u/Sassyblah

Hi folks—we delayed booking specific tickets to sites in Florence and we’ll be there in about three weeks (July 18-22). I’d love your tips on the following:

- Accademia—will this be like Disneyland crowds on a Tuesday? Is the best plan to go before opening and try to get in line for tickets? Or to book the evening tickets that still show up on their website? Which option gives us the better shot of seeing things without being elbow to elbow with crowds?

— Pitti Palace— will this be an interesting destination for a 12-year old? He’s less interested in art than he is in the buildings themselves. He’s curious about seeing the lavish living spaces of the old rulers and weird dark stuff like torture chambers. Are these tickets we need to book in advance? Would the Medici chapels be better suited?

—Boboli Gardens picnic—we’ve heard many delis in Florence offer ready-made picnics. We’d love to do this in Boboli Gardens. Is that allowed? Do we need to plan a specific deli ahead of time, or is this the kind of thing we’ll be able to easily get when needed?

—Duomo—we want to start our first full day in Florence doing Rick Steve’s Renaissance Walk. It starts at the Duomo. We DEFINITELY want to do the climb, but we don’t necessarily need a guided tour of the place. (12-year old will only last through so many guided tours.) I am confused about various parts of the Duomo complex. Does it open at 8:25, 8:30, or 10:15? I’m also seeing things about a special crypt-side entrance? I would love anyone’s insight on understanding these options and what would be best to book in advance!

—Galileo Science Museum and Da Vinci Museums—the 12-year old is very interested in these! Do we need to book in advance, or are these things we’ll be able to walk up to and get in without a crazy line?

Thank you so much for any detailed tips and insights!!!

Hello! I am going to be in Rome with my son and husband July 22 - July 26. I have seen a few references to the Gladiator Museum in Piazza Navona, which sounds like something my son would LOVE. But I am also seeing things that it may be temporarily closed? I am having a hard time tracking down definitive information. Does anyone here know about it?

Thank you!

Hi! I teach at an IB school in WA state. With the new history guide revisions, we are rethinking how we offer the two year History of Americas course and I wanted to hear from other folks in other states about how you’re implementing it.

Our state requires US History in 11th grade. I think this is fairly common or even universal in the US?because of this, we have traditionally taught the IB history courses backwards. We do Paper 3 in junior year, and Paper 1-2 in senior year.

What do others do? Are you changing the sequence in response to the new guide? How do you all think about this? I’d love as in depth thoughts as you’d like to give! It would be helpful to know what state you’re in if you’re comfortable sharing.

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