Your arrival in Pisa, trip to the Piazza dei Miracoli, return to the train station, trip to Florence and apartment check in sounds very tight. Any little delay will cause you to risk late arrival at the apartment. SInce it is unlikely that many markets will be open this late, you may have to wait until Sunday when many are not open at all or are open only in the morning.

You have included a lot in your itinerary. Your day 2 seems impossibly full to me but I can't see where you can move things to other days. Make sure you plan your "must sees" for early in the day in case you run out of time later. Stops for gelato, cafe, vino? Not much time for that.

Mamcalice - Thank you for the information on the markets. I do hope we will be able to get essentials before Monday! I know that seeing the Tower will make our schedule very tight, and if the flight is delayed, we will have to skip it. I am hoping that although rushed, it will be doable. I agree that Day 2 is VERY full, but Days 3 and 4 seem very light to me and the Galileo Science Museum is a low priority, so we can definitely skip that. I had hoped to have our gelato, cafe and vino stops mainly on the last 2 days, and maybe even on day 2 with our lunch at Rivoire and perhaps a gelato at GROM by the Duomo after dinner.

Are you planning on pre booking the acadameia and Uffizi? If not I suggest you do the queues can be looooong.....

I'm planning to get the museum card that will allow us to skip the lines. After doing the math, it seems we will break even with the card.

Day 2... I don't think you have time for everything you've put on your morning plate. I wouldn't spend time looking for Dante's House. It's a reconstruction of a tower residence in which some (not all) historians think Dante lived. I found the interior interesting as a multi-level living space and the exhibits (which are not Dante-centric) somewhat interesting. I don't remember a gift shop, but it's been a few years since our stop there.

You need to confirm that the Brancacci Chapel is open on a Sunday at 6:30 p.m. If it is open, you should make timed reservations and arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Day 3... It's at least a 20-minute walk from the Bargello to Museum di San Marco. I would get to the Bargello when it opens (8:15 a.m. I think) to increase your time there.

I would skip the Science Museum and go to the Brancacci Chapel (if not seen on Day 2) or the Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Do try to see the interior of the Palazzo Vecchio.

Although Florence is compact, you need to factor in the time needed to walk from place to place and understand that you'll likely be distracted along the way by one interesting thing or another.

Jean - Thank you so much for the great suggestions! I do think we will skip the Science Museum in favor of spending time elsewhere. I have read that Dante's "house" is reproductions only, so chose to skip it. However, the gift shop is supposed to be full of lavish editions of his works, the entire Divine Comedy printed in microscopic type on a poster, and that sort of thing. My daughter loves Dante, so this is a "don't miss." It's my understanding that you can enter the gift shop without paying the admission fee to the museum, and I think it's fairly close to where we are staying.

As far as being distracted as we move about - absolutely, and that will be some of the best parts! =)

I agree that your arrival day is very tight Have you checked train schedules? For example, to arrive in Florence by 8 PM ( allowing 30 min to get from Florence station to your apt) you will have to take the xxxPM train from Pisa. You will also need to allow time for retrieving checked luggage at the Pisa station.

Having all of this info should help you determine how much time you really will have in Pisa. Personally, I would skip Pisa and focus on enjoying Florence. Plus the earlier arrival in Florence will allow you to puck up your groceries.

Trains from Florence leave every 20 minutes from the Pisa Central Train Station, so we would have to leave Pisa no later than the 7:11pm train, which arrives in Florence at 8:00. With a 4:15pm air arrival, I know this will be tight, but we will have 3 hours. If nothing else, perhaps a taxi to the tower, have them wait, and then taxi us to the train station. Any experience with having taxis wait, and the costs for doing so? I know it seems a bit absurd, but we just really want that silly picture, made even sillier by the fact that we really will not have "seen" the area or taken it in. I guess there's always photoshop!

You'll see some wonderful things!

