donnaandspence

Hello,

I'm currently living in Venice and I am planning a day trip to Milan next Tuesday, and then a trip to Florence the Tuesday after before I head back to Canada.

I know these are big important cities to tackle in 1 day, so I am asking for your help in narrowing down some of the big sights to something that is doable in an 8-10 hour day.

I've already tried to book tickets for The Last Supper and it seems that I am too late as the only tickets left are for group tours or last minute sales which are very pricey. Would it be worth it to pay 44 euro for a last minute ticket? It comes with an audio guide as well.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

mamcalice

Do you think you will be back to Italy any time soon? If not, I think I would go for the 44 euro ticket. The Last Supper is one of the main reasons to go to Milan. You can see some of its main attractions in 8-10 hours. Use the "Destinations" tab on this board or a good guidebook to decide what you want to do.

As for Florence, 8-10 hours is not nearly enough time to see its main attractions. We have been 8 times for as much as a week each and continue to find marvelous things to see and do. That being the case, you will want to choose carefully and, where advisable (Uffizi, Accademia) make advance reservations to avoid wasting your time in long lines.

Sassafrass

Have you already been to Verona and Vicenza (one of the loveliest little towns around with great architecture)? If not, why not do one of those rather than Milan, especially if you are not going to see the Last supper? Both are easier than Milan, and both are very worthy places to visit.

IMHO, and this is no reflection on you, someone who was dead set on seeing the Last Supper probably would pay without asking. Since you are not certain if it is worth it, then for you it probably is not.

For Florence, could you take the train down on Monday night and stay overnight so you would be fresher and have more time the next day? Either way, do book ahead of time tickets for any art museums, so you won't have to use up time standing in line.

cmeyer54

Pay the 44e to see the Last Supper. In Milan, you might also want to tour the Duomo and LaScala Opera House and museum. Those are the key sites in my opinion. If you don't see the Last Supper, when you tell people you visited Milan, they will inevitably ask if you saw it. 44e for a such a once in a lifetime opportunity is small. In Florence, get tickets in advance for Accademia(David) and Uffizi gallery/museum. Also, tour the Duomo, walk the bridge, admire the jewelry and if you are ambitious, go across the river to the Pitti Palace. You won't get an indepth feel for either city but if you only have 1 day in each and this is your only shot for the foreseeable future, do the best you can, see the top things and enjoy.

DeborahAnn

If you can switch your day trips to Milan and Florence, I went to the website we used to buy last minute tickets to the Last Supper. www.selectitaly.com has tickets for 24 USD online purchase.

Unfortunately your Tuesday date in not available, right now the dates available in Nov are the 21,22, 26,27,28,29.

My husband and I spent almost a month in Italy last May and for him one of the most memorable visits was to see the Last Supper. I hope you don't miss it. Deborah

vincenzo32951

For Florence:

Use the phone service to book timed tix for the Uffizi and Accademia. It's difficult to say how much time you'll want to spend in each, since I don't have a clue about your interest in art. You can spend an hour, or you can spend 8 hours.

But let's assume you're not going to spend 8 hours in museums. Let's also assume that, with that limited time, you're not going to want to spend a lot of time dining. If that's correct:

First thing in the a.m.: Climb the steps to the Duomo and get a view of the city. Going there early will help you avoid long, time-wasting lines.

Accademia: Get a mid-morning time, an hour or two.

Lunch.

Uffizi: After lunch, a couple of hours.

Take the bus (#13, I think) to Piazzale Michelangelo, have a a glass of wine, take some pictures, maybe a meal. You can walk back down to the city if you like (it's downhill) or take the bus back and get something to eat there.

Done.

donnaandspence

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. It's getting easier to nail down what I want to do.

Here's my story. I've been in Venice for two months now and I have about another month to go. I'm planning to visit both cities as a day trip. Obviously I would have loved to visit both for longer periods of time but that would require me to spend outside my budget so I will take what I can get. Who knows? Perhaps my day trips will inspire my next central location for visiting Italy.

I've already been to Lago Magiorre, Rome, Padova, Verona, and Treviso. Vicenza is on the list, as well as a trip the mountains.

The great news is that I was able to book tickets to the Last Supper in Milan, so I'll have the great pleasure of seeing this famous painting after all! Hooray!

In brief, the typical must sees (and fairly doable) are:

Milan: Last Supper, Duomo, Opera House... has anyone been to the da Vinci Science Museum? Any feedback? It sounded like a neat thing to do while in Milan.

Florence: Uffizi and Accademia (book in advance), and Duomo

Grazie!!