ItalyFlorence is a Renaissance city you can cross on foot in 25 minutes, yet it holds more world-changing art per square metre than almost anywhere on earth. The trick is to tame the two unmissable queues - the Uffizi and the Accademia (David) - by booking timed tickets days in advance, then letting the rest unfold slowly. Climb Brunelleschi's dome at opening, cross the Arno to the quieter Oltrarno for artisan workshops and trattorias, and treat the late-afternoon passeggiata up to Piazzale Michelangelo as a daily ritual. Eat where Florentines eat (San Lorenzo's market stalls, the lardo-and-tripe stands, the bistecca alla fiorentina cooked rare and sold by weight), drink a glass of Chianti standing at a wine window, and remember that many museums close on Mondays and churches shut for a long lunch. Florence rewards the patient: the more you wander its tawny streets at dawn and dusk, the more it gives.
Day plans
Pick your trip length. The full 1-day plan is free, members unlock the 3 and 7-day plans.
The dome climb (463 steps, no lift) requires a separate timed reservation booked in advance - take the earliest slot to beat the heat and crowds.
Free to wander; the David here is a copy. Peek into Palazzo Vecchio's courtyard, and note the Uffizi entrance is just behind.
Book a timed entry online days ahead - this is the museum to never queue for. Don't miss Botticelli's Birth of Venus in Rooms 10-14.
