Suggestion for first afternoon in Florece

I think taking a walk is a good idea. It puts you outside and moving around and doesn't require you to pay close attention like you would want to in a museum. You can make it as short or as long as you want. Where is your hotel in relation to the city center? Even if you're staying across the Arno (Oltr'Arno), it's a quick walk. Florence is really walkable and compact. You can check out the Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo, campanile, and baptistry, Basilica di San Lorenzo...I could go on. :)

I highly recommend getting outdoors as soon as possible and staying there for at least a few hours to beat jet lag. If you download the Rick Steves Audio Europe app, there is a Renaissance walking tour that you can do to spend some time outside. This will take you from the Duomo through the heart of Florence to the Arno River. The walk lasts about an hour and the walk is very easy. After that, you should be fairly fresh and can reverse the walk back to the Duomo and Baptistry for a visit there. If you need any drinks or snacks (my wife has to have diet Coke for breakfast, so we always have to stock up!), look for a store to stock up. If you cross the Arno on the Ponte Vecchio, take the first left and there should be a nice grocery store that sells just about everything. We stocked up on vino, bread sticks, prosciutto and cheese for a picnic there. Ask your hotelier for recommendations for dinner.

The hotel is located at Via della Mattonaia, 21 - 50121 Firenze

I could wander around the Duomo complex in Florence for days and days, just taking photos from different viewpoints and in different light, including when it is illuminated at night. This even without going inside the buildings or climbing anywhere, although those things are also very worthwhile at some point. Many sites in Florence are nearby and are also photogenic and illuminated in the evening. Just being outside involves no tickets, no payment, and no lines, so it's a nice easy way to settle into Florence and Italy, and work up an appetite for your first Italian dinner. A gelato or two will sustain you til dinner time, which is somewhat late in Italy. You don't indicate what month you will be in Florence, but of course that determines when sunset and darkness occur.

We will be there at the beginning of April.

Walking through town is good, or take a bus to Piazzale Michelangelo for great views, maybe a light lunch or snack, then walk back down to the city. One of my favorite restaurants is Hostaria da Ganino in Piazza dei Cimatori.

This all sounds so wonderful. Thanks!

I'm not sure which day you are arriving but as an FYI most museums are closed Monday

Don't lie on the bed. Not even a second. You will fall asleep and wake up in the middle of the night.

Simply walk around in the outdoors. The sunnier the better. No museums, no churches (too dark inside which will promote sleepiness). If you are tired sit somewhere outside (bench or steps).

outside of the Uffizi (?) there are is a collection of aamazing statues that you can see for free.....great photos stop......

When you arrive at Firenze's SMN, get some refreshments, toilets at the station cost one Euro, then walk across the street and take the Hop On Hop Off buses, all lined up in front of SMN.

There are three different routes, take all three, they will give you a map, the routes overlap at some points, but don't let that stop you. Stay on the buses and relax. The hostess will answer your questions and give you a head start on what to do in Firenze.

You don't have to get off. If you do, you can get back on. The point is to stay on the buses and see Firenze from a whole different perspective that I think is a must-see. You can always return to get off and walk around sites another day. The map will help inform you on places you may like to visit.

You don't have to walk and yet you will see Amazing landscapes and Incredible sites, all explained over the earphones. This is the beauty and history of Firenze that you won't see just walking around. You don't want to walk anyway. It's tiring.

Hopefully you will have only a carry-on bag each. Take it with you on the Hop On Hop Off buses. Nothing will tire you out more than too much luggage. A checked bag is too much luggage.

This will give you a light afternoon and something to see at the same time. Each route is around one hour long. The buses will return you to SMN where you can take a taxi to your hotel. Give your hotel an estimate time of arrival.

If you do take the ho-ho buses, leave your luggage at the station; I think all the bus routes return there anyway. Personally, I think the ho-hos are an overpriced waste of time, but lots of people like them. Florence is so compact that a good map will help keep you oriented. I think your plan to drop your luggage at the hotel is a good one, then get around by foot or local bus for awhile. Most of Florence is set up on a grid pattern of streets, easy to figure out where you are.

oh, and if you use the toilets at the train stations, you need a one euro coin each.....its a turnstile.