Suggestions on Florence Trip

Here's Rick's advice on his sight-seeing recommendations in Florence

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There's a lot more info on Florence, on this site, click around in the Best Destinations tab.

Several thoughts. First, your itinerary looks just fine except that I wouldn't spend two days on the Pitti Palace. A morning or afternoon could work fine. As for the Boboli Gardens behind it, it's really a large, large garden but my backyard looks better and has more varieties of stuff in it.

Second, I'm glad to see the Museo dell' Opera del Duomo on your list. Its behind the left rear of the Duomo and across the street. Its disappointing that RS does not have it on his 2 and 3-day lists. For us, it was fabulous. Its newer with lots of light and it holds the treasures of il Duomo from the centureis past including the original working models of the Duomo from Brunelleschi, famous works by Donatello and others, altars and decorations from past centuries and the original carvings that were on the doors to the baptistery (known as the Gates to Paradise). The ones on the baptistery now are copies. The museum has 4 stories loaded with treasures. When my wife and I concluded our visit to Florence, we separately ranked everything we saw. Both of us ranked this museum third on our list behind David at the Academia and a surprise Cezzane exhibit that was there during our visit. For us, it exceeded the Bargello, Uffizi and il Duomo.

I love the fact that Day 11 is set aside entirely for something called "Gucci Outlet!" (;

I would add to your list the Santa Maria Novella Farmacia located on Via Scala. Nearby is the Ferragamo Shoe Museum which is free and interesting.

Hi Stephanie,

You might also enjoy taking a trip to some of the wineries in Tuscany. The highlight of our trip was going to this great winery called Castello di Verrazzano: http://www.verrazzano.com/ . It's only a 30min bus ride outside florence near a small town called Greve which is in the Chianti Region.

Once the bus drops you off you walk up this hill through the vineyards and to the castle. We did the Chianti Tradition (lunch tour). The tour lasts 1 hour and then you sit on this terrace overlooking all of tuscany for the tasting and lunch. We sampled 4 wines and for lunch you each got a huge plate of meats and cheeses along with bread with olive oil drizzled over.

It was absolutely amazing and just beautiful to see more of the country side.

That's the only thing I would recommend in addition to your trip.

Have a great time!

Based on your interest in art I'd most certainly add the Brancacci chapel at the Carmine, and the Masaccio triptych at Santa Maria Novella. I must agree that the Pitti Palace isn't worth investing two days. One of our highlights this trip was the Market tour lunch class with In Tavola. Our guide Roberto met us at the Mercado Centrale near San Lorenzo for a tour of the market and the history of tuscan cooking. As we toured we bought the ingredients for the four course lunch we cooked with Roberto back at the cooking school. I also recommend the Verezanno (sp?) tour. The is also a wonderful small gallery at Ospedale degli Innocenti with some marvelous artwork that is well worth a visit.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I go the Pitt Palace for one day only. I consider the places you suggested.

Day three is too much. The uffizi is a very large place with lots of art to see. you may not want to pack it in with two other things in the same day. You will want to spend some time outside after the uffizi. The Uffizi is near ponte vecchio and not that far rom piazza michaelangelo. I would see do some window shopping in ponte vecchio than take a bus to the piazza michaelangelo. The view is fantastic and it will give you some fresh air after th museum

One thing I would suggest in relation to your various museum visits would be purchasing the Friends of the Uffizi pass. For 60 Euros for a single person, you gain entry to The Uffizi, Academia, Pitti and Boboli gardens, Bargello, Medici Chapels, San marco museum and others. You can join at http://www.amicidegliuffizi.it/become_a_member.aspx and you can enter unlimited amounts of times, go to the front of the line and need no reservations at any of the museums. Google Friends of the Uffizi Membership on Slow Travel for more info. My husband and I used it in May, and it saved us alot of time and trouble.

Thanks for you suggestion of the Friends of Uffizi Pass. I will get the membership. It sounds like a get deal.

Hi there. Having just been in Florence for four days about two weeks ago, I'd advise against the science museum. The RS Italy book says that it is partially closed (set to open fully sometime in 2009). As of two weeks ago, it was still partially closed. I'm a scientist (recreational and professional) and was very excited to see the museum. It would probably be great if it were fully opened. Anyway, if you are looking for something to cut, I'd start with that.

Have fun!

Your itinerary looks fine - my recommendation is gastronomic in nature: Camilla's. Wonderful, tuscan
authentic. Little pricey -

Ciao - Don

WHERE is the GUCCI outlet in Florence????

WHERE is the GUCCI outlet in Florence?

here's a link to everything that's ever been posted on this forum re Gucci in Florence

(advance reservations necessary)

I assume you will make reservations at the acadamey & the uffuzi, to not is close to insane - there is still a wait even with prepaid reservations

I am enjoying this thread as I am planning out my two night three day trip to Florence
We will arrive mid morning from Venice on MOnday, then take the night train to Paris on Wednesday night.

Thanks of everyone post, it gave me a lot to consider.