I spent longer in almost all of the museums than you seem to be planning. That could easily just be a difference in preferences (I love museums!), but I thought I'd mention it in case you want to think through your choices if you are spending longer than planned.

Enjoy!

<< 6:30 Head to the Ponte Vecchio and cross over to Oltrarno. While there, explore Santo Spirito square and see the frescoes of the life of St. Peter in Santa Maria delCarmine in the nearby Piazza della Carmine. >>

The information I found on line states that the chapel closes at 5:00. This is one of the more spectacular sights in Florence (IMHO) so do try to fit it in. You can book tickets on line. It's a 20 minute walk from the Pitti Palace so it's rather out of the way. It's too bad that the viewing time is now limited to 15 minutes.

darlenef17, Dante's House is fairly near your apartment. If you have a good street map, you should be able to find it. Via della Magazzini at the northeast corner of Piazza della Signoria will take you there. If you continue north to Via Corso from the Museo and then turn left (toward Piazza della Repubblica), you'll soon see a church on the right (north) side of the street. Look for the tall columns and wrought iron gates. Concerts are held in this church almost every night, and the ticket price is very reasonable. If you go a little farther on Via Corso (toward Piazza della Repubblica), you'll soon find Ristorante Il Paiolo on the right (north) side of the street. We've had some nice meals there.

http://www.ristoranteilpaiolo.it/eng/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d1186855-Reviews-Ristorante_il_Paiolo-Florence_Tuscany.html

Day 2 has problems, including the timing of visiting the Brancacci Chapel. No sense visiting the Ponte Vecchio when all the windows are closed up tight. Try to time that for when the shops are open, just to see it all. Otherwise, you'll see shutters; nice shutters, but shutters.

Think about moving either Santa Croce or the Accademia, or both. You can fit one of those in on your lighter day.

Piazza Santo Spirito is another place that might be more interesting at a time other than Sunday evening. Sometimes, when a lot of things are closed, junkies hang out on the church steps. No big deal, but probably not the experience you are looking for. Much of what is interesting in the Oltrarno is shuttered on Sunday.

Piazzale Michelangelo is a good idea for Sunday. See if you can time it for a visit to San Miniato, but I don't know the Sunday hours. I would do my walking up there, rather than the route from the Ponte Vecchio to the Carmine via Santo Spirito. Not a great route for Sunday. If the weather is nice, getting up to San Miniato, then walking to P. Michelangelo is a wonderful walk.

Wow! I am so grateful to all of you who have posted since my last post. I did not realize that reservations were required for the Brancacci Chapel. I thought it was just another church you could pop into - I should have known better!

Jean, thank you for the great recommendations. I was hoping to attend an evening concert somewhere, but had not gotten that far yet. You've saved me a step!

Adrienne - can you please post the link to the reservation website for the Brancacci Chapel? I've googled it, and just come up with 3rd party vendors.

Tuscanlilfeedit - You've provided a WEALTH of information and much food for thought. I will be posting a revised itinerary for review in a while. Would appreciate your further input!

Can I recommend a WONDERFUL restuarant and if there on a Sunday it is one of the very few open! Il Santo Bevitore. Be sure to book, the food and atmosphere are fabulous.

The Brancacci Chapel has a separate entrance and entrance times from the church of Santa Maria del Carmine where it is located.

The links I found to the official site at Musei Civici Fiorentini seemed to be broken, but did find this information at the Comune di Firenze site, a telephone number to buy tickets.

Cappella Brancacci
Piazza del Carmine 14
Feriale 10-17 - Festivo 13-17
Chiuso il martedì e nei giorni di Capodanno, 7 gennaio, Pasqua, 1 maggio, 16 luglio, 15 agosto, 25 dicembre.
Biglietti
Biglietto intero euro 6,00
Biglietto ridotto euro 4,50 18-25 anni, oltre i 65 anni, studenti universitari
Biglietto gratuito fino a 18 anni
Biglietterie:
Tel +39 055 2382195

That's should read be sure to book ahead......

