Itinerary Summary
Four days in Florence cover the Uffizi - Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Leonardo - the Accademia's David, the Duomo dome climb, the Bargello and Pitti Palace with the Boboli Gardens. A 1.5-hour Frecc…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Florence arrival, Duomo square and Oltrarno dinner
10:00
2h
Arrival transfer to central Florence
Take tram T2 from Peretola airport to Santa Maria Novella and walk to your hotel. Validate the tram ticket on board, and note that taxis from the airport charge a fixed fare.
📍 Florence
15:00
2h
Duomo square and baptistery doors
Circle Brunelleschi's dome and Giotto's bell tower from the piazza, and study Ghiberti's bronze doors at the baptistery. Book dome and museum tickets separately for another morning.
📍 Piazza del Duomo, Florence
19:30
2h
Oltrarno dinner across the Arno
Cross Ponte Santa Trinita into the Oltrarno and eat at a trattoria in Santo Spirito. Reserve ahead, and try the ribollita or pappardelle with wild boar.
📍 Oltrarno, Florence
💡 Pro Tip: Florence Peretola airport is 20 minutes from the centre by tram T2 to Santa Maria Novella; from Rome Fiumicino, take a high-speed train from Termini. The historic centre is compact and best walked, and most churches require covered shoulders and knees. Entry rules and biometric checks depend on your passport; see the Italy visa section. Italy is UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer.
Days 2-7 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$58035%
Comfort hotels, 6 nights in Florence and Rome
Food & DiningUS$33020%
Florentine trattorias, steakhouses and cafe lunches
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve timed entry for the Uffizi and Accademia galleries?+
Book through the museum websites or the Florence museum pass portal, choosing a date and entry time. Name changes are usually not allowed, so enter each traveler correctly. Morning slots go first. In April to October, reserve several weeks ahead; the Accademia's David room is the bottleneck, so secure that ticket before planning other days.
What should I wear inside the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica?+
Cover shoulders and knees for both sites; sleeveless tops, shorts and short skirts are routinely turned away at St Peter's. Bring a light scarf or wrap in summer. Comfortable shoes matter because the museum route is long, and large bags must be checked at the entrance. Book the basilica dome climb separately if you want the view.
Is the Florence to Rome train easy to combine with Vatican tickets?+
Yes. Frecciarossa trains take about 1.5 hours from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Rome Termini, with frequent departures. Book a mid-morning train so an afternoon Vatican slot is realistic, and allow time to reach your hotel and drop bags. Termini connects to the metro and buses for the Vatican area.
Which months suit a museum-heavy Florence and Vatican trip?+
April to June and September to October are ideal: outdoor walking between galleries is pleasant and indoor collections are less stifling than in July and August. Winter, November to March, brings shorter queues and lower hotel rates, but shorter daylight and more rain. Avoid Easter week and first-Sunday free-entry crowds.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 7 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $1,350–1,940 (≈ €1,170–1,690), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: Art & Museums
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