Three couples (in their 50s) will be making a day trip (hopefully by train) to Florence (staying at a villa near Orvieto) next September and are interested in an efficient (and pleasureable) trip to Florence to see the sights. Some of us think that hiring a local guide to drive and escort us and make reservations for all sights (Ufizzi, Accademia Gallery, Pitti Palace plus any other recommendations) is the way to go, rather than getting our own tickets and trying to find our way. We'd apprciate any information regarding this, and if you have particular individuals or firms to recommend, please do so.

Thanks,

KnoxvilleCouple

Go to slowtrav.com and find the ad for Ann Reavis--she gets high marks. Get an early start.

I think you'd do fine on your own. The historic center of Florence is small and easy to navigate on foot. I like to use the "Streetwise" city maps to plan my walking routes.

You can make reservations for the Uffizi and Accademia in advance by phone or Internet, and walk right in at your appointed time.

That said, Ann Reavis' website is:
http://www.tuscantraveler.com

I can personally recommend Pauline Priore as a tour guide. An American who's lived in Florence for 20+ years, she's incredibly knowledgeable and a charming person. In 2002, she organized an afternoon of wine and olive oil tasting for me and some friends. We all had a wonderful time ... and came home with delicious goodies! http://www.paulinepriore.com

Good luck with your plans.

Hi K,

You can buy your tickets to Florence at the Orvieto train station or online from www.trenitalia.com/en.

Take the 07:48 train arr at FSMN at 9:21.

Walk from the train station to the Santa Maria Novella 0:45 hr.

Cross the square and walk up the Via S. Antonino to the Mercato Centrale 0:45

Walk up Via S. Orsola to Via D. Alfani and go right 3 blks to the Accademia. See David and other things. 1:15

Go South on Via Ricassoli to the Duomo Square. Have lunch and people watch. 1:30

See the Duomo, Baptistry and Museo dell' Opera. 2:15

Walk South on Via del Calzaiuoli to Pzza della Signoria (window shop) 0:45

Visit the Uffizi 1:30

Walk to the Ponte Vecchio (window shop) 0:45

Have dinner at Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco 43 Borgo San Jacapo
Rave reviews on Fodor around €30 for dinner plus wine,
Thu–Tue 12:00–15:00 & 18:30–23:30, closed Wed,
reservations wise, tel. 055-215-706). [email protected]

Dinner will be rushed because the last train leaves at 21:09.

Take a cab back to the train station.

Enjoy your day.

PS,

You could skip the Santa Maria Novella and have dinner a little earlier.

Thanks so much for the incredibly prompt and informative responses to our query. Makes us wish that we were letting you plan the rest of our two weeks in Italy (one week in a villa near Orvieto, then two couples down to Positano (2 nights), Capri (2 nights), and Rome (3 nights). We will consult the other couples and then follow up as soon as we can all agree - not really too hard since the other two couples have more or less assigned us the "responsibility" of planning.

Thanks again.

Knoxville Couple

Good stuff Ira !

Thanks, Bob.

Pulling up this thread to see if anyone has ideas for other guides. I tried Pauline's email and it came back, the site hasn't been updated since 2004, so perhaps she's not doing tours anymore?

I also emailed the tuscantraveler site.