Thank you for the restaurant recommendation Smeagol. I love getting those! Will definitely check into it.

Yes, elenem, the I had the same problem. Thank you for posting your findings. I was hoping to book online rather than by phone, but may have to go the phone route. I will continue to try to access the site for a few weeks as I think I still have ample time.

Based on suggestions, here's the REVISED plan. Suggestions still welcome,and thank you!

Day 1, Saturday, May 18th
Arrive at Pisa Airport at 4:15 with checked luggage. We will have to go to luggage claim. Take the train from Pisa airport to Pisa Centrale and leave luggage at the left luggage facility. Taxi, bus, or walk (about 20 mins) to the tower. SUGGESTIONS ON BEST OPTION Spend about an hour at the tower. Bus/Train to Florence in time to arrive at apartment by 8:30 pm. Settle into apt. and go have dinner. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHERE TO BUY ESSENTIALS FOR APT. AT THIS TIME OF EVENING?


Day 2, Sunday, May 19th:
9:00 - Mass at Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo)

After Mass, see the Baptistry, Campanile (bell tower), and the Museo del'Opera . We will not be climbing the tower or the dome. If we want to see more of the cathedral than we saw at Mass, or want to climb the dome, we can go back when morning masses are over (1:45) or another day.

Medici Chapels, followed b y a quick look at the leather market – we’ll do more of this Tuesday.

1:00ish – Have lunch in Piazza della Signoria on the terrace for people watching. After lunch, find Dante’s House to get a picture and go into the gift shop. We aren’t really interested in the museum.

3:30 – The Academia

6:00ish: Go to Piazza Michelangelo and up the hill to San Miniato (closes at 7:00) for the for the view and sunset. In May, the sun won’t set until about 8:30. Is there a place nearby with this view to have a drink and enjoy the sunset? SUGGESTIONS?
Dinner in Oltrarno.

Day 3, Monday, May 20th:
9:00 Bargello (top statues)
11:00 Museum of San Marco (Fra Anagelico)
13:00 Lunch, free to wander and shop - Mercato Centrale, the Leather Market, other shopping areas
19:00 Wine Tasting Dinner

Day 4, Tuesday, May 21st:
Morning:
8:30 Uffizi Gallery (2.5 hours)
Early Lunch
1:00 Santa Croce
Ponte Vecchio and Oltrarno. Explore Santo Spirito square and see the frescoes of the life of St. Peter in Santa Maria del Carmine (Brancacci Chapel) in the nearby Piazza della Carmine
3:30 Reservations for Brancacci Chapel(Not made; need website)
Open
6:00 - Palazzo Vecchio
Dinner

Day 5, Wednesday, May 22nd:
Check out of the apartment at 10:00; Store luggage at SMN
10:30 - Santa Maria Novella and Santa Maria Old Perfumery
Lunch and train to Rome!

Hi Darien - have you told us where you apartment is?

anyway, if you put its address into google maps, and then in the same box as the address delete it and enter "supermarkets" they will appear with their details on the map. this way I have found supermarkets, delis, produce markets etc. which I would never have found otherwise. [there's one opposite the Accademia in Florence for example, which was just round the corner from our apartment and which I'm sure I would never have found by myself]

As for your itinerary, it still seems to me that you are criss-crossing the city a bit too much. you are planning for example on Day 2 to have kunch in the piazza della signoria, then to go to the Accademia, THEN to go to the piazzale michelangelo. Much better to go from the piazza della signoria perhaps to the pallazo vecchio [which is pretty close] or just go straight to Oltrarno, and spend the afternoon exploring there. you say you don't want to go to the pitti Palace or the bobolli gardens [I'm with you there] but it would be a shame to miss the rose gardens which should be open by then, or the Giardino Bardini - have a look at this link:

http://www.bardinipeyron.it/ab/cont__11.phtml

on day 3, i would suggest doing the accademia first [get the first time slot of the day], then the Museo di san Marco [just across the other side of the piazza of the same name] THEN the Bargello. in the afternoon you might like to see Santa maria novella as well as doing some shopping.

