walking in Florence from train station to Accademia, then Uffizi

On average, Europe is safer than the US, re violent crime. Florence during the day should not trigger any special concerns, you should be fine--but of course you'll employ the same heads up behavior and precautions you would anywhere.

However, there are pick-pockets in Europe; many experienced travelers use a money-belt or similar device, worn under clothing, for the vital stuff like ATM cards that you probably don't want to roll the dice on losing--wearing a money-belt will, basically, eliminate pick-pockets as one your concerns.

You are FAR more likely to be hit by a scooter whilst gazing up at the beautiful architecture, or just tripping off the curb. Florence is a very safe city, far more than any US city.

Your times seem very reasonable, though you don't mention your return train time. Allow at least 2 hours at the Uffizi and leave some time to walk over the bridge. But Florence is a good, compact walking city.

we were planing on going across the ponte Vecchio after seeing the Uffizi, then going down 1 bridge and crossing and look back at the Ponte vecchio. then take a route down the river and back to the SITA bus terminal to catch a bus to Greve where we will spend 3 nights. hope to take the 6:00 bus.

Charlie: Yes, one of the classical views of the Ponte Vecchio is from either the bridge to the west or the one to the east of the Pont Vecchio. You said "down" the river--just to clarify, technically, the river runs from east to west, towards the sea--so down the river from the Ponte Vecchio would be the bridge to the west. But either bridge will give you a fine view on Pont Vecchio.

The walking routes Google suggested are good ones, and certainly the most direct between the station snd those museums. They're the ones I would have recommended. The sidewalks along Via Guelfa are narrow, but the area is perfectly safe. The other streets have wider sidewalks, and the Via dei Calzaioli is primiarily a pedestrian street.

You'll be safe. Use the Florence map from Rick Steves' book, and you'll have no problem at all.

The only area I encountered pick pockets and a lot of Gypsies was right in front of the Duomo. Other than that Florence is a safe place to walk. Just beware of your surroundings as can be a lot of pickpockets around.

On your way to the Accademia, you might want to stroll through the Mercato Centrale and the San Lorenzo street market.

On a 3 wk. trip last summer spent 5 nights in an apartment here last July with my sisters and never once felt unsafe. We were out late in the evenings strolling around and had a wonderful time. Buon Viaggio!