Sept. 5 - 7, 2010 (3D2N):  Leg 2 of our week-long Northern Italy trip - see Rome as Leg 1 and Venice as Leg 3. This is one of my favorite cities in the world!  Just picture yourself sitting on the bridge eating gelato while watching the sunset.

Day 1

• Arrive @ Santa Maria Novella station from Rome
• Check-in @ Argentina Curatone (Hotel was chosen from Gate 1 Travel, skip)
• Basilica of San Lorenso & Medici Chapels (Michelangelo)
• Serial Killer Museum (closed)
• Accademia (David statue)
• Lunch & walk by Piazza Del Mecato Centrale
• Pitti Palace:
  • The Porcelain Museum
  • The Boboli Gardens (1,3,4,5pm for Grotta Buontalenti)
  • The Costume Gallery
  • The 'Museo degli Argenti' (The Medici Treasury)
• Oltrarno Walk:
  • Basilica of Santo Spirito
  • Gelato by the bridge and watch sunset
• Dinner @ Cammillo* in Oltrarno (need reservation, order pappardelle with hare sauce)

Day 2

• Church of Santa Maria Novella (Masaccio painting) and Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (old perfumery; free)
• Galileo Science Museum
• Renaissance Walk through heart of old town:
  • Palazzo Vecchio & walk across Ponte Vecchio to Santa Trinity Bridge
  • Lunch by Republica
  • Baptistery of S. Giovanni
  • Climb the Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) (go during sunset and on the hour when bell rings)
  • Drinks & sunset @ rooftop of Continentale Firenze*
  • Walk through Duomo, past by Dante museum (didn't go in)
• Dinner @ Nin Hao (definitely skip; we were craving Chinese at that point of our trip)
• Gelato at Santa Maria Novella Square & walk around the area

Day 3

• Train to Venice

Other points of interest

• Uffizi
• Museo di San Marco
• Museo Nazionale del Bargello
• Sunset at Piazzale Michel Angelo

Tips

• When planning, please be aware of the operating days.  Most attractions are closed on Monday.
• Purchase Academia ticket online with a scheduled time slot to avoid a long wait