Piazzale Michelangelo to the Accademia

Thanks for the response, Kent. Do you think there will be taxis there early in the morning? And um, hang-gliders...hmmm, just strap my kids on and let them go - they'll think they're in a Magic Treehouse book :)

Are your accommodations up there, is that why you're going to be up on the PM at that time of the morning?

No, we're staying close to Volterra and this is our day in Florence. Because of ZTLs, I'd been told my best course of action was to park at the Piazzale Michelangelo and take a bus/taxi to the Accademia. The plan is to start at the Accademia, make our way through Florence (Mercato Centrale, Duomo, Uffizi - you know the drill) and then head back to the PM. We are six adults and three children ages 9,9 and 7. Don't want to walk into town because we'll tire out the children, I think. If you have a better way to get us all to the Accademia, I'd love to know - just hard moving that many people around. Museum reservations are already made, so there is no flexibility there at this point. Need to be at the Accademia at 9am and the Uffizi at 3:30. Thanks for your input!! Marisa

I'm beginning to see the challenges in what you're trying to do. Have you tried to change the Accademia reservations to later? Given your itinerary you don't really need 9am at the Accademia. Most people probably only take a half hour at the Accademia, 45 mins or an hour tops. So you don't really need 9am at the Accademic. And I had the impression (but don't know for sure) that the Accademia can be more flexible about reservations than the Uffizi? I'm only suggesting this because it seems that no one here can really assure you that you'll be able to snag 3 taxis at the PM at that time of the morning, probably, it's a busy place with folks taking taxis up - but if there aren't 3 that time of morning, then what? Or let's say you do eventually get 3 but the timing difference between the 1st and 3rd is 15 minutes, then what? Seems like you need more flexibility and can get it by changing the Accademic reservations to later.

I'll check and see if I can change the reservations - thanks for your thoughtful responses!! Marisa

Here's another idea for you to research: I have not done this (maybe someone here has?) but Rick in his Florence & Tuscany book 2008 version said this about day parking in Florence: "Don't attempt driving into the city center (which you already know). Fortunately, the city center is ringed with big efficient parking lots, each with a taxi stand and bus service into the center. I head for the "Parcheggio Parterre" just beyond Piazza della Liberta, it's open 24 hrs, 600 spots, pay with cash or credit card, tel. 055-650-5295. From the freeway, follow the signs to Centro, then Stadio, then P; at the elevator exit, you'll see a taxi stand and bus stop #7 which heads to the Duomo and train station." Note: this is from Rick's book 2008 edition and is not based on my personal experience. Please verify in Rick's current book that he still says this, or that he doesn't. What would make me nervous is that the Piazza della Liberta is just north of the edge of Florence ZTL Zone C, if this is correct then going south of the Piazza would get you one of the big fines in the mail a year later. Please, don't rely on the above info without verifying in Rick's current book, or with someone else who knows for sure, that Parcheggio Parterre still exists. It has been my personal experience that things related to parking are subject to change in Florence (as elsewhere). The other thing I would say is, still try to get a later reservation at the Accademia, because everyone having to do with rental cars and parking seems to be more difficult and take longer than you think, in Florence.

More advice on day parking in Florence, at: http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/parking_florence.htm