Is it a terrible idea to plan to do the Dome Climb at St. Peter’s in Rome when it opens at 8 am on a Friday when we are leaving on the 12:25 or 12:55 pm train from Roma Termini to Florence? Similarly, is it a terrible idea to do the Uffizi galleries in Florence when they open at 8:15 on a Wednesday the same day we are taking the 12:39 or 1:20 train from Florence to Venice? Uffizi has timed entry, St. Peter’s does not, though we plan to be at the basilica close to when it opens around 7.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4368 posts
Florence plan seems fine, since Florence is so compact and assuming you are able to enter at 8:15. I would take the 1:20 to make sure you don't feel rushed at Uffizi.Not sure about dome climb.
Posted by
Maryland
872 posts
It is about 4 hours from Florence to Venice, and about 90 minutes from Rome to Florence. Given the travel times I wonder why you are interested in taking mid-day trips when 3 pm trains are available. Have breakfast, enjoy the Gallery and the Dome climb, pick up your bags from the hotel and be off. Still at your destinations in time for dinner.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15598 posts
I climbed the dome in February, got there just about when they opened, there was no line. It's worth it to take the elevator (it only goes to the first level), you won't miss anything and it will save you a few minutes. You don't say when your trip is. It sounds like you'll be among the first in line, so you won't be slowed down by a lot slow climbers ahead of you. Parts of the climb are narrow and it's nearly impossible to go past others. I didn't climb very quickly, spent a lot of time taking photos and it took me a little less than 2 hours in total. Based on that, I'd say it's reasonable, but take into account how long it will take you to get from St Peter's to your hotel and from your hotel to Termini. You should have ample time to visit the church before the climb, but you may want to go back inside for more.
If you're staying in central Florence, you shouldn't have any problems. Use google maps to calculate walking time from the Uffizi to your hotel to the Florence S.M.N. train station. If you take the 1.20 train, you should have 4 hours in the museum, that's more than enough for most people, even many art lovers.
Posted by
7688 posts
Pushing your luck on the Dome climb.
Also doing the Uffizi will take about 3 hours.