Day 4 - if you go from the Uffizi to the market north of Santa Croce, called Sant'Ambrogio, near the junction of Via Mattinaia and Via del'Agnolo, you can get a terrific lunch of typical florentine dishes at the cafe in the centre, and get to see a typical local market where there are many goodies on offer. then spend the afternoon around Santa Croce and the Branacci chapel.

Day 5 - Having just spent a week there, i would check out of the apartment and go straight to Rome!

>>>Spend about an hour at the tower. Bus/Train to Florence in time to arrive at apartment by 8:30 pm.<<<

You do know these trains can take anywhere from 55 minutes to 1 1/2 hours (depending on train and departure time). You have to allow time to retrieve your luggage (there can be lines to check and retrieve) and once you get to Florence, transport to your apartment. I think you would be lucky to get to the tower by 5:30 or 6. I don't see you having an hour of time there and still make your apartment appointment.

Arrive Pisa 4:15
Collect luggage 5:00 ?
Buy train tickets to Centrale
Catch train - may have to wait 30 minutes as only 2 departures per hour.
Check luggage at Centrale 5:30
Buy tickets to tower or walk (15-30 minutes)

As you can see, you don't have the time you think unless your luggage comes out immediately (possible if it's local flight, not possible if you are arriving from the states).

<<<My daughter loves Dante, so this is a "don't miss.">>>

Then she might want to add this as a "don't miss".
It's a literal 'stone's throw' from Dante's House.

This very small church is where Beatrice is buried and possibly where Dante married.

The author of the article below says her tomb might be a myth.

I don't know but what strikes me as odd is that "several members of her family and her wet-nurse are also buried in the church?

Alot of trouble to go thru by the church just to fake a single person's tomb?

I did a quick google and it *seems* that others that mention this myth/legend post-date that 2010 article?

I have no idea in the last dozen years when I wrote this in my 'Blueguide Florence' (If I come across something by other sources or documentries I usually grab my Blueguide for that city or Oxford Archaeological guide and note it).

Anyway I wrote that Beatrice was buried in that church's courtyard.

Whether that is the actual place or later her and her families remains were moved into the church for the fame I don't recall?

Anyway if interested in that site google "Santa Margherita de Cerchi" for more info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Margherita_de'_Cerchi

Article with opening times;
http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocId=5236

Beatrice's Tomb;
http://tinyurl.com/abofnsc IS THIS
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_24LneCVKTeY/SS0h8F1KjdI/AAAAAAAAAGA/IQY-ruHsG4U/s400/800px-TombOfBeatricePortinari.jpg

With "Dante's House" on your left (I *believe* that's were the entrance is?) and the Via Dante Alighieri behind you, this small church will be on the right a short distance down that short sidestreet.

The Science Museum for me was a biggie mainly for the lens Galileo used when he discovered the moons of Jupiter.

This turned the World upsidedown and showed that we on Earth weren't special and were just another planet.

Probably the greatest discovery in astronomy?

Plus his finger and other things he actually used are on display.

Annhig - The apt. is in piazza della signoria. I am familiar with the google map feature, but was hoping to get a recommendation for something open on a Saturday evening. The time of day is where I expect I may run into a problem. I didn't pay too much attention to location when laying out our plans as Florence Center seemed to be very small, but you're modifications are much appreciated. When you're doing that much sight-seeing, there's no need to add extra miles to the feet if you don't have to! Thank you for the suggestions.

kybourbon: I do know how long the trains will take, and I realize that it will be close. I wanted to get feedback to see if it was doable. I think I may resort to getting a taxi from airport to tower, have it wait, and then take us to Centrale. Wish I knew the approximate cost for that. Still undecided . . . It is an EasyJet flight, and that's why the luggage is checked. Apparently, they will count my PURSE as a carry on. Very unfortunate to have to check bags. I never do.

