Italy: Jen's Florence Itinerary
After a few days in Rome, we'll be making our way to Staci's study abroad home, Florence. Since its a smaller city than Rome, I'm hoping that we have more time to just wander, take in the beauty and drink all the wine. Here's whats on deck:
Couresty of www.specticast.com
Uffizi Gallery
After arriving early (via train) in Florence, we plan to visit the Uffizi Gallery, which contains one of the largest collections of Italian Renaissance works in the world. Like our Louvre visit, I expect we'll be doing the "greatest hits" here. We already have our tickets so that we can avoid the infamous line.
Courtesy of Pinterest
Brunelleschi's Dome
We also have reservations for our first day in Florence at the Duomo. We're trying to have it coincide with sunset so that we can get the best views of the city during golden hour and after.
Courtesy of HistoryOfPainters.com
Giotto's Bell Tower
Our tickets to the Duomo get us into this part of the church as well (score!), so we'll be climbing the 414 steps to the top. My trainer is going to be proud.
Courtesy of GardenVisit.com
Boboli Gardens
This is basically a giant sculpture garden filled with tons of 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries works, plus some Roman antiquities. If it's anything like the Rodin Sculpture Garden, I'll love it. Picnic, anyone?
Courtesy of Flickr
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
The basilica itself is a treasure chest of art, housing frescos by Domenico Ghirlandaio. Since it's directly across from the train station, it might be our first stop -- at least to see the outside.
Couretsy of GetYourGuide
Pitti Palace
This massive Renaissance palace was bought by the Medici family, and over the centuries, it served as the residence of the city's rulers until the Savoys donated it to the state in 1919. Nowadays, it is home to the Boboli Gardens and houses an impressive silver museum and a couple of art museums. We're going to try to stop by during sunset when apparently the sky turns the facade bright pink.
Courtesy of Arte.it
Museo del Novecento
When most people think of museums in Italy, they think of Renaissance painters, but this modern museum there actually has an amazing collection of works from the 20th century. It even has a room showing a 20-minute montage of the best films set in Florence. Shoulda included it in my "What to Watch Before You Go" list.
Courtesy of Lonely Planet
Galleria Accademia
Based on research, it seems like if you didn't get tickets for first thing in the morning, you'd be SOL getting to see the David, so we did just that. Hoping to get there before the crowds descend.
Courtesy of The Museums of Florence
Museo di San Marco
This monastery/museum houses a ton of Fra Angelico, whose work I studied a ton during my years at MICA. I can't wait to see them in person!
Cappelle Medicee
The pictures of the Medici Chapels remind me of Versailles, so I'm expecting some major opulence alongside Michelangelo sculptures of dead members of the Medici dynasty.
...And a more day-to-day detailed breakdown:
Missing anything?
-Jen
P.S. Shout out to my cousin, Gabby, who also studied abroad there and gave me a ton of amazing recs!
