I am taking my mom to Florence and Venice this June. We will arrive in Florence on a Sunday afternoon and stay for three nights (at the Hotel Davanzati). Then, we will take the train to Venice and stay for two nights at the Hotel Al Ponte Antico. Then, it is back to Florence on Friday for 5 nights (4 at the Davanzati and the last night at the Grand Hotel Villa Medici). Does anyone have any suggestions for our itinerary? In Florence, we have reserved tickets on one day for the Uffizi and the Bargello and tickets for the next day at the Accademia. We also have enrolled in a one day painting class (from 8-1pm) on a Tuesday. Any suggestions for Venice and/or Florence "must-sees", restaurants, itineraries, etc. are greatly appreciated. I am starting to get overwhelmed!

Hi S4842,
A painting class! That sounds like fun.
My husband and I are going to Florence and Venice next January.
Don't miss Santa Croce.(Michelangelo's tomb, as well as Galileo's).
San Marco would be a nice suggestion on the Accademia day, it is right by there.
The Boboli Gardens would be nice that time of year, and the Pitti Palace, has lovely art.
I too am excited to see the Bargello this visit. Piazza Signoria is great for people watching and a bite to eat on your Uffizi and Bargello day. (Be advised the Bargello closes at 1:50 daily.)
Also, I think because you have so much time in Florence a day trip to Siena, or San Gimignano would be nice, possibly Lucca or Pisa.

And of course the Duomo.

There are many great restaurant posts already on here, I plan to research that area later on.

Have a great time wiht your Mom, again I am excited for your painting class!

Best wishes, T.

p.s. One other thing, most museums are closed on Mondays, not sure if you are aware of that or not, so thought I would mention it. Or some are closed say on the first and thirds Mondays of every month etc.
Just check before you get there, would hate for you to miss out on the Accademia or the Uffizi.

It sounds like your plans are well established, but I am not sure that 8 days in Florence and 2 in Venice is an equitable distribution of your time. 'Twere me, I would have evened the stays out just a bit more.

I have a long list of favorite restaurants in Florence. Recently, we made repeated visits to Pallotino near Santa Croce. It's next to Vivoli, so you can't miss it. The Pappa al Pomodoro was outstanding; I had it twice, and my husband had the lasagna twice.

We had bistecca at Trattoria d'Benci, and it was very good, but not inexpensive. I wish we had tried it at Pallontino, where another couple were eating it: it looked excellent.

We did a few chocolate stops, if that interests you: Hemingway in the Oltrarno, and Dolce e Dolcezzi, which was a little out of the way, but superb.

I agree with the previous poster: Spend a little more time in Venice, there is nothing like it. Also add day trips from Florence, since you have the time.

While in Florence, definitely visit the Palazzo Vecchio. It has great frescoes and is, in my inexpert opinion, highly under rated.
Also get reservations for the Vasari Corridor connecting the uffizi to the pitti palace.

Unfortunately, my hotel reservations have already been made in Florence and Venice. And, since it is June, they are impossible to change. When I was in college, ten years ago, I saw Venice in two days. So, I thought that we would be able to do it this time in three. Now, I am getting nervous about my lack of time there! It will be my mom's first trip to the city. Thank you for the restaurant suggestions and I love chocolate!

I will definitely do some side trips from Florence.

Keep those suggestions coming!

Hi s4,

Nice trip.

You might find my trip report helpful. We did daytrips to Siena and Bologna as well as Orvieto and Lucca.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Since you have so much time in Florence, may I suggest a day trip out to the wine country? We used Accidental Tourist (www.accidentaltourist.com) and it was great. A tour and wine and olive oil tasting and then pasta making and lunch. We did it on a Monday since the museums were closed. It was a great day!

Wow! Thanks, Ira!

We have really enjoyed the Museo del Opera del Duomo, directly behind the Duomo. It has many wonderful works of art, including panels from the original Ghiberti doors, a Donatello sculpture of Mary Magdelene and a Michelangelo pieta. Your trip sounds wonderful but try to arrive in Venice as early on the first day and leave as late on the last day as possible. Venice is a state of mind, best enjoyed over as much time as you can manage!