Rostra - thank you for that information. It will be an easy add-on. I originally had us going to the Galileo Museum, but based on feedback, it looked like the trip was a bit tight. My daughter is an engineer, as well as a literature buff (unusual combination), so I thought she would enjoy the science. We will still try to see it if time permits.

Darien - there is a supermarket "il centro" near the piazza della signoria in the borgo dei albizi. the website doesn't give opening hours so far as I can see, but it does say it's open EVERY sunday:

http://www.ilcentro.biz/

regarding the taxi fare, you could ask how much this would cost when you approach the driver; if language problems make that impossible, I'd reckon on €50 more or less. However, if you want to CLIMB the tower it gets more complicated as you have to book - see www.opapisa.it. I agree with other posters that you are going to be very pushed to do this AND to get to Florence in time to avoid extra costs in your apartment.

you are right about luggage on easyjet - you may not board the plane with more than one item of hand-luggage which has to conform with the dimensions on their website and to fit into their measure at the gate. so if you have a handbag [what you call your purse] as well as a piece of hand luggage with food, water, [purchased airside of course] book etc. the handbag will have to go into the hand-luggage between the gate and the plane. however, once you're on the plane, it really doesn't matter at all! you can also have a coat/jacket and duty free.

Annhig - Thanks so much for that information. I wasn't having much luck. The hours are Mon – Sat. 9:00 to 20:45 and Sunday - 10:00 to 20:00. Another reason we may have to skip the Tower. And no, we weren't planning to climb it - just take a look and a picture. We will be doing plenty climbing of other landmarks during the trip.

glad you found the opening hours, darien.

is/can your host supplying you with some staples to start you off? presumably you'll eat out when you get there, and you'll find cafes for breakfast, even on a sunday, by when the supermercato should be open.

I hope that they will be able to have a few "starters" for us. I've gone through an agency, but I do have the owner's contact information. When it gets closer to the time, I will call and see what kind of arrangements I can make regarding staples. I don't really know what is the "usual" practice, and I don't want to offend or request something that might seem unreasonable or taken as though I want them to do my shopping and pay for it. The language barrier can present things out of context. Advice?

>>>I think I may resort to getting a taxi from airport to tower, have it wait, and then take us to Centrale.<<<

If you decide not to check luggage at Centrale, you could take the bus from the airport (departs every 10 minutes) to the tower (Red LAM). Get off there and take your pictures, catch a bus to Centrale to get the train. This is the bus route.
http://www.cpt.pisa.it/orari/pisa/percorso01.htm

There's also luggage storage at the airport and a bus to Florence.

http://www.pisa-airport.com/aeroporto_di_pisa_85.html

http://www.terravision.eu/florence_pisa.html

<<<My daughter is an engineer, as well as a literature buff (unusual combination), so I thought she would enjoy the science. We will still try to see it if time permits.>>>

Just a thought and I understand your time constraints but perhaps some of the antique scientific instruments there are in your daughter's field?

It would just be a shame too miss if some modern gizmo she uses in her engineering work had its 500yr old original there.

"...the museum has on display about 1,500 scientific instruments, both Italian and foreign, some dating from the 11th century, contained in 21 rooms on two floors."

A large part of the collection dates to the 1500's and was from the Medici private collection.
www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocId=1306

kybourbon - TY for pointing out the other Pisa possibilities. Perhaps it would be faster to store luggage at the airport, then come back to the airport and take the bus to Florence. Seeing things "on the fly" is not really my travel style, thus this has become the "sore" spot of the trip. Unfortunately, the choice is either to see the Tower quickly, or not see it at all. This certainly is not the ideal way to visit a place. There is a 6:30 bus that arrives Florence at 7:30, giving us 2 hours to claim and store luggage, taxi to tower, see tower, taxi back and claim luggage again. Still very tight. It may be more prudent to just pass.

