Florence sites in a day and a half? with guide?
 

After getting to our accommodation near the Ponte Vecchio at 2pm-ish this July, we have the rest of that day (Friday) and the next day to see Florence. We fly out on Sunday afternoon at 1:30, so have only a day and a half.
We want to visit the Uffizi, Accademia, Duomo/Baptistery for sure. How many more sites like the churches, palaces and markets can we realistically see? We would spend an average amount of time at each place. Also can we just use audio guides or should we hire a guide?

This historic center of Florence is very compact and you can pretty much walk side-to-side in 25 minutes. If your hotel is convenient, you can probably fit in several other things. Page 2 is the center map so you can get an idea and route your itinerary.

http://www.firenzeturismo.it/images/...irenze_map.pdf

You can book tickets in advance for the Uffizi and Accademia to avoid standing in lines.
http://www.uffizi.firenze.it/en/musei/tutti.php

The Duomo doesn't take long to see unless you want to go up to the top.

I would add Santa Croce to your list.

The line-ups to the Duomo & the Baptistery can get very long. I suggest that you go early, right at opening.

You could follow this with a timed-entry to the Uffizi. A private guide could help you navigate this large gallery, the crowds and its collection by focusing on the highlights.

The Accademia is easy to see on your own but again would suggest booking tickets with perhaps a late-afternoon entry time. You don't want to waste any precious time standing in a line ... especially in hot July!

Good luck with your plans!

Thanks kybourbon, I already feel better about what to do after applying your suggestions. I'll check out Santa Croce too!

Wow 2010! Great tips, especially what to see when. You're right in that i do not want to stand in long lines! I'll look into a guide for the Uffizi and go to the Duomo and Baptistery first thing in the morning then. Thanks for letting me know all that!

In the past, the Florence museums extended their hours in the summer so you might keep an eye out for that (open until 10 or so). The link I gave is the official link for all the state museums and hopefully will update if they do extend hours.

Fonte Bertusi is a lovely place, but why are you staying in the country side when you want to walk to dinner?
Both San Quirico and Pienza are near, but not close enough for walking. You may need a designated driver.

We like to stay in San Quirico as a central location for day trips.

Sorry---wrong thread.

the palazzo vecchio opens til midnight in the middle of the summer every day except Thursday when it closes at 2pm.

if you want to see a market without the crush of the central one, the sant'ambrogio market just north of Santa Croce has a wonderful selection of stalls, and a very good market cafe where you can try such local specialities as bread and tomato salad and trippa alla fiorentina, all washed down with wine from a communal bottle - they charge you [very little] according to how much of the bottle you drink.

Another place which is likely to be less crowded, especially early in the morning is the monastery San Marco, at the other side of the square from the Academia, but it only opens in the mornings.

Annhig, thanks. The communal wine bottle would be kind of like going to communion in the Catholic Church! But only kind of as they put it in a nice chalice at mass. Sounds like a neat market to try. I'll look into the San Marco Monastery too.

if you are interested in San Marco, [or other museums] you might enjoy this website:

http://www.museumsinflorence.com/mus...san_marco.html

there are some good pictures of the words of Fra Angelico which is what San Marco is famous for, as well the cell of Savonarola. to buy tickets, however you want the official website which is this one:

https://www.polomuseale.firenze.it

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