My wife and I have a short layover in Florence and want to see the following: The Academia (David), The Uffizi, and the Mercato Centrale. We arrive by train April 18 at 10 am and leave will rent a car to leave Saturday, April 20. We only have a short drive to our agriturismo on Saturday but I think most of the car rental agencies are only open in the mornings on Saturday.
We also still need to find a fairly inexpensive B&B in central Florence for the two nights.
My thinking is: We promptly drop off our luggage at the B&B and go to the market to explore and have lunch. Then we have reservations for the Academia later in the afternoon.
April 19 (Day two): We spend the majority of the day at the Uffizi
Does that make sense?
Questions:
1) Can anyone recommend an economic hotel/b&b somewhere in central Florence? (Is there such a thing)
2) Can you remind me how to make reservations for both the Academia and the Uffizi?
3) Can you recommend a good car rental agency that is open on Saturdays? (We will be driving to San Gimignano and staying a week.)
4) Any other suggestions for our short stay?
Posted by
New Orleans
1206 posts
This plan sounds very doable. What price range for a hotel/b&b is "economic" for you? Also, the Uffizi is actually not a huge museum (certainly nowhere near as large as the Louvre, the NY Met, the Vatican Museums, etc.) so 3-4 hours would probably be a slow leisurely pace that would take you past every painting (unless you stand at multiple painting for 20" or more, each).
Posted by
OP
162 posts
We'd like to keep it to $100/night if possible.
Posted by
New Orleans
1206 posts
To make Uffizi and Accademia reservations, all you need to know is likely right here on this website, at: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/making-museum-reservations-in-florence. I've usually spent more than that per night in Florence (I like a private bath and good location). That $100 is realistically about 80 euros/night (there is a city tax each night as well). I put your dates and price range into booking.com and there are still some decent possibilities, it looks like. If you take time to wade through them and come back with your top 2 or 3, you might get some feedback on them? Just a thought.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
You're in Florence just before Easter Sunday, so you need to book your lodging asap. Expect prices at or slightly above high-season prices. Ask your lodging host if they can make Accademia and Uffizi reservations for you.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2299 posts
hey bherrington
check out cross-pollinate.com
they do have B&B's, some have luggage storage before checkin time, read the fine print (what floor lift/elevator, shared bathrooms, cash euros on arrival or a fee with paypal or credit card, find a place click book now and you'll see the reservation form and a summary before you book)
booking.com place your filters on left side and search what is available. it will be busy since it is easter time and some are on spring break.
make your reservations to what you really want to see, you'll love the mercato, so much to see with food, shops, have lunch. one of my favorites places.
wear comfy shoes, lots of walking, even though you will have a short visit.
eatingeurope.com or withlocals.com has some tours that may interest you. cross over ponte vecchio bridge, arno river, and walk the area up there. get out early mornings before the "late risers", stop at a cafe for a glass of vino, some appetizers, people watch and don't forget the gelato.
i'll send you a private message, look in your mailbox upper right hand corner later. enjoy have fun
aloha