cities in the world - don't overschedule it because you will find yourself wanting to just wonder and take it all in!

I don't think this plan works well in a colder / less crowded month but trying to do it in July it definitely is flawed.

Not sure how realistic climbing the Bell Tower and then immediately climbing the Dome in the Duomo is and your timeframe would be hard if there were no lines. Instead there will be 3 lines for these sites. 1 for the Bell Tower, assume at least 30 min wait. Another to get into the Duomo assume a 1 hour wait and a 3rd for climbing the Duomo assume another 30 min wait and you can see that waiting times alone equal your allotments.
I didn't have a Florence Pass so not sure if you get to skip any lines for climbing the Bell Tower or Dome but distinctly recall all of the disappointed pass holders that thought the pass allowed them to skip the line at the Duomo and were turned back.
Since that site does not charge admission the pass does nothing there and you wait online along with everyone else, a line that snakes around the building and is going to be bad in July mid-day.

Day 2 sounds like a really long and tiring day ; in July will also be hot I would want a day of rest after that.

Day 3 the timing from Santa Croce to Piazzale Michaelangelo is not realistic.

Wray, I don't think you're in the minority. My initial reaction was "My God", followed by "Where's the fun in that?" But most travelers start out with unrealistic expectations. Better to deal with the misconception during three days in Florence rather than three weeks in England-France-Germany-Switzerland-Austria-Italy.

It's great to research all the possibilities but when reality sets in the schedule goes out the window. I would see the David (with a reservation) on your first day. The Uffizi in the afternoon and Rick's walk at night after dinner when it is cooler and slightly less crowded. Save the Duomo for the second or third day when you can go first thing in the morning, again cooler and less crowded. Don't try and see it all because you can't and you'll lessen the enjoyment of what you do see. Give yourself a reason to return one day.

You are trying to do more than is likely to be enjoyable or even possible. With just three nights in Florence I probably wouldn't do a daytrip, but if I did, I'd either take the bus to Siena for a day or take a guided hill town tour.

My must sees in Florence are, The Uffizi, The Academia, and Florence itself. I'd front end load by getting advance tickets to The Academia and the Uffizi for the morning and afternoon. The Academia is small and won't take the whole morning. View the Duomo from the outside and inside if there is no line after the Academia. Look at The Bapistry doors. Pause to enjoy that Piazza Vechio before seeing the Ufizzi. Then cross the Ponta Vechio slowing down to see a few shops. Walk down the river a bridge or two and view the Ponta Vechio from there. Walk the long way back to your hotel. Rest or have gelato. If you have the energy, take the bus up to the Piazza Michelangelo or do a walk after five, but before a late dinner.

After that first planned day, I'd climb the Duomo early. Make a list of the other things you want to see in order of preference. String three or four of the sights at the top of your list into a logical walk using a map. Connecting them with a RS walk works too. Add a sight or two as bonus possibilities for your walk home from the last sight should you feel up to it. Rest. Take a walk RS or wander before dinner.

We followed ricks suggestion about getting reservations for the accademia museum ahead of time...and were the 1st people tghru the doors! also, if you want to climb the tower at pisa, u have to have a reservation for that, only about 30 people perhour get to climb it

With just three nights in Florence I probably wouldn't do a daytrip

I'd agree. 1.5 days is very little time to try and cover all that Florence has to offer. Even 2.5 days is really short and means having to leave some things off the plate. Then again, you may intend to return someday for a longer look?

Thank you again everyone for the amazing suggestions. I continue to realize that it's simply too much to fit in and it will give me a reason to return one day. Do you think 10am is a good time to climb the Dome? When does it usually really heat up during the day?
I should say that the bus tour is a relaxing Tuscan wine tour with stops in Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa with a beautiful vineyard lunch and a ticket to climb to Learning Tower of Pisa. I feel like it would give me a break from the larger cities on my trip by being in some smaller towns.
I'm going to take out the Medici Chapels and the bell tower for this trip. I'm going to move Piazza Michelangelo to later in the day for nice sunset views followed by a later supper as many of you suggest. I'm also curious if any of you might know what bus would take me to Piazza Michelangelo from, let's say, the Ponte Vecchio? Any restaurant recommendations in the area?
Adding extra time to allow for walking is also necessary. Keep in mind that I am a relatively fit 22 year old and a fast walker, but I realize now this might not help with the fact that it will be quite busy in Florence at that time in July.
Thanks again for all of your help and suggestions so far.

You definately need more time at sites....Day 3 have supper later and go to Piazza Michelangelo for sunset view of city.
Get Firenze card to avoid lines---July is crazy busy.

Prepare to leave something out and have fun along the way.

The only places you need advance tickets are the Accademia and the Uffuzi, so the Firenze Card may not be worth it for you.

The bus to Piazzale Michelangelo (it may be #12, but routes change) leaves from Firenze Santa Maria Novella, not sure there is a stop near Ponte Vecchio, but there was one near Palazzo Pitti.

Your "relaxing" wine tour will hardly be that. I can't see you having more than an hour or so at each spot. The countryside will be nice, but you'll be spending a lot of time on the bus.

The countryside will be nice, but you'll be spending a lot of time on
the bus.

My thoughts exactly, and where I'm concerned for you, oilserfan. 14 hours (if I'm looking at the tour you'll be taking) is a very long day but offers little time to adequately explore 3 towns. On top of that, being surrounded all day with a busload of other folks isn't exactly my idea of a "relaxing" day. Let's just say if that's the goal, you'd probably be far better off spending that time doing some low-key sightseeing within Florence or doing Siena on your own, if you must take a day trip. Just a thought...

Oh, and the tour info states you may be having lunch at a local restaurant instead of a vineyard. Worth noting if the vineyard is an expected highlight that would deeply disappoint should it not happen?