Palazzos and Rolling Hills of the Italian Countryside

The Archaeological Civic Museum of Bologna (Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna) is housed in the 15th century Palazzo Galvani, once known as the Hospital of Death. The museum is renowned for its Egyptian collection and important archeological finds in Italy.
Many of the exhibits lack English descriptions. You can always admire the museum from the outside and spend the morning exploring on your own.
Opening Hours: Monday: 9:00 – 14:00 Tuesday: Closed Wednesday 9:00 – 14:00 Thursday 3:00 – 19:00 Friday 10:00 – 19:00 Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 – 19:00

Stop by this buzzy coffee shop for a quick coffee and a snack before you set out on the road. If you skip the museum, you can grab breakfast and mingle with the locals. Take some pastries or paninis on the road with you. Remember that Italians don't order cappuccinos after noon!
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:15 – 19:45 Saturday: 6:15 – 16:30 Sunday: Closed

Urbino is a treasure trove of architecture, art and culture. The city is located on top of a hill, so get your cameras ready as the views will leave you breathless.

It is the most convenient car park to enter Urbino, located near Porta Santa Lucia.

Piazza della Reppublica is a pretty square in the city center and a popular meeting place. Here you'll find bars, shops and historic buildings as you make your way to the ducal palace. You can grab something to eat here as most restaurants close at 15:00.

Visit the birthplace of the famous Renaissance painter Raphael. The medieval house he was born in is a museum with numerous works of art, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and wooden furnishings. Here you’ll find copies of Raphael’s paintings, sketches and tributes from other artists. The museum also has a collection of important documents and paintings that celebrate Urbino’s past.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 09:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 19:00 Sundays and holidays: 10:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 18:00

Unlike other military castles of the day, Palazzo Ducale was built for comfort and pleasure. It was the gathering place for the greatest minds of the time. Under the tutelage of the Duke of Montefeltro, Urbino became one of Europe's most illustrious courts during the Renaissance. It's easy to imagine how grand it must have been in its heyday.
Opening Hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 – 19:15

Your drive to Florence is over three hours, so I recommend grabbing dinner before leaving or finding a place to eat after you arrive. Many restaurants in Urbino don't reopen till 19 or 19:30. You can wait around or grab a pizza from this place if you're hungry.
Opening Hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 – 15:00, 18:30 – 23:00

Return to the parking lot to collect your car. As Florence is the final stop on this route, you can opt to say longer exploring Urbino.