if you’re planning on seeing the statue of David in Florence (or the Uffizi Gallery) you should book your tickets online otherwise you’ll be waiting in line for a few hours. If you book online you can skip past the line

http://www.b-ticket….

Nice call finnegan. I waited in that line and its a PITA…

If you don’t book it on line, you will want to get their really early cause the lines get long quick…

Thanks, guys. I do plan on making a reservation to the Ufizzi. That’s on my list to do in the next week, as I start figuring out what each day might look like. I saw the David 10 years ago, and while it would be nice to see it again, I think I’ll give it a miss since my time in Florence is so limited.

There are differing opinions on the Rick Steves guidebooks, but he does do a good job at telling you how to avoid lines. Of course, if everyone’s following his advice, then it’s not really doing us much good, I suppose.

I also plan on getting a Paris museum pass. Do you have any experience with the Roma Pass?

I’d rather line up for gelatto than David…but if you’ve ever seen him, its worth a peek.

The David is pretty amazing and it was a short visit when I was there 10 years ago, but I remember the museum where he was kept as being fairly nondescript other than the David. Of course, this was 10 years ago when I was 21 and a different person. Eh, I think I’d go with the gelatto, as well.

I just reserved a place at Le Village Hostel in Paris for my first three nights, so that’s taken care of.

I posted a question on the Transportation forum, but I’ll ask here, too. For an overnight train, would paying EUR12 extra for 1st class over 2nd class make a big difference in my level of comfort? Normally I would just go with the 2nd class, as I can pretty much sleep under any circumstances, but since it’s only EUR12 difference with the special fare…? Is it worth it? Or should I save the 16 bucks?

If it’s only 12 euros, I’d go for it! Normally first class fares are MUCH more expensive than 2nd class and it’d be nice to have a really comfortable bed one night, even if it is on a train. (also, more privacy)

Roma pass is a little expensive at 25 Euros but it’s great because you get to skip the line at the Colosseum. (and it would cost 12ish Euros anyways) plus you get to take the bus for 3 days. I had a Roma pass last time I was in Rome and will get one again. Rather pay a few euros extra and skip the 3 hour line up in the burning sun . Make sure you visit the Colosseum one of your first 2 visits with the Roma pass because they are the only ones that are free with the card.

They don’t like you taking pictures of David, so this was kinda of tricky to get.

It didn’t help that I had a manual focus lens and I only had about 1/2 a second to get the shot, but it turned out alright.

Should have put yourself in the pic…maybe pointing to a body art

Those people look ridiculously small compared to David. I know the statue is about 17 ft tall but for some reason, this picture makes it look like it’s a freakin’ giant !

Actually, that’s pretty damn good for a “prohibited-quick-snapshot-pic”

I did it. Got my first class ticket. Also requested an all female room. It will be my first train ride of the trip. My first train ride ever. Looking forward to it! Thanks for the help again!

I figure that three days on the metro and paying to get into two sites might equal abut euro 25 anyway. Then you get discounts at other places with it, right? It seems worth it.

That’s what I was thinking! I remember it being a big statue, but not that big. That’s a great grabbed shot! I’m starting to reconsider going to see him again. Remembering how beautiful he is in person. But there are so many beautiful sculptures, so maybe I’ll get my fill elsewhere. Oh, that’s making me remember that I need to make my Uffizzi reservation!