Thank you all for the help in planning my trip. My family of four will be arriving in Florence Saturday Dec 20.

12/21 Accademia for 2 hours then Uffizzi

12/22 Train to Pisa in the morning return in afternoon and visit Cathedral Santa Croce

12/23 Visit in the morning Boboli Gardens then in afternoon hike up the Duomo

12/24 Leave Florence in morning for Rome

I welcome suggestions, adjustments or other advice.

Again all of you who post have provided me with countless hours of reading entertainment and it is very much appreciated.

==Mike

I don't know the age of your kids, but if they tire from art museums, you may want consider visiting the history of science museum, it's not too big and my kids really enjoyed it. An hour or 2 should be more than enough time there.

I agree on the science museum idea. It's pretty cool, and the kids might relate better.

You have left plenty of time to do other things unless your children are very young. You could add some of the following: the Bargello Museum, if you like sculpture; the Museo del Duomo that has original panels from Ghiberti's doors and a wonderful Michelangelo Pieta; the Medici chapel; numerous stops for gelato (or cappucino if it is chilly).

Mamc: Actually the museum you're talking about is the museum of the Duomo, but it's called Museo Della Opera.

mendota: I second Mamc's suggestion of the Bargello. I happen to love sculpture more than paintings and the Bargello is, in my estimation, best (next to David). It has Michelangelo's Bacchus, Giovanni Bologna's Mercury, Donatello's David, Celini's Cosimo I, etc, etc. I also second his suggestion of Museo Della Opera.

Boboli Gardens in my estimation (many may dissagree) is over-rated. A trip to Fiesole and the Eturscan ruins might be more interesting for children.

As others have said, there's more to do in Florence (Bargello, Duomo Museum, Giotti's Tower, bus to Friesole.)
I'd skip the trip to Pisa, or make it a quick stop on the way to Rome. Other than the Leaning Tower, Pisa is fairly mediocre compared to Florence.

The central market area is fun. Food,cheese,wine,spices inside and clothes,purses,leather outside.

Hi mendota,

I second the suggestion to skip Pisa unless you really, really, really want to climb the tower.

I would also add the Bargello. The statuary there is excellent.

The Capelle Medici is breathtaking.

The Boboli Gardens is a good place for your kids to work off extra energy, if they are young. The view from the Porcelain Museum is terrific.

Have a great trip.

Thanks to all. The children are 11 & 13 and love to browse the tacky, tourist shops.

On Monday not many attractions are open so I thought that would be a good day for a visit to Pisa. Plus we need to visit Pisa once. I need to check which of the suggested attractions are open Monday & Tuesday and arrange the schedule accordingly.

Are there any interesting stores on the Boboli garden side of the Ponte Vecchio Bridge?

Thanks again,

==Mike

I have to agree with everyone, skip Pisa. I don't think you need 2 hours at the Accademia either, unless you want to spend the entire time admiring David and doing both the Accademia and the Uffizzi in one day may bring your kids to tears. Instead of the Pisa trip take in the Uffizzi on the 22nd. I also second the Science Museum for the kids and the Bargello. The Museo del Duomo is on the street behind the Cathedral and depending on the age of your kids they may enjoy it as well. Be sure to walk around the Baptistry and look at the wonderful doors before you see the originals in the Museo del Duomo. Have a wonderful trip and a gelato for all of us!!!

Hi again,

You might want to take the kids to the Mercato Centrale one morning.

PS,

Yes, there are shops on the Borgo St Jacopo at the foot of the Ponte Vecchio.

Go ahead and include the half-day trip to Pisa if you want to. My family of four, including kids who will then be 12 and 15, will be including Pisa on our Italy trip next summer. I would be OK with skipping Pisa, but the kids say they MUST see and climb the Leaning Tower. And they'll probably get some cheesy souvenirs associated with it. Since the trip is for all of us, and this is on their list of must-sees, we're going for it. The key is including everyone in the planning so everyone can see/do what's most important to them, and all will have a good time.

I understand those who say skip Pisa but it was one of the "must-dos" for my children ages 11 and 14 this summer when we visited Italy. They adored climbing many towers on this trip and considered this as much of a highight as visiting famous museums.
I highly suggest making reservations in advance to climb the tower as you may have to wait hours without them. It is easy to do and free on their website. Of course, December might not be as crowded as July...

Instead of Pisa, look into going to Siena. Absolutly enchanting Medevial town!

Medicci Chappelle and Pitti Palace are both outstanding and you're leaving them out. Save Pisa and others outside Florence for another trip and don't miss the best of Florence.

Ditto re: Siena which is great. Definitely consider if for a side trip (an easy train ride from Florence).

Hi
The Boboli Gardens didn't thrill me, would mean even less to me in December I think.

An alternate hike might be this
Take the bus up to Fiesole, about a 20 minute ride. Admire the wonderful view of Florence (especially at sunset), have lunch or a snack, visit the church, etc. Walk down to Florence (or reverse this)