Florence
 

Can one see the highlights of Florence in a day and a half?

You can see them by just walking around Florence.

What do you mean by "highlights"? The things everybody has on a check-list because they've been told to go see them or the things you would find meaningful to see? It's silly to travel thousands of miles and spend thousands of dollars going to museums if you find museums boring. Likewise the insides of churches. Under those circumstances, it might be better to go to a far less crowded and charming old Italian town where you can walk around at your leisure and enjoy it more because there are fewer things to see. Then you can savor the experience.

HOWEVER, if you love great Renaissance art and want the treasure houses of paintings and the extraordinary churches and palazzos, of which there are at least a dozen "must-sees", then you will be horribly frustrated and agonized trying to decide which beautiful thing to rush to next.

If you want to take a day and a half to walk around Florence to look at the Duomo, the doors of the bapistry and the state of David and so some shopping, fine. But if you want to go into the museums and see the greatest artworks there, you need more time.

Hi P,

>Can one see the highlights of Florence in a day and a half?<

Yes.

Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1016868 (dial around number), 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.
You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them.

((I))

I find it a lot cheaper to e-mail the hotel I'm staying at and have them make the reservation. Within a few hours I have my confirmation number and I didn't spend a dime on a phone call. We've even gotten into museums before the posted time of opening.

If you're a Renaissance groupie, then 1-1/2 days are not enough. Other wise, 1-1/2 days are more than enough.

Though I should add that my views are colored by my general dislike for the city of Florence.