Itinerary for Florence Day Trip

Sarah, you've picked a couple of my favorite places in Florence, but your time may be tight (depending on your interest in the sites). I'd suggest an earlier departure and a later return. A couple of hours would allow time for a quick loop through the convent of San Marco, provided you don't like to spend significant time with the art. I usually give myself a full day there (given their limited open hours). Two hours for the Duomo and its museum seems too tight, unless you you are interested in just a few key pieces in the museum. I seem to remember 3 stories in the Duomo museum; I spend at least a half day there, but I really love some of their art. I'm assuming you don't want to climb the dome or the bell tower; if you do, you'll definitely need more time. I'd also suggest a visit to the Baptistry; amazing ceiling mosaics and often quieter than the other sites. Actually, I find it much more powerful than the duomo. Also, please be aware that you may find lines to get into the duomo and/or baptistry. That won't be an issue at San Marco or the duomo museum. Finally, plan carefully around open hours/days.

Sarah, glad to see San Marco at the top of your list! I agree with Sherry, an earlier start and later departure would give you more time with the places on your list, or you could add the Accademia (more than just the David), which is on the way to San Marco (Via Ricasoli). There's a very good cafe in the piazza in front of San Marco as well. And, don't miss the baptistry of the Duomo. It's small, there's usually no line.

Thanks for the help! I'll book an earlier arrival and later departure, as I don't want to cut short my time at San Marco. I'm mostly interested in seeing the Gates of Paradise at the Museum of the Dome, so I don't think that part of the trip should take too long. I do want to climb the dome, but I don't have time to wait in line for hours . . . do they have a skip-the-line option? Also, I want to see paintings by Cimabue and Giotto while I'm Italy--but since I only have one day in Florence, I can't make it to the Uffizi. Is their work at any of the museums in Rome?

Sarah, re Cimabue and Giotto, any way you can work in Assisi? Obviously there are the Giotto's (despite attribution controversies), but there is also lovely work by Cimabue. I particularly am moved by the crucifixion in the sanctuary of the upper basillica, which has oxidized into a surrealistic effect, and is quite powerful. There's also a lovely Madonna and Jesus with St Francis and angels in the lower basillica. You could do a day trip from Rome, or do a stopover in Assisi between Florence and Rome, although obviously that would mean more than a day trip. I don't remember any Cimabue in Rome (although I could be blanking on it). In Florence, there's the crucifix at Santa Croce---damaged but still powerful. You could also do a quick visit to the Uffizi; the only Cimabue piece I'm remembering is in the first room, a large-scale Madonnas with Child, one by Cimabue and one by Giotto.

Thanks again, Sherry and David. Based on the trains that are still available (the economy fares are selling out fast!), it looks like I could leave Rome at 7:45, arrive in Florence at 9:15, and then leave Florence at 5:40, giving us over 8 hours in Florence. Also, I was planning on doing San Marco first, but would visiting the Duomo first help us beat the long line for climbing the dome? My favorite Giotto frescoes are in Padua, which is unfortunately pretty far from Rome. Assisi, however, is closer, and I would love to visit Assisi for so many reasons . . . I'll try posting a new thread about that.

Hello Sarah, It seems like you are an art lover, as am i, i lived in florence for a summer in '06 and saw everything in there.
If you are looking for some amazing Frescos and art, i would reccomend the following as well if you havent thought of them: Right off the train is Santa Maria Novella, in there you will see Massachio's Holy trinity, along with other works of his. The Bargello, next to the town hall, has Brunelleschi and Ghiberti's competition pieces for the doors of the baptistry, these two pieces started the Renaissance. Donatello's david is in there as well The museum of the Duomo is a must in my book. One thing they will not tell you is that when you see the original Ghiberti Panels for the Gates of Paradise, you are standing on the original floor that Michelangelo carved his david. Climb the dome! See the duomo, but skip the grottos below, nothing much there if you are in a hurry with the exception of Brunelleschi's tomb. if you have other questions, message me, i know florence very, very well