We are going to be in Tuscany from June 17th to June 24th. We are just now getting around to making museum reservations. The Uffizi is fully booked during the days we are able to visit Florence, whereas the Accademia is available to book a reservation.

My question is:
Do we book a slot at the Accademia and then try to wait in line for the Uffizi? I have emailed the owners of the farmhouse we are staying at in Montepulciano and asked them to make us reservations since I read a review of their place somwehere that said that they know how to "bypass" the normal means for reserving. Who knows what that means though?

Any thoughts?

It's been a couple of years, but when we were last in Florence the Uffizi stayed open until 10 p.m. We actually walked through the galleries three times during our stay, and we had no reservations. Granted, this was in early October when the crowds might be lighter. We stood in line one morning about 45 minutes before opening and were inside within an hour. The other two times, we were walking back to our hotel and passed the Uffizi. At 6 p.m. there was a short line, and at 8 p.m. there was no line -- I think because the day-trippers and tour groups were done for the day.

Dear seanandjill, in Italy it is typical that Italians know how to "bypass the normal means" regarding anything. No doubt the owners of the farmhouse have a "connection" to someone who works at the Uffizi or has a connection to someone that has a connection that works at the Uffizi. Capito??

Hopefully what you read is true and that the people in Monteulciano whom you are renting from will be able to obtain reservations for you. Best regards.

Waiting in line at the Uffizi in June can be a wait of anything up to 3 hours, probably longer than you will spend inside, so I would rely heavily on the farmhouse in Montepulciano to get you a booking. I am not sure if there is an allocation for locals with accomodation, but the place that we stayed at, Castello di Montegufoni, were able to get us a booking without any trouble. They book you for a time that you ask for and although it may not be the exact time, it is close. You then show up at the front entrance where an attendant will call out your time. I hope you are lucky because it is an incredible Gallery.

Hi S,

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.

Don't ever sell your b & b/hotel short. They are always very happy to make the necessary arrangements. We just returned from nearly a month in Italy and Greece. Florence was such a higlight - although, every place was - and exploring the hilltowns of Tuscany was amazing. You'll love Montepulciano! As for the Accademia, I had heard that making reservations around 4:30 pm is a good idea. It was great. Our hotel reserved Uffizi at 9:30, which took all morning, we had a quick lunch, you're right there by the Duomo, Baptistry, etc., so you can visit them and then try for the Accademia at 4:30. I think that it makes sense to try both avenues, your hotel and going through the steps that were suggested by the prior post.
Have a wonderful trip! You will love David and I just browsed through the "coffee table" book we bought at the Uffizi. It's so worth it!
Buon viaggio!!!