Do you need to book museum tickets forf the Uffizi and Pitti palace in mid October? If so what is the best way to do it.

Pam: You can reserve the tickets on the internet for the Uffizi and Academia. I do not know about the Pitti. You will have to ask more expeienced travelers than I if they feel it is necessary in October. You can book the Uffizi directly by phone, I understand. It is quite easy to do.

To reserve tickets tothe Uffizi, call 011-39-055-294-883. They will ask your last name and give you a scheduled time and a confirmation number. When you get to the gallery, you go in the door marked "Reservations." They take only cash (14,000 lire per ticket rather than the 12,000 per ticket if you stand in line for two hours--98 cents well spent, I'd say!). <BR> <BR>I'm not sure about the Pitti palace; when I was there last week, it didn't look busy. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR>Deborah

Pam, some people will say that it may not be as crowded in October (I'm sure that's true) and if you go at the end of the day the line may be minimal. <BR>On the other hand, booking in advance doesn't cost much compared to the cost of the trip, and I'd rather know for sure that I won't have to wait in line. <BR>Also, since I didn't find the Uffizi to be particularly user-friendly, I was glad to go early in the morning, prime time, and still not have to wait in line. If it is uncrowded all the time, you can always go back for a second visit, a real luxury. (I had booked advance tickets for the Accademia as well, where "David" is, and I was thrilled to go back for a quick second visit before I left Florence. <BR>I don't think advance tickets are necessary for the Pitti Palace. I went in early October, the Uffizi and Accademia had very long lines, the Pitti Palace and the equally wonderful <BR>Bargello musuem did not have lines at all.

We went in October and were really glad we had our reservations for the Uffizi. The best thing is, you can make your res for any time of day and don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to avoid the crowds (along with everyone else!). We also went to the Pitti one afternoon and there was no line at all. I've been to the Accademia a few times, always early and never with reservations, and never had to wait.