Recommendations for Siena and Florence

We have always found Rick's recommendations in his guide books to offer very good sightseeing suggestions. You can tailor them to fit your interests and time constraints (which appear very limited. Your time, not your interests, lol).

This might be a good starting point:. https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy

In Siena the Duomo is a must! Make sure you look up and look down - even the floors are interesting. The room with all the illustrated music manuscripts is exceptionally beautiful. Underneath is the Baptistry. I always have that on my list! Their museum is very well done. In front of the Duomo there is another museum, and I can't remember the name. Until fairly recently, evidently, it was a hospital. The art work on the walls there is also beautiful and worth your time.

Florence has so much to see and do but let me direct you to one new (it just reopened 2 years ago) museum. The Duomo Museum is immediately behind the church. I'm not a huge museum fan but this one makes my jaw drop. I was in Florence for a week 2 years ago and saw it. Last year I only had a change of trains but I scheduled it so I could go to this museum. I've already done my train schedule for this year to see the same museum. Kudos to whoever put this place together - my jaw still drops as soon as I walk into the building!

Of course, lunch or dinner at the Mercato Centrale is a must too! Great shopping on the ground floor, great eating options on the 2nd floor. What more could we hope for!!!!

Siena: ginger and honey gelato from Masgalano's, by San Domenico. Really good stuff.

I agree with a Robert about the Museo del’ Opera del Duomo. I’ve visited it many times, it’s never crowded and has some real gems like Ghiberti’s Baptistery door panels (the ones now on the Baptistery are a Japanese reproductions), a beautiful Pietà by Michelangelo (IMO one of his masterpieces), and a stunningly modern looking wooden statue of Mary Magdalene by Donatello.
Of course seeing Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia is a must do (book reservations in advance). Also book reservations in advance for the Uffizi if you take that in. However, with only two days you might save that for another trip as it will consume at least half a day.
In addition to the Duomo (where I would climb the steps in Giotto’s Bell Tower), you should definitely take in Santa Croce church (who’s who of great Italians entombed there).

Siena: yes, the entire Duomo complex is wonderful. There is a “Cielo” tour that takes you into the rafters of the church, and then you can look down onto the extraordinary floor. Not sure if the floor is always uncovered now, or if that tour is offered if the floor is covered. Of course, the “campo” is special. A local friend advised me that if I wanted to climb one tower, to do the one by the Duomo, rather than the tower at the Campo, better climb, better views, she said, but others may have different thoughts. Down on the main walking drag, there is a very famous deli where you can get excellent meats, cheeses, breads, etc. sliced for you, and then either take them away, or eat them while standing up at little sort-of tables, just outside the door. Always crowded around meal times, quite an experience.
Florence: so many, many sites. I could photograph the Duomo complex over and over, for hours, at different times of day and night. Sunset view from Piazza Michelangelo, across the river and up the hill. San Miniato Church nearby, with early evening chants most or all evenings. Many museums and churches of different types, including a historic synagogue. Lots and lots and lots of shops and market stalls, restaurants and cafes, and gelato, gelato!
Enjoy

Thanks to all for your recommendations! Really appreciate it!