Just returned from Italy - spent 4 nights in Florence - one of my favorite city in the world.
Just want to share some tips and expectations coming to Florence during Oct.
1) it's a very walkable city. no need to worry about bus/metro or trains. The whole old town historical area may take less than 30min to walk total. Very pleasant walk.
2) I was in Florence 5 years ago, so we already did Academia and Uffizi - that gave us extra time to explore other towns of Tuscany. It was so easy to explore Pisa/Lucca and Siena - using trenitalia. All within 60-90mins using regional trains - so no need to book ahead. We actually did Pisa and Lucca in one day (they are so close to each other,that train was quick and cheap)
3) speaking of booking ahead - if you are coming from Rome to Florence - strongly recommend book fast trains early as possible. We did - and it only cost us 14.90E pp...
4) use trenitalia app - it was so convenient booking tickets right thru the APP. no waiting in lines.. just book the ticket and get on the train (esp regional train).. and use it to book fast trains as well.
5) Google map is your friend - we found such wonderful restaurants via the app - and it made our journey so convenient.
6) Duomo lines - just incredible lines in the morning/afternoon. people waiting 2 hours to get in. just crazy.. Goto mass instead. There is 6pm mass every night inside the Duomo. Just tell the guard you are here for the mass - and they let you in.. dress appropriately and dress like a Catholic and minimize tourist vibe... there is no line.. and you get to experience the locals of getting utilizing Duomo the way it is suppose to... plus there are no crowds... best experience we had... and be kind, when offering plate goes around - do donate.. at least for the convenience of being inside the Duomo w/o the crowd.
7) Do the Rick Steve's pre recorded renaissance walk - listen on your iphone while walking the renaissance walk - great learning audio..
8) Oct/Nov is a rainy season in Florence - dress appropriately..
That's about it... hope this helps someone...