Hi All,

My boyfriend and I are taking a morning train from Rome to Florence, and leaving for Venice the next day afternoon or evening.

We are just about to make reservations for Uffizi and Accademia, and wondering,

How much time should we allocate for each?

Is it better to split the visits to Uffizi and Accademia to two separate days?

We might take some or all of these tours:
- The Original Florence Walk
- Masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery
- The Original David Tour

I imagine the tours will help give a lot more depth to what we see. Is that your experience too?

Hi SB,

You can fit the A and the U into one day, if you have to, about 1 hr for A, and 2:30 for the U..

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 imagine the tours will help give a lot more depth to what we see. Is that your experience too?

Not from what I have seen of the tour groups being herded around Florence.

Have a nice visit.

I took some friends to Florence for a quick day trip from Rome. They wanted to see the Uffizi and run over to see David. I had planned 1 hour for the Accademia. We went to see David first and they enjoyed the museum much more than expected. We were there 2.5 hours. Next time I'll plan Uffizi first.

The Uffizi has so much 'important' art, that it's a good idea to study up on it and know what's there. The Botticelli Venus is my very favorite. Two to three hours should do it there.

The Accademia may only take an hour or so. The David is indescribable, so try not to miss it.

If you arrive after dark in Venice, it makes an unforgettable sight!
>-

SB, we took those exact 3 tours last March (combined into the Original Florence in One Day tour) and would recommend them. We took the tours on our first day, never having been to Florence before. Our guide was very knowledgeable and the information she shared with us definitely added to our later (independent) exploration.

Thanks guys - you've been very helpful as always.

I would agree about the tours...especially if it will be your first visit, you may glean some valuable background information from taking the ones mentioned. Even at the Uffizi, a tour led by a guide knowledgeable about the paintings will add to your enjoyment. I have done this museum both with a guide and without and for a first timer who is less than knowledgeable about the art inside, a tour is an excellent idea.

An hour is plenty for Accademia; 2 1/2 or more would be good for Uffizi. A good art guide might be nice, but not neccessary at all. Just keep in mind that even when you have reservations for these two museums which is an absolute must, you will still wait in line with all those people that have reservations. Schedules are only guidelines in Italy. So be sure to leave yourself time in between in case you wait in line longer than you expect to.