I just returned from Florence after a 32 year hiatus. I generally enjoyed it a bit more than I recall before, but I would never return in Summer, (if ever). For all it has to offer, it is just too packed and touristy for my taste. I also think the tourist is being taken advantage of to too great a degree. This time, bringing a family of 3 to see the major sights became a major expense. The current practice of charging full admission to non-EU children (including my 9 yr old daughter on whom I would like to instill a sense of culture) is distressing. For example, in San Lorenzo, one would certainly like to see the church, the Michelangelo stairs , and the Medici tomb. They have it priced so that it takes 3 separate admissions to see all of it. That amounted to well over $60 for my family, so I had to skip seeing the stairs and the tomb (sent my wife in as she hadn't seen it). I just don't understand the necessity of this sort of "gouging". Where does all this money go? This is a Catholic church, fer chrissake..... . The scene is repeated again at Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, Duomo (though not to the degree as at San Lorenzo). If I ever go back to Florence, it will be a quick stop on some sort of a road trip, in the Spring.

Rick (still simmering)

I LOVED Florence... I think I must have lived there in a past life :) We stayed 4 nights at in July of 07 and I really want to return. We had an amazing apartment - and did what someone else recommended would head back in the afternoon to cool off and then venture out at night.

I can only say that I went to Paris once for 2 nights - our trip was cut short due to travel delays, we were very jet lagged, had horrible meals, it was crowded and I really disliked Paris and had zero desire to really return (I know the shame) I also realized that my view as colored by the experiences on the trip - we had an opportunity to return in December of 2008 and spent 10 nights... I fell head over heels in love with the city and still suffer from PPD (post Paris Depression!)...so you never know :)

I never liked Florence...just can't warm to it. That said...it IS possible I think to grow to love a city :-) I didn't like Naples on my first trip and now I absolutely adore it. (Venice was love-at-first-sight for me and I've been head-over-heels ever since) I did try yet again to love Florence recently...just doesn't happen for me. I'm ok with that ;-)