I tried 3 times but I can't seem to order tickets on the official website: http://www.uffizi.firenze.it/english/Default.asp
I "registered" but didn't find an option for the United States (!), so I entered Canada and that may be the problem?
I chose all my tickets (Uffizi, Accademia, Palatina) and I got right through to the confirmation and then it cancelled my order--3 times.
Can anyone help out or suggest an alternate site for tickets?
Judy
Judith, did you call your credit card company to tell them to authorize a foreign transaction? I had the same problem with other foreign sites but as soon as I call the cc company, the transaction would go through. For reservations for the Uffizi, Accademia & Palatina though, I always just call which is actually really easy, just takes a bit of time. By calling though, you only have a reservation and still need to pay for and pick up your tickets.
Hope this works for you!
United States is "Stati Uniti" in Italian. It's there in th edropdown list.
But I think as Darcy does---the problem is likely your credit card. Mine will reject any charge from Italy unless I call first to authorize the charge. (And even then AmEx rejected a charge for La Scala tickets we were trying to purchase online.)
But don't worry---calling is a better option, for several reasons. You don't have to pay upfront, and also you can make reservations for times that are not available on the website. For example, on the website you can only get reservations at the Accademia from noon on. If you call, you can get a morning reservation time.
It's very easy (Just push 2 for English when they ask). You may well be on hold for awhile---I was for 5 minutes---but its worth the wait.
Thank you both so much. As I am about to obtain an international cell phone, I will call for tickets and be sure to contact my credit card company before I depart.
These blogs are a lifesaver! So much handy advice.
Judy
If you are staying in Florence, have your hotel make the arrangement. Far easier and less brain damage -- and they know the system.
Good advice, Frank, and we have done that in Rome and Venice but we are not staying right in Florence but at an agriturismo winery in Chianti. I wasn't sure they provided that service. I will contact them. Don't want to miss the Uffizi or that Caravaggio show! Again, thanks to you all for quickly delivered sound advice. Go Rick Steves!
For our trip last July I called to Florence for tkts to Uffizi and Accademia. Was very easy to do and only took a few minutes. You need to remember the time diff which in MN is 7 hours behind Italy.
I just called a copule of nights ago and got times in the morning that were not showing on the website. It was very easy. The person was fluent in english. I called just at the opening time 8:30 AM Local (11:30 PM Pacific time) and had maybe a minute wait. it was painless and better yet we did not have to pay anything upfront. The phone number is on the website or in Rick Steve's tour book on Italy.
I purchased mine through this site and received my vouchers in one day. They might be more expensive but I have them in hand.
selectitaly is one of the sites tha charges extra for a special exhibition. Here is what their website says:
"From June 8 to November 1, 2010 entrance to the Galleria dell' Accademia includes admission to the special exhibit Virtu d'Amore: Wedding Paintings of 15th Century Florence. Pricing for this museum during this period is $36.00 per person."
But if you check prices on the official site (or over the phone), the ticket plus reservation fee is 14 euro.
Maybe that doesn't include entrance to the special exhibit---I didn't look that far on the site---but for those of us who are going to see the David only, it doesn't make sense to pay so much extra.
On the other hand, that site charges in dollars, so maybe there won't be foreign transaction fees and credit card problems.
Try "Weekend in Florence" http://en.firenze.waf.it/
