my friend is going to be in Florence for 2 days-first trip. She is interested in art and street life. She is going to the Duomo and the Medici Chapel. Any recommendations for an itinerary for such a short trip? Also places to eat.

If you are strapped for time and don't want to wait in any lines for the Duomo, do the “Terraces of the Cathedral and Dome” tour. You get immediate admittance to the Cathedral by a side door and after the 1 1/2 hour tour, you get to climb the dome and don't have to wait in that line. Well worth the money 15 euros! Skip all lines! Buy tickets at nearby Duomo Works Museum which is behind the Duomo. Tickets sell out fast. M-F 10:30, 12:00 & 15:00

The tour was well worth it and very interesting. We also got special access to be near the altar.

We were just there in July and the lines to get in were endless...perhaps 400 or more people in each line (Duomo and Cathedral)...in the full sun, 95 degree heat! Even though the Cathedral is free, we decided to do the tour so as not to wait in line with our 13 year old daughter. It made the experience wonderful!

Make sure that women's shoulders are covered or you won't be allowed in.

Street life is great anywhere you go!

Oh, we also booked our advance, timed entry for the Accademia and The Uffizi through our hotel. We received a voucher number from them and then on the day of the tour, went to each and gave the number. We paid 11 euros each for our tickets and a 4 euro reservation fee. Again, we avoided ALL lines to get in. You can buy tickets on-line, but it is just easier to go through the hotel and let them do the work. What a great time saver!!

For the Uffizi, go to door #3 with voucher # for ticket then go to door #1 for Reservation entrance. Individual line.

Neither place is open on Mondays.

CASH for advance reservations!!!

tttp

>>>> we avoided ALL lines to get in. You can buy tickets on-line, but it is just easier to go through the hotel and let them do the work<<<

FYI - Be sure to ask your hotel how much first as some hotels tack on their own fee to get tickets.