The Uffizi Gallery and Accademia
 

Traveling to Florence, Italy the 3rd week of November. I only have Friday, Nov. 25th to see the Accademia and Uffizi museums. Are there any places on line that sell combo tickets ?
There will be a total of 3 adults.
Thank you.

P.S. I desperately need a new leather jacket. Where is a reputable place to buy ?

There is a Friends of the Uffizi ticket that gives you access to most state museums in Florence, but it costs more than you would spend on basic entry tickets for the two museums. Just book directly with the museums. There is a 4€ online booking charge per ticket plus there will be an extra fee of a few euro if there are any special exhibitions. Basic ticket is 6.50€ and usually about 10 if there is an exhibition.
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/Default.asp?

The Friends info:
http://www.amicidegliuffizi.it/become_a_member.aspx

There's also the Firenze Card but it wouldn't be worth it for just the two museums you want to visit in one day. It's a 3 day pass @ €50/person. You can swipe it for use on public transportation during its validity period too.

http://www.firenzecard.it/

If for some reason you want to get one, here are the outlets:
http://www.firenzecard.it/index.php?...po=pdv&lang=en

Thanks all, I will order tickets directly with the museum.

What about renting bikes ? My husband, son and I love to bike ride. How hilly is Florence ? Just a thought of doing something different.

Central Florence is flat, but it's a city. I wouldn't feel comfortable cycling there, but if you customarily ride in cities, then I'd think you'd be fine.

It's hilly (and fewer cars) as you had toward Piazzale di Michelangelo, but the roads are narrower, too. If you only have one full day and want to see both the Uffizi and the Accademia, then you may not have time for cycling.

If you are really interested in the art as opposed to seeing something because you should see it before you die (and there is nothing wrong with this), try to get your tickets to the Uffizi as early as possible. It is huge and compelling. There is a small cafe upstairs with interesting views over the city, so you won't have to leave for lunch. The views over the river are also outstanding.

Try to book the Accademia fairly late.

If you have to do the museums in the opposite order, the convent of St Mark just beyond the Accademia ia also well worth seeing, but I think it is closed in the afternoon.

Biking? The Italians do, but it is how thry get to work and shop.

I hope you will let us know when you get home about weather and crowds. Both were horrendous in September.

You get a better choice of entry times by phoning rather than booking online.

Hi mary-ann,

when we did both in the same day, we got early tickets for the Uffizi, as has been suggested above, and then booked for 2pm for the academia.

I was worried that we might be rushed in the uffizi, but in fact, we found that worked very well. but if you are students of renaissance art, or would like to see San Marco, which is only open in the morning, you will need to change things round a bit.

The phone service is definitely the way to go. The staffers speak excellent English and will complete the transaction in just a few minutes. Plus, you don't have to pay for the tix in advance.

How far in advance can you book? we are going for Easter (I have a feeling it may be super busy then) any suggestions which day we should go ( we arrive good Friday)

The historic center of Florence (Centro Storico) is flat, but it is VERY congested, and the streets are narrow. Except for a few places that are pedestrian only, the streets are clogged with parked cars and traffic is pretty hair-raising. So bikes are not a good idea.

Besides, you can walk across the Centro Storico in half an hour. Don't bother with bikes or buses.

You could book the uffizi which is essential then leave accademia until about 5pm. It is open until about 7pm and that is plenty of time. We did that and only waited about 5 mins to get into accademia. Don't be fooled by those who might tell you that it's ok to settle for the copy of David in the Piazza della Signora as it is not the same at all! The way that he statue of David has been placed in the Accademia is breathtaking.

We were in Florence last weekend (Fri-Sun) and didn't have a wait to get into anything. Walked right into the Uffizi around 3pm fri and 11:30 Sunday in the Accademia. So for the person going next week, it might not be necessary to book ahead.

Completely agree about the bikes, not a great idea.

if you book on the phone, you don't, I think, have to pay till you get there.

so if there are no queues, you can just buy your ticket in the normal way, instead of picking them up from the special window for pre-booked tickets, thus avoiding paying the €4 booking surcharge.

Best of both worlds?

I am certainly not an expert on the subject of leather in Florence, but I can tell you where my DD's Florence family sent her to buy a leather jacket. She has had it about five years now, and it is beautiful.

From my trip report of May 2006:
"We returned to town and finished our shopping mission: to find a wallet and a belt for my son. My daughter’s recommendation was a little store on Via del Corso 69/r, called Leonardo da Vinci. A very nice woman runs it, and my daughter thought her prices were the best for quality pieces."