Rostra - We would definitely love to see the science museum if time permits. I realize length of time spent in a museum is subjective, but how long would you allow to get a nice overview and hit the high points of the Galileo?

I don't really know what is the "usual" practice, and I don't want to offend or request something that might seem unreasonable or taken as though I want them to do my shopping and pay for it. The language barrier can present things out of context. Advice?>>

I would expect coffee, tea [possibly], milk, bread, butter and jam as a minimum. sometimes we've had less than that, sometimes a whole fridge-full!

I suggest e-mailing the agent to see what the normal form is, and if they don't supply anything, e-mail the owner [gets round the language barrier as even if they don't speak english, someone will] and ask them to get in whatever staples you need, and say that you will re-imburse them when you arrive and get the key. or you could do that via the agent.

being in Rome this last week reminded me that the first night we arrived, we went out of our apartment without any milk, and in our excitement to be in Rome, forgot about it until after dinner. we asked at several places, and they all said they didn't have any, but we could buy some from a cafe in a nearby square. I was pretty sceptical about this, but when we found it, and went in and said we'd been told they sold milk, it turned out they did!

I'm sure you'd find somewhere, even if not exactly the place you'd expect, to buy some essentials.

My last apartment in Florence had bread, butter,jam, juice, prosciutto and tea (no coffee)furnished for the first morning only.

Even if grocery stores aren't open, you will find some small convenience type stores that will have a few things. There's also a supermarket open untile 8:30 in the train station shops (there are shops train level and underground).

http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=cef172ceeae7b110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

Thank you for the ideas, Annhig! I just emailed the agency and requested the email of the owner as they had only provided a phone number.

kyb- Thank you - that link is great! It would not have occurred to me that a supermarket would be in the train station. That will definitely solve the problem of providing for our immediate needs! We will only have a 21" case and backpack/cross-body each, so we were planning to walk to the apartment. However, with supermarket purchases, maybe a taxi from the station would be best (and faster too IF we try to cram in the Tower!).

Thank you for those suggestions Annhig. I've emailed the agency, and hopefully they will send me the email address of the owner.

kyb - It would have never occurred to me to check the train station for a supermarket. Thank you SOOO much for posting the link. This will definitely make things easier for the first night. We'll have our luggage, so with the extra shopping bags, we will probably have to take a taxi, but they should be easy to find in front of the station.

Often main train stations in large cities have supermarkets as do some subway locations such as the Spanish Steps metro stop in Rome.

darlene: per your earlier question, there is a cafe next to Piazzale Michelangelo. It may be crowded, but you can probably get a seat.

yes, there is a VERY nice cafe just under the top wall of the Piazzale. i sat there and drank in the view [and a beer] while a japanese bride was being photographed - it was quite windy so watching her trying to maintain her "dignity" was a lot of fun.

there's also another one which sells gelati round the other side of the piazzale at the bottom of the road that leads up to San Miniato just above the rose garden - which is actually marked on google maps.

<<<We would definitely love to see the science museum if time permits.>>>

Hopefully you don't think I'm being pushy on this issue it's just that when you mentioned your daughter was an engineer I thought perhaps that might be another good reason to try and visit it.

But it is also possible that none of the ancient instruments are in her field.

<<<I realize length of time spent in a museum is subjective, but how long would you allow to get a nice overview and hit the high points of the Galileo?>>>

A decade ago I spent a week in Florence (Rome's history is more my thing) so I had the time to see everything in the museum.

But I only really remember the Galileo exhibit who has interested since I did a report in middle school (~1968).

So for *me* I would pay the 8e walk into the museum and spend 15min just seeing, the lens he used to discover the moons of Jupiter, his 2 telescopes, compasses, his finger and loadstone and then leave if I had time constraints.

Everything except the 2 telescopes which are in the next room (V) is in 1 large display case in room IV